DREAM

Launching game. Some Microsoft Edge installer says I already have some software installed. OK moving on. Game starts in a tiny ass window. OK maximizing. No options in the menu. OK clicking on the button UNDER the start label, and not on the actual thing that says start. Game starts. Can't click on anything. Spam click and end up clicking the X, don't think it crashed. Relaunch the game. Same installer says I already have some software installed. OK ignoring the fact that this smells like malware now. Starting a new game. Still can't click. WASD do not work. Enter does not work. Space does not work. Looking up reviews. No one had issues with controls. (Or gave up before the 5 minute review threshold, like I almost did) OK trying again. Arrows work! So naturally, trying keys around the arrows when wanting to interact with the items. Space and Enter do not work. Taking the 15th deep breath. Pressing E near the moving thing on the screen next to the door. Finally something happens. A hint saying I can press E to interact. Troll much? So off the bat the controls were designed by someone that never played a game before, not in the 2000s, not in 2025. And the hints come after I already discovered what the hint is trying to help me with. A cursor is actually available if I interact with a specific icon, but it's not visible at first, cus it's off screen - the game is a square with black bars left and right and remember, no options whatsoever in the menu. OK moving on. So now the right hand comes OFF the arrows, onto the mouse. But if I exit that menu, I now have to move. So my left hand goes on the arrows. But wait, now I have to interact with something else, so my left hand goes off the arrows and back on E, while switching my right hand from the mouse and back onto the arrows. So every time an E interaction requires follow up with the mouse, I have to wave both hands around my desktop. Unless I was supposed to always have the right hand on the arrows, and switch between E and the mouse with my left hand that would go on top of my right arm to reach the mouse for this transition. Yea, that makes more sense. /s It's worse than a monkey scratching its left ear with its right hand. Alt tabbing away and back makes arrows no longer work until I click. Why? The window is already focused. I'm sorry. This could have the best gameplay in the world, but it does not matter. The executable, the window properties, the game controls... just a hot mess. Unless it was all part of the abstract gameplay! Did I win?

*DREAM* is a surreal 2D exploration-collectathon that takes you through a series of dream-like landscapes, offering a mix of whimsical art and peculiar puzzles. From the start, the game sets a strange and hypnotic tone, inviting you to wander through various fantastical settings at your own pace. The game’s mysterious atmosphere is one of its strongest points, with unique music and art creating a sense of being in a world that’s both familiar and strange. The core gameplay revolves around interacting with objects and characters scattered throughout the dream world. These interactions yield items that you can use to change the appearance of your character, adding a small but intriguing layer of customization. The puzzle and mini-game elements keep things fresh, though they’re often brief and not overly challenging. The point-and-click style combat, while functional, feels a bit out of place in a game otherwise focused on exploration. However, *DREAM* can be a bit difficult to wrap your head around. It has an abstract, almost elusive quality that makes it hard to fully grasp what the game wants from you at times. The lack of clear guidance or direction can make progress feel slow or confusing, and the whimsical, dream-like nature of the game can sometimes border on aimless. The art style is undoubtedly striking, with a hand-drawn, almost sketch-like look that fits the surreal tone of the game. The music further complements the atmosphere, adding to the sense of wandering through a strange, ever-shifting world. But, for some players, the lack of a clear objective might be off-putting, as there’s little in the way of a traditional narrative or structure to keep you engaged. Overall, *DREAM* is a unique experience that excels at creating an otherworldly atmosphere, but it may leave players feeling disoriented or unsatisfied if they’re expecting something more grounded or structured. If you’re a fan of exploration-heavy games and enjoy abstract, artistic experiences, this one might be worth a try. However, if you're looking for clarity and more solid gameplay mechanics, it could end up feeling more frustrating than fun.

What in the actual hell did I just play?

the art in this is incredible

Игра 'DREAM' — это завораживающее путешествие в сюрреалистичный мир сновидений. Визуальный стиль впечатляет своей психоделической красотой, сочетая яркие цвета и необычные формы. Исследование лабиринтов подсознания затягивает, а загадки, хоть и не всегда очевидные, заставляют задуматься над глубинным смыслом сновидений и собственной психологии. Однако, геймплей может показаться несколько монотонным из-за недостатка динамики и акцента на exploration. Отсутствие четких инструкций иногда приводит к бесцельному блужданию, что может утомить. Тем не менее, атмосфера игры, созданная меланхоличным саундтреком и загадочным нарративом, окутывает и заставляет исследовать дальше. В целом, 'DREAM' – это скорее интерактивное переживание, нежели традиционная игра. Рекомендуется тем, кто ценит артхаусные проекты и готов погрузиться в медитативный, полный символизма мир, несмотря на некоторые недостатки в геймплее. Если вы ищете уникальный и запоминающийся опыт, 'DREAM' может стать открытием.