!Dream

I wish the developer would read some books. Though maybe he should start with the alphabet first, then move on to elementary school textbooks, and only after that try something heavier — at least some basic popular war literature. Because the message of “war is bad” is painfully overused by itself. A game where you spend 10 minutes wandering through a forest, occasionally interrupted by cutscenes where the protagonist keeps preaching that war is bad, has no cultural or literary value. The game is literally crap.

I liked this. I really, really liked this, especially as someone who enjoys history and war and yet still knows the damage it causes for the victims of it. It's short but the atmosphere is really well done, the music helps it too. It's tense in a way that quiets you, sometimes makes you expect that a jumpscare is coming, but this game doesn't do that. It holds its word, providing exactly what it says it would: gives insight on the thoughts of a soldier, a victim of war and orders. It's honestly great, paces itself really well for what it is, letting moments linger where they're supposed to to create that tension. It's simple but efficient. The graphics aren't anything to write home about, neither is the lighting in the main scene with the soldier in the ruins, but it works, does its job in a way that doesnt pull away even if they're not realistic. I am unsure if it was made with AI, the script that is, given the em-dashes that you can find in the narration script but it is voice acted by a real person, who I must say, does a good job. Its emotional, gives the thought you're listening to an actual, young guy who's stuck in the war, as most soldiers were. Even without a lot of controls being shown, you can find your way around, the creator also thinking of the small colour changing icon that guides you when you need to find something, so prompts for that. I would've gotten lost in the finding you buddy scene without it lol. Overall, good, short narrative game. Can highly recommend. I can't lie, it hit me hard. (One small thing, the scene at the end, I feel it would've hit harder if you just saw the MC lifeless instead of the slightly horror hint. Still good. Really well done :)