Faded memories, everyday scenes, and faraway sounds. There’s something familiar about this place, but you don’t have time to focus, especially not when there’s somewhere to be; something to find. When you find it, everything should make sense. Right? As you search area after area, looking for that something that will answer your questions, you realize how dangerously low your health has dipped. When the monsters finally overcome you, the world disappears, and you suddenly wake up.
Developed by AfterBurner Studios and co-published by Freedom!Games and Maple Whispering Limited, you play as the dreamy heroine, Cassidy, in the roguelite game, Dreamscaper. By day, she is a down–to–earth and spunky gal, just trying to find her place in the world and in her town of Red Haven. By night, she is a fearless fighter in the realm of sleep and the subconscious. Join her in both her daytime adventures and night battles as she tries to uncover the truth and her own insecurities.
Instead of beginning with a long and exploratory exposition, in Dreamscaper, you begin in the middle of Cassidy’s narrative and must work outward to find the beginning and the end of her story. At first, her daily interactions with the citizens of Red Haven are certainly odd and a little off-putting. Between their reactions and conversations with her, prior events had occurred, unknown to the player, that will require further conversing to discover what had happened. The more you speak and gift the people of Red Haven, the friendlier the people are with Cassidy. This will, in turn, benefit Cassidy in her dreams as this unlocks better upgrades, weapons, and abilities.
The first level is almost too easy as it allows players to become accustomed to the controls, available abilities, and to test out the varying battle mechanics that suit the player’s preference. That being said, this is not a game where players can recklessly charge into battle and have Cassidy swing wildly in hopes of destroying her enemies. The further that Cassidy sinks into her subliminal mind, the more difficult the levels become. Taking on the nightmarish opponents will require tactical attacks, coordinated dodges, and parries. With each level, less potions will be dropped, and enemies will only become stronger in both attack and health points. Luckily not all areas are filled with enemies as there are “rooms” that contain rewarding puzzles, stores, and even areas to upgrade.
The biggest hurdle for players is the threat of Permadeath. If defeated in the dreams by an enemy, Cassidy is forcefully awakened and her previously gained advantages that were obtained throughout the levels will be removed. This game mechanic can be difficult to get through as one wrong move and players are forced to restart from the beginning and can only hope that the weapons and lucid powers found are the same, if not better from the ones previously obtained.
Dreamscaper is a unique combination of being both relaxing and challenging to play. This action game does a fantastic job at capturing the surreal ambience of the dreamworld. The game play is smooth, the music is lovely, and the atmosphere and design are beautiful. Much like how alluring dreams can really be, there is something magical about how Dreamscaper captures one’s attentions and imaginations. Just be careful of dying as waking from a nightmare is never fun for anyone.
Check Out the Dreamscaper Steam Early Access Trailer:
Dreamscaper is available for $19.99 for Windows PC via Steam Early Access.
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Video games have always been a huge influence in my life and have definitely shaped me to who I am today . Some of my best memories growing up were the many adventures and stories I was able to experience and become immersed in. If my hands aren't either covered in clay, typing, editing, creating, or helping shoving food in my mouth, they would either be gripped to a controller, tapping away at the screen of my phone, or clicking away on my PC. I am always up for trying something new because why live just one life when you can live many.
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