- Publisher: Afterburner Studios
- Release Date: Aug 13, 2020
- Also On: Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
-
Aug 10, 2021Dreamscaper has been in early access for about a year, and based on my time with it, I can say that time was well spent by Afterburner. They’ve created a well-balanced and engaging roguelike Action RPG that perfectly pairs with its social simulator mechanics. I continued to play long after I conquered Cassidy’s dreams and enjoyed every run, whether it was all the way to the end of the game or stupidly dying in the first level. This is a super impressive debut for the studio, and I hope that Afterburner is already working on its follow-up title! If Dreamscaper is any indication, we will be in for some sweet dreams ahead!
-
Aug 13, 2021If you’re an old-time lover of roguelikes that’s into things like Binding of Isaac or Dungeons of Dredmor, Dreamscaper is for you. If you’re a newer addition to the ranks of procedurally-generated dungeon crawls with the new era of roguelites like Rogue Legacy or Hades, Dreamscaper is for you. Either way, smart design decisions and surreal vibes surround the experience, making this an excellent summer surprise.
-
Sep 2, 2021In a crowded roguelike landscape, Dreamscaper tries to stand out by adding a narrative, advendure-like mini section, which is so well-crafted and interesting that it almost overshadows the action segments. The game offers good graphics and a cool soundtrack, but also repetitive puzzles and unconvincing enemy design. Luckily, the combat system is excellent, which makes a great pick for any action roguelike fan.
-
CD-ActionNov 15, 2021A roguelike with a strong emphasis on the story. The gameplay turned out to be rather shallow, but the gravity of the subject that the game tackles (depression) makes up for that. For a roguelike, Dreamscaper is quite easy, so its message has a chance to reach a broader audience. [11/2021, p.61]
-
Aug 5, 2021I appreciated the time I spent with Dreamscaper, and I think Afterburner Studios is a team to watch. That said, the game isn’t as polished yet as I would hope. It’s demanding and very grindy, leaning a bit too much on what I consider Souls mechanics. And given how much time is required to unlock enough features to succeed, I really think the best way to play the game is portably. Sadly, I couldn’t do that on my PC, though it did inspire me to buy a Switch edition shortly before writing this review. But if you’re a fan of rogue and don’t mind a steep challenge, I’d definitely check Dreamscaper out.
-
Aug 4, 2021While the gameplay provides a strong loop that makes it easy to jump in, it’s the immersive atmosphere that grabs hold and keeps players engaged for multiple runs. The emotional struggles of the characters resonate, and there are important messages about how helpful the support of others can be. Reaching its proper conclusion may require more work than is warranted, but the overall experience of Dreamscaper is such that it remains a strong recommendation for those looking for an atmospheric hack-and-slash title.
-
Aug 4, 2021Charmingly staged rogue-lite game with stimulating progression. The innovative day/night cycle harmoniously completes the setting.
-
Oct 21, 2021If you have an itch for a new and solid roguelike, Dreamscaper is more than happy to help you scratch it.
-
Aug 4, 2021Dreamscaper is a delightful and deep game, mixing elements of realistic character development with fluid combat in a dreamlike world. However, this does come with moments of tedium and monotony, making it best to experience through shorter play sessions. There’s a good balance of subtlety between the character writing and atmosphere with combat’s fast pace and tension. Dreamscaper makes a name for itself in the ever-expansive world of roguelite titles with great detail and nuance.
-
Aug 27, 2021Dreamscaper doesn’t offer a compelling connection between the dream battles and the difficulty that the introvert Cassidy has in fitting in the big city. Nevertheless, where it truly matters, i.e. the combat and randomization of items/ levels, the quality is high enough to convince us to return again and again to its challenging but fair dungeons.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
-
Dec 23, 2020Dreamscaper is a permadeath RPG that took my breath away. This is a game that carries weight behind it. The overall moves and story arcs are impeccable to take it and watch. The visuals are staggering and impeccable. It’s a wonderful game. It’s a moving and relatable narrative that allows you inside our protagonist’s life and personal experiences of her subconscious. It’s a damn good game.
-
Sep 28, 2020Dreamscaper is a deep, thought-provoking journey packed with some truly enjoyable combat and realistic characters. If you’ve been hesitating to give it a try-don’t.
-
Aug 14, 2020Dreamscaper is beautiful, deep and haunting, deftly combining elements of real-life pain and poignant character development with fast-paced combat in a surreal alternate world.
-
Aug 31, 2020It’s a really interesting idea, and it’s very well executed. The flow of the game is never too fast either, even the more intense battles have a little more space than in most roguelikes, and it leads to a more relaxed game overall. I really like Dreamscaper and I hope that a lot more people will play it.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 16 out of 25
-
Mixed: 5 out of 25
-
Negative: 4 out of 25
-
Aug 6, 2023
-
Jul 27, 2023
-
Apr 24, 2023The animations are the worse I saw in decades, I did not like the "squared" levels.
I did not enjoy this game in general despite loving roguelikes.