The Dream Machine

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 54
  3. Negative: 3 out of 54

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  1. Benzin
    May 25, 2012
    9
    In the vast market of indie games, occasionally you'll find a gem of a game that stands out from other games which you'll remember for years to come. The Dream Machine is one such game, it utilizes it's unique art style of clay and cardboard, blended together with a rich story, simple controls, and challenging puzzles to create a great, but slightly short game as far as chapters 1-3 go. IfIn the vast market of indie games, occasionally you'll find a gem of a game that stands out from other games which you'll remember for years to come. The Dream Machine is one such game, it utilizes it's unique art style of clay and cardboard, blended together with a rich story, simple controls, and challenging puzzles to create a great, but slightly short game as far as chapters 1-3 go. If you enjoy point and click adventure games and got 15 bucks to spend, then I would say it's well worth it.… Expand
  2. meshpet
    Sep 12, 2012
    9
    Great game and the puzzles are JUST right. It's only downfall is the fact that it's a bit short atm. Even with 3 out of 5 chapters released I was able to play through it rather quickly (but not TOO quickly). It was really worth it thou and I am biting the bit waiting for the remaining chapters.
  3. Sandweech
    Mar 9, 2015
    8
    As with many of the games in my Steam catalog, I got this one in a bundle. Not being a huge fan of 'point and click' games I decided to give 'Dream Machine' and chance one rainy afternoon when I was bored with the usual third or first person shooters, and was pleasantly surprised with my discovery. For starters, the artistic direction that was chosen for this game suits the tone of theAs with many of the games in my Steam catalog, I got this one in a bundle. Not being a huge fan of 'point and click' games I decided to give 'Dream Machine' and chance one rainy afternoon when I was bored with the usual third or first person shooters, and was pleasantly surprised with my discovery. For starters, the artistic direction that was chosen for this game suits the tone of the story perfectly and does nothing but add to the overall creepiness factor of the characters and the setting. The game is also pretty challenging at times and really makes you think. I almost felt like a detective while playing. I also found it refreshing that the game was broken up into several different chapters, each entirely different than the one that preceded it. Overall, the stories here are pretty interesting for a few hours, and for five dollars I can recommend 'Dream Machine' to those who are at this page right now, interested in this game, considering a new addition to their Steam catalog.… Expand
  4. metacriticFAN
    Aug 15, 2012
    9
    [The Dream Machine: Episodes 1 to 3 on Steam / PC] This is a real Gem. A point and click mystery adventure the way it needs to be done. I love games that force you to stop, think and get into the developer
  5. Mandulum
    Jul 5, 2017
    9
    Five Word Review: Crazy claymation adventure in dreamland.
    Favorite Thing: I've been a huge fan of claymation since The Nightmare Before Christmas. I've loved adventure games since Grim Fandango. It's a perfect match!
    Least Favorite Thing: The story got pretty messed up at the end. I didn't dislike it but it was a little too metaphysical for me. Date Completed: 2017-07-03 Playtime: ~    Five Word Review: Crazy claymation adventure in dreamland.
    Favorite Thing: I've been a huge fan of claymation since The Nightmare Before Christmas. I've loved adventure games since Grim Fandango. It's a perfect match!
    Least Favorite Thing: The story got pretty messed up at the end. I didn't dislike it but it was a little too metaphysical for me.

    Date Completed: 2017-07-03
    Playtime: ~ 15h
    Enjoyment: 9/10
    Recommendation: It's a solid point and click adventure.    … Expand
  6. ericcoutinho
    Mar 8, 2014
    10
    Wonderful and intriguing story about dreams in a point-and-click adventure with environments, objects and characters basically hand-made from clay, divided by 6 chapters, each one granting like 3 hours of gameplay.

    The first 4 chapters was already launched, and despite some delay on bring us the fourth, it seems like the fifth is coming and the sixth will not last too much for coming    Wonderful and intriguing story about dreams in a point-and-click adventure with environments, objects and characters basically hand-made from clay, divided by 6 chapters, each one granting like 3 hours of gameplay.

    The first 4 chapters was already launched, and despite some delay on bring us the fourth, it seems like the fifth is coming and the sixth will not last too much for coming too. I played the first 3 chapters, and so far i got any bugs unless the Steam layer that doesn't work.

    The puzzles are good enough, they're reasonable and you'll not have to try combinations of objects desperately trying to guess because of bad designing. You may found some difficult at the main/last puzzle of each chapter - they're hard, but not nonsensical.

    It is a collection of great and beautiful craftwork, but it doesn't try to stand by the art itself, being part of a very good story with solid gameplay, so it's a great game.

    If you're those who like point-and-click adventures, mostly with good stories, this is a game for you.    … Expand
  7. FallofEfrafa
    Aug 3, 2013
    10
    This game is fantastic! If you like Monkey Island kinda point and click, but without the random put every item with every item and hope something happens elements. You will probably love this!

    This game has great atmosphere, interesting story and puzzles.
    Not to mention very subtle and hilarious jokes

    What you do, Don't miss out on this point and click,
  8. reydel
    Aug 8, 2013
    9
    This game is great! The puzzles are sufficiently challenging, the atmosphere just the slightest bit creepy, the characters painstakingly hand-made (and, on occasion, relatively freaky looking), the story/plot wonderful and last but not least, you can detect the subtle sense of humour the creators possess at certain parts.

    Sure, it can take awhile for chapters to be released and it    This game is great! The puzzles are sufficiently challenging, the atmosphere just the slightest bit creepy, the characters painstakingly hand-made (and, on occasion, relatively freaky looking), the story/plot wonderful and last but not least, you can detect the subtle sense of humour the creators possess at certain parts.

    Sure, it can take awhile for chapters to be released and it really does make you impatient, but I think it's rather worth the wait. From what I've seen so far, the difficulty level increases slightly with each new chapter, which is great isn't it?

    In conclusion, if you're looking for a unique point-and-click with an intriguing plot without having to fork out very much money, The Dream Machine is a game well worth your consideration.    … Expand
  9. CipE
    Aug 2, 2021
    7
    Overall a solid point and click game. Unique graphics style and a dark foreboding atmosphere make this a unique experience.

    The game is challenging and the story is interesting and involving ... so my personal enjoyment was somewhat spoiled by the unsatisfying ending.
  10. BenzoSt
    Jul 12, 2022
    10
    A point-and-click adventure game that I regard as an underappreciated masterpiece. The Dream Machine's excellence comes from the combination of its distinctive artistic style, its excellent background music, and its authentic characters with well scripted dialogue. This game is an artistic marvel that was created over 7 years with tangible, physical sculptures that were then animated withA point-and-click adventure game that I regard as an underappreciated masterpiece. The Dream Machine's excellence comes from the combination of its distinctive artistic style, its excellent background music, and its authentic characters with well scripted dialogue. This game is an artistic marvel that was created over 7 years with tangible, physical sculptures that were then animated with computer software. You may need to look online for hints if you really get stuck, but do persist because the final chapter is astonishing.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best PC Game of 2010
86
#86 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. GameGrin
    Sep 6, 2017
    50
    An admittedly wonderfully detailed passion project, but one that is mostly style over substance.
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  2. GameOver.gr
    Jun 30, 2017
    85
    The 8 long years it took to reach the end of this dreamy adventure seem unimportant now, gazing back to this intriguing and unique masterpiece of the two man team of Cockroach Inc. It is simply a must for all adventure gamers.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpew
    May 17, 2017
    80
    The Dream Machine is a flawed, yet stunningly gorgeous game. The time and effort that went into it from such a small studio is mind-boggling, and every minute of it was well worth it from an aesthetic point of view.
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