Dreamcore – An atmospheric walking simulator inspired by Liminal Space

• DEVELOPER: Montraluz
• PUBLISHER: Tlön Industries
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Walking Simulator / Atmospheric
• RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 8,99 €
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Dreamcore offers a unique and surreal gaming experience that prioritizes atmosphere, exploration, and a sense of unease over traditional gameplay mechanics. This first-person adventure takes place in a fragmented dreamscape, where your main objective is to piece together its eerie world and cryptic narrative. While Dreamcore excels at crafting an unsettling atmosphere and vivid, otherworldly environments, its unconventional design may not appeal to players seeking a more structured or action-driven experience.

At times, Dreamcore feels less like an immersive, interactive art piece. There are no enemies, no tutorials, and no challenges in the conventional sense. It’s just you, the eerie atmosphere, and your task of finding the exit as you wander through disorienting corridors. The pacing is deliberately slow, with environmental storytelling taking center stage. The game currently features two distinct areas: Dreampools and Eternal Suburbia, with additional zones planned in future updates.

Two maps, two haunting experiences

Dreampools is a sprawling labyrinth of surreal swimming pools, twisting corridors, and disorienting spaces. Inspired by the Liminal Space and Backrooms aesthetic, this area offers one of the largest maps in the game. To progress, you’ll need to locate a flashlight, which becomes essential as you venture deeper into the pitch-black basement corridors. The lack of clear direction heightens the sense of unease, leaving you to uncover the world’s secrets at your own pace.

This second area, Eternal Suburbia, contrasts sharply with the enclosed, maze-like feel of Dreampools. Instead, it presents a sprawling and haunting suburban neighborhood. The seemingly endless rows of identical houses hide subtle, eerie details: a flickering TV in an empty room, an abandoned tricycle on a foggy street, or distant whispers echoing through the night. The map is more open, and the transition between day and night happens quickly, adding to the surreal atmosphere.

I initially expected enemies to appear, or at least something to keep me on edge, but they’re not part of the experience. Running through the same-looking corridors and doors does start to feel bland after a while. There aren’t even jump scares or similar elements to break the monotony. To me, Dreamcore feels like a movie you’re supposed to watch blindfolded. It perfectly captures that sensation of expectation, something you’re sure is coming but never arrives. You feel unsettled, even spooked, but nothing explicitly scares you.

Visually, this game is stunning

One of my favorite features in Dreamcore is the ability to customize how the world looks. The visuals lean heavily into nostalgic degradation, mimicking the fuzzy, grainy aesthetic of early ’90s VHS tapes. VHS Tape Mode adds a slightly blurry, aged effect, while CRT TV Mode offers a cleaner yet still retro-inspired look. It’s entirely up to the player to choose the visual style that best complements their experience.

The sound design is another standout aspect of Dreamcore. Subtle environmental audio, like the sound of dripping water, distant footsteps, or the faint hum of fluorescent lights, builds a sense of unease during quieter moments. Occasionally, orchestral or jazz music cuts through the silence, creating a stark contrast that adds a layer of surreal unpredictability to the game’s atmosphere.

There are also several puzzles to be found, such as finding a key or a statue, but they do not have a significant impact on the gameplay itself; rather, they mainly serve as part of achievements. Additionally, Dreamcore's environments are filled with cryptic and unsettling moments. One particularly striking scene is a large yellow ball with a cheerful emoji, placed in an otherwise empty hallway. Such moments do not pose a real threat during gameplay, but they leave a strong feeling of discomfort.

Ending thoughts

At this stage, Dreamcore feels like a work in progress. The current content offers about two to three hours of gameplay, centered around exploration and discovery. While the fragmented narrative invites you to piece together its meaning, the lack of depth leaves the experience feeling incomplete. Those expecting a more cohesive or expansive story may find themselves unsatisfied.

Future updates promise additional areas and expanded story elements, which could address some of the current shortcomings. Players who value replayability or clearly defined objectives may find the absence of traditional gameplay mechanics frustrating.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.5