Developed by Ravenage Games, Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow feels a bit like if David Lynch decided to direct a Wes Anderson film, and someone jotted down notes. The game has whimsy (there’s a controllable teddy bear for instance) that asks gamers to come along for a magical adventure. Then there’s the darkness that cuts throughout – childhood terrors like a malevolent hand trying to get you. Let’s also say that fans who are afraid of spiders probably should watch out.
Dream a Little
Like any good David Lynch film, Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow is abstract in many ways. You play as Griffin, but the game doesn’t have easy answers for who Griffin is or what the story at hand is. There’s a theme of trauma and perhaps growing up at its narrative center. However, the game never fully doubles down on its themes or storylines to present a greater whole or experience. While it aims to be like Limbo or Journey, Daydream never quite reaches those heights.
However, as a 2.5 sidescroller, Daydream is quaint and charming in its own right. The visuals are pleasant to the eyes, and it definitely strikes its own style. However, you shouldn’t expect a calm and chill experience as the game frequently swaps things up or throws new obstacles your way. There’s a flying segment, platforming, you’ll frequently use your bear companion to help clear puzzles. At a certain point, players will gain a new ally with their own unique abilities.
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Dream a Bit Bigger
As a puzzler, however, Daydream doesn’t hold anyone’s hands. Frequently, you have to try to piece together your next objectives based on what came previously. While this can range from intriguing to frustrating, I did find some pride in finally figuring out the puzzles that lay before me. However, if you’re expecting to breeze your way through, you’ll be mistaken.
From a performance standpoint, I didn’t encounter any major issues while playing, and the game seems to hold up fairly well from a frames-per-second perspective. While I won’t go into specifics on the individual puzzles and the storyline leaves something to be desired, I can’t deny that Daydream is at its best when it’s making you feel – whether that is terror at the sight of spiders or a moment of tranquility. The game feels like it aspires to be greater than it is, but if only it could have dreamed a little bit bigger.
