I know this year has been insanely packed with blockbuster releases, but I’d like to highlight a game that I don’t think is getting enough attention. The Weird Dream was initially released in early March on PC via Steam. Even though the Metroidvania genre has a large community of players, this game seems to have flown largely under the radar. This has me considering it a hidden gem set in the decaying world of the in-game Alpha City.
The gameplay has players maneuvering through twisted corridors as a mysterious bunny. However, the strangeness of the narrative evolves over the course of the adventure, showcasing the deep lore surrounding the enigmatic Astral Lord, a figure shrouded in myth yet central to the city’s fate. However, despite this and some brilliant moments of Metroidvania action and platforming, The Weird Dream hasn’t seemed to capture the attention it deserves.
Out the gate, The Weird Dream features some super tight, responsive controls, which are needed for both rhythm and precision. Further, there’s an interesting character-building system via an innovative rune mechanic that grants your bunny protagonist a boost in stats following boss encounters. Even for those looking for more challenges, a boss rush challenge room is available to refight old bosses, but this time without taking any damage for rewards.
While exploring, players can navigate over 300 meticulously crafted areas spread across seven unique biomes, each filled with rich detail and dark secrets to uncover through monster profiles and fragmented narratives. I know I already mentioned boss rush, but there are over 40 boss fights in this game, some being found in the most random of sections, but each with unique phases and attack patterns. Further, platforming challenge rooms can also be entered that really test your understanding of the bunnies’ skills. What’s ultimately best about the experience is how it balances the challenging encounters. The only consequence of dying is being sent to the beginning of the room you’re in, so you’re quickly encouraged to try again against any difficult encounter.
The game’s atmosphere contributes significantly to its immersive quality. Alpha City is portrayed as a once bustling metropolis that now resides in eerie silence. As you complete missions and progress the story, you unlock stories about the city, but also about a few characters who were close to the bunny protagonist. It actually becomes quite grim as you discover secret notes left behind that show how happy life was before the chaos.
The atmosphere is thick with a haunting, almost palpable sense of loss and mystery, augmented by a soundtrack that expertly balances somber melodies with moments of tension. However, I will say that the melancholic tracks for some of the boss battles frustrated me after multiple deaths, and the slow, relaxing music couldn’t match my first for revenge.
Combat in The Weird Dream is a finely tuned dance of agility and strategy, demanding players not only to react but also to anticipate. An arsenal of abilities can be customized and combined in diverse ways, allowing players to experiment with different styles to best the varied foes and colossal bosses that challenge their mastery of the game mechanics. As you unlock new traversal abilities such as double jumps and dashes, movement becomes an extension of the fights, forcing you to always be aware of enemy telegraphs. Each encounter is designed to push the limits of the player’s skill and adaptability, making each victory satisfyingly hard-earned.
Despite these rich features and the depth of its gameplay, The Weird Dream seems to have quietly slipped into the shadows of the gaming world’s consciousness. Perhaps overshadowed by flashier titles or lost amidst the surge of spring releases, it deserves a spotlight not just for its design and mechanics but for the compelling world it offers to explorers and warriors alike. It’s a clarion call to all Metroidvania enthusiasts looking for a challenging, immersive experience that marries the thrill of discovery with the satisfaction of tactical combat.
The Weird Dream is available now on PC via Steam.
