Developer: Frozen Line
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X (Reviewed) |S
Genre: Adventure, Action, Platformer
Publisher: Ravenage Games
Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow is an atmospheric platformer that follows the journey of a little boy and his teddy bear as they navigate a world of challenges. The game quickly becomes immersive, and before you know it, you are sucked into this beautiful world.
The game, while a 2D platformer, does switch between 2D, 2.5D, and 3D as you progress through different environments. At the start, the game has a dark and ominous undertone, which highlights the fear of the young boy you play with throughout the game. The gameplay shifts from the 2D platformer to a puzzle game and 3D throughout; using his teddy bear as a guide and almost a co-op player also helps to drive both the narrative and the gameplay elements.
The graphics and art style really complement the story, the game mechanics, and the gameplay. The puzzle-led game fits nicely into the game’s platforming elements, and using your trusted teddy bear also makes for a more enjoyable game. The sound and visuals all knitted together well; I loved the use of light throughout to lighten or darken the mood as the story needed. The puzzle elements were good, and the teddy bear was a nice touch-like-a trusted companion helping you.
However, the game has some drawbacks that affect its elements. The controls and the shift from 2D to 2.5D and 3D aren’t always as fluid as expected; I find the controls difficult and unresponsive when navigating certain levels, which led to many deaths; it was hard to tell if you are on a beam over a precarious or just about to fall off. Whilst graphically, the game is good, there are issues with collision detections, and part of your character’s legs and arms would disappear from the floor or wall; this was a minor issue in the grand scheme of things but noticeable. I did find the fall damage, i.e. if you fall, you die, a bit hard to take at times, and at the start, it was an annoyance for a couple of platform sections.
While there were some harmful elements, overall, the game was positive for me, and I enjoyed it despite these issues. The game is not particularly long, and you could finish in 2 – 3 hours if you want, but expect a 5+ hour stint if you take your time. Overall, this is a fun platformer puzzle game that has some great moments, and I also enjoyed the puzzles, landscapes and co-op nature of the game.
Overall: 7.5/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
