Dreams of Another is the latest project by artist Baiyon, known for PixelJunk Eden, and at first glance, it is clear that this is not a typical video game. Instead of a classic adventure, Q-Games offers an experience that can be more accurately described as a journey through dreams, with strong philosophical foundations and an emotional message about creation, destruction, and the meaning of existence.
The story begins in a realistic, almost cinematic tone. The player takes on the role of a soldier lost in the midst of war. He holds a weapon in his hands but lacks the courage to pull the trigger. That moment of weakness becomes the beginning of something greater, a moment when reality collapses and opens up a space of dreams, filled with fog, light, and fragments of memory. After being wounded, the soldier awakens in an unknown, floating world, and his place is soon taken by a mysterious figure known as the Man in Pajamas who finds a gun and continues his journey through this symbolic landscape.
What follows is hard to describe in words. Dreams of Another transforms shooting, otherwise a symbol of destruction, into a tool for creation. Each fired bullet connects the scattered parts of the world, restores shapes to objects, and reveals hidden layers of the story. Instead of enemies and battles, the game offers a process of discovery and reconstruction, where every action makes sense, and every line of dialogue, even that of an inanimate object, carries its own thought.
The game turns into a meditative experience. The world is filled with dozens of characters, objects, and structures that speak, from lonely chairs to lost figures sharing their thoughts on life and purpose. Behind that simple mechanic lies a deep message. Every creation carries a sacrifice, and every act of destruction can bring a new beginning. Baiyon weaves this idea throughout the game, inviting the player to reflect on their own creation, on the things they leave behind, and on what they may never have noticed they already possess.
Progression through the game is based on gradually unlocking new abilities and upgrading weapons that allow for faster shaping of the environment and easier movement. There are no classic battles, but there are moments of tension and puzzles that require contemplation. Still, Dreams of Another never loses its calm rhythm. Everything unfolds slowly, almost meditatively, as if the game wants the player to pause and reflect on what they are seeing.
On a narrative level, the game intertwines multiple stories that gradually overlap and complement each other. Each of them carries emotion and a message, and together they create a feeling that the entire world is one big mosaic of memories. Man in Pajamas and Wandering Soldier are not just characters; they are two sides of the same being, symbols of fear and courage, creation and destruction, past and future. As the story approaches its end, all these elements fall into place, leaving a strong impression and a sense that what has just unfolded has a deeper meaning than mere gameplay.
Visually, Dreams of Another is a true treat. The world is composed of floating fragments, various geometric shapes, and layers of light that constantly change, creating the impression that the player is within a living, pulsating dream. The sound and music further enhance this experience. Every tone and noise contributes to the atmosphere, and the soundtrack often acts as a guide through the emotions of the world itself.
On the PlayStation VR2 device, the impression becomes even stronger. Although the game was not originally designed for VR, the feeling of immersion in this abstract world is hard to compare with traditional gameplay. Light, movement, and perspective create a sensation as if the player is floating through someone's subconscious. Occasional technical inconsistencies, transitions between first and third person, and brief pauses can disrupt immersion, but despite this, the VR version remains impressive, especially in moments when the world literally comes to life before your eyes.
Conclusion:
Dreams of Another is not a game for everyone, but for those who give it a chance, it represents an experience that lingers in the mind long after completion. It is a work of art disguised as a video game, a meditation on creation, transience, and meaning. Its slowness and abstraction may deter some of the audience, but for those seeking something different, something that transcends the boundaries of classic narrative, Baiyon's world will provide a beautiful journey. Thus, at a time when most games rush for action and quick emotions, Dreams of Another offers the exact opposite. A moment of silence, reflection, and beauty in destruction.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the development studio Q-Games
