Dreamview Weekly Roundup #98

Not that we’d ever lose faith in our ability to deliver five dazzling recommendations from the Dreamiverse, but forgive us if our confidence in this week’s roster is exceptionally strong. Thanks to a bit of the ol’ black magic, we’ve finally cracked the conundrum to inventing time travel (processed clover residue, knocks your socks off). One teeny-tiny hop to the future is all it took to confirm this edition of the Roundup goes down a treat.

There’s one small caveat: our future selves have yet to jot up a safety manual for said time travel. Looks like our crippling quiche coma was worse than we thought.

Regardless, we’re confident our little temporal jaunt won’t have any earth-shattering ramifications. Peeking into the future famously never hurt anyone. So without further ado, here’s our latest batch of five future-proof recommendations. We’ve got head pats from our whack-a-mole overlords to run to.

Good Mornin#

by stevie128k

Estimated runtime: 2 mins

To borrow a phrase from this uplifting tune, let’s start this Roundup in a positive way. Good Mornin wipes the floor with taunting alarm ringtones, providing an alternative sunrise anthem that puts a spring in your step, rather than a pillow over your eyes. Searching for the perfect commute? Try stifling a grin as our giddy feathered friend scooters his way down the street with unabashed optimism.

Catchy rhyming couplets and hummable melodies threaten to bounce around your brain; given its cheery sentiment, we can’t complain. Not to completely disregard this track’s nuance, however. A sudden record scratch startles us into a stripped-down verse hinting at a layer of darkness under the innocent chimes. Where is this scooter’s destination? Can anyone hear our greetings? Why is it morning all the time? Before we’ve had time to concoct existential revelations, a brighter EQ mix welcomes us back with open arms. We doubt the early bird will be able to catch this earworm.

Lake Juniper#

by Grambitious, thebigpier and BumbleBurke

Estimated playtime: 90 mins

Word of advice: if you’re considering moving to a town rife with ominous local legends and monolithic wicker statues, perhaps think twice. Billed as a side-story to last year’s Impy-nominated Isle of Eras (you can ponder our musings on its mysteries here), Lake Juniper dives headfirst into the creepier facets of this universe. As with its predecessor, there’s a strong hint of X-Files to its tale of unexplained supernatural phenomena. Additionally, there are strains of Silent Hill’s disquieting desolation and even breakout indie hit Iron Lung’s raw underwater terror. Those of us invested in Dreams’ blossoming cryptid canon will be welcoming Lake Juniper’s mischievous beast with open arms.

To our delight, Grambitious’ penchant for jaw-dropping spectacle has only grown in confidence, a yawning abyss excised from nearby fields providing one of several uncanny vistas. Free exploration remains intact, but Metroidvania-like objectives – missing keycards, dormant transport – create a more focused experience. Expect unorthodox interactions beyond opening doors or initiating conversations; hands up if anyone’s ever pressed triangle to commit arson before. Videogames, folks!

Turbo Drift - Stage 2: Twilight Harbour

by JackyPrower, cloudrising9, JMBarr-, radishlord and Underoath_77

Estimated playtime: 5 mins

Craving an inadvisable level of speed? Find yourself overcome by irrational bouts of rage? Dear reader, we regrettably have no choice but to diagnose you with the ol’ fast and furious fever. No need to crash just yet; we’ve got just the antidote to rev those engines. Amplifying the face-melting speed, nail-biting corners and rocketing adrenaline levels, this sequel is almost dangerously stimulating. Sun-soaked docks provide a blissful backdrop to the OutRun-inspired checkpoint chasing, bolstered by a killer synthwave soundtrack.

Since turbo only unlocks at top speed and collisions incur tiny speed penalties, hurtling full-pelt down tunnels and tarmac quickly becomes second nature. Drifting is naturally essential to scoreboard success, racking up points whilst rapidly improving one’s tolerance to carsickness. Even the age-old tradition of dazzling fireworks bombastically greeting you on the final approach is gloriously present. If all that doesn’t send your tires into a spin, take a peek at a certain pebble-loving penguin waving the chequered flag. Now that's someone who understands the importance of family.

Modern Third Person Cover Shooter Level Kit#

by Freako-rama

Estimated playtime: N/A

Tantalised by the thought of crafting a cinematic shooter a la Naughty Dog? Look no further than this ingenious starter kit compiled by bravura shooter creator Freako-rama. Each remixable element includes pre-made logic designed for third-person action, yet is equally flexible to a head-spinning array of genres. We’re particularly fond of their emittable cover sending signals that commands enemy AI to bunker down. Hardly fair if we’re the only ones capable of taking a breather, is it? An additional gameplay engine element even boasts companion AI, since no adventure would be complete without a fellow soul to have an odd natter with.

Cramming in so many complex mechanics is no mean feat; a playable tutorial paired with text guides accessibly illustrates all the inner workings. Still feeling stumped for inspiration? Check out Freako-rama’s tense pack-in game Our Last Day – Quest for Gas. Dynamic encounters and slick UI demonstrate its prestige qualities; all shockingly analogous to blockbuster peers.

Cold Depth#

by ZubWubBandit

Estimated playtime: 15 mins

Let’s get serious for a moment. Should we be concerned that all those canaries in the coalmines are suddenly mutating into hulking skeletal beasts? We’re starting to feel a tad suspicious after surviving ZubWubBandit’s bloodcurdling horror creation. Descending into a mineshaft darker than Kevin’s pants, players are limited to a pickaxe and headlamp to fulfill an ore quota. Smashing up crates strewn around the tunnels offer alluring bonus tools: dynamite, a rifle and ammo. Sure, you’d be right to question the productive benefits of high-caliber bullets in a mineshaft, if mining ore was your sole concern.

Here’s the awkward part: you’re not alone down here. Lurking in the oily shadows, a blind creature stalks any nearby sound. Walloping your pickaxe on a rock? Better stay alert. Beelining to the next objective? Tiptoeing would be preferable. Reciting ritualistic chants in real life? Keep those lips sealed as even your microphone can alert this beast. Good thing we don’t read out these reviews whilst writing otherwise we’d be heading for a grisly, sudden-

Check out the playable edition of this week's Dreamview Weekly Roundup right here in Dreams!

Which creations caught your eye in the Dreamiverse this week, and why? Tell us about your personal picks over on the official Dreams forums!(se abre en una nueva pestaña)