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Dreamfall Chapters

Dreamfall Chapters

The bevolved Dreamfall-series is finally back, and our first play test left us wanting more, more!

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Dreamfall: Chapters picks up the (red) thread exactly where it's predecessor let go (see what I did there?) Zoë Castillo is in a coma and it doesn't look good, but it is only her body that's located in the hospital bed. The real Zoë is caught in Storytime, supervising all souls who ends up there through the Dream Machines. More and more are arriving, and more and more are trapped in nightmares and dreams that go in circles and never ends. Something is not right. Something is seriously wrong with the Dream Machines, which Zoë apparently failed to fix in Dreamfall. Whether it's the same problem as before, or something entirely new that has occurred, is uncertain.

Either way, I'm running from nightmare to nightmare to help people who are trapped. Stopping them from falling, leading them out of darkness, getting rid of creepy monsters hiding in their closets . Zoë tells them all that they must stop using The Dream Machines. She might not be able to help them next time. Shortly after Zoë encounters a mysterious guy who says that it's time to leave Storytime all together. He says Zoë must find out what is going on in the real world and stop the Dream Machines once and for all.

Dreamfall Chapters

It upsets me a little to be honest. I would have liked to stay a little longer in the beautiful realm that is Storytime. Even so I accept the new challenge, as I have a feeling I'll be back here at some point either way. During the conversation Zoë gets several dialogue choices where she can either appear insecure and scared, or confident and ready to save the world once again. Before I decide I can hear Zoé's internal thoughts on the matters at hand (by hovering over the desired option), and make my choice based on that. Some choices are accompanied by a little message saying "This will be remembered" however, making me think extra hard on what to select. It sounds ominous, especially when I decide to scare a little girl out of the dream, rather than to assure her that monsters do not exist and everything will be all right.

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My play session moves on the the next chapter. Suddenly I'm playing as Kian. He sits (shirtless!) in a prison cell waiting to be executed. The warden comes in and they have a nice little conversation about his last meal, last wishes and desired method of execution. I choose beheading . The Warden then leaves and Kian resumes to wait until dawn. Before long though, he notices a riot is breaking out in the prison, and shortly after Kian is freed by an old man with a wooden leg and an eye-patch, just like a pirate.

Dreamfall Chapters

The other prisoners are rebelling and it's time to get the hell out of there. It would seem the rebellion has been organised, and possibly paid for, by someone from the outside. Someone powerful want Kian to stay alive, that much is certain. As I make my way out of the prison, I notice that Kian's choices are thougher. Should I threaten those who cross my path, or use common sense? Should I kill them or let them live? For each choice I make The Balance switches from side to side, so I alternate between killing people and letting them live just to be safe. The problems I face are much trickier than before, and it is clear that the first chapter was only a quiet introduction. Who would have thought a pillow and a broomstick would give me the tools I needed to pick a lock? After quite an escape I find myself on the roof, where the pirate transports me to an unknown place using mysterious blood magic. My reward is a short movie starring two seemingly important men and a woman, who is not particularly pleased that Kian is still alive, or that blood magic has not been completely eradicated.

Nonetheless, the chapter is over and the next one brings me back to Zoë. She has woken up from her coma and is treated by a psychologist in a city I assume is Europolis. She talks about her life and her relationship with her father. The psychologist tries to help her remember her life before the coma. It is clear that she has completely forgotten Storytime, what she learned there and her profound mission along with it. The prospects suddenly look bleak for The Balance, for humanity, for Stark and Arcadia.

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Dreamfall Chapters

Dreamfall Chapters is a story-driven adventure game, which means that there is no fighting. Instead we will be treated to a lot of exploration and dialogue. Luckily the voice acting seems very promising from what I've played so far. The focus lies firmly on choices, realistic choices that reflect on moral gray areas, choices that have unintended consequences. Some choices have immediate consequences, while others will show their true faces later on. The game is linear and driven by story and plot, but occasionally there are so-called game rooms. Therein the player have the time and space to explore the world around them. Europolis is one of those game rooms, making it a vital part of the game's 12 hour estimated length.

On a personal note I must admit this was a reunion I had long been looking forward to, and as far as appetisers go it left me hungry for more. I simply cannot wait to meet Zoë, Kian and the rest of the cast again, to explore Stark, Arcadia and Storytime while trying to save humanity from itself before it's too late. I'm looking forward to ponder over choices amidst enjoying good conversations. As a fan of the series I got exactly what I wanted, and I'm looking forward to experiencing yet another enchanting adventure with Zoë and the rest. Bring on the final release. I'm ready for it!

Dreamfall Chapters
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Dreamfall ChaptersScore

Dreamfall Chapters

REVIEW. Written by Leevi Rantala

"Despite the technical side faltering a bit, it's an entertaining package of storytelling and puzzle solving."



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