We all played with shadows as we were growing up — trying to recreate animals or objects using just our hands. But what if an entire video game was built around that exact idea: reconstructing shapes formed by the shadows of small memories, from a time when we dreamed of becoming adults, imagining independence would be our greatest reward?
Can we go back to being children?
Projected Dreams is a serene puzzle experience, completely pressure-free. It’s simple, intuitive, and tells a heartwarming story through the memories of a character named Senka. The narrative is delivered without a single line of voice, only brief text notes and photographs that illustrate significant moments from her life.
With a soft colour palette, the game radiates charm in every frame. Its aesthetic evokes the 1990s, enriched by musical snippets that transport the player to a nostalgic era. These tiny musical moments are unlocked through cassette tapes hidden in various scenes, making attention to detail essential so they don’t go unnoticed.
The core gameplay revolves around recreating silhouettes projected onto a wall. To do this, players use all kinds of objects, mugs, toys, hats, and more. You’ll need to rotate, stack, and sometimes interact with the items in specific ways depending on the level. The gameplay is intuitive yet deep, requiring creativity and spatial reasoning, especially as new mechanics are gradually introduced.
The story unfolds subtly through photographs and shifting room settings. The final chapter adds significant emotional weight, offering a gentle and heartfelt conclusion.
Overall, it’s a relatively short experience, it took me around 3 hours to complete all chapters. However, I plan to return and unlock all achievements, which will surely add more hours to my playtime.
I played entirely using mouse and keyboard. Some 3D rotation movements could be better refined, as there are moments where precision is lacking. Occasionally, certain objects get stuck or fall out of bounds, forcing a puzzle reset. There’s also some trial and error, especially when elements need to be glued together: if not aligned properly, the puzzle must be restarted, which can lead to occasional frustration.
Projected Dreams is ideal for players looking for a peaceful, reflective puzzle experience with artistic flair. It stands out for its immersive atmosphere, effective use of nostalgia, and creative puzzle design. Despite occasional hiccups in physics and controls, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys this genre, with a subtlety touch and challenge in equal measure.
[Note: Review based on the final PC version of the game, kindly provided by JF Games]
