Game: Bygone Dreams
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Prime Time | GrabTheGames, CyberStep
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $19.99 | UK £16.75 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: June 20th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Prime Time.
Bygone Dreams – A Beautiful Nightmare
There’s something undeniably magical about Bygone Dreams. From the first steps through the surreal dream world of Lume, I was swept away by its lush, light-filled environments. While many fantasy RPGs lean hard into darkness and decay, Bygone Dreams confidently embraces the vivid and the strange. The visual design bursts with colour and detail, sunlight streams through glowing forests, and steampunk villages buzz with atmosphere. It’s a refreshing contrast to the genre’s usual gloom.
But despite the beauty, I found myself gradually at odds with the game’s combat-heavy heart. Beneath its dreamlike wonder lies a firm Souls-like core, and while I respect what it’s doing, it didn’t always click for me.
A Hero in a World of Dreams
You play as Wa, a spiritual entity journeying to save the dream world of Lume from a creeping Nightmare. It’s a classic “save the world” setup, but the storytelling stands out thanks to its surreal tone and roots in Slavic mythology and Bosnian folklore. There’s a sense of old-world magic that helps distinguish the game’s lore from the more generic fantasy fare.
Narrative moments are delivered through stylised cutscenes, bolstered by over two hours of fully voiced dialogue. The voice work is surprisingly strong, with committed performances that feel genuinely heartfelt. There are some quirks, though. Character models don’t move their mouths when speaking, and now and then the lines veer into cheesy territory. Oddly, I found this charming, reminiscent of the ’90s era of gaming, where the ambition often outpaced the tech in the best way.
Worlds Worth Wandering
Exploration is where Bygone Dreams shines brightest. The environments unfold beautifully, each new area bringing something distinct: towering libraries, metal villages, and vibrant forests filled with foliage. Lume is a place that feels alive, packed with nooks to discover, secrets to find, and spaces that invite curiosity. It’s no surprise the game won an award for visual excellence; the attention to detail in the worldbuilding is exceptional.
Better still, the game doesn’t trap you in one path. Multiple areas become available as you progress, letting you return to a central hub and try a different route if you hit a wall. This structure works in the game’s favour, softening the sting of some of its tougher segments.
Combat and Challenge
It’s in combat that the dream started to feel more like a nightmare for me. On the surface, the mechanics are standard action RPG fare, melee and ranged attacks, a dodge-roll, stamina management, and special abilities. But over time, it becomes clear Bygone Dreams leans heavily into Souls-like territory. Bosses are massive and often beautiful in design, but they quickly turn into heavy-hitting damage sponges that demand perfect timing and a lot of patience.
There’s a block/parry system I never managed to master, and the steep learning curve made early enthusiasm fade into occasional frustration. That said, for fans of tough, tactical combat, there’s plenty here to enjoy. The game even allows you to scan enemies for weaknesses, letting you approach each encounter with more strategy than trial and error. I also appreciated being able to craft and upgrade gear, which eventually made battles feel more manageable.
Puzzle Breaks and Pleasant Surprises
When Bygone Dreams pauses from the intensity of its fights, it really shines. Scattered puzzles, hidden chests, and optional secrets gave me the breathing room I needed. I enjoyed these moments far more than the long boss fights, and I found myself dreading combat encounters when all I really wanted was to continue exploring. Additional features I liked is you can pause the game unlike many Souls-like game. The write ups on enemy descriptions and lore when you scan them are very impressive.
Still, I admire the game’s design. There’s a dedicated audience out there that thrives on challenge, and Bygone Dreams caters directly to them. If you’re one of those players and find the game too easy, there’s even a Heroic Mode that introduces revamped bosses and extra difficulty layers.
Conclusion: Awakening
Bygone Dreams is a visually stunning and narratively intriguing experience that delivers a dream world worth getting lost in. Its detailed environments and surprising voice acting create a strong, immersive vibe. But make no mistake, this is a game built for those who like a fight. If you’re a seasoned Souls-like fan, this may be a hidden gem. If you prefer a gentler journey, you may need more patience than I had.
Still, I’m glad I played it. Even if the combat didn’t always win me over, the world of Lume definitely did.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
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