Projected Dreams Review

Game: Projected Dreams
Genre: Puzzle, Logic, Nostalgia
System: Steam (Windows and Mac)
Developer | Publisher: Flawberry Studio
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $14.99 | UK £12.79 | EU € 14,99
Release Date: May 29th, 2025

A review code was provided, and many thanks to JF Games PR.

Over at LadiesGamers we like games like Projected Dreams. No need for big action or dramatic twists. This puzzle game from indie studio Flawberry, takes a gentle route. Through light and shadows, it tells the story of a family across generations—and invites you to get your thinking cap on and piece it all together.

Memories in the Shadows

The story in Projected Dreams is revealed through a photo album of the Miller Family spanning some 50 years, one picture at a time. You join a curious young girl as she flips through these pictures, each one unlocking a new chapter in her family’s life. There is no spoken word or hardly any text. The photo album is even complete with some funny graphics and special adornments.

A scrapbook page labeled “Welcome Lisa – Spring 1955.” It shows photos of a young girl and a man reading a book. A sugar packet sticker and playful notes like “Your father couldn’t get enough coffee!” add charm. Stats for photos, stars, and cassettes are listed. Published on: LadiesGamers — The front page of the picture book

Some pictures are joyful, others bittersweet, and they come alive not through words, but through shadow puppetry. Each picture features a silhouette that you need to recreate using shadows and light.

Puzzle Solving at a Comfortable Pace

At its core, Projected Dreams is a puzzle game. You’re given a dotted outline on a wall, a light source, and a room full of quirky objects. Your goal is to arrange the objects so their shadows match the target shape. It starts simply, but the game gradually adds new layers, like dual lights, ghost lights where you can put up an item that doesn’t show in the light beam, sticky items, and more.

A child's bedroom filled with toys, shelves, and glowing stars. A toy train set is on the floor, and objects are being manipulated to match a shadow on the wall. Interface options for rotating and discarding objects are visible. Published on: LadiesGamers — It really is harder than it looks to get those three stars!

Seeing an object is so different from the way it can be seen in the projector light but the game has a hint system in place if you get stuck. Each puzzle has hints on the back of the picture, and you only need to complete one star’s worth of progress to move on.

Each chapter takes place in a new environment, often with new objects. This keeps the gameplay fresh.

Tutorial screen titled “Hints.” It explains how to view solutions by focusing on the current photo with the Y button. An image on the screen shows a toy setup solution involving a toy animal head and base. Published on: LadiesGamers — There’s a good hint system in place

A Lovely Look and Feel

Visually, Projected Dreams is a treat. The art style is warm and storybook-like, with cosy illustrations and a lovely use of colour. The in-game toys are especially charming, clearly inspired by classic ‘90s playthings that many players will find nostalgic.

A dark room illuminated by a projector. Boxes and toys are scattered on the floor. The player is placing a toy animal head in front of a projector to match a shadow shape on the wall. Published on: LadiesGamers — I certainly remember that Furby!

The music deserves a special mention, too. Rather than fading into the background, the gentle, melodic soundtrack adds so much to the atmosphere. Each track complements the story beautifully, and you can influence what is playing by finding the cassette tapes in the chapters and putting them in the in-game cassette recorder.

Although the game isn’t yet certified for the Steam Deck, I found it played really well on Steam’s handheld system.

A pastel-colored scrapbook spread with illustrations and photographs. The left page shows a girl reading and another scene of her meeting her baby sister in a hospital room. A hospital wristband labeled “Lisa W.” is taped between the images. The right page has empty photo frames and glowing stars. Published on: LadiesGamers — All memories gathered in a book. The next puzzle only shows the outline you have to recreate

Conclusion for Projected Dreams

If you enjoy puzzle games with an emotional thread and nostalgic feelings, or simply want a relaxing, heartfelt way to spend an afternoon, puzzle Projected Dreams might be just what you’re looking for. Play with light beams and shadows made by objects, and get your thinking cap on to find the best solution.

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot