Dreams: PS4 Review

Dreams: PS4 Review

Developed by Media Molecule - and the entire world
Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment

There was a game in the late 1980s that opened up the idea of game development to the public.

Initially released in 1987 for the Commodore 64 and Amiga consoles, the Shoot'Em Up Construction Kit worked on an MO which offered the elements to gamers to create their own shoot'em ups. A simple concept, and one bound only by system limitations of the time, the versatility on show show it embraced by the hoi polloi.

So it is with Little Big Planet and Tearaway creators Media Molecule.

Dreams, which appears to have been in BETA testing for a long while, is now on general sale, and is currently being mined by the Dreamiverse community to create, make and share.

The community's seized on the opportunity already - and remakes of the likes of Sonic through to arcade classics such as Arkanoid and Marble Madness already exist. But here's the thing with Dreams - in some ways, it's like fan fiction writ large and within the gaming sector. There's nothing wrong with using the tools to recreate the greatness of the past, and in many ways, it's a nostalgia-fest for those determined to seek it out.

But while it may enable a new generation of game devs, it will also prove to be a gaming boon for those looking to satiate a variety of genres.

And yet, so far, with the exception of what Media Molecule has created themselves, and bar a smattering of other users, most people seem to be playing inside their own sandbox, and recreating games of their youth.

It's no bad thing if you're a nostalgia addict, but it does make one wonder what the deal is with copyright and how Media Molecule is protected from it.

However, the interfaces for Dreams are, for the most part,easy to access and use - a floating sprite is used to scroll between games, search and play/ possess characters.

Creation is a lot tougher though, and while the use of the touchpad and a floating sprite seem relatively easy to negotiate for the games, it's in the making that a few niggly problems emerge.

The game presents creation as a series of mini games to "achieve" and while the premise of them seems fairly simple, some of the technical aspects of the moving and positioning is difficult at best, and takes perseverance to get through.



However, when it does come together, it's rewarding - and does really show that even if there are creators who are uploading Sonic levels, or recreating Arkanoids, the patience and skill is more than commendable.

Ultimately, Dreams will thrive on its community.

Media Molecule may have empowered many, and while they currently have yet to see a return on the potential, there's a chance that with all out involvement, this could be a hub for the future - as long as you're visionary.

It rewards patience, and given the breadth of what it's covering -from games to visual experiences - it's highly worth having. But as ever with any creative tools, how ever much you get out, will depend greatly on what you're willing to put in.