Lucy Dreaming is a quirky retro point-and-click adventure that was clearly a labour of love for everyone involved.
You take on the role of Lucy, a young girl who keeps having a nightmare that she’s plummeting to her death. After reading her father’s new psychology book, Lucy learns how to control her dreams with the help of her dream box. (She learned about lucid dreaming – Lucy Dreaming, get it!)
Lucy solves puzzles in the real world to get items to put in her Dream Box. These items can then be used when she’s asleep to help her solve puzzles in her dreams and uncover the meaning of her nightmares and the repressed memories they represent.
Despite the old-school trappings, Lucy Dreaming has some modern additions. Like a hint button that shows you where the clickable items are on each screen.
That being said, it does still have some retro problems. Pixel hunting can be an issue, even with the hint button, and it’s easy to miss some items that are close to each other. (Hint: The hook you need in the first chapter is in the salmon’s mouth if you can find it.)
Also, some of the solutions can be a little obtuse at times. Although, the game does a fine job of providing plenty of audio clues when you look at various items.
The best part of Lucy Dreaming is its writing. The humour is very British (The best kind, though I might be biased), full of dark jokes, fun easter eggs, and surreal asides that show Tall Story Games’ love for, as well as poke fun at the adventure games that inspired it.
The presentation is also top-notch. The retro-themed pixel art makes the game, also set in the 90s, look like a SCUMM game from the period. (Thankfully, there are not so many verbs to deal with.)
Each screen is bright and detailed. At the same time, Lucy Dreamings’ cast is as charming as it is weird, both in Lucy’s dreams and reality.
The voice cast is also superb. Lucy is a typical Northern lass, matter-of-factly guiding the player through her weird and wonderful world. It even features a performance from a mighty pirate (well, the guy who plays him).
If you’re in the market for an anglocentric adventure game with some great gags and bags of charm. Lucy Dreaming might be the dream game for you.
