Dreamcore DLC: New Level To Explore - Playrooms
- Racula
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
On 23rd January 2025, Indie developer Montraluz, along side publisher Tlon Industries released the game: Dreamcore. Which is a surreal, first-person, psychological horror, exploration game, that immerses players into the haunting beauty of the largest, liminal spaces ever created in a video game.
I was fortunate, to have the opportunity to write a review on the game when it first game out and now I have been given the opportunity again to play the new level and write about it.
I can honestly say I was very much looking forward to giving this new level ago and after the first 2 levels I played when Dreamcore first came out, this new level does not disappoint, so lets have a more in depth look at the level and see what its like.
Dreamcore Presents: Playrooms
“Playrooms allowed us to really stretch our imaginations with that concept, reflecting on the inherent spookiness of being a child when the shadow of a coatrack in your bedroom could look like the worst of what your imagination could come up with.” Valentin Iribarren - game creator at Montraluz
Dreamcore's Playrooms is a sequence of spaces, that are inspired by children's areas, recreated with an artificial and silent aesthetic. Throughout the map, players get to explore padded rooms, plastic castle structures, ball-filled corridors, netted tunnels, oversized blocks and printed city carpets, pretty much like a soft play area. However, there's no functionality or human presence, no instructions, sounds, or clear direction - progression is entirely upon the player.
Once again, the dev's for Dreamcore have out done themselves on this, it feels like it's a lot bigger then the first 2 levels and much more to explore and get lost in. I did get frustrated in the maze part and nearly turned the game off, but persevered and manged to get through the game. One of the coolest things about The Playrooms is just how familiar and creepy the atmosphere is. It drops you into these places that feel like childhood memories: daycares, arcades, colorful little playrooms; but something’s off. It really builds nicely on that typical horror trope of childlike horror and it does so with stellar execution. There's no need for any loud jump scares or cheap horror tricks; it's all super subtle and simple, which is something where Dreamcore shines at. The Playrooms doesn’t feel like some random add-on. It perfectly fits right in with the rest of the game, just like yet another creepy piece into this eerie horror puzzle.
Playrooms Graphics
Dreamcore's graphics are phenomenal with every little detail built in Unreal Engine 5, it all looks so real as if it were taken from a live recording. All the vibrant colours just pop and stand out and doesn't take away from that feeling that there could be something lurking in the shadows or following you. Just like the first 2 levels, there is a VHS mode ( Found Footage) that gives the game a more eerie feel, but just like before I had to have kept off as it was effecting my eyesight and causing me a headache as well. However playing with the VHS mode off, it still gave the game an eerie feel regardless. The sound design really adds to that atmosphere with some eerie tunes on repeat, and distant laughter that just makes your skin crawl.
Final Thoughts
Overall I found Dreamcore's DLC - Playrooms enjoyable and tedious at times, I'm seriously excited to see what they do with the next levels coming. Whether you're wandering pastel-colored halls or questioning what's real, the DLC pulls you in and refuses to let go. The developer's Montraluz, have really done a good job creating this game and it's graphics, if this game ever comes on VR, I'd happily give it a go as it definitely got the VR vibes and it would look so good as well. It might not be for everyone, but if you're into liminal spaces, psychological and eerie vibes, this one’s worth your time.
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to take a moment to read this review, your support is always appreciated and means a lot to us all.
Dreamcore + DLC is available to play on:
XPN RATING 4 OUT 5
If you enjoyed this review, make sure to check out other reviews on XPN Gaming website. Also, why not check out my original review for Dreamcore right here: Dreamcore - Step into the Space between dreams.
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