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Review: I Keep Having This Dream is a genre mash-up you won’t be able to put down

Puzzler meets roguelike meets RPG meets board-game: there’s a lot of blending going on here, but the end result is a fine one.

Price: $1.99 (£1.49)
Version: 1.0
Size: 88.4 MB
Platform: iPhone & iPad
Developer: Firefly Games

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I Keep Having This Dream is a recent App Store release that blends together multiple genres. There’s a hint of roguelike, a dash of RPG, a pinch of puzzler, and a general board-game feel. But the game itself isn’t a blur, it’s not confused, and it doesn’t feel wrong – far from it.

Let’s start at the beginning. In I Keep Having This Dream, gamers choose a difficulty level and a character. Then you’re guided through a series of hints which explain how the game works.

You're first offered a series of "hints" which explain how the game works. These don't appear all at once, and instead pop up at the right time in order to help players on their way.

These “hints” don’t appear all at once, and instead pop up at the right time in order to help players on their way

Essentially, you need to build a path to the end of each level through placing tiles on an empty board. You need to form this path in the direction of an on-screen compass in order to proceed to the next level, or “world.” To do this, gamers will have to connect parts of the path together with each tile, placing them in the right position and rotating them in the right way. This is quite effective: it really does feel like you’re searching along a strange, unknown route through a dark underground (or overground) world.

The aim of the game is to build a path which takes you out of the current level (or "world") in one piece. You'll need to choose the right tiles carefully in order to proceed unhindered.

The aim of the game is to build a path which takes you out of the current level (or “world”) in one piece. You’ll need to choose the right tiles carefully in order to proceed unhindered

Additional tiles, when placed, let gamers either accrue boosts and shields, or challenge monsters. You really are creating the labyrinth as you go, choosing the direction your path takes and deciding exactly when you face your foes. It’s a novel experience.

Depending on its own skill level, your "nemesis" could finish you off before you have chance to reach the end of the path.

Depending on its own skill level, your “nemesis” could finish you off before you have chance to reach the end of the path

However, because tiles are generated randomly and refill from the left after each placement, you’ll need to be smart in order to choose when you use certain tiles, and how you save others. Monsters vary in terms of their difficulty and skills, too, so it’s important to gain the right number of boosts and shields before taking on more challenging foes. In some cases, you’ll need to save a particular monster for later while refilling your attack and defense stats. Annoyingly, to do this might mean choosing tiles which take you in the wrong direction.

There are times when confronting an enemy is ... well ... unavoidable.

There are times when confronting an enemy is … well … unavoidable.

When your path reaches a dead end, or if you’re defeated in battle, things get serious. Your “nemesis” will begin to devour your tiles –and you, too, depending on the antagonist’s level. So beware, think logically, and make sure you choose the right tile for the right place.

Your path will twist and turn depending on the tiles at your disposal. You'll also need to think carefully, too, when placing tiles, and it pays off to save others for further down the line.

Your path will twist and turn depending on the tiles at your disposal. You’ll also need to think carefully, too, when placing tiles, and it pays off to save others for further down the line

All in all, I Keep Having This Dream is a novel and hugely enjoyable game. If you’re a fan of any of the genres mashed-up here, this application will surely be a real treat.