| The First 100% QuickBasic Game Review Magazine |
Updated November 20, 2004
|
Game Reviews
42 RPGs
55 Arcade
34 Puzzle
18 Platform
10 Strategy
Sections
QB News
Site Archives
Game Guides
Our Projects
Entertainment
Awards
QB Links
Interact
QB Chatroom
Mailing List
Submissions
Link to Us
Job Openings
DreamScape
(BJM Software)
vvvvvvv
"Rank among the greatest battlers in the world!"
Jesters should never walk in the forest alone.
You learn the hard way as you frolic peacefully in the grass, only to be
ambushed by a couple of guards. You lose sight and get knocked out, and
wake up in a dank and rotting prison. As you recover, the guards corner
you and question you about a magical stone.
Convinced that something is terribly wrong,
you take the initiative and kill the guards with your lightning attacks.
You must escape now-- but can you make your way back to safety, learn new
spells to protect yourself, and discover the secret of the wizard's stone?
Game
Review
Graphics
(n.)
The
use of animation and visual effects to stimulate the senses |
vvvv
(Very
Good) |
Though short in
game length, DreamScape is full of visual splendor. It's obvious that the
bulk of the development time spent by BJM Software was in the graphics
department, forming lush tilesets that in turn compare easily with SNES-quality
RPGs, with Lord of the Rings for the SNES in particular coming to mind.
The forest level in particular is most indicative of this observation.
Even more impressive
than the tilesets is BJM's use of flicker-free animation with screen-intensive,
real-time special effects. Bolts of lightning can rain down so often that
it can literally be measured in shots per minute, and multiple enemies
can attack with spells on screen without slowdown. It should be noted though
that DreamScape has fairly high memory requirements, so slowdown might
be apparent on slower systems. |
Sound/Music (n.)
The
smooth blend of atmospheric sounds and original harmonies |
N/A |
Some of the jester's
lines may be a good for a laugh, but DreamScape itself features no sound
or music. |
Gameplay (n.)
The
precision of control and involvement of character within its universe |
v
(Poor) |
DreamScape is a
mouse-operated spellcasting RPG, probably closest to the Baldur's Gate
series of games for the PC. Don't expect any treasure chests, gold pieces,
or townsfolk though. The current version available on the Internet gives
gamers control of one character, who kills everything he sees and uses
the scrolls enemies drop to increase hitpoints or learn new spells.
BJM Software doesn't
waste any time with giving the player a good set of spells to choose from.
Utilizing healing and lightning attacks is as easy as choosing the proper
spell from the toolbar on the upper-left of the screen, aiming whereever
on the screen you want the sepll to be used, then clicking the right-mouse
button.
The only problem
with the otherwise perfect mouse-controlled system for DreamScape is that,
while walking with the left-mouse button, it's possible to accidentally
click on the menu on the upper-left of the screen. This can get awkward
at times but is especially aggravating when trying to manuvuer during a
tight battle and accidentally switching to an undesired spell. |
Story (n.)
The
creativity and presentation of the game's critical plot |
(Very
Poor) |
The RPG humor (naming
the evil character "Bob", for example) is a pretty good start, but there
just isn't enough dialog in DreamScape to create the satiric feel that
BJM Software intended. |
Replay Value (n.)
The
timelessness of the gamer's delight, such that the experience can be repeated
again and again |
v
(Poor) |
Offering a quick
and easy quest, there isn't really enough of a pull in DreamScape to compel
gamers to play again. At the same time, however, there's no annoying parts
in the game that would persuade gamers not to play either, and there are
a few bonus spells to find if every room in the game is searched thoroughly. |
Challenge (v.)
To
strike the mental nerve in such a way as to stimulate human thought and
reflexes |
v
(Poor) |
Except for the very
last battle, DreamScape is not the kind of game that is meant ot frustrate
players. Because the experience-gaining system of the game is linear, fighting
a few extra baddies early on in the game takes away most of the challenge
in the jester's quest, allowing the focus of the game to shift to it's
mazes. |
Fun Factor (n.)
The
overall entertainment value as maintained throughout the adventure |
(Very
Poor) |
Playing through
DreamScape is like trying to play through a demo of a really good-looking
game. The graphics in DreamScape are very inviting and the spell-oriented
gameplay has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, BJM Software never really
taps into it. The experience-gaining element of DreamScape is incredibly
limited and very easy to break; a few extra battles will make the rest
of the game incredibly easy to play, reducing the game to nothing more
than a click-and-kill adventure. This is a shame too, because the story
isn't developed fully and there's no music in the game to distract from
that either. Here's to hoping that BJM Software (which shows preview pics
of in-game action featuring as many as four characters at one time) will
complete this game and show everyone what DreamScape is really about.
DreamScape Reviewed
by Vance Velez |
| Players |
1
player |
Genre:
Role Playing Game |
| Rating |
 |
To solve: 15 min Final Rating:
7/35 |
Download
To
download DreamScape (651KB), click here.
wIf
you're unzipping this program in DOS, use the -d option.
wTo
play DreamScape, unzip the file and run "DREAM.EXE". |
Back to RPG Page |
Game
Summary
Coding
Group
BJM
Software
Genre
QBRPG
Homepage
URL
http://geocities.com/
b_j_m_83/
E-mails
b_j_m_@hotmail.com
Players
1-player
Final
Rating
7
out of 35 points
The
Highs: BJM Software does a great job of
combining high-quality graphics with real-time spellcasts and special effects.
The
Lows: DreamScape is just too short and
easy, even though the potential to be an addictive and well-drawn out game
is there.
V Planet! Archive
This is an archive of V Planet, circa November 2004, when the site was last active. This is read-only, and preserved here as part of the QB Zines Archive at Pete's QB Site.
Site Highlights
2004 QB Gaming Gold Awards Almost Set To Begin!
Get ready for this year's Gaming Golds! After a long hiatus, this year promises to be one of the biggest galas in the history of the QB world. Who will take home the gold this year?
Site Watch
Pete's QBasic Site
The original king of QB reviews is back with
a vengeance! Check out the new and improved version of his website and don't forget to upload your latest QB projects
to Pete's new download section!
Affiliates
Antz
Entertainment
GBGames
QBasic
HyperRealistic
Games
InnerMark
NeoBasic
Jocke
the Beast
Pete's
QBasic Site
Pickers
Games Website
Piptol
Productions
Programmer's
Heaven
QB
Colony
QB
Chronicles
QB:
Cult Magazine
QB45
QBasic/QuickBasic
News
QBasic
Contest
Central
RPG-Dev.Net
Statto
Software
Links
       
|
