Project Dreamscape: Finding Memories in a Dreamy Solo Game
Drift off to sleep to discover the secret to ultimate dreaming and chaining together actions with Project Dreamscape.
You’re getting very sleepy… But not really! The theme behind Project Dreamscape is an interesting one, although the game is decidedly light and simple to move through. I hadn’t brought this to my solo table in years, and after finding the game box in a small stack that was rather abandoned, it was time to nod off a little bit and get to dreaming!
Game Overview
Game Name: Project Dreamscape
Publication Year: 2015
Designers: Sarah Reed and Will Reed
Artist: Julie Okahara
Publisher: Undine Studios
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
The goal is to chain together icons by carefully choosing cards to purchase and use. Each offers a choice between 2 different actions, while face-down cards act as a currency. It’s all very quick with some adorably unique artwork, yet chaining together more than 10 icons can be a challenge!
First Play
March 14, 2019
Complexity
2
Latest Play
May 6, 2023
Expansions
0
Setup Time
Almost None
Lifetime Plays
34
Play Time
10 Minutes
High Score
64
Game Area
24" x 14"
Low Score
17
Endless Dreaming
Gameplay is very simple, consisting of choosing to gain another card to act as buying power and then diving into the market. The trick comes down to using the cards!
There are many different types, and a card may be used for a single action. With careful planning, these icons can be aligned to chain them together for victory points.
The artwork is rather whimsical and dreamy, although I know it may not be for everyone. I still enjoy it!
Another nice element is how there are different sets, and not all are used with each play. Plenty of variety!
Headed to the Market
Cards all have a cost, as laid out in the market. The trick is to find out how to get a lot of cards at a low cost. Often, they can be moved around or even activated.
It all comes down to matching symbols, yet there are interesting ways to get there in many cases.
Looking at this setup, I might be able to pick up a cheap card, yet getting any others during the turn might involve some other actions. Reserving some might even work!
There might not be anything amazingly unique to see here, yet it’s all done in a very pleasant sort of way.
A River of Dreams
I was a bit rusty, owing to a play drought of around 3 years, but I did it! There were some excellent chains I put together on this journey through the land of dreams.
The order of these cards typically can’t be changed, so it isn’t just about buying whatever is available.
At the same time, the game ends when the market can’t be fully refilled. Cycling through too quickly with some of the refresh actions can actually be quite problematic.
I had a few actions I liked a little better than others, but found myself using most of them in different situations.
Simple Scoring
Luckily, final scoring comes down to looking at chains and subtracting any currency cards. The latter is actually rather interesting: Too much buying power can be bad.
This scoring table is also printed on the inner side of the box, which makes it easy to calculate these values.
It can still be a little tricky to keep track of icon chains, since a chain could include icons from the top of some cards and bottom of others. Not too difficult, though!
Perhaps this isn’t going to be a favorite game of mine, but I still enjoyed the nostalgia and returning to it for a bit!
A Blast from the Past: Years Between Plays!
I was actually pretty surprised to discover that I last played this game in 2020, nearly 3 years ago. Time flies! There might be an argument to say that it’s time to pass this one along, yet I actually had a nice time going back to the last time I opened the box. Not every game is going to be amazing, after all, but I often find something special in each one.
Maybe it will be another 3 years before I play again, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My favorites will always be around, as will many others. I have some very scattered preferences when it comes to playing my solo games! It’s still wonderful to remember some things from years gone by simply by bringing an older game to the table.
At the same time, it’s never possible to keep every single game… Especially with new ones arriving regularly. I know why I rarely part with games, though, even when I know they’re moving onto homes where they’ll get more attention. I just get so attached, despite a lot of that coming from the memories. Solo games are, after all, a big part of my life!
Session Overview
Play Number: 31-34
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Outcome: 44, 44, 45, 56 (1 Win & 3 Losses)
At least I played pretty consistently! I came relatively close to my high score, too, and some of the cards were definitely on my side. Shifting Dreams showed up a lot when I needed it, allowing me to purchase lots of cards at the cheapest possible price. Awesome! I still find myself reaching for many other small solo games ahead of this one, but it has some fun ideas and does just a little bit more with set collection. Only peaceful dreaming here!
%
30 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
7
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
5
Quality
Components & Rules
7
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
7
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
7
+ Pros (Positives)
- Each type of card action has a different style of artwork that matches the action name perfectly and thematically.
- The icons are very clear and easy to tell apart, which helps with splaying the cards to count icon chains.
- There are some interesting combinations that can happen in the market during every round with some planning.
- Choosing how many cards to use as a currency is rather strategic and has a lot of cascading effects.
- Multiple sets allow the game experience to change with various combinations of actions across plays.
- All of the pastel colors create a calming sort of environment that ties into the unique quality of the dream theme.
– Cons (Negatives)
- The upside down text makes sense for only using a single action, but this means a lot of cards get rotated.
- A lot of luck is involved in forming longer chains, and although there is some control, card order is paramount.
- Play time moves quickly, yet for a light game, it feels like it can take just a little too long during most plays.
- Many parts of the rulebook rely on unique terminology that can make some concepts more confusing than clear.
Victory Conditions
Score 55+ Points
- Overall Goal Progress 67%
Goals and Milestones
Score at least 50 points.
Score at least 60 points.
Score at least 70 points.
Continue the Conversation
Have you played Project Dreamscape? What other solo games do you enjoy that revolve around sleep or dreams? My favorite part about this was returning to a game I hadn’t played in so long and remembering my first plays. Oh, nostalgia! This is a delightful little game that I’m glad I finally got back to my table to have some more fun with!
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