Fall into a beautiful and puzzling dreamworld. Find your friends, unlock spectacular abilities and overcome the odds in a surreal tactical dodgeball adventure to uncover the mysteries of a broken world from the creators of Monument Valley.
The core gameplay loop challenges players to navigate Desta through surreal, dreamlike environments and engage in turn-based dodgeball encounters. Each character, including Desta and their allies, possesses a distinct set of abilities and passive traits that influence their movement, throwing power, and overall effectiveness on the battlefield. Players must carefully consider character synergies, target prioritization, and ball trajectory to outmaneuver opponents and land decisive hits. The physics-based dodgeball mechanics add an extra layer of depth, as players must factor in ricochet angles, object interactions, and timing to maximize the impact of their throws. Skilled players will learn to leverage these mechanics to set up complex multi-hit combos, pin enemies against walls, and create favorable outcomes through creative shot placements.
The game features a roguelite structure, where each playthrough of the campaign is procedurally generated, with new ability unlocks, team compositions, and level layouts. This encourages experimentation and replayability, as players must adapt their strategies to the resources and challenges presented in each run. The progression system is structured around two main components: character leveling and meta-progression. As players progress through the campaign, they can unlock new abilities and passive traits for each character, allowing them to customize their playstyle and team composition. Additionally, the meta-progression system persists across runs, granting players permanent upgrades and access to new content, such as the challenging Nightmare Mode and puzzle-focused Challenge Mode.
Woven throughout the tactical gameplay is a compelling narrative that explores Desta's relationships with their friends and family. The story is presented through engaging visual novel-style cutscenes, accompanied by excellent voice acting that brings the characters to life. Players will uncover the nuances of Desta's past, witnessing their struggles to reconcile and heal damaged relationships, all while navigating the surreal dreamscape. The narrative tackles mature themes with sensitivity, including mental health, identity, and the complexities of interpersonal dynamics. The writing is praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, creating a strong emotional investment in the player's journey.
Reviewers consistently highlight the game's innovative gameplay, compelling narrative, and impressive production values. Many players praise the tactical depth and creativity offered by the dodgeball mechanics, noting the satisfying feeling of executing well-placed throws and complex shot combinations. The game's ability to blend the tactical gameplay with a thoughtful, character-driven story has also been a major draw for players, with reviewers praising the game's emotional resonance and the way it handles sensitive topics with care and nuance. Overall, the game has been hailed as a unique and engaging experience that offers a fresh take on the tactical gameplay genre while delivering a heartfelt and meaningful narrative journey.