Info about An Abyss of Dreams:

Official game description:
**Two worlds, one nightmare. Step inside a brutal orphanage and uncover the dark secrets of Québec’s Great Darkness. Solve puzzles related to an inexplicable phenomenon and dive into the depths of dreams to uncover otherworldly horrors. An Abyss of Dreams is a cosmic horror point-and-click game.**
_As the Great Darkness descends upon the province of Quebec, young Thérèse’s world collapses. Following her mother’s death, she is sent to the Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Passion Orphanage, a place governed by brutality, silence, and unquestioned faith._
_Each night, Thérèse slips into another realm. At first, it feels serene, almost beautiful, but beneath its dreamlike calm lurk unspeakable horrors. This world of dreams may hold the key to the disturbing events unfolding behind the orphanage’s walls..._
**An Abyss of Dreams** is a 3D point-and-click cosmic horror game. Traverse two intertwined worlds, a grim orphanage and a haunting dreamscape, to uncover the source of the afflictions tormenting its children. Explore richly detailed environments, solve grounded yet surreal puzzles, and piece together a mystery. Experience a poignant, unsettling narrative that confronts the dark legacy of Quebec’s Catholic institutions and the children left in their care.

Release date: Feb 15, 2026

Categories: Point-and-click Adventure, Puzzle Solving, Cosmic Horror, Atmospheric Horror, First-Person Exploration, Environmental Storytelling, Investigative Gameplay, Narrative Adventure


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 4.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: One review explicitly reports completing the game in about 4 hours, supporting gameCompletion = 4. Another review estimates a 2–3 hour playtime depending on puzzle time, and a third says they spent more than 15 hours, so the evidence shows wide variance but still supports a non-null completion estimate. No review provides a separate story-only duration, a typical session length, or an endgame duration, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Atmospheric Puzzle Adventurer (buy)
    - Motivation: Solving atmospheric puzzles while uncovering a dark historical narrative.
    - Playstyle: Takes time to explore, solve puzzles, and absorb the setting and story.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Narrative Immersion Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Becoming immersed in a dark, historically grounded story through patient exploration.
    - Playstyle: Plays calmly, explores thoroughly, and focuses on story and atmosphere.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Quebec Dialect Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing authentic Quebec accent and dialect in the game's dialogue.
    - Playstyle: Plays at a relaxed pace and pays attention to dialogue and local voice work.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and well-crafted puzzles (weight 0.97): Reviewers consistently find the puzzles fun, interesting, and well-designed. The difficulty is often described as balanced—challenging but solvable with observation and note-taking, providing satisfying rewards.
- Deep and emotional storyline (weight 0.88): The narrative is praised for being touching, well-constructed, and emotionally impactful, often dealing with dark themes sensitively. Many reviewers mention it evokes intense feelings and is a true emotional journey.
- Excellent voice acting in French (weight 0.63): Many reviewers praise the voice acting as a standout feature, with some calling it the best part of the game. The Quebec French accent and Joual dialogue enhance immersion and atmosphere.
- Educational Quebec history setting (weight 0.61): The game's historical setting, particularly around Quebec's past including the Duplessis era and orphanages, is found interesting and educational. It offers a discovery of unfamiliar historical topics and serves as an homage to Quebec culture.
- High-quality visuals and sound (weight 0.56): The graphics, art direction, and sound design are frequently praised as effective and immersive. The soundtrack and voice acting contribute significantly to the overall experience.
- Captivating and oppressive atmosphere (weight 0.52): The game's atmosphere is frequently highlighted as immersive, heavy, and gripping from the start. The gloomy, mysterious, and sometimes claustrophobic mood keeps players engaged and uneasy.
- Lovecraftian horror elements (weight 0.4): The blend of Lovecraftian horror with the historical setting is well-received, adding mystery and supernatural thrills. The otherworldly dream sequences and cosmic evil mix effectively with real-world themes.
- Sensitive handling of dark themes (weight 0.33): The game addresses violence, fear, and historical injustices with sensitivity and respect. Reviewers appreciate how it treats the dark reality of residential schools and the resilience of children.
- Improvement over previous games (weight 0.3): Several reviewers consider this game better than its predecessors, such as La Vallée qui murmure, citing more characters, better voiceovers, and a layered narrative.
- Relaxed and immersive experience (weight 0.24): Some find the game perfect for relaxed play, with an addictive quality and engaging vibe that draws them in.
- Affordable price (weight 0.18): A couple of reviewers mention the game is reasonably priced and offers good value for the experience.
- Reminiscent of classic adventure games (weight 0.18): Reviewers note similarities to Scratches and Dark Fall, and a true sense of Myst, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Historical and cultural Easter eggs (weight 0.11): Clever Easter eggs referencing the October Crisis and other Quebec cultural elements add depth for those familiar with the history.
- No technical issues (weight 0.09): The game runs smoothly without technical problems, as reported by at least one reviewer.
- Good length for the price (weight 0.09): One reviewer notes that the game proves a game doesn't need to be super long to be great, implying satisfactory length.
- Subtitles are clear (weight 0.09): English subtitles are properly done, clear, and understandable, aiding non-French speakers.
- No jumpscares (weight 0.09): The game builds horror without relying on jumpscares, which is appreciated by at least one reviewer.
- Deliberate ambiguity and mystery (weight 0.09): The game maintains deliberate ambiguity and leaves some secrets untold, which some reviewers find intriguing.
- Game hub alleviates frustration (weight 0.09): The game hub helps reduce frustration during puzzle solving, according to one reviewer.

Common complaints:
- Overly difficult puzzles (weight 0.33): Multiple reviewers found several puzzles to be very hard, requiring walkthroughs and causing frustration. This was a recurring issue that detracted from the experience.
- Bleak story without meaning (weight 0.26): The story is relentlessly bleak, focusing on horrific events happening to orphan NPCs repetitively, which some felt lacked deeper meaning or purpose.
- Weak and abrupt ending (weight 0.26): The game ends with a 'to be continued......' and the endgame is weak, featuring a linear corridor with little mystery or deviation. A tedious lever puzzle further undermines the horror.
- Technical and audio issues (weight 0.25): Technical problems running on Windows 11 and a game-breaking bug were reported. Audio options are unusual: lowering voices also lowers other sounds, affecting the experience, especially during the film.
- Unrealistic NPC behavior (weight 0.19): NPCs do not notice the player in unrealistic circumstances, such as taking oatmeal in plain view or swiping a document in front of the Mother Superior. Static cinematic angles and faces during dialogues could be improved with more lifelike NPC movements.
- Limited exploration (weight 0.11): Reviewers wished to explore more of the orphanage and surroundings, indicating limited exploration opportunities.
- Low-budget visuals (weight 0.11): The visuals are not impressive and appear low-budget, which may detract from immersion.
- Static antagonist reduces fear (weight 0.11): The antagonist Gabriel is static and does not actually chase the player, reducing the fear factor.
- Loading screens break immersion (weight 0.11): Loading screens are numerous and sometimes break the rhythm and immersion of the game.
- Cursor movement limited (weight 0.1): The movement zone for the cursor is somewhat limited, making it annoying to move forward quickly.
- Minimalist soundtrack lacks variety (weight 0.1): The minimalist soundtrack could have been more varied to enhance the experience.
- Only English subtitles (weight 0.1): Only English subtitles are available, which may be a barrier for non-English speakers.

Gameplay feedback:
- Puzzle-centric gameplay (weight 0.88): Puzzles are a core element, requiring observation, logic, and meticulous thinking. Many reviews highlight puzzle-solving as the main activity.
- Point-and-click adventure gameplay (weight 0.84): The game is consistently described as a point-and-click adventure, with players clicking to move and interact with the environment. It follows classic conventions of the genre.
- Classic old-school style (weight 0.26): The game is noted for its classic late 90's/early 00's point-and-click style, reminiscent of older adventure games. It focuses on brain-teasing challenges without stealth or chase sequences.
- Gloomy and mysterious atmosphere (weight 0.24): The game features a gloomy and mysterious atmosphere that complements the puzzle-based gameplay. This mood enhances the overall experience.
- Challenging puzzles with fair hints (weight 0.19): Some puzzles can be particularly difficult, requiring attention, observation, and patience. However, they do not hold your hand and provide reasonable hints or clues.
- 360 3D scenes with cursor movement (weight 0.17): The game uses 360-degree 3D scenes where players click to move to another spot in the room or to another area. Cursor-based movement is limited to clickable zones.
- Dream world segment (weight 0.16): A dream world segment is included as part of the puzzle-based gameplay. This adds variety to the puzzles.
- Cinematic dialogue presentation (weight 0.09): Character dialogues are presented with cinematic angles and static faces. This stylistic choice adds a unique visual flair.
- Hub area (weight 0.09): The game features a hub area that likely connects different parts of the game. This provides a central navigation point.

Performance notes:
- Windows 11 technical issues (weight 0.09): One reviewer reported technical problems running the game on Windows 11. This affects compatibility and stability for players on that OS, but the feedback is isolated to a single cluster.
- Frequent long loading times (weight 0.09): A reviewer complained about frequent and lengthy loading screens. This suggests pacing issues that can interrupt gameplay, though the feedback comes from a single small cluster.

Recommendations:
- Fans await next game (weight 0.38): Multiple reviewers express eagerness for the developer's next title, indicating strong anticipation among satisfied players. This positive sentiment is repeated across several clusters.
- Point-and-click fans recommended (weight 0.37): Several reviews specifically recommend the game to fans of point-and-click adventures, horror, and narrative-driven experiences. This is a common genre-specific recommendation.
- Unconditional recommendations for narrative horror (weight 0.25): Reviewers strongly recommend the game without hesitation to fans of narrative games, psychological horror, and dark stories. Enthusiasm is high and expressed with phrases like 'recommends with eyes closed'.
- General recommendations (weight 0.16): Several reviewers simply recommend the game without specific caveats, reflecting overall satisfaction. This includes a generic 'I recommend' and a direct recommendation.
- Negative experience and refund (weight 0.11): One reviewer mentions requesting a refund, indicating a negative experience and implying they do not recommend the game.
- Considered a miss (weight 0.11): A reviewer states that this game is a miss for them and they will not return for more, expressing dissatisfaction.
- Honors real historical experiences (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for those who wish to remember and honor individuals who lived through the depicted trials, suggesting a respectful and poignant treatment of historical events.
- Exploration and gripping story praised (weight 0.11): The game is highly recommendable for players who enjoy exploration and a gripping narrative, combining these elements effectively.
- Praise for Quebec historical setting (weight 0.1): A reviewer highlights the game's connection to Quebec's darker past, calling it a must-play for those interested in that history. This niche appeal is noted as a unique strength.
- Narrative over graphics (weight 0.1): The game is recommended for players who value narrative over flashy visuals, indicating its strength lies in storytelling rather than graphical fidelity.
- Similar to La Vallée qui Murmure (weight 0.1): A reviewer notes that fans of 'La Vallée qui Murmure' will likely enjoy this game, drawing a direct comparison to another title in the genre.
- Puzzles not a barrier (weight 0.09): One reviewer advises not to let the puzzles deter you from playing, suggesting puzzles may be challenging but the overall experience is worthwhile.
- Worth the price (weight 0.09): A reviewer recommends the game at its current price point, indicating good value for money.

Other player notes:
- Quebecois cultural and historical setting (weight 0.61): The game is a Quebecois production that deeply explores Quebec culture and history, serving as an homage to the region.
- Duplessis orphans and residential schools (weight 0.51): The narrative confronts the dark legacy of Quebec's Catholic institutions and the Duplessis orphans, drawing from real historical events.
- Short but impactful experience (weight 0.44): Many reviewers note the game is short, lasting 2-4 hours, but still delivers a great and intense experience.
- Comparisons to classic horror adventures (weight 0.37): The game is frequently compared to Scratches, Dark Fall, Myst, and old Cthulhu games, appealing to fans of classic point-and-click horror.
- Connection to October Nightmares (weight 0.37): The game serves as an appetizer and introduction to the upcoming game October Nightmares, with references to the October Crisis.
- Similar to previous games by developer (weight 0.24): The universe and logic are similar to the developer's previous games Le murmureur and La vallée qui murmure, showing improved presentation.
- French voice acting with English subtitles (weight 0.24): The game features French voice acting with English subtitles available, enhancing accessibility for non-French speakers.
- Runs well on Linux via Proton (weight 0.1): The game runs well on Ubuntu using Steam's Proton Hotfix emulator, indicating good compatibility.
- Demo available on Steam (weight 0.1): A demo is available on Steam, allowing players to try before purchasing.
- Art and duty of memory (weight 0.1): The game is described as a video game experience that links art and the duty of memory, highlighting its educational value.
- Developer responsive to bug reports (weight 0.09): The developer immediately fixed a bug encountered by a reviewer, demonstrating good post-launch support.
- Longer playtime reported (weight 0.08): One reviewer mentions over 15 hours to complete, which contrasts with the commonly reported short duration.

Emotions:
- Anticipation (weight 0.14): Players are eagerly awaiting future titles from the developers, expressing excitement for sequels and new projects. This anticipation is driven by their positive experience with the current game and trust in the studio's creative direction.
- Frustration (weight 0.11): Frustration arises from overly difficult puzzles that often require walkthroughs, technical issues on Windows 11, and frequent loading screens that disrupt immersion. Players also find the game complicated from the start, hindering enjoyment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Enjoyment stems from the captivating story, visuals, voice acting, and puzzles, as well as the fun gameplay and the discovery of Quebec history. The atmosphere and storytelling provide thrilling and memorable moments.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment is caused by a relentlessly bleak story lacking payoff, limited exploration, a minimalist soundtrack, and shortcomings in NPC behavior and realism. The weak endgame, featuring a linear corridor and tedious lever puzzle, further detracts from the experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Satisfaction comes from solving challenging puzzles after digging deep and having everything become clear, as well as from strong storytelling and a unique historical setting. The near-universal solvability of puzzles also contributes to a sense of accomplishment.
- Immersion (weight 0.05): Immersion is achieved through the blending of historical and cosmic horrors, the gloomy decor, and an immersive soundtrack. The heavy, captivating atmosphere and talented voice acting draw players deeply into the game world.
- Love (weight 0.04): Love for the game is driven by its classic point-and-click style and storyline, along with the atmosphere, puzzles, voice acting, and historical setting. These elements combine to create a deeply engaging experience.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is fueled by the touching story and effective atmosphere, as well as the art direction, acting, and puzzles. These aspects generate excitement and strong positive engagement with the game.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Appreciation is felt for the developer's attentiveness and quick issue resolution, and for Canadian and Québécois video games representing local culture, language, history, and politics. This recognition highlights the value of cultural representation and responsive support.
- Captivation (weight 0.04): Captivation arises from the interesting setting and themes, which pull players in and hold their attention. The game's unique premise creates a compelling draw.
- Delight (weight 0.02): Delight is specifically caused by the Quebec-accented voice acting, which adds charm and authenticity to the experience.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.02): Exhaustion results from the repetitive suffering of orphans, which becomes draining over time. The constant bleakness wears on players.
- Apathy (weight 0.02): Apathy sets in after repeated exposure to horrific events involving orphans, leading to emotional numbness. By the fifth such instance, the impact diminishes and players stop caring.
- Emotional intensity (weight 0.02): Emotional intensity is generated by the game's dark story and Lovecraftian elements, which evoke deep and intense feelings. The narrative's ability to provoke strong emotions is a key driver.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): Fascination stems from the blend of horror, supernatural, and mystery elements, which intrigue and captivate players. The combination creates a compelling draw.
- Accomplishment (weight 0.02): Accomplishment is felt when understanding the characters, the meaning of dreams, and solving mysteries. These achievements provide a sense of mastery and insight.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from the audio settings affecting multiple sound elements when lowering voices, leading to unexpected changes in the sound mix. This technical quirk causes puzzlement.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Curiosity is driven by wanting to see what the creative team does next, sparked by the current game's unique vision. Players are interested in future projects.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement comes from discovering an unfamiliar historical subject, which adds novelty and intrigue. The game's exploration of unknown history generates enthusiasm.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is felt for the artistic quality and voice acting, which are recognized as standout elements. The high production values earn respect.}