Dare to Dream Part One: In a Darkened Room

The Good
Graphically the game isn't brilliant, but it makes some of the best use of bitmapped 16-colours you'll ever see. The backstory is pretty grim as it reveals the details of the troubled young boy. The music is fitting, though repetitive after a while. Very ironic that the "Go to sleep" lullaby plays in the title. You'll run into many interesting characters and encounters. With just the click of a button, it's easy to look at, pick up, talk to and interact throughout the game.

The Bad
The game feels kind of short even for a shareware episode. If there was some variation for the puzzles, it would have some replay value. Puzzles are made difficult by the fact that you have to pixel hunt for the magnifying glasses in every screen to find an item, which also requires double-clicking. It's also hard to find some of the exits, where you would expect some sort of doorway. The easy-mode doesn't do much to make it easier and ends up making the whole game twice as short and boring. It's a relief that you cannot die in this game.

The Bottom Line
I thought LucasArts games like Day of the Tentacle and Sam & Max were zany and wacky, but this title takes the subtle approach. If you're not a fan of the simplified GUI adventure games, you may still have the guilty pleasure of going through this vivid adventure. This game cannot decide if it's horror or comedy, so you have a generous dose of both genres. Let your imagination run wild as you play Dare to Dream.