The Smurfs: Dreams review

The Smurfs: Dreams review

As an old-timer gamer with decades under my belt and a cynical heart that’s seen it all, I never thought I’d find myself enamored by a game featuring those little blue creatures known as Smurfs. But here I am, utterly smitten by The Smurfs: Dreams.


This year in gaming has been filled with unexpected delights, but none have caught me off guard quite like my newfound affection for a game based on the Smurfs. Honestly, as a child, I found them slightly bothersome. But after playing The Smurfs: Dreams, I can’t help but be utterly amazed and at a loss for words. This caliber of 3D platformer doesn’t come along every day, so it seems we owe a debt of gratitude to Papa Smurf for this fantastic creation.

In the familiar scenario of the Smurfs world, the mischievous Gargamel has devised another plan to disrupt their peaceful lives. By enchanting the sarsaparilla leaves that the tiny blue creatures consume, he’s made certain that all the Smurfs plunge into a profound sleep from which they cannot awaken independently. With you being one of the few Smurfs who haven’t eaten these leaves, it falls upon you to venture into your friends’ dreams in order to rouse them and safeguard Smurf Village. The narrative, as anticipated for a game aimed at a younger demographic, is engaging yet doesn’t become overly prolonged.

The Smurfs: Dreams review

After reaching your initial desired realm, it’s time for an exciting adventure known as platforming! This journey offers a rich depth that goes beyond simple running and jumping. To traverse each level in The Smurfs: Dreams, you’ll need to employ skills such as the flutter jump and bubble hovering ability. To cover larger gaps, you’ll have to jump, hover, enter the bubble, then exit it while diving to achieve maximum distance. As you master the art of combining these abilities, you’ll feel like a platforming prodigy!

In The Smurfs: Dreams, unlike other games that offer vast landscapes filled with hundreds of items to collect, the gameplay follows a similar structure to Astro Bot, focusing on numerous smaller, more linear levels. This design choice also includes a fixed camera angle, reducing the need for complex navigation while playing. Essentially, your main focus should be on the immediate environment before you, making gameplay less challenging in terms of exploration and more about the action unfolding right in front of you.

The Smurfs: Dreams review

That’s not to say that with a locked on camera and smaller levels that there isn’t shiny stuff to collect though. Each main stage features five mushrooms and one thread reel to collect, alongside a whole host of Smurf berries that serve as your currency. The collectibles are hidden perfectly, meaning that if you’re careful you won’t have to replay levels too often to grab them all. They have a purpose too, and will unlock bonus levels and fancy new outfits to make the effort worthwhile.

As a gamer diving into The Smurfs: Dreams, what sets this game apart is the incredible diversity in its level design. Each dream stage offers fresh and exciting experiences, whether it’s navigating through reflective mirrors that reveal hidden platforms or wielding a syrup gun to slow down foes and activate switches. What’s more, the theme of each level shifts dramatically as you progress, taking me from lush tropical landscapes to mouth-watering cake-filled dreams belonging to other Smurfs.

It’s important to note that the game’s graphics and audio were surprisingly impressive. The melodious soundtrack is a delight to listen to, offering both slower, dreamy tracks and faster, more catchy ones to keep it from being overly relaxing. The visuals are captivating as well, effectively portraying the otherworldly stages.

The Smurfs: Dreams review

I truly enjoyed my time exploring and interacting with my adorable little Smurf companions in The Smurfs: Dreams, but there are a few minor flaws that I’d like to mention. The central hub could use some more visual interest; it currently only features sleeping Smurfs as the main attraction. Additionally, having just two hearts feels a bit stingy, especially during boss fights when you’re still learning to dodge their attacks effectively. While death doesn’t result in severe consequences, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. Lastly, seasoned players might find themselves finishing all that the game has to offer within 5-7 hours, which is a letdown only because the gameplay is so engaging.

3D Platformer Game: The Smurfs’ Dreams offers an astonishingly exciting experience. It boasts responsive controls, intricately concealed items to collect, and a vast array of differences. Not only does the game visually and auditorily impress, but it exceeds all presumptions. Despite being a Smurfs game, it stands out as one of the top platformers of the year.

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2024-11-01 12:46