As I Began to Dream is a premium adventure game where Lily finds herself in a dream-like world, trying to find peace and acceptance. It’s a platformer at its core, but with a unique twist: Lily can change her environment to progress by moving, swapping, and rotating parts of it.

Unique movement in a surreal space

The visuals of As I Began to Dream are one of its strongest features. It has beautiful hand-drawn illustrations, cinematic cutscenes, and calming ambient sounds that make every scene feel immersive. The game also portrays the five stages of grief touchingly and thoughtfully, creating an emotional journey.

The narrative has plenty of heartfelt moments, paired with puzzles that often require creative thinking. However, some players might find certain segments unintuitive when using keyboard controls. It’s recommended to play with a controller for a smoother and more comfortable gameplay experience.

An emotional puzzle journey

As I Began to Dream delivers a touching adventure wrapped in striking visuals and emotional storytelling. Its environmental-shifting mechanic keeps the platforming interesting, and the atmosphere is consistently immersive. The keyboard controls can feel awkward at times, but with a controller, the whole experience becomes smoother and easier to enjoy.