Dreamscapes: The Sandman propels players into a strange dream world that must be navigated through the completion of puzzles. This title is the first instalment of a series developed by Shaman Games Studio, and it combines classic point and click gameplay with some elements of hidden object-style adventure.

Help wake Laura from an everlasting nightmare

From the outset of the game, we are informed about the tragic circumstances of a young girl called Laura, who appears to have slipped into a coma. Given that this coincidently occurred after the loss of Laura's dream catcher, an eminent professor – Professor Sanders – theorises that there may be a connection between the disappearance of the amulet and her eternal state of sleep. Players take on the role of Sanders's assistant, who, plugged into a contraption of the professor's design, must negotiate the dream landscape of each of Laura's nightmares.

A staggeringly beautiful story which is welcomingly free from cliché.

Dreamscapes: The Sandman is a solid title which facilitates pure escapism. While most of the puzzles are slightly over simplistic and the game cannot technically be considered a hidden object game, the visuals and poignant storyline are completely worth paying for.