I didn't play many video games over the holidays (that's part of a separate post coming later), but I did carve out time to check out an independent art game my friends were raving about: Every Day The Same Dream. It's a short gem that left a lasting impression and I felt compelled to share with all of you.
Even though Stephen Johnson already mentioned it a week or so ago, I'm guessing many G4 readers weren't checking the Internet during their time off, so it makes sense to bring it up again.
Every Day The Same Dream is best played without knowing very much. The premise is simple: you play a man with a routine, a very strict routine. Wake up, get dressed, say hello to the wife, drive to work, sit in a cubicle amongst a million other cubicles and eventually go home. To "win" Every Day The Same Dream (if you can call it that), you must try to break the cycle.
It'll take most players less than 20 minutes to see Every Day The Same Dream from start to finish, but that's part of its brilliance, too. It makes a meaningful statement during its time with you, something that can't really be said for most of the games we spend dozens of hours with. I became stuck at one point involving a, um, cow, but other than that, it's an enjoyable breeze.
Please, let me know what you think of it.
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Mainkill1
I got the point I hade to do this game over and over just to find out how it ended. Truly all it try's to show is every one done with the world so what life sucks you only get it once! And you dont need to be nude you just have to do the 4 steps.
1=get fired
2=pet a cow
3=go to a quiet place with a hobo
4=jump
and then see the world come to an end.
and if I told you how to do all of this step by step then sorry but you are not living the mid life crissis that it try's to show!
mcshermo
The game was pretty eerie. In a weird way it sort of opened my eyes and the ending really made me think. For the most part I liked it, but I don't think I will ever play it again.
howling_cloud
this was a pretty interesting experience. kinda quiet, in a very eerie sort of way. i enjoyed it, but it definitely seems a bit depressing.
troublebruin
Sorry for the double post. I thought the first didn't go through 'cause I included the term "n-word."
troublebruin
I didn't get it. I went through a few times, and thought I saw all the different things. The last go-round, I went out naked, and there were no other people - no wife, no boss, no co-workers. I get to the stairs and some other guy kills himself. The game then ended. Is that the "true end?" Maybe I'm not smart enough to understand it, but I've had more fun being racially insulted by pre-pubescent children while playing MW2.
troublebruin
I didn't get it. I got the elevator lady to count down the steps. After I ended the day (suicide or working), I walked out naked, and no one was around. When I got to the top of the building, another guy killed himself. Is that the end? I patted the cow, caught the leaf, and "got fired" a few times. Maybe I'm not smart enough to get it, but I don't understand the brilliance. I've had more fun playing MW2 online and having pre-pubescent boys calling me the "n-word."
dwmatteson
This was well made but if you think it's making some deep statement by portraying a workaday life as black and white and miserable, you're the plebe. It's much more interesting and requires more thought and artistry to portray the beauty and meaning in the life of someone working a thankless, average job.
As far as the specific gameplay of "Every Day the Same Dream" it seems fresh now because the gameplay mechanics employed here were (rightfully) thrown out in the 90s. Back in the 80s and early 90s you could find this type of gameplay (i.e., you have to pay close attention and dick around in order to accomplish anything) abundantly in games. But developers realized that's not very fun, and that mechanic gets relegated to being used for puzzle sections in games once in a while nowadays.
I'm glad somebody made it, and there was skill involved, but I'm not overly impressed and I think the praise being lavished on it here is a bit over the top.
KevinJames23
Wasn't really a game. More like a movie you click.
Gamelife1
I played this game fully through, when Steven Johnson made his post about it and I honestly couldn't have been more bored by a game. I understand it was trying to make a point, but to me it didn't really seem that significant. Also, what was so difficult about the cow all you had to do was pet it.
kodiak2114
The key to the game: Nudity
kodiak2114
Here's a hint. Nudity
Spybreak
Wanted to like it but it was torture. I don't have time to do the same thing over and over again, I'd play WoW if I wanted that haha. It did remind me of the chose your own adventure books but at least in that you can flip to a page you've already seen, slow game.
Uber_K
I serious want to know why the cow was there, any answers?
Griffith4100
Great game, actually played it last week when it was mentioned on here last, but only found out the hidden gems the second time I played it longer than 5 minutes. Its the weird sensation of nothingness that was so inspiring at 3 am in the morning, lol.
Leviathanpr
the leaf..got it
Leviathanpr
sorry..i cant figure out.....
Leviathanpr
I can figure out the last thing to do.jumped,cow,got fired and homeless...???
Link585
how do you beat the game
MaelStrom_
there are different ways to interpret this game, what's your take Patrick?
Lucifer6972
Na'h, can't say I played this one but it looks and sound alright. The only game that I've been updated and playing as of late(new ones) is the new Mario Bros. Yeah, I know, I came late and can you believe it? We just barely got Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. Ain't that a bi...
Maybe I'll give it a shot, after all, giving "shots" is what I do, :)
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