Some games roar with explosions and victory chants. As I Began to Dream whispers instead. It sketches a quiet path through grief, inviting players to step into the fragile dreams of a young girl searching for peace after loss.
Indonesian developer Strayflux and Singapore-based publisher Soft Source have announced that this hand-drawn puzzle platformer will release on November 20, 2025 for Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch.
The game may look like a child’s storybook, but beneath its soft pencil strokes lies an emotional journey shaped by the five stages of grief. Think gentle winds, strange dream rules, and a heart learning to breathe again.
A Dreamworld Painted by Grief
Players follow Lily, a child navigating a surreal dreamscape. Each chapter mirrors a stage of grief:
- Denial: warm and familiar, like a memory refusing to fade.
- Anger: a sand-blasted desert, storms raging as the heart fights reality.
- Bargaining: a strange, logical land where hope negotiates with fate.
- Depression: heavy and dim, like walking with rain on your chest.
- Acceptance: bright, quiet, and earned through steady steps forward.
Memory fragments, fragile moments, and symbolic landscapes guide you toward understanding Lily’s loss and her path toward acceptance.
Thoughtful Puzzle Platforming
Instead of high-speed jumps or wild boss battles, this world asks for patience and mindfulness. Players move, rotate, and rearrange pieces of the environment to open paths forward. Physics puzzles, portals, hazards, and gentle strategy keep your mind engaged without overwhelming the heart.
It’s puzzle solving like piecing together memory shards: careful, steady, meaningful.
Hand-Illustrated Beauty
Every scene looks like it wandered out of a cherished childhood picture book. Rough pencil lines, soft watercolor tones, and whimsical details blend into dreamlike landscapes. The art isn’t flashy, but it feels tender and human, like drawings made during a quiet afternoon.
If you ever traced pages from your favorite story as a kid, this world will feel familiar.
A Soundtrack That Breathes with Emotion
The emotional pulse of the game comes from Indonesian composer JabFina, who created over 37 original tracks. Expect soft keys, gentle strings, and melodies that settle into your chest like early-morning light. It’s music that listens as much as it sings.
A Story About Grief That Still Believes in Light
As I Began to Dream isn’t just a puzzle game. It’s a soft lantern held in a dark hallway. It honors sadness without drowning in it. It gives space for tears but points toward hope.
If you enjoy emotional indies like Gris, Inside, or Ori and the Blind Forest, mark your calendar. This dream arrives soon.
As I Began to Dream Releases Worldwide
🗓️ November 20, 2025
🖥️ Steam & Epic Games Store
🎮 Nintendo Switch eShop
