In a_dream . avi, you assume the role of an unnamed individual thrust into an experimental simulation designed to blur the boundaries of reality. The environment appears dreamlike at first glance, but the sinister, warped nature of this world quickly reveals itself. You’re trapped inside a surreal, labyrinthine maze, which seems to exist both in the external world and deep within your mind. The objective is simple: escape. But as the simulation, ominously known as "a_dream," manipulates your darkest fears, your perception of reality distorts into a living nightmare.

A_DREAM . AVI: Gameplay

As you navigate through the maze, the world unravels in disturbing and unpredictable ways. Corridors shift without warning, walls pulse as if alive, and the very laws of physics seem to break down. Strange, unexplainable events become more frequent—doors open into nothingness, objects float or multiply, and eerie figures stalk you from the corners of your vision. Time and space blur, turning the familiar into the grotesque. The deeper you explore, the more fragmented and disorienting the world becomes, mirroring your deteriorating grasp on reality.

Each step forward is fraught with unease, as the environment continually evolves to exploit your personal fears, creating a tense psychological experience. Are you still in the simulation, or has reality itself become a nightmare?

New Mechanics:

• Sanity Meter: The more bizarre and terrifying the environment becomes, the more your sanity depletes. If it reaches zero, the world distorts beyond recognition, and your chances of escape dwindle. Manage your fear to stay grounded.
• Whispers of Reality: Occasionally, fragments of the real world will bleed through the simulation—these cryptic whispers may offer clues or mislead you further into the nightmare.
• Mirror Encounters: Throughout the game, you’ll encounter twisted reflections of yourself. Some will try to communicate, others will hunt you. Can you trust them, or are they part of the simulation’s cruelty?

Controls:

• WASD: Movement
• CTRL: Crouch
• SPACE: Jump
• SHIFT: Sprint (but at the cost of heightened disorientation)
• SCROLL: Zoom to examine the shifting environment more closely (reveals hidden details and anomalies)

Every choice and action affects the ever-shifting reality, making each playthrough a unique, nightmarish experience. The line between real and imagined will be increasingly difficult to determine—can you trust your own mind?

Notes: The game may be pretty ugly because the developer it's 11 years old.