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Mimpi Dreams Review


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523614643_MimpiDreamslogo.jpg.fd0cf25d04fbd2784dba0b9183fb1813.jpgOriginally released for PC and mobile devices back in 2016, Mimpi Dreams from developer/publisher Dreadlocks Ltd makes its way to the Switch this week and brings with it a delightfully charming take on puzzle/platforming gameplay. It may not be the most complex game on the eShop, but its approachable, simple design makes it a fun, if brief, adventure.
 
You play as Mimpi, a small dog who, when he sleeps, has big dreams of adventures. From forests and medieval castles to adventures on Mars, Mimpi's dreams always take him to places where nightmares need to be defeated and the locals need rescuing. Mimpi Dreams is ridiculously cute—Mimpi even dresses up in little themed outfits you can find in each stage—and the fact that its story points are all told visually makes it an ideal game for kids. You're not going to get much elaborate storytelling here, but Mimpi's charming heroics, reminiscent of classic platformer games, works well enough for this plot.
 
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The gameplay is a mix of puzzle/platformer: your goal is to reach the end of each level, but along the way you'll encounter all manner of obstacles that will hinder your progress. Sometimes it's a simple matter of knocking over a tree to make a bridge, while other times you need to solve something a little more involved to open the path forward. Mimpi Dreams does a solid job of throwing a variety of puzzles at the player, enough that it never feels like you're just doing the same things over and over. There are plenty of clever challenges as well, but generally the puzzles aren't too complicated. If you do need a helping hand though, there's a built-in hint system to help. There's a limit on how many hints you can use but it's possible to unlock more as you play, so even novice players can pretty comfortably progress through Mimpi Dreams.
 
What makes the puzzle-solving a little more unique is that you're able to interact with a lot of the scenery in the environment. In addition to moving Mimpi you also have a cursor that can touch anything on screen, and this is typically your main way of solving a puzzle—oftentimes the biggest challenge is just figuring out what in the scenery you can actually interact with. With a traditional controller you move the cursor with the right stick and hit ZR to interact with things, which feels a little clumsy compared to the original touch controls on mobile or keyboard/mouse on PC. The good news is no puzzle requires such precise timing that you'll fumble it just because of the slow controls, so even though the controls don't quite feel ideal it won't inhibit the experience.
 
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Mimpi Dreams also supports motion control with the Joy-Cons, though trying to interact with puzzles this way has its own set of problems. The movement never quite feels as precise as you need it to be, and oftentimes will slow you down even more than trying to use the control stick. Of course, with the Switch you can also just go undocked and use the touch screen, which definitely feels more comfortable with certain puzzles. You'll have to keep your hands on the controls anyway to move and jump as Mimpi, but the trade off might be worth it at times.
 

With a dog's mind as its setting Mimpi Dreams comes up with plenty of bizarre, surreal set pieces, and paired with the game's clean, crisp art style the visuals are a lot of fun. It's cute and cartoony, and the game's unique sense of style helps set it apart, even when Mimpi is traveling through more traditional video game locales like a forest or castle. And although the game can be a little light on background music at times, the main theme is catchy enough—and loops often enough—that it's sure to get stuck in your head. Just like the game's art the song is cute and charming, and helps lull you into the relaxed gameplay.

 
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There are only seven levels in the game but they get progressively longer and more complicated, culminating in an adventure on Mars that tests all of the skills the player has cultivated up until that point. Still, Mimpi Dreams isn't a long game, and the average player will most likely finish the whole thing in just a few hours. But completionists may enjoy finding all of the collectible bones in each level as well as tackling the challenge mode which tasks you with getting through as much of the game as you can with only one life. Even this isn't too hard with a little bit of caution, but it's still a decent way to challenge yourself.
 
With engaging puzzles, a cute sense of style, and an adorable protagonist, Mimpi Dreams is an utterly endearing game, one that proves to be engaging even if not particularly complex. Despite minor control quirks Mimpi Dreams offers an adorable adventure for inexperienced players or anyone looking for a more relaxed game.
 
Rating: 7 out of 10 Bones
 
Review copy provided by the publisher
 
Mimpi Dreams is available now on the Switch eShop for $9.99.
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