Arguably, no puzzle game will ever be as big as Tetris, many have tried but ultimately, all have failed. And the recent rise in popularity of micro-transaction oriented titles such as Candy Crush, or even Tetris itself, have given the genre a bad name. And Dreii initially seemed like it is going to continue this villainous trend, as it has been previously released on iOS. However, this turned out not to be the case.
Dreii, just like the recently released The Witness, doesn’t feature any textures. Dreii’s visual façade in its entirety is composed of 3D objects of one colour. Colours themselves signify whether objects can be picked up, used to complete the level, or whether they simply possess any special features. Features can be usually identified by markings which are placed on the face of each and every special object. Visual, on-screen guidance can be extremely helpful, especially when used within titles’ such as Dreii. It allows the player to instantly identify whether the object can be repositioned, and what has to be done in order to deliver such to the predetermined position in one piece.
Dreii’s visual design is one if its stronger sides, and developers have clearly given it some thought, however Dreii’s audio is simply not nearly as good. While the visual façade of this particular title is constantly helping you, and instructing you on how to complete it, its audio is on a mission to distract you at any given time. Sound effects such as wind or rain are fine, but are not in any way special, but metallic rattling which is constantly made by the colourful protagonist which is used to move the on screen objects, is simply painful. It sounds like someone has taken an aluminium pot, thrown a handful of cutlery in it, closed the lid, and spent ten minutes in the recording studio angrily shaking it to a point of exhaustion. In the end, it took me less than five minutes to turn it off completely.
While the gameplay mechanics, visuals, and audio are important to any videogame, Dreii is most famously known for its innovative, seamless, online multiplayer. According to the developer, multiplayer sections of the game have no boundaries, either technological, or international. While playing, you can be seamlessly connected to any other person who is currently undertaking the same level. Also, payers don’t have to worry about any language barriers as your on screen messages, which are received or sent to the other player, are instantly translated into your chosen language. And while many claim that such approach to the multiplayer is innovative, it is not entirely true.
In order to be connected to another player you need to join a particular level, and only then you can be linked with another individual. And such approach is not dissimilar to the one of Bloodborne, as it requires you to perform an action in order to activate the online play. And arguably, ringing a bell, which seamlessly summons another player within an open-world environment, is much more innovative than level selection. Also, one could say that Bloodborne’s gesture system is alike to the one of Dreii, as it covers alike emotions, and most importantly doesn’t have to be translated. Yes, the only difference is that Dreii is a cross-platform title, and can be played simultaneously by PS Vita, and PlayStation 4 users, whereas, Bloodborne is a PlayStation 4 only title. But then, Portal 2, featured cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation 3, and it was released back in 2011, five whole years ago.
Ultimately, Dreii, while not being exactly revolutionary or ground breaking, is a resolute and competent title which unlike other games of the puzzle genre, allows you to challenge its levels with a friend. However, it’s a game which has been clearly designed for touch screen devices. I haven’t personally experienced it on a PC, but PlayStation 4 controls are far from enjoyable, or even comfortable. Having to move the metallic egg-like shape, using the analogue stick and the X button is simply a chore, and it’s made even more painful by the fact that DualShock 4 features a touch pad, which could have made the whole debacle much easier. However, in Dreii, the touch pad is simply a second options button, and such design choice is simply baffling. And if anyone is still interested in picking it up, I suggest you go the iOS store or Android Appstore, and pick it up there for about £3, instead of the £8.99 for which PlayStation and Steam are asking for.