Through the Nightmares

It gives just as much back as you put in, and I appreciate that in a platformer like this. It probably won’t change your life, but it might just get you through a couple of sleepless nights. Sometimes, all you need is a little help from a friendly Sandman to make it to dawn.

As a whole, I am glad I played Through the Nightmares. It certainly is not the best game I have played this year, but there are a decent number of solid components. The Sandman’s movement is fun, there are unique components relating to his size augmenting abilities, and the artistic design has some standout pieces. However, the primary gameplay loop had me waiting more than I would have liked, and I had some issues deciphering the on-screen information sometimes. It is a fun game, but there are other platformers I would recommend first.

If you love brutally hard platformers, this is exactly what you're looking for. Through the Nightmares constantly demands skill from the player, and deeply rewards those who invest their time and effort into it. The game could have a broader moveset, but the level-by-level variety definitely makes up for it.

It may be one of the most brutally frustrating platformers out there but Through the Nightmares manages to provide satisfying gameplay. 🛌

Through the Nightmares is a nightmarishly difficult, great labour of love, with the only thing stopping you from beating the game is your own skill and willpower. Just be willing to wait, use any knowledge you collect with each death, and don't give up.

With its pretty unique size-shifting mechanic and plenty of punishing stage designs, this has appeal, but possibly restricted to challenge hounds

Will you manage to rescue all the kids?