While the PlayStation 3 had undeniable jewels such as Demon's Souls, Infamous, and Dark Souls, it's hard to compare the console to its older sibling, the masterful PlayStation 2. The PS2 was home to a library of classics we still can't seem to stop remastering or porting, and while the PS3 cer??tainly delivered later in its life, it wasn't until the PlayStation 4 that we saw a more consistent life cycle of irrefutable classics.

The PS4 marked the return of the PlaySta??tion in full force and, with it, one of the best video game catalogs in the history of Sony's systems. If you're a little late to the party, or just want to make sure you've hit the highlights, I've got a list rolling covering some of the best PS4 games you should play.

10. Horizon Zero Dawn

I remember audibly gasping when I read that Horizon: Zero Dawn was coming out in the same week that Nintendo released The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. I thought there was no way in hell that Guerrilla's new IP stood a chance against Nintendo's Zelda-driven be?hemoth??. I was very wrong and on more than one front.

Horizon: Zero Dawn became PlayStation's �not just the PS4's �highest-selling first-party title ever. It currently sits at over 24 million units sold, just seven million shy of BOTW's numbers. Not bad for?? a new IP. Even more importantly, it more than turned out to deserve the hype as it expertly m??ixes tight combat mechanics, exploration, movement, and astonishing visuals.

9. Ghost Of Tsushima

I imagine the pitch for Ghost Of Tsushima was just someone saying, "50% of the team voted for Samurai, and 50% voted for Ninja, so let's just do both.", as that alone would've had me sold. This game is a miracle. Making a GTA-s??cale game about the path of the Samurai must be quite the undertaking already, so making one that also included satisfying, fluid inspirations from Ninja seems impossible.

Luckily, Ghost Of Tsushima ended up the closest we'll likely ever get to Red Dead Redemption 2 with blades, bows, and Ninja secrecy. It's a masterful game that lets players approach all sorts of scenarios in whichever way they choose??, and the only guarantee is that they will never forget their experience.

7. Spider-Man

It was back in '04 that Spider-Man 2, the game about the movie, would inexplicably rock my world. It was the first t??o implement "realistic" web-slinging and swinging mechanics. No longer being able to stick your webs to clouds made a world of difference for me, and I'm not alone in remembering it fondly.

Lightning only struck again nearly 15 years later, when Marvel's Spider-Man outdid my favorite superhero game of all time. The new Spider-Man essentially learned all the lessons fr?om the classic, built upon them, and even added a bunch of new stuff to create one of the best superhero games ever made.

*If you, like me, aren't too keen on the weird infatuation Peter Parker has with the police in this game, then consider just playing Miles Morales or Spider-Man 2 on the PS5 �or the original Spider-Man 2 on the PS2.

5. God Of War

After a stellar trilogy and a few possibly canonical games that also ruled, the Norse Mythology-inspired God Of War sequel had some dangerously big shoes to fill. GOW was a mix of many things. There was the more personal father-and-kid dynamic from The Last Of Us, the Dark Souls-inspired combat, and the over-the-shoulder perspective from Resident Evil 4, but it pulled them all off like a total pro.

Though not original in itself, it's a unique mix of many elements that just w??ork, and that naturally resulted in one of the most solid games of its era.

6. Death Stranding

I'll be the first to admit that Death Stranding let me down big time when I first played it. The plot varies from? overcomplicated to nonsensical, and a lot of the actors feel like they're just?? there because Kojima really likes their beautiful Hollywood faces, There's also the more action-oriented gameplay mechanics feeling almost forced in to appease anyone longing for gunplay.

Outside of that, howe??ver, Death Stranding has the guts to ask players to become errand kids and actually pu??lls it off by making the movement fun, the challenges dreadfully comical, and providing a vast, open world for introspection and mystery.

Death Stranding is a game like no other, the rare experience where you see that someone's authorial vision, wacky as it might be, take center stage. Though I maintain that Death Stranding went overboard on many aspects, I believe it's bette??r to have high-budget games taking similar risks than not.

5. Persona 5

Sadly, the PS4 felt a bit lacking in terms of Japanese RPGs, but Persona 5 is so good that it nearly filled that void by itself. Don't get me wrong. We also got FFVII Remake, which masterfully played with its formula, but P5 was a marvelous trifecta of old, new, and great.

Though it features a combat style similar to what we'd previously seen in many times before in many other RPGs, Persona 5 never fails to tinker with the classic formulas to come up with top results, even for this already usually stellar series. The cast of characters and soundtrack are also legendary, but that should come as no surprise.?

4. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

I considered Uncharted 4 for this spot, but, back in its day, this was the true next-gen Uncharted experience. Uncharted 4 looked better than anything before it, but it was, essentially, just another Uncharted game �one filled with unnecessary c??hanges to its established canon, even.

Lost Legacy gave us a fresh new start with two beloved characters in a now wide-open world for players to explore. Though I'll never stop loving the other entries in the franchise, it'll be hard to go back after Lost Legacy.

3. P.T.

P.T. isn't a retail release, but it's only version of the project, so the demo counts. Even if it weren't, I'd probably still try to come up with a reason to put it on this list, as it's simply one of the best horror experiences of all time—not limited to just the PS4. It ??was also one of the most bizarre, surprising reveals in the video games industry, with its 2014 Gamescom reveal sending everyone into a detective frenzy to uncover the who or what was behind the demo.

Though it features arguably simple gameplay mechanics, P.T. offers players first-person horror like no other?? game. It is also, or was, completely free. We might never get an??ything of the sort again, as Konami pulled the demo from the store years ago after the project was canceled. So, either cherish your PS4 that still has it installed or never let others forget that it was once a thing—like I'm doing right now!

2. Dreams

And if Ghost Of Tsushima allows you to be both a Ninja and a Samurai, Dreams allows you to be anything. Dreams is the game version of that very Reddit-like "I'm a gamer, I don't have a life, I have many" meme. It invites players to play a wide range of games made in Dreams and, if they are daring enough, or not satisfied with what was on the catalog, to make their games via the very user-friendly Dreams toolkit.

Dreams wasn't just a game but both a collection and a factory of great games. Sadly, Media Molecule has since stopped support for Dreams, though its community remains as strong as ever.

1. Bloodborne

This was my placement for Bloodborne as soon as I finished it, and it only got more cemented as time went on. What FromSoftware started with Dark Souls, it has perfected here. Bloodborne is the perfect mix of challenging gameplay with action fun. It has the best?? world ever devised by FromSoft, and?? one of the best, darkest, and most engrossing stories I've ever seen in a game. I'd recommend it to anyone with a strong stomach because of all the gore, yes, but also because of the choppy framerate.

I love it so much that I'd be totally down for ?a sequel, but I'd be perfectly happy even with a remaster that adds nothing other than a better framerate.

The post Top 10 best PS4 games appeared first on Destructoid.

A new month is on the horizon, which means that it's that time again for Sony to wow us with the PlayStation Plus additions for August 2023. If you were looking for another sports game you're in luck as headlining August's lineup is PGA Tour 2K23. The other two additions for this month are digital playground Dreams and Action-Adventure RPG Death's Door.

While these new entries certainly won't change anyone's mind on the quality of the service, Dreams and Death's Door are both great and PGA Tour 2K23 isn't a bad add for the sports fans out there.

While Dreams is only available on PS4, PGA Tour 2K23 and Death's Door are both available on PS4 and PS5.

[caption id="attachment_393674" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Electronic Arts[/caption]

PGA Tour 2K23 (PS4/PS5)

After an eight-year hiatus, golf fans rejoiced with the return of PGA Tour late last year. PGA Tour 2K23 allows players to experience a realistic golf simulator as they compete against tour pros and strive to become the next FedExCup Champion. Golfers can level up their MyPLAYER character with new Skills and Archetypes and rock officially licensed gear and apparel on the green. This entry into the series even includes a Course Designer to ??build your own dream course.

My knowledge of golf games ends at Golf With Your Friends but I'm sure this is a gre??at addition for fans of this type of game.

[caption id="attachment_393675" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Media Molecule[/caption]

Dreams (PS4)

The digital playground simulator Dreams comes from the creators of LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway. Players create, share, and play community-made levels and games designed directly in Dreams. You have the opportunity to create whatever you want including games, music, paintings, animations, and more all within Dreams.

Furthermore, Media Molecule's latest game Tren is also available to play in Dreams. Tren puts you in the driver's seat of a toy train and tells a personal tale of growing up. We gave Dreams a near-flawless 9.5/10 when it was released back in 2020.

[caption id="attachment_393676" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Devolver Digital[/caption]

Death's Door (PS4/PS5)

Finally, we get the addition of Death's Door, a somber yet darkly comedic Action-Adventure RPG. Wield melee weapons, arrows, and magic to overcome an array of beasts and demigods in an isometric world. Like and good RPG you can gain an edge by customizing your character stat??s and upgrading your gear as you explore a land full of countless secrets.

We gave Death's Door a superb 9/10 when it was released back in 2021.

As always, make sure you grab July's monthly games before the leave on July 31.

The post Here’s the PlayStation Plus monthly games for August 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Share your dreams with the world

Media Molecule's Dreams allows players to unleash their creativity, and the results have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. The latest update to Dreams' content policy gives creators greater freedom regarding how they use their creations. This update comes as the studio prepares to pull its ??live support.

[caption id="attachment_391914" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Media Molecule.[/caption]

Changes are coming to Dreams

Earlier this year, Media Molecule announced that it would be ending its live support of Dreams? on September 1, 2023. This decision was taken to allow the studio to focus on a new project.

Although it'll still be possible to play the game and share Dreams with others, the studio won't be releasing any more updates. It isn't time to abandon the game just yet because some significant creator-friendly c??hanges have been made to its content policy.

[caption id="attachment_257758" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Media Molecule.[/caption]

Dreams' New Content Policy

The new content usage terms allow players to use music, animation, films, and art created in Dreams for both commercial and personal purposes. There are a few terms and conditions attached to ??this.

As Media Molecule's FAQ explains, to use creations outside of Dreams, the creations must be original and created by you. If you use someone else's creation in your work, you'll need to acquire their permission. The creations also have to comply with the PlayStation Network's code of conduct and Media Mo??lecule's community guidelines.

Despite the myriad of rules, players still have plenty of freedom. Music can be posted to streaming sites, and images can be printed onto clothing and posters, for example. This opens even more avenues for creators to profit from their Dreams projects.

The end of Dreams' live support may be disappointing ??to some. However, the changes to the content policy ensure fan??s can make the most of their creations even as the studio moves on to a new project.

The post Media Molecule lets Dreams players use some content ?for commercial use appeared first on Destructoid.

A solid showing of indie games

Microsoft held their ID@Xbox Show??case today showing off the lineup of upcoming indie games heading to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We got a good look at so??me promising-looking indie games that are coming out over the next year. Alongside world premieres we also got a few surprise today releases.

We've put together a recap of all the new game? reveals and announcements from the showcase. There were twenty games showcased in this ID@Xbox event so there's lots to talk about. Let's dive in!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhRr_5HhKxI

Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients

Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients is third person action adventure RPG about a mysterious powerful monolith threatened by dark forces. Embark on a dangerous adventure with the power of the Runic Swarm and crush minions of evil on your path to save the planet. Monolith is coming in?? 2024 o??n Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlwSl-jCNMM

Hellboy Web of Wyrd

Hellboy Web of Wyrd is an upcoming action-brawler-roguelite where you can punch, dodge, and blast your way through the mysterious Web of Wyrd as the comic-favorite Hellboy. While no exacty timeframe was given, Hellboy Web of Wyrd is coming soon to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCMCZ3gALc4

Everspace 2

Space action RPG Everspace 2 will finally be leaving early access and receives a full launch on August 15, 2023 on Xbox Series X|S. It ?is also a Day 1 on Game Pass title. Though it wasn't mentioned, we also know it's releasing on PS5 the same day. The full release will feature a 30+ hour main campaign story that is fully voiced in English and German.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mioYYcmsog0

Sea of Stars

We got another look at the Sea of Stars announcement trailer that was released a few months ago. The turn-based RPG inspired by the classics still looks as beautiful as ever. Sea of Stars tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who combine powers of sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic and fight back the evil Fleshmancer. Sea of Stars features special guest composer Yasunori Mitsuda who is well known for his music in Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The retro RPG will release on August 29 and will be day 1 on Game Pass. A demo is out now on Xbox??.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECbYebmtqvs

Solace State

Take on the role of a young hacker confronting political plots in Solace State. The visual novel-style game claims choices will be important as you build relationships and support communities attempting to revolutionize against a corporate biotech conspiracy. Solace State is coming this summer?? to Xbox One and Xbox Serie??s X|S.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCyWv7rexbo

Worldless

Worldless is a stylized 2D Adventure Platformer featuring turn-based combat. Explore a mysterious and abstract world as you attune to various polarities that change your style of combat. Worldless releases on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S i??n Fall 2023.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dXwcSoHWUU

MythForce

Jump into a Saturday Morning Cartoon with first-person melee roguelike MythForce. Adventure through crypts and castles with your friends as you hunt down the evil Hexstar. MythForce launches on September 12 on Xbox One ?and Xbox Se?ries X|S.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGtYNFtvGzc

Jackbox Party Pack 10

Timejinx and Hypnotorious were revealed as two of the five games coming in Jackbox Party Pack 10. We've already seen Tee K.O. 2 and FixyText revealed as two of the other games, meaning we're still waiting on one more. Jackbox Party Pack 10 releases this fall on all major platforms.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMgy7vI6hn0

Roman Sands RE:Build

This is a very unique-looking title. Roman Sands RE:Build is a delirium-charged journey into an apocalypse. Play through a variety of genres including visual novel, adventure, puzzle, horror, and survival simulation games. Roman Sands RE:Build is coming to? Xbox?? One and Xbox Series X|S in Winter 2023.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ziEhBytrM

Scarlet Deer Inn

Scarlet Deer Inn is a narrative platformer featuring an emotional story and an interesting cast of characters. Explore a dark dungeon full of monsters and branching dialogue options where all character's animation frames have actually been embroidered. Furthermore, all backgrounds have been hand-painted. The Studio Ghibli-inspired Scarlet Deer Inn is coming to ?Xbox Series X|S but ?no release timeframe just yet.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnc7jSmcxB4

Rain World: Downpour

Rain World and the Rain World: Downpour DLC are out now on Xbox. Take control of five new charact??ers as you explore the dark and mysterious world.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRLsQmQAc0

Second Wave

Wait, this isn't an Overwatch skin pack? Apparently not. Second Wave is a free-to-play online multiplayer hero-based shooter MOBA in the world of Armantia. Choose from Domination or 3-Way Battle as you fight other heroes and exiles in an endless war for the Arcane Stone. Second Wave is coming to Xbox Series X|S but no rele??a?se timeframe was given.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coku_dX7Tfk

Vampire Survivors

Even though it was revealed a couple of weeks ago, we got another look at the Vampire Survivors couch co-op mode. Dust off your couch and jump into the bullet hell Vampire Survivors w??ith up to four total players. The new mode is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass on August 17.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVju4TQoT1w

Axiom Verge 2

You can now explore the award-winning alien world of Axiom Verge 2 on Xbox. Our very own Eric Van Allen thought this was a beautiful Metroid-style game so it's definitely worth checking out. Axiom Verge 2 is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S either alone or in a bundle with the first one????????????????????????????.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=avFlZxNjOtI

Stray Souls

Ok, this probably has to be the best reveal of the showcase in my opinion. Stray Souls is a creepy-looking indie game that looks like a mix between Silent Hill and Resident Evil. The spooky third-person shooter features new music by legendary Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. Stray Souls hits Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2023.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RxnHLsDGo8

Birth

I'll be honest, Birth definitely looked unique but I wasn't too sure exactly what I had just seen by the time the trailer was over. Apparently, it's an adventure puzzle game about constructing a creature from spare bones and organs you find around a city. The art is hand-drawn and the gameplay involves you solving physics-based puzzles as you discover secrets around town. Birth releases on Xbox One on July 28.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=50K1cw5_9vU

Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Like the film, Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a game based on true events. Try to survive in this insanely chaotic survival game when it releases on ??August 18 on X?box One and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be a day 1 Game Pass release.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_EseZ_Kalw

DREAMERS

It's time to go on an emotional journey with DREAMERS, a new colorful adventure game by PlaySys. Explore a world full of challenges and mysteries on September 1. DREAMERS is releasing on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=utb6ET0uhV0

Stumble Guys

The mobile game variant of Fall Guys is now officially coming to consoles. Stumble Guys is another multiplayer knockout ??royale game coming to Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyfNjdTaFLE

The Making of Karateka

Based on the 1984 martial arts action game by Jordan Mechner, The Making of Karateka is an interactive documentary that also includes four pixel-perfect versions of Karateka. It will also feature an all-new remastered version of the game with new features. The Making of Karateka releases later this year on Xbox Series X|S.

Whew, that's it! I'm personally really looking forward to Sea of Stars and Stray Souls. ??How do you guys feel overall about the ID@Xbox showcase?

The post Here’s a full July ID@Xbox Showcase Recap appeared first on Destructoid.

The creative director is moving on to new ventures

Mark Healey, a co-fo?under of Media Molecule who's been with the company for 17 years, has announced his departure from the studio.

Healey co-founded Media Molecule alongside Alex Evans, David Smith, and Kareem Ettouney in 2006. Now, the developer shared on social media that it's time for ?him t?o "fly the nest" and head to new ventures.

//twitter.com/marcoshealey??/status/1647895186452652032

"From LittleBigPlanet to Dreams and beyond - proud to have played my part and lucky to have jammed with some truly brilliant people - and such a wonderfully talented Community which I will continue to be? a fan of," Healey said. "But a strong cosmic breeze is pulling me and my pirate heart is awakened, I'm not getting any younger so am going to indulge myself in the winds of my various curiosities for a while and see where they take me.

"So here's to new beginnings, following one’s heart and exploring the unknown - Yo ho ho and a ??bottle of rum - I'm off on a Pirate adv??enture! (One that involves making games that is)."

Dreaming of new horizons

Healey acted as creative director on big games like Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet and the 2020 game creation tool Dreams. And his departure arrives not long after the studio announced it would be ending live service support for Dreams this coming September.

Hopefully, this isn't an indication of turbulent times at Media Molecule. Dreams is?? an incredible piece of software that felt like it was waiting for its big breakout moment; I've played tons of wild, interesting stuff on it. And in a world where user-generated content is a bit of a buzzword, you'd hope Media Molecule would have a prominent place in it?.

The post Media Molecule co-founder Mark Healey ?leaves the studio appeared first on Destructoid.

'Exciting new project' in the works

Media Molecule has announced that it is winding down support for its excellent development software Dreams. As of September 1, 2023, the game crea?tion tool will no longer receive any further updates or support, though users will still be able to use the software to build and share their imaginative content.

"We’ve made the difficult decision to discontinue live support for Dreams after September 1, 2023, to shift our focus to an exciting new project," said Media Molecule in a statement. "You’ll continue to be able to play, create and share Dreams with others after September, but we won’t be releasing any more updates to the game or [limited] events. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done in developing Dreams [...] and we are endlessly? grateful to the community for their belief and con?tinuous contributions since launch."

//twitter.com/mediamolecu??le/status/164572897066130637??0?s=20

"We know this won't be an easy message for everyone to hear, and it's certainly not been an easy decision �Dreams has been a special project for Media Molecule and helping this burgeoning community of game developers, tinkerers, c?reatives, collaborators and dreamers grow and express themselves remains one of the best things we've ever done. Thank you for being part of it with us �we look f?orward to you joining us on our next adventure."

Media Molecule also notes that it will be migrating Dreams to a new server in May, which will result in a new storage space limitation for all users. All users will only be afforded a total of 5GB to share their creations. This does NOT include any current creations, and only applies to any Dreams items made after the s??erver migrat?ion. You can check out the full details pertaining to both the server migration and the ending of developer support on the official Dreams website.

Released for PS4 in February 2020, Dreams fast became an exciting, relatively easy-to-use tool for many looking to make their own games, character??s, worlds, and other digital assets, and has enjoyed just over three years of usage, within which thousands of fun and intriguing homebrew projects have been designed. The community can take heart in the fact that, while support may b??e ending, the software necessary to create and share their wonderful catalog of ideas will remain in operation for the foreseeable future.

The post Media Molecule is ??endi??ng support for Dreams in September appeared first on Destructoid.

Ancient Dangers: A Bat's Tale arrives in Dreams today, to play or modify to your heart's content

Media Molecule's latest update for Dreams, its user-created content suite, is tackling its creation tools. Alongside a Media Molecule-made adventure, Dreams is a??lso revamping some of its game creation and curation interface, which it refers to as DreamShaping 2.0.

DreamShaping is the phrase for making content—usually games but also short movies, art, or music—in Dreams. The goal with the DreamShaping update, as Media Molecule says in a new PlayStation blog, is to make it easier and more fun to get started with making games in Dreams.

The new DreamShaping includes some game templates and elements for making games in different genres. These include 2D platformers, side-scrolling shooters, dungeon crawlers, and even mini golf. Objectives and pointers will help guide players through the process, and additional resources will be available on the Templates section at indreams.me.

One of the options is a dedicated template for Ancient Dangers: A Bat's Tale, a new adventure created within Dreams by ??the Media Molecule team. Twins Scoria and Gabbro venture deep into dungeon to fight monsters and put a stop to Granny Orc's snoring.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBZINAAIPLw

New sections in Dreams will also promote elements to use in creation, as well as award-winning Dreams creators to follow and community events. Content shown on your in-game page will also be tailored to the player. New players will see content that helps with the basics, while longtime Dreams creators will get some of the building blocks they migh?t be looking for.

More detailed updates can be found in patch notes here. But it's cool to see how Media Molecule has continued to build up Dreams as a platform for creation. User-made games have repeatedly left a mark on the industry, and it's nice to see Dreams evolving and re?freshing to make sure its tools are helping more people get involved.

The post ?Dreams adds new game temp??lates and a Media Molecule-made adventure appeared first on Destructoid.

Dreams within Dreams within Dreams

Last year, Media Molecule hosted DreamsCom, a community showcase featuring announcements and reveals from the creators within Dreams. And it seems like it worked out pretty well, as Media Molecule's hosting another DreamsCom, which once again features a convention hall you can explore in Dreams.

Starting with the train into DreamsCom, you can make an avatar and then set off to explore the convention. Right away, a massive board details all the stream times and links for the showcases airing on Media Molecule's Twitch. There's also a companion 'zine available, ?highlighting different creations and demos availabl??e.

//youtu.be/Drha3-9op7U

There were also announcements for some Media Molecule originals, like Ancient Dangers: A Bat's Tale and TREN, which have booths you can visit in-game. Or you can leap down the g??iant hole in the middle and set off into the expo hall, to discover the many, many community booths.

These various DreamsCom booths feature creators from all around Dreams, covering a variety of different topics. Some were for games or projects, while others highlighted specific aspects; I really dug one booth that just showed off some architectural templates the creator had made. They can feature interactive elements as well, like photo booths and a playable piano you can jump around on, like you're Tom Hanks in Big.

Dreams creators are also taking the opportunity to demo their projects, as highlighted in the companion 'zine, and there's more ??to come in the next four d?ays of the festival.

It's essentially one giant expo that shows off exactly what Dreams is, and all the ways it keeps evolving and surprising folks like me. I've only barely scratched the surface of it myself, and I'm eager to spend some time later diving into the booths and creations the Dreams comm??unity has put out there, and what I can learn from all of it.

You can check out DreamsCom 2021 yourself inside Dreams for PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, or keep an eye on the Media Molecule Twitch channel and Impsider 'zine for coverage there.

The post Dreamscom 2021, the Dreams community showcase built wit??hin Dreams, kicks off today appeared first on Destructoid.

(In Dreams)

[Whispering to Destructoid readers while watching ApeMonkeyBoy's Chappie recreation in Dreams when Chappie first?? appears on the ?screen]: That's Chappie.

_{*I genuinely love this ridiculous movie and I think about it every few months beyond just the the legendary Twitter bit.}

The post That’s Chappie appeared first on Destructoid.

We need to talk about that haunted seesaw, though

It's a treat to watch the Dreams community settle into the tools and flex its creative and technical muscles. In some cases, without the little "Made in Dreams" watermark (and the ability to actually play this stuff), it would be easy to doubt that what we're watching was created on ?a PlayStation 4.

That's how I feel about "Walk in the Park," the latest video from creator BadRobo82.

Pulling off this kind of complexity and realism within the confines of Dreams is staggering, especially for those of us who have slapped something together and run up against the very finite thermometer. If you dig in and inspect every single element, you'll notice repetition, ??but the effect is still co?nvincing.

As lovely as everything looks, th??e c??reator says "it can still be done better." It's early days.

This nature walk isn't available from the Dreamiverse, but you can check out BadRobo82's progress in Dreams on Twitter and watch other equally impressive exploration scenes on their YouTube channel. 

[Via ResetEra]

The post It’s hard to believe this walk in the park was made in Dreams appeared first on Destructoid.

The free PlayStation VR update includes tutorials, starter kits, and Media Molecule-developed VR experiences

July 22 is bound to be the biggest day of the year for Dreams since launch. That's when Media Molecule is releasing a free update to add PlayStation VR suppor?t including "tutorials, how-tos, and kits to get you started when creating with the PS VR system plus n?ew content to play." The wait was worth it.

The studio says that creating with PlayStation Move controllers will feel like an immersive, "very one-to-one experience" in VR – but creators don't need to be in virtual reality to make VR content in Dreams.

In terms of discoverability and searches, the game's "creative community will be able to specify if their content is playable in VR or not, and [user-generated content] in Dreams will ask for a co?mfort rating from players, so ??you'll be able to see what games are the best experience in VR."

The July 22 update also promises "a full slate of accessibil??ity features including comfort mode, vignette strength, static sky, and more to make the experience of playing and creating as great as possible."

I can't stress enough how exciting this is as a PlayStation VR-owning Dreams player. The possibilities are staggering, and while PS VR is still getting notable new games in 2020, Dreams will have legs.

I'm ready to paint some happy little clouds.

PS VR support comes to Dreams on July 22 [PlayStation Blog]

The post Dreams wi?ll b??e playable with PlayStation VR starting July 22 appeared first on Destructoid.

In between molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Dreams on PS4 is quickly becoming the place for creative types to recreate things they love. It's no wonder it's the new go-to. As Jordan told us in February (which was somehow only three months ago), Dreams is?? a fantastically robust suite of creative tools assembled in an intuitive and easy-to-use way.

Earlier this week, Epic showed us the first glimpse of the next chapter of its cutting edge game engine. As we saw in a nine-minute video, Unreal Engine 5's two biggest tech advancements are Nanite (importing photorealistic source materials and the engine turns them into virtualized geometry) and Lumen (automatic global il??lumination that reacts to the scene, eliminating the need for developers to cr??eate lightmaps). It seems really impressive, and Epic confirmed UE5 will release to developers working on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X games sometime in mid-2021.

Okay, now that the technical jargon stuff is ??out of the way, that video accompanying UE5's reveal was set in a cave. Like, a really beaut??iful cave. A cave with approximately a bajillion highly-detailed rocks and gorgeous lighting. It looked great, but tech demos pretty much always look great.

All of this is to say that someone made the UE5 cave in Dreams. It was made by artist Martin Nebelong, who apparently only spent a few hours working on it. Needless to say, it's quite impressive considering it's built inside of another game. But, Dreams creators have been finding ways to continually impress us for months now.

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Sample some community games and Media Molecule's story

You've probably seen the rave reviews for Dreams – it's one of the highest-rated video games of 2020, according to Metacritic – but is right for you? Do you have that artistic drive? And if you don't, are the us??er-made games enough to justify buying into the experience? Now you can find out first-hand.

Media Molecule has released a free trial version of Dreams on the PlayStation Store. To download the demo, just click the "Try Free Demo" button using this link, or search for Dreams using your PS4.

The Dreams demo has a "selection of community creations" and a "slice of Art's Dream," so you're getting a mix of the best user-made games and a preview of Media Molecul??e's main story, which is wonderful and represents multiple genres including point-and-clicks, platformers,? and action titles.

Even if the trial doesn't share the whole game-making toolbox, it should be pretty indicative of what's possible, what's already playable today, and what Dreams is all about as a fulfilling creative outlet.

If nothing?? else, I feel like you have to check out Art's Dream. I genu??inely loved it.

Media Molecule [Twitter]

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'Goddamn you guys are making some weird shit in Dreams'

Dreams has been? out in full for about two months now and the community has taken to it like a horse to water, making all sorts of wonderful creations...and a lot of bull crap. In Dreams or Nightmares, we'll take a look at the wide variety of experi??ences inside the Dreamiverse. This inaugural edition brings us a meme-filled platformer, furry pro skating, and most shockingly, Mario on PlayStation.

The first game in our showcase is "The Quest for Cheese 2." Yo??u play as Wallace and travel the world looking for Gromit. Your journey will bring you to Heaven's pub to have a beer with Peter Griffin, through Shrek's Swamp, and even down to the depths of Hell itself. How far wi??ll you go to save your best friend?

Have you ever wanted to skateboard? Ever want to do it as a furry? Well, now your prayers have been answered. "Animal Pro Skater" is here! Create your own character and shred til your little bushy tail falls off, all with community-made Bu?tt Rock jamming in the background!

That finally brings us to the greatest secret the world has ever known. What if I told you there was a hidden 3D Mario game on PlayStation? Well, it would be a lie. However, you can play "Super Mario Infinity" on your PS4. Or, you could, but Nintendo did its Nintendo thing and asked Media Molecule to remove the game from Dreams. Surely this will be the last we see of Mario in Dreams, right?

Links to the featured games are below:
The Quest for Cheese 2, Furry Pro Skater

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It's-a not me, and I was never here, right?

Media Molecule's recent release Dreams is? proving to be a marvelously creative bit of software, allowing users across the globe to conceive, shape and create their own neat characters, stages, scenery and other assets via its powerful tool set.

Unfortunately, there's going to be at least one less asset in the expansive catalogue of player creations this week, after Nintendo ordered the removal of a "Super Mario" character model, as created by Dreams user PieceofCraft. The user received an email from Sony's legal department, informing him that Nintendo was unhappy with the unofficial build of its famous mascot, and that Sony had removed the home-made character from Dreams.

PieceofCraft noted on Twitter that they have a "back up plan" but that, unsurprisingly, "Mario projects in Dreams are on hold". Some of the stages/worlds that also reference games in the Super Mario series are currently still available, and it seems only the individual? character model of Mario himself has bitten the dust.

Dreams is available now on PS4.

Sony going after Dreams creations th??at use Nintendo IP [GoNintendo]

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I'm obsessed with the Pip-Boy

It's so exciting to see new players and creators dive into Dreams, the just-fully-launched game and art creation suite from LittleBigPlanet's own Media Molecule. There's no shortage of stuff to thumbs-up, but some of it needs to be seen to be believed. That's how I'd sum up Fallout 4: Dreams Edition.

The fan-made game, built entirely within Dreams on a PlayStation 4, recreates the Fallout 4 intro roll and lets you at it. You can explore a few early areas, complete with a functional (but not yet finalized) Pip-Boy a?nd combat system. I smacked a Mirelurk with a hammer, made rude remarks to a roaming Mister Handy, and got in a cheesy duck-behind-cars shootout with an Annihilator Sentry Bot MK II.

The creator of this dream, Robo_Killer_v2, still has a long way to go – it's a self-described work-in-progress with limited playable con??tent – but I am already so impressed. The framework is there.

It's well worth a playthrough if you own Dreams. (Note: you're going to want to enable the game's "higher frame rate" option on PS4 Pro if you haven't already done so.) Otherwise, if you'd just like to see this creation in action, here's a 12-minute playthrough from YouTube user Dreams Have Meanings.

Going forward, the plan is to add new wasteland zones, story quests, and mini-games, some of which are currently teased in-game but grayed-out. When I poked around inside the NPC viewer mode, I saw a Deathclaw, so that'll be fun to deal with down the road. The shooting and movement feel good enough that I could see myself putting some real time into the ??final version. I hope it progresses to that?? point.

Robo_Killer_v2 says Fallout 4: Dreams Edition is around nine months in the making. My goodness! I'm most fascinated by wholly original games in Dreams, but it's h?ard to resist these dedicated?? fan projects.

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Express yourself

"How do you even review Dreams?"

It's a question I've asked, and been asked. Even now, as I try to stall so the right words might spill out ??of my subconscious and capture some of its playful magic, I'm grappling with possible answers. It's such a wide-ranging artistic experience. What we get out of it will drastically differ from person to person.

You might flex your creative ??muscles in animation, a discipline I'm convinced I'll never excel at, much less wrap my head around. I'm far more likely to stick with something in my comfort zone, like sculpting. Or I could wake up one day and decide "Hey, painting would be? a pleasant change of pace." Your old buddy you never talk to anymore but always see online may very well be a secret music-making wizard.

The art-creating possibilities feel endless, but not in an overwhelming way. If there's one lesson Media Molecule wa??nts us all to latch onto, it's that we're more capable than ?we give ourselves credit.

Dreams (PS4)
Developer: Media Molecule
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: February 14, 2020
MSRP: $39.99

It's easy to look at Dreams from afar and wave it off because you don't feel imaginative enough – especially when you see the kinds of user-made games that rise to the top of the recommendation engine and tend to make headlines. Dreams players are already an ingenious bunch, ??and? as the community figures out novel new ways to use the toolkit, the quality bar is only going to rise.

It can be intimidating at first! But any energy you invest will be repaid m?ultiple times over.

Once you learn the ropes – how to work in a 3D space, where to find that one crucial UI element, which shortcuts are life-savers – you'll discover the beauty of Dreams: that it's not that tough or time-consuming to create cool things. Media Molecule worked ha?rd ??for years and years so we don't have to.

I can't say enough about the tutorials, which take the form of narrated hands-on lessons. While you build, you'll see exactly what you need to do in a side-by-side video player, and it's a cinch to rewind if you missed a detail or aren't quite getting it. Video game tutorials are often boring and restrictive, but Dreams' are full of personality and provide enough b??reathing room for you to experiment and deviate.

The masterclasses, in particular, are a treat. They're long-form videos hosted by Media Molecule staff that show how the developers create from scratch. Not only will you pick up tips, tricks, and insights that'll benefit your own creations, you'll also get a sense of their individual personalities and design philosophies as they talk through their decision-making. Every inch of Dreams feels human.

When it comes to control options, I've had the best success with a PlayStation Move controller in each hand – that setup feels the most fluid, by far – but I also like using a DualShock 4 just fine. The default scheme relies heavily on the gamepad's motion sensor, which dictates your cursor movement and works in conjunction with the analog sticks. In situations that call for precision (like drawing a perfectly straight line), there's a third control option tha?t only uses the dual sticks. It's painless to swap around.

The best part: there's a toy-like visual language to the menus that spans the whole suite. You won't feel like you have to pick one area of expertise and stick with it. The creation side of Dreams is designed in such a way that you'll natu??rally flow from one discipline to another and back again. A huge part of my learning came from tinkering in menus – poking and prodding sliders to see immediate changes.

It's a marvel how enjoyable it is to just make stuff. That's Dreams' greatest strength. The toolkit is powerful, and if you want to dive into the minutia to make the most of it, you totally can – but you don't have to. I don't know the first thing about music or sound design, but in Dreams, I can load up a pre-made virtual instrument, "perf??orm" with basic button presses, add effects, and apply nitty-gritty adjustments on a timeline. That's one possible way to make one type of content in this massive toolkit.

You don't have to aspire to design a fully-realized game??. Heck, you don't have to make anything at all. The other side of the coin is the Dreamiverse – the shared online hub connecting everyone's creations.

Loading up a random game, song, sculpture, painting, scene, or movie is as simple as tapping whichever thumbnail catches your eye. In a matter of seconds, you're transported to somebody else's creation, all of which – even the officia?l Media Molecule levels – were designed with the same tools you're using. If you want to back out and continue browsing, that process is near-instantaneous. It's a helluva loop.

I also really appreciate indreams.me, the companion website. You c?an browse the Dreamiverse, check your feed, add games to a "Play Later" queue, and even launch games on your PS4 if it's powered on??.

Not every creation is going to be a high-effort masterpiece – let me make that clear. It's the wild west right now, and to a certain extent, it always will be. Dreams is about expression. That said, tags, filters, and recommendations are here to calm the chaos. Worthwhile creat?ions will find their way to you.

As someone who played during the Creators Early Access period, I'm still consistently surprised by the depth and breadth of other players' games. There's somet????hing for everyone and every mood.

Aside from adding tutorials, trophies, remixable assets, languages, and Imp Quests (which offer small rewards for engaging with Dreams as a creator and a player), the big upgrade from the Early Access version to the final launch-?day build is Art's Dream, a multi-genre game made by Media Molecule.

I didn't start it right away, thinking it would be neat, but not a priority. I couldn't have been more wrong. Art's Dream will almost certainly end up being one of the most memorable things I play in 2020. The fact that this couple-hour-long game was created in Dreams is baffling and energizing, all at once.

Art's Dream is the embodiment of everything Dreams stands for while also telling a cohesive, ch??arming, meaningful story. In broad terms, the game is about a doubt-filled double bassist who exiled himself from his jazz band and has to turn inward to make amends. It's a point-and-click adventure, a musical, a side-scrollin??g shooter, and two types of platformers. You'll weave in and out without realizing it.

I don't want to say too much – you've got to play it for yourself – so I'll just add this: on multiple occasions, Art's Dream gave me that magical feeling that only video games can. It would hold up as a standalone title, but in the context of Dreams, it's even better. It's a testament t??o the toolkit?'s flexibility.

There are questions about the future of Dreams regarding the PlayStation 5, VR, content ownership, and the ability to export, to say nothing of shorter-term wishlist items. I can only speculate. What's here right now, today, is already brilliant. It launched later than expected, but Dreams is built to last.

It should feel dull, but it doesn't. Dreams doesn't feel like homework. Part of that is on the intuitive tools, and part of that is on Media Molecule's community-centric approach. This isn't "just another project" for the team – it's the culmination of everything they've worked toward since LittleBigPlanet.

I don't think anyone but Media Molecule could have nailed Dreams. It's truly one-of-a-kind.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by t??he reviewer.]}

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Look for an update on February 11, 2020

If curiosity drove you to try out Media Molecule's PlayStation 4 game Dreams during the Creators Early Access period, you d??on't need to wait until February 14, 2020, to play the full version. The studio plans to release an update ("between 7-16 GB depending on your region") on February 11 that will unlock story content, an alternate analog-stick control scheme, and creation-f?ocused improvements.

In other words, if you bought the Early Access version of Dreams, you can get a few-day head-start before everyone else. The general public has to wait until February 14 (launch da??y) to check it out.

"We’ve also done a lot under the hood," said Media Molecule. "Our best guess for how many changes have been made between the start of Early Access and now is...well...18,000? We've deployed bug fixe?s (much of it based on your feedback, thank you!) and added polish across the game."

In terms of Media Molecule content, there's Art's Dream – a "feature film length adventure" about a former jazz musician – plus two creation kits (Welcome Home and Ancient Temple), a new home area intro, "quite a few new tutorials and how-to videos," and wider la?nguage support (Arabic, Russian, Polish, Korean, Traditional Chinese, La?tin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Portuguese).

Aside from the new control sche??me for players who prefer not to use motion-based controls, other highlights include trophies, better puppet walk cycles, and a toggle to turn off the watermark.

To help ease creators into Dreams' final release, Media Molecule also put together a how-to document wi????th fixes and recommendations for legacy content that might be affected by the launch update.

I'm excited and a bit anxious. I haven't touched Dreams in a while, so it's bound to be overwhelming.

Own Dreams Early Acc??ess? Upgrade on February 11th! [Media Molecule]

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Dreams becomes reality

Media Molecule, the developer behind charming titles LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway, has announced that its ambitious title Dreams has finally gone gold, re??ady for pressing onto discs and shipping out to stores, prepped for its February 14 release date.

As a refresher, Dreams is a game creation utility?? for PlayStation 4. The software comes pre-packaged with assets such as music, artwork, textures, base mechanics and more. Media Molecule's hope is that players will combine these assets with their own creative ideas to build their own small games and projects, which can then be shared among the community.

Dreams' unique UI system attempts to make the process of building a game a fun and engaging experience. Rather than sit before reams of code, Dreams acts as a sort of "living canvas" on which t??o shape your designs, guided through various editors and realms b??y a cutesy Imp avatar.

Once Dreams is officially in the wild, it will be interesting to see what the people make of it. Early Access has already seen players produce some strange, colourful and impressive designs, and Dreams' full, unfettered release can only ??broaden the horizons for creativity.

Dreams launches on PS4 February 14.

We’ve got some exciting news to share, CoMmunity... #DreamsPS4 has gone GOLD! 🥳🥳🥳

We’re all set for February 14th, 2020! Thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown Dreams and Media Molecule! We’re so excited to continue this adventure with you! â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/uThlWjwfex

— Media Molecule (@mediamolecule) January 6, 2020

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A world of pure imagination

During this morning's Sony State of Play presentation, Media Molecule and Sony Interactive Entertainment have announced that their game creation title Dreams will launch on PS4 in February.

Having been in early access since April of this year, the full release of Dreams will allow players to use its engine and assets - including music, artwork, 3D models and textures - to devise their own homemade content, which can then be shared among the community, realising the game's mantra of "Play, Create, and Share". If your content is good enough, you might even find yourself winning an "Impy".

Dreams launches on PS4 February 14, at a price of around $40. Current early access users will be automatically updated to the full version of Dreams at no additional cost.

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December 7, 2019 is the final day to buy Creator Early Access

If you've toyed around with getting Dreams, the art and game creation title from LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule, now's your last chance. The studio has put an end date on the Creator Early Access vers?ion – December 7, 2019 at 3:59pm PST – an?d from that point on, it'll be delisted.

Folks who buy Dreams in its current unfinished form will be able to continue playing after its PlayStation Store removal, of course, and they'll still get the final version of the game at launch (whenever that might be). If you're on the fence: do it, probably. It's $30, which is ch?eaper than the full game will be.

In a blog post, Media Molecule outlined what's next for the imaginative game. The team wants to?? have something for "those who ?want to play, those who want to create, and those who aspire to learn."

Here are the highlights:

• "A non-motion control scheme for the game"
• "More tutorials and how-to content for players of all skill levels"
• "Improving existing features like Community Jams, the Homespace, and Imp Quests"
• "More content, including our first piece of Mm story-telling in Dreams, Art's Dream"

To celebrate everything that players have accomplished in the Early Access run, Media Molecule is putting together its first Impy Awards, which will highlight the top creators, songs, animations, voice actors, and curators, among many other categories. Look for a Twitch stream on January 26, 2020.

"We've been so impressed," said comms manager Abbie Heppe. "We've watched people grow into fully-fledged artists, designers, musicians, and more??. There have been creations we didn't think possible ??(and some we're still convinced are magic). [Our] Early Access players deserve a huge mega-thanks."

I've been on a long break, but after s??eeing the award nominations, I'm sure I'll feel a spark.

Dreams Early Access Nears its End, Nominations O?pen for IMPY Awards [PlayStation Blog]

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Breeze through 300 user creations in 10 minutes

If you could catch a two-second glimpse of random people's dreams, you'd see some real weird shit. That's also true of Dreams, the PlayStation 4 game from LittleBigPlanet maker Media Molecule.

In this ten-minute montage assembled by YouTube user jiar300, we're shown a couple of seconds from 300 different user-made creations in Dreams. The sheer variety on display is ridiculous.

Some of these Dreams are original games (shout-out to the always impressive kaiju rampage project Ruckus), while others are riffs on existing titles like Dead Space. That's to say nothing of sculptures, paintings, songs, and animations. There are so many possibilities in Dreams – it's astounding.

The art-making game is still available at its cheaper-than-normal Early Access price ahead of its full launch, if you're on the fence. It's worth the thirty bucks if you have a single artistic bone in you?r body. At this point, even if you're purely looking to play rather than create, there's no shortage of stuff t?o find.

I'm increasingly curious about Media Molecule's plans for Dreams once the PlayStation 5 hits.

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Air Buster is back, in Dreams form!

It's tough to keep up with everything happening in Media Molecule's Dreams, and admittedly, I've fallen off the creation game in recent weeks. All it takes is one standout project to pull me back in, though. This one – a so-called Final Fantasy VII Dreamake created by sosetsuken5360 – is just so darn fun.

someone REMADE FF7 remake in dreams #MadeInDreams//t.co/1bmLwlmy1k pic.twitter.com/rLbodQI1Ll

— Figburn (@figburn) July 18, 2019

No, really, it is! I thought the project looked cute if noticeably wonky around the edges at first glance, but after playing it, any criticisms I had started slipping away. You can swap between Cloud, Tifa, and Barret as you go to town on the old Air Buster, as demonstrated in this footage from Twitter user Figburn. The drawn-out animations?? for Omnislash and Finishing Tou?ch are wonderfully over-the-top.

If you have access to the Dreams Creator Early Access – it's still available for $30, and if you buy in now, you'll get the eventual final version at no extra cost – then I'd try out this smile-inducing take on Final Fantasy VII the next time you surf the Dreamiverse. As much as I enjoy seeing everyone's original creations in Dreams, I'm a sucker for a good tribute, especially with FFVII Remake looming.

I'm crossing my fingers that this is only the start of something bigger. The creator describes the current build as a "demo," so hopeful??ly they'll be able to apply these fundamentals to a fuller experience.

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Kojima gave it a thumbs up, rainbow, and snake emoji

When folks aren't whipping up their own imaginative art in Dreams, they're often using the game's powerful creation tool set to express their love of shows, movies, and of course video games. It's only natural. As much as I like to play spontaneously with no other goal in mind other than to follow whatever idea might pop into my head at any given moment, recreating existing works is an enjoyable way to learn the tools and figure out the bounds of what's really possible inside Dreams.

As creators like Bearly Regal have shown us, the answer is a hell of a whole lot. His Metal Gear Solid HD remake is well underway and even as a brief glimpse of what?? lies ahead, it's something to be proud of. "The last video that I shared was ??version one," he explained. "This was version god-knows-what."

Through his initial work on the Metal Gear Solid tribute, he's already come away with valuable techniques. It's not enough to visually replicate a container in that iconic PS1-era style – you've also got to do so in a memory-efficient way. The more you learn, the more you want to iterate. Responding to a request for a tutorial on saving system resources in Dreams, Bearly Regal said: "You're not the first person to request this so definitely – just need to buy some decent r??ecording? equipment first."

Afte?r watching the video, the obvious question is "what's next?" The creator intends to tackle environmental details like ripples and rats, characters including guards and his own personal take on Snake (the one in the video is a remix), and sneaking and stealth animations. "Once those core elements are in place I'll be looking to craft the next environment; the helipad area," he said. "Should be in?teresting given the scale of it compared to this port/dock area. Hopefully it goes smoothly..."

ðŸ‘🌈ðŸ //t.co/lr1qzCk2CZ

— å°å³¶ç§€å¤« (@Kojima_Hideo) May 13, 2019

One thing's certain: this project is going to be a group effort. "If you play Dreams on PS4 and want to join me in my crusade of remaking Metal Gear Solid for this generation, then please get in touch."

I can't wa??it to see h??ow the codec conversations turn out.

The post This Meta??l Gear Solid tribut??e in Dreams is off to a terrific start appeared first on Destructoid.

Created by culosoman

"Enter at your own peril, past the bolted door, where impossible things may happen that the world's never seen before." Dexter's Laboratory was such a fantastic show, and I'm not just saying that because it taught me how to spell the word "laboratory" as a kid (but I appreciate that too??, Genndy Tartak?ovsky).

Dexter's Lab is one of those cartoons with countless memorable lines, gags, and story beats that can just come to you out of nowhere. I couldn't give you a favorite episode. No way. Attempting to do so would put me on the fast-track to a full-series marathon. Maybe one day, but not now. It's far too nice outside. Instead, I'll gleefully enjoy this Dreams creation from a player by the name of culosoman.

I smiled the whole way through. They even went to the trouble of modeling Robo-Dexo 2000.

I would've been impressed with just the player-controlled Dexter puppet, so this goes above and beyond. The Dreams community consistently blows me away, whether it's wholly o??riginal concepts or tributes to pop culture. There are so many cool things to thumbs-up every time I browse.

As random as a Dexter's Laboratory le??vel might seem, I'm hopeful stuff like this will help the game reach folks who otherwise might not actively look for a video game about creative expression. It exists!

If you have a PS4 and you relate to this mid-'90s mood, Dreams is available in Early Access form.

The post Explore Dexter’s Laboratory up close with this nostalgic Dreams level appeared first on Destructoid.

Don't keep your visions to yourself

Media Molecule absolutely made the right call launching an early access version of Dreams, its ambitious follow-up to the LittleBigPlanet franchise. Until you get your hands on this charming creation game, you can't fully grasp the genuine, heartfelt impact it's bound to have. I've been toying around with the limited-release version on PS4 for almost tw??o weeks now and its significance is still sinking in.

In just that short span of time, I've started seeing everyday objects in a mesmerizing new light. When I go to grab a plate, I suddenly envision how I would carve a kitchen cabinet in Dreams. When I take a sip of coffee, I study how the light catches my shiny metal mug. I can't sto?p noticing the finer details.

Dreams will be a lot of things for a lot of different people, whether they're coming into the game in search of a creative outlet or they simply want to admire other players' artistry. I was most excited about sculpting, but once I learned the necessary tools, controls, and UI for that specific mode, I also found myself drawn to less familiar areas. ?Tha?t's the playful genius of Media Molecule at work. If you take the time to go through the lessons, you'll be amazed at what you're capable of creating.

The name is so fitting. When I play Dreams, it's as if my subc??onscious spills ?out onto the screen.

Dreams (PS4)
Developer: Media Molecule
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: April 16, 2019 (Early Access)
MSRP: $29.99

To be clear, Dreams goes way beyond sculpting. There's painting, animating, rigging, music making, and a highly customizable logic system powering?? everything behind the scenes. You're empowered to design and share honest-to-goodness games or express yourself with small, personal creations that never get uploaded. Any of these individual software tools would be impressive on their own, but the fact that they all seamlessly complement each other in a singl??e intuitive package is staggering.

Honestly, it's a tricky game to convey with words, much less attempt to review. That goes double for the currently available "Creator Early Access" iteration of Dreams. I mean, we're mere weeks into the experiment – there's no telling what Dreams will look like a decade from now once the community has honed its craft. Folks are achieving mind-blowing results with LittleBigPlanet to this day.

I'll say this much: if you're on the fence as a creator, don't hesitate. The Early Access price is likely cheaper than the final version of Dreams will be and you won't ne?ed to pay twice. There's plenty here to get you started creating, remixing, and collaborat?ing. This is unquestionably worth thirty bucks as is, and it's only growing more valuable each day. The major omission is a lack of PlayStation VR support, but that's planned for later, and you can still play with two PlayStation Move controllers.

There are pros and cons to each input method, and you can tell the developers didn't focus on one to the detriment of the other. I find it a bit easier to navigate three-dimensional space with a DualShock 4 – it relies on the analog sticks for camera movement and motion controls for the in-game cursor. Meanwhile, the Move controllers excel when it comes to precision and a more natural, real-world feel. (Again, I'm so stoked VR support.) Both methods are fully functional, and both are jam-packed with clever shortcuts. Graciously, it's possible to swap back and forth between them mid?-creation.

If you're strictly interested in checking out user-made games instead of making your own art, my recommendation is a little more nuanced. Right here, right now, I can't guarantee you'll feel like you got your money's worth. That said, it's a wise investment – Creator Early Access won't be on sale forever.

The current iteration of Dreams doesn't include a proper story mode, but even then, Media Molecule has included some silly ready-made mini-games and the community is pumping out its own impressive ??cr??eations. At the upper end, it's reached the point where without clear watermarks, you might not realize certain screenshots or videos shared on social media were actually made using Dreams.

Don't get me wrong, there's lots of player-made junk as there always is and always will be. My first public upload was a mediocre mountain of cheese that someone promptly used as a backdrop for their generic 3D platformer starring a lanky Bowser because hey, why not? The important part is that Media Molecule's categories, filters, and search features are on-point. It isn't hard to find incredible stuff. 

It's also worth talking up the tutorials, which take the form of pleasant, game-like lessons. There's so much ground to cover in Dreams and it's thankfully not a dreary slog. While you create, you'll be assisted by character-driven instructional videos complete with pause and rewind/fast-forward buttons. It's all split up into digestible chunks – even the long-form masterclasses hosted by Media Molecul?e staff.

Looking ahead, I'd like to see even more granular tutorials in Dreams, especially for audio and just about everything to do with logic. (You'll have a smoother time if you're familiar with the principles behind music production and coding, respectively.) Still, I think this is an adequate starting point for Early Access, and I've picked up more advanced techniques by watching the studio's ongoing live streams.

Most of all, I'm impressed Dreams is exactly what Media Molecule set out to make: a game that encourages a wide range of creative fields to come together and inspire each other day after day. Dreams reawakened something inside of me, and I hope it gets t??he support i?t deserves. I can see it fostering a generation of fledgling artists, designers, and musicians as they follow their passion.

Whether you try it now in Early Access or hold off until the full launch, don't miss Dreams.

_{[This scoreless review is bas?ed on a copy of the game purchased by the reviewer.]}

The post Early Access Review: Dreams appeared first on Destructoid.

All of the creative tools but no story mode

Before Media Molecule fully launches Dreams, the studio will offer Creator Early Access, a way to pay for early e?ntry into t??he art-creating game. We now know when that's set to kick off: April 16, 2019.

Early Access will cost $30, and those who pay the fee will get the final version of Dreams at launch. Media Molecule is limiting the ??number of spots, "but it's a big limit." So if this is something you're even mildly interested in trying, it's worth it not to procrastinate. The spo?ts can eventually run out.

In terms of initial content, Early Access includes the "full tool set for creating" plus tutorials, arcade games, templates, and whatever else community creators come up with. It won't have the usual story stuff or PlayStation VR support, both of which are coming to Dreams at a later date.

The fact that you get the full game at launc?h means I have money set aside for Early Access.

Dreams Early Access Begins April 16 [PlayStation Blog]

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Creation tools minus some features and finer details

[Update: Dreams Creator Early Access is now available on the PlayStation Store.]

After an encouraging beta last month that helped bring "ingenious and wonderful" creations to life, Media Molecule is prepping a new phase for Dreams, a PS4 game designed to let players "make their creative mark on the world from their living room." The next step is Creator Early Access this spring.

The developers say they've "scratched our chins and tried to figure out the best way to put the game in the hands of our most enthusiastic dreamers and allow us to continue crafting and polishing it for everyone." The end result? A $30 early access version of Dreams with a "strictly limited release."

Media Molecule promises the "full set of Dreams creative tools" along with tutorials and arcade games. As the early access initiative strolls along, the team will add "more features, tutorials, arcade levels, and assets." The general idea is to "prioritize all the awesome stuff we're already working on and get feedback as player needs develop and evolve." Her??e's a t?entative recap of what's in and what's out.

If you buy into the Creator Early Access, you won't need to pay for Dreams a second time.

"The most important thing is to know that the Dreamiverse is going to form around you, so if that gets you excited, Early Access is for you," said studio director Siobhan Reddy on the PlayStation Blog. "If you participated in the beta and felt like Dreams wasn't fully featured enough for you yet, or you wanted more Media Molecule game content, then ?Early Access might not be for you. We're working on all those things during this period so that you h?ave everything you need on your first day in the Dreamiverse."

This news is particularly interesting given that the basic "early access" concept hasn't made it over to PlayStation 4 in the same way as programs like Xbox One's Game Preview. I don't see this as Sony opening the floodgates, but maybe it'??ll be willing to make more exceptions in the future.

If all goes to plan, Dreams should be in a good spot when it fully launches. Get the most passionate players in early so the game is overflowing with cool stuff by the time the general publ?ic plays. Checks out! It's so crucial for creation-centric titles like this to make the best possible first impression.

Dreams' Creator Early Access Launches This Spring [PlayStation Blog]

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Everyone can now publicly share their beta creations

LittleBigPlanet maker Media Molecule is putting its latest creation game, Dreams, to the test. We've seen bits and piece?s of what some fans have been crafting, but due to a non-disclosure agreement that kept beta players from streaming or sharing their work, there hasn't been an outburst of activity.

That's going to change this week. The Dreams?? beta will continue until February 4, and as of today, Media Molecule has done away with its restrictive NDA. Players can now share to their heart's content.

Taking part in the #DreamsPS4?? Creat??or Beta? Good news, the NDA has lifted and you're now be able to:

✅ Stream!
✅ Share!
✅ Talk about what you've been creating!

We can't wait for the world to see what you’ve created in the Dreamiverse! pic.twitter.com/ntpdljNvL4

— Media Molecule (@mediamolecule) January 28, 2019

(If you're having trouble streaming via the Share button, note that the studio is working on a fix.)

Despite a lack of tutorials in the beta, folks have wasted no time toying around with Dreams and getting started on their levels, sculptures, puppets, and animations. The studio highlighted some of its favorite player-made beta creations during multiple streams, the first of which can be seen archived here.

I don't have beta access, so I've just had to live vicariously through others. I like how reddit user OutOfBootyExperience summed up their experience with Dreams as a window into players' minds.

"Other mediums have such a steep learning curve that it sort of limits what people can do regardless of how ambitious their thoughts of, but Dreams feels like it truly gives a full world o??f options for people to express themselves. Everything from horror scenery, nostalgic scenery, to ab??stract worlds is captured without hesitation. I truly have never felt so much expression in a game."

"Even something like [LittleBigPlanet] which had endless customization felt more like people's ideas," noted OutOfBootyExperience, whose name I can't get over. "Dreams feels like people's...ac?tual dreams. You can be transported to these worlds that would never have been possible to share before."

The NDA may be gone, but not everything has been uploaded yet for the general public to see. That said, I've compiled a handful of eye-catching creations and you can find more using #DreamsPS4.

The Encounter made in #dreamsPS4 beta - Original post -//t.co/2Ldk5HjUUr pic.twitter.com/ko4Fo5ZWfx

— Jimmy (@Jimmy91550526) January 22, 2019

Side by side comparisons with the original poster. I actually really loved doing just living movie posters, I honestly thinks I’m going to be doing just this in Dreams. #DreamsPS4 #DreamsBeta pic.twitter.com/zUURbIkgKE

— MeganLinart | Yakuza0 (@MadamGojira64) January 28, 2019

Dead Space Dreams pic.twitter.com/h6AuCa7Od1

— Sergeant Bike (@sergeantbike) January 22, 2019

I've wanted to share this for aaages. One of my first projects in #DreamsPS4 was to remake 'The Wilderness' IntMusic from @LittleBigPlanet , and thanks to sliders and multiple sequencers playing at the same time I could do just that. :) pic.twitter.com/1eTKDeuPRz

— breezy (@j_plus_b) January 28, 2019

More Lighting scenarios #DreamsPs4 pic.twitter.com/9hZFc3m0WI

— Ryan Corniel (@DukeGunston) January 28, 2019

A bit more of my Tomb Raider project. Features enemies, gunplay, secrets, health packs, save crystals, etc. PS. Game development is hard. Don't make fun of me. pic.twitter.com/xfORuQGlEP

— Cannibal Dreamer🌈 (@MatthwDayton) January 28, 2019

PT recreated in Dreams pic.twitter.com/VdwlXY21rp

— Sergeant Bike (@sergeantbike) January 20, 2019

Early images of a FPS I've been working on using the #DreamsPS4 engine. All assets are modeled from scratch focused on testing the games realism capabilities. #DREAMSBETA #DREAMS pic.twitter.com/RmjwkfBq4v

— African Rebel (@VirtuallyVain) January 28, 2019

Bag End - made in #DreamsPS4 @mediamolecule pic.twitter.com/nPIE0d0hhL

— iFoxley (@TheMaxGuardian) January 28, 2019

Project Zero. #DreamsPS4.

2019.

PS4 | PS4 Pro Enhanced | PS VR pic.twitter.com/kh11kA3AD1

— Ryan 🆚 Rean | Cold Steel - 2/12/19 (@AlphaFoxWarfare) January 28, 2019

Great piece of art this person created in #DreamsPS4. Can't imagine how long this took them. //t.co/cF4pvmyLFi pic.twitter.com/pzNfFLPmk8

— [TGG] Justin (@TGGJustin) January 28, 2019

With the NDA lifted, I guess I can now say (without fear of going to video game jail) that #DreamsPS4 is legit one of my favorite things in the world. pic.twitter.com/nQm51uJG2l

— D.J. Szenfeld (@Flipyap) January 28, 2019

Lastly, I have to highlight The Offroad Lands, a neat driving adventure level that reddit user Tmfwang created with their sibling o?ver the holiday break. "If I had to make an extremely rough estimate, we spent at least 100+ hours on it. Hell, we've playtested it around 200 times I think (not really necessary to play it so many times, but my brother and I competed on who could ??finish it the fastest). Also, it's extremely rewarding to collaborate with someone who's got a different set of skills as you. My brother is artistic, while I'm very good at logic. One of us alone couldn’t have made this without the other."

The breadth of art alone is inspiring. Like, if these examples are where Dreams starts, can you imagine where ??it'll go once players are accustomed to the tools and the commu?nity keeps pushing itself?

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Thanks to an extension, the beta now lasts until February 4

A select group of Media Molecule fans is currently testing out Dreams, the next creativity-driven game from the makers of LittleBigPlanet. Th??e closed beta first got underway in December 2018, and more players have since been invited to participate, but the?? studio admits that it has struggled to keep up with demand. As a result, it's going to extend the beta's run by?? a whole two weeks.

More waves of invit??es are planned, with the beta end date now set for February 4, 2019.

If you got yourself registered for the Dreams beta, be on the lookout for a potential invite on January 17 (United States and European players), January 21 (EU only?), and finally January 23 (US only).

"When we launched our sign-ups on the 4th January, the number of you who signed-up was, frankly, more than we were expecting," said Media Molecule. "While it's so exciting there are THAT many people interested in creating in Dreams,? we weren't ready to support numbers that large right away."

The intent is to get "everyone who signed ??up (and qualified!) a chance to play," so if you're 18 years or older, have a valid PlayStation ID, and your details were filled out correctly, you've done your job.

If the Dreams community has seemed tim??id, that's only because there's a non-disclosure agreement preventing players from sharing their beta creations with the world. It feels like a major missed opportunity for word-of-mouth, and I hope it's something the game can bounce back from soon.

People are going to pour their hearts into their sculpts, paintings, games, and other works of art for years to come. Like its predecessor, Dreams should have a long tail as an accessible creative outlet. But until folks can share their stuff and feel a sense of togetherness, the community can't fully thrive.

Dreams Creator Beta Update [Media Molecule]

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