Dreamcore: The Playrooms: The Review

Overview

Dreamcore DLC: The Playrooms is a weird, atmospheric little expansion that builds on everything that made the base game so memorable. It delves even deeper into that eerie, liminal vibe: the kind of spaces that feel like something you half-remember from childhood dreams, but twisted just enough to feel unsettling. The new level is fun to explore, packed with subtle environmental storytelling that puts you in a creepy mood without ever fully delving into horror. It’s not as short as the original two levels, so every minute of it feels intentional and packed with detail. If you liked the main game, it’s a must-play.

Score: 9 out of 10

The Positives ✅

One of the coolest things about The Playrooms is just how familiar and creepy the atmosphere is. It drops you into these places that feel like childhood memories: daycares, arcades, colorful little playrooms; but something’s off. It really builds nicely on that typical horror trope of childlike horror and it does so with stellar execution.

The sound design really adds to that atmosphere with some eerie tunes on repeat, and distant laughter that just makes your skin crawl. It's a horror masterclass at building an eerie atmosphere. There's no need for any loud jump scares or cheap horror tricks; it's all super subtle and simple, which is something where Dreamcore shines at. The Playrooms doesn’t feel like some random add-on. It perfectly fits right in with the rest of the game, just like yet another creepy piece into this eerie horror puzzle. We’re seriously excited to see what they do with the next levels coming in 2025 and 2026.

The Negatives ⚠️

One thing to keep in mind with The Playrooms is that it’s pretty light on actual gameplay. The puzzles and interactive elements are minimal, which definitely helps keep you immersed in the creepy atmosphere, but if you're coming in hoping for a challenge, you might end up a little disappointed. This DLC leans more into vibe than mechanics.

Also, just like the original levels, some of the objectives can feel a bit vague as it’s not always obvious what you’re supposed to do next, which could (and does) frustrate players who prefer a clearer path. Patience definitely helps here, as the game expects you to just explore and figure things out as you go.