In recent years, I have played a few games from the Smurf series. With Mission Vileaf and The Prisoner of the Green Stone being clear standouts. Well, Game Developer Microids have done it again with their latest game in the series, The Smurfs: Dreams. Set as a classic platformer, Dreams is by far the most challenging release from the studio yet.
For the purposes of this review, I played The Smurfs: Dreams on the PlayStation 5. I played it to completion, even earning a Platinum Trophy in the process.
Our favourite foe, Gargamel, has hatched a new plan to capture the Smurfs. He’s cast a curse on the bushes around the village, and each time a Smurf eats the leaves, they plunge into a deep sleep. With most of the Smurfs off in Dreamworld, and with the use of his Dreamcatcher, Gargamel is slowing tracking the dreams to the Smurf Village. And with only a few Smurfs still awake, it is on us to venture into Dreamworld and wake them up before it’s too late!
The Smurfs: Dreams is a nod to the classic platformers that have come before it, and it wasn’t long before I fell in love with this game. The camera is a static, (mostly) top-down 3D view of each Dreamworld. This did take a bit of getting used to as I was constantly trying to adjust the camera on the Right Thumbstick. But once I got past this mechanic, it made complete sense why the camera was static. As you progress through the game, the camera angle changes, providing a combination of top-down, side-scroll and even directly above looking down.
Control wise, The Smurfs: Dreams has the ability to jump and then hover in the air for a short period of time, allowing you to bridge gaps. You can also stop mid-air in a little bubble and hold position. From the bubble position, you can then dash forwards for that extra bit of reach. And of course, you have full movement of your Smurf character with the Left Thumbstick, with the added ability to run fast. As the game progresses, you will need to home in these skills to progress. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll be a master platformer, ready for a special post-game level. Trust me, get good or this level will frustrate you like crazy!
The levels themselves are fun and, as noted above, become increasingly difficult. The more I played The Smurfs: Dreams, the more it reminded me of one of my favourite games, Super Mario 3D Land on the Nintendo 3DS. This is probably why I loved this game so much.
The Smurfs: Dreams is visually stunning, the accompanying soundtrack is phenomenal, and the gameplay is both challenging and exciting. There are also plenty of new platforming techniques I have not seen before; from using various tools and weapons to raise platforms, open pathways and destroy enemy creatures. A favourite would have to be the Lantern; when lit, it either makes existing platforms and walkways invisible, or uncovers hidden falls and floors. This tool was also the most challenging to master and as frustrated as I got at times, I still had the best time doing it.
Each Dreamland level is stylised after each of the sleeping Smurfs. From Baker Smurf’s bakery themed dream to the almost nightmarish dream of Vanity Smurf that was difficult to pass.
Hidden throughout each of the dreams are a series of hidden collectibles. A Smurf disguised as an object within the Dreamland and once found, offers up a Needle and Thread. There are also Astral Mushrooms in each level to collect, along with Fruit that is available to pick up along the way. All of these items are integral to the progression of the game, from unlocking new Dreamlands to new costumes available from Tailor Smurf. All of which also contribute to Trophies if you’re a keen Platinum Hunter like me.
After each Dreamland is completed, you are sent back to the Smurf Village and the sleeping Smurf that you just rescued is now awake. The more Smurfs you awaken, the closer you get to defeating Gargamel. They also unlock collectibles around the Village.
It has been a very long time since I have played such a fantastically designed and challenging platformer. I spent a solid 12 hours playing this game through to a full Platinum Trophy completion and I could happily do it again. There are so many little surprises and game design mechanics that had me audibly gasping, “Wow. That’s so cool!”.
However, the more I played it, the more I realised, that this game is not for the novice platformer. I would like to think that I am pretty good at platforming and some of the levels offered up took me longer than I had hoped to pass. But that’s also what I enjoyed the most about The Smurfs: Dreams, as it was challenging and exciting at the same time.
Not just amongst the Microids developed Smurfs series, but all games that I’ve played this year, The Smurfs: Dreams is right up there as one of the best games I have played in recent time. Some games just are not challenging enough, but The Smurfs: Dreams most definitely is! There is even a co-op gameplay mode available for those that wish to play with a friend on the couch. If you’re a lover of platformers, then trust me, this is the game for you!
The Smurfs: Dreams is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and Epic Games.