Shape of Dreams: The Roguelike that Challenged Silksong and Became a Hit on Steam

In a week when all eyes were on colossal releases like Hollow Knight: Silksong e Borderlands 4, a new cooperative roguelike called Shape of Dreams not only survived but thrived spectacularly. The indie title from Lizard Smoothie studio proved that good gameplay and community support can outperform even the heaviest marketing.

The game reached the impressive milestone of over 100,000 copies sold in the first 24 hours na on Steam. Additionally, it peaked at over 30,000 concurrent players during its opening weekend, securing a place among the top 10 bestsellers on the platform. This is a remarkable achievement worth attention and shows the strength of indie games.

O que este artigo aborda:

• A Surprising Release Amid Giants
• What is Shape of Dreams? A Mix of Roguelike and MOBA
• Cooperative Gameplay for up to 4 Players
• Build Your Traveler with Hundreds of Combinations
• Attentive Developers: Lizard Smoothie’s Quick Response
• How to Try Shape of Dreams?

A Surprising Release Amid Giants

The launch strategy is one of the most critical factors for a game’s success. Releasing a title at the same time as two of the most anticipated games of the year is, for many, a sentence to failure. However, Shape of Dreams turned this challenge into a story of overcoming.

While the gaming community was immersed in discussions about Silksong e Borderlands 4, the quality and word of mouth about Shape of Dreams created a wave of genuine interest. Players looking for a new and engaging cooperative experience found exactly what they were seeking, resulting in sales and player numbers that exceeded all expectations.

What is Shape of Dreams? A Mix of Roguelike and MOBA

But after all, what makes Shape of Dreams such a special game? The answer lies in its smart fusion of popular genre mechanics, presented in an accessible and fun way.

The game is fundamentally a action roguelike, where you and your friends traverse procedurally generated “dreamscapes,” facing challenging monsters and bosses. Death is part of the progress, forcing you to start over, but with more knowledge and potentially with permanent unlocks.

What sets it apart is the strong inspiration from MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). The abilities, called “memories,” and upgrades, called “essences,” allow deep customization of your build every match.

Cooperative Gameplay for up to 4 Players

The heart of Shape of Dreams lies in its cooperative mode. You can play solo, but the experience was clearly designed for teams of up to four players. Synergy between different characters and their builds is crucial to overcoming the toughest challenges that dreams (or nightmares) can offer.

• Skill Synergy: Combining the “memories” of different players creates devastating combos.
• Increasing Challenges: The difficulty adjusts to provide a satisfying challenge, whether playing alone or in a full squad.
• Team Progression: Success depends on team communication and strategy.

Build Your Traveler with Hundreds of Combinations

At launch, the game offers eight playable “travelers” (characters), each with a unique playstyle that needs to be unlocked. Although eight may seem few, the depth comes from customization.

With more than 100 memories and essences to collect and upgrade during each match, no two journeys are the same. You can build a character focused on massive damage, a tanky defender, or a support who controls the battlefield. This variety guarantees high replayability.

Attentive Developers: Lizard Smoothie’s Quick Response

One of the most promising signs for the future of a service game is the developers’ attention to community feedback. The Lizard Smoothie did not disappoint. Shortly after launch, the team released a hotfix to fix balancing and progression issues pointed out by early players.

In a press statement, Eunsop Shim, co-founder and CEO of the studio, emphasized the commitment to the community:

“Many fans have been with us since the release of our demo, and we want to continue delivering an experience worthy of your passion and support. Our team also has plans for more updates, improvements, and new content in Shape of Dreams. Please look forward to our future announcements!”

This proactive stance not only improves the game in the short term but also builds a trust relationship with the player base, essential for the title’s longevity.

How to Try Shape of Dreams?

If you’re curious to explore these dream worlds, the good news is it’s very easy to start. Shape of Dreams has a free demo available on Steam, allowing anyone to test the main mechanics before deciding to buy.

To celebrate the launch’s success, the full game is currently at 20% off on Steam until September 24th. This is the perfect opportunity to gather your friends and dive into one of the most exciting indie releases of the year. For more details, you can visit the official game page on Steam.

In summary, Shape of Dreams is proof that even in a saturated and competitive market, games with a solid proposition, fun gameplay, and a dedicated development team can carve out their space and become a true success.