Dreaming Mary OST - Dianthus Alpinus
Dreaming Mary OST - Dianthus Alpinus
dreaming mary is an rpg maker horror game disguised as a cutesy pixel game. while the player is able to play throughout the entire game without ever encountering any horror, getting all of the endings for the game does require the player to encounter the more creepier aspects of the game. dreaming mary is a story about escapism and also has mentions of triggering content such as mentions of sexual assault (most notably in one particular book the player is able to read).
the game was made during the big boom of rpg horror game's popularity in 2014, where games like ib, witch's house, mad father gained a lot of attraction. while the game received a fanbase and was a bit well known, it didn't have nearly as large as a fanbase as the aformentioned games did and this is especially noticeable to this day where people looking fondly back at the genre rarely mention this game.
other than the trigger warning mentioned earlier, i wont be talking much about actual gameplay in this shrine! partly because, well, there really isn't much to talk about (the game loop is going around talking to npcs and performing small puzzles) but also because i really recommend you go check out the game for yourself. not only is the game completely free, but first playthroughs usually ~30 minutes long and people tend to get all the endings in around 2 hours. it's incredibly short! but despite its length the game's artwork and way of storytelling are incredibly charming, especially for its era. and god THE MUSIC? i honestly might have a whole section of this shrine praising trass' work on the soundtrack. oh and did i mention its free?
do you want an honest answer? i have no idea. i genuinely cannot pinpoint what exactly it is about this game that keeps pulling me back in despite it being at LEAST 8 years since i've learned about it. i think its a combination of both the art and music? im a hugeee sucker for pixel art if that isn't very clear by how my page is set up, and dreaming mary's art is quite literally some of if not the prettiest i've ever seen to this day. not to mention its not just how the pixel art is executed but also all the design work done, from mary's bedroom to the hallway with its large doors. i have several ocs loosely based on the aesthetic of the dream world just because it's that damn pretty!!! the soundtrack as well is so lovely, i love the intro song and it pains me that people only hear the first few seconds before hitting play because if they just took the time to linger a bit longer, they'd hear the rest of the beautiful melody and vocals. that's not to discredit the story!!! the story is lovely and heartbreaking, something that still leaves an impact on me every single time i come back to replay it. its just. i love the art and music so much i can and HAVE cried over how much i adore them on their own. its kinda funny to sing so many praises about this, admitely VERY tiny game. because gameplay wise there really isn't much to it! the puzzles can get a bit repetitive at times, especially if you're like me and have played the game quite a few times atp (and despite this i still haven't memorized bunnilda's statue placements erm fake fan ig).
while dreaming mary hasn't necessarily helped me through any specific trauma or anything like that, it's art and story have inspired me a lot on the type of games i want to make in the future. while not exactly the same, in a similar vein i do want to make games/stories bringing awareness to mental health in general and showing aspects of what its like living with a troubled mind. i don't have anything in the works right now but i hope one day i will! dreaming mary was also the game to kickstart my facination with meanings of dreams. dreams as a whole are incredibly fascinating to me and i enjoy reading about them when i remember i can actually go do that instead of rotting in bed! as mentioned before i also have a few ocs based on the game, but dreaming mary has definitely been at least a reason why i kicked up such an interest on designs with pink clouds as a theme/pattern.
