Dreamcutter Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

by Jim Smale · Published February 2, 2024 · Updated January 29, 2024

Dreamcutter Review, a mysterious scythe with an ulterior motive, promises alluring rewards and a chance at escape. But what strange dangers and exotic encounters will you find inside your mind? Dreamcutter is an intense side-scrolling action platformer that blends visual novel CG scenes with macabre themes and sassy character dialogue. Along with your friend Lucia, you’ll take the role of Haley as the pair navigate the darkest parts of Haley’s subconscious.

Dreamcutter Review Pros:

Pixel art graphics.
1.1GB download size.
Four save slots and a fifth autosave.
Cutscenes can be skipped, fast-forwarded, or have the text hidden.
Anime-style art cutscenes.
Save points in the sanctuary and show upgrades and unlocks.
Action platformer gameplay.
Tutorial pop-ups as you play.
Multiple choice interactions.
Hack and slash combat.
2D perspective.
Your weapon is a scythe and you can hack at people or throw it forward, and press attack again to have it return.
Combo counter that rewards coins.
Momentum-based jump sequences.
Coins are all over a level and can drop from enemies.
Beds are used as checkpoints where you respawn.
Health bar system with heart pickups to regain health.
Good soundtrack.
Simple easy-to-learn controls.
Your scythe can stick to walls and be used as a platform/springboard.
Sanctuary is the main hub where you can use the shop and pick a world door.
The shop sells – combo upgrades, views enemy health, learns spin slash, upgrades health, increases coin multiplier, and upgrades damage.
You can quit back to Sanctuary whenever you want.
World map level selected when entering the world door with a final big boss door at the end.
Aerial combat is possible.
Big boss battles.
The gallery collects all earned artwork.
You can replay levels.
Coins stay with you on each level and after death.

Dreamcutter Review Cons:

No game settings.
Cannot remap controls.
They don’t always explain the controls well and they only show help icons once.
A weird slowdown happens when fighting and it is noticeable.
No in-game voices.
Spinning on the moons is tricky to time especially the distance jump.
Checkpoints are far apart meaning you have to replay large chunks of the level.
Gets reflex-heavy with a jump-to-jump but the controls and performance don’t make it easy to pull off.
The levels are big or should I say they look big but you can’t explore as you never know when there is a platform.
Scantily clad ladies throughout.
No way to censor or blur out the more revealing parts.