LSD:Dream Emulator PS1

Game: LSD:Dream Emulator

Release Date
Original 1998,Japanese PSN 2011
Country:Japan
Creator:Asmik Ace Entertainment

Starting off our series on weird video games,today we have Japan’s rare ‘LSD:Dream Emulator’. Now I know what your thinking, no this game does not relate to the drug.Although game play is VERY trippy and psychedelic,honestly I think LSD is an appropriate name.Upon the games  start up video several words fly around the back ground giving us a clue at the name of this mysterious game some being,Linking The Sapient Dream,Lunacy The Sacred Dream,and many more.
The game goes through a series of days,all the way up to day 365 where you will see a quick video then start all over again. The game has no objective what so ever.Based off of the dream journal that the creator keep over a decade,your “goal” is to explore the unknown and sometimes scary.

The game map is traveled by “linking”You can link to other places by simply running into something,or going through a tunnel. The places you are transported to are usually totally random.
At the end of each dream which lasts up to 10 minutes, a graph comes up with an illuminating square relevant to your dream experience. The possible outcomes are Upper,Downer,Static,and Dynamic.

Probably the thing that makes this game most scary for me is the totally randomness and isolation. I have had numerous shock and scream moments just out of total suprise. The one thing that scares me the most in the game is “The Shadow Man”. The Shadow Man is a character in a dark cloak and hat that will pop up at any given moment in front of you. He doesn’t harm you though,in fact he can only walk forward at a slow pace. The consequence of getting too close to him is your screen flashes white, causing him to disappear.He takes away your ability to flashback and play an old dream for a short while. I honestly feel sorry for the guy the made this game,I mean come on,Would you want a cloaked man appearing in your dreams? This game has made me come to the conclusion that cloaked men are nothing but trouble.

You may be thinking to yourself that this game would get old really quick with no real goal.But trust me,you won’t be worrying about that when a dog jumps out suddenly barking,or you run into this guy.The first time I met this guy,I about had a heart attack and jumped out of my window. I also learned to never play this game at night.

Another thing I should mention about this game is the music. My God,I have never been so tensed and stressed in my life.The music probably makes the game ten times more unnerving.It makes you want to hide in a corner a enter your “happy place”.Surprisingly,all the music in this game is the same song,but you won’t be able to tell that by listening. They just changed the pitch,rhythm,rate,etc.

There is so much stuff about this game,I couldn’t possibly fit into this article. I will try to revisit and add stuff.But all in all, this game is just WEIRD. If you don’t believe me,play for yourself.Unfortunately,this game is Very rare to find,but there are many good game plays and commentarys Online.
Rating:8/10