Game Review: The Smurfs: Dreams (Xbox Series X)

There have been a fair few Smurf-related games in recent times and many that can be summed up as lacklustre (The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone, for example), so when one comes along that isn’t just good, it’s great, you want to shout about it. Putting it simply, The Smurfs: Dreams is smurftastic.

Developed by Ocellus Studio and published by Microids, The Smurfs: Dreams changes up the style of the more recent releases to take on the form of a top-down 3D platformer. One that can be enjoyed solo or in co-op mode.

The story revolves around Gargamel doing Gargamel stuff, and by that, we mean he is scheming to capture all the Smurfs. So, what’s his big plan this time? He has found a way to poison the Smurfs’ favourite berries with a sleeping potion, thus knocking out the majority of the village and making them easy prey for the wizard who is using a magic dreamcatcher to find the location. It’s actually a solid plan, except not everyone is currently snoozing, and that is where the player comes in.

Taking on the role of a generic Smurf (you can choose between a boy Smurf or a girl Smurf), it’s up to you to enter the dreams of the sleeping Smurfs and wake them all up before Gargamel arrives.

A basic story, but one told well and one that allows a certain amount of creative freedom when it comes to level designs. By setting the majority of the game in dreams, it allows a range of different platforming environments and mechanics to be explored. All of which relate to the specific sleeping Smurf that you are trying to rescue. For example, Vanity Smurf’s levels utilise mirrors to create some testing puzzles, Smurfette’s levels becomes more and more glitchy as they go on resulting in some tricky platforming moments, and Chef Smurf’s levels are, unsurprisingly, food related.

There’s plenty of creativity involved, and rightfully it feels fantastical. Something that also extends to the Smurf village Hub, which is fun to explore and begins to transform as you wake Smurfs up, and the level select area which is done like constellations in the sky. Small things, but things that mater and help the game feel even more charming.

Which it really is, not just from a gameplay perspective either, but from a visual and sonic perspective. This a lovely looking game, bright and colourful, with surreal touches in level design, sharp character models, and infectious tunes. All of this captures the feel of The Smurfs wonderfully well, and no matter your age, all can appreciate that.

Of course, none of the would matter if gameplay and the controls around it weren’t up to scratch, but happily, these are other areas that The Smurfs: Dreams nails. Partially by focusing on the basics and perfecting those aspects, and partially by ramping up the puzzle aspects and introducing fresh ways to challenge the player via special tools.

One of which is a magical hammer that can be used to build platforms and destroy obstacles. Another is a gun that shoots sticky honey, jamming up platforms and hitting switches. Finally, there is the magical lamp which is used to reveals hidden paths. This one, the latter of the three, is where The Smurfs: Dreams’ gameplay challenge really comes into play and some of the puzzles around it can be a bit tricky, especially for a younger player.

Thankfully, there’s no real punishment for failing as it’s an instant respawn at the last checkpoint, of which there are several, in levels that are rarely that long either. It’s easy to fail, but it’s easy to get back and try again, and some of the final levels will require getting back and trying again. While it never becomes so difficult that it’s not fun, the increased challenge may surprise a few players. Especially if you’re trying to find all the level collectibles and earn cherries to spend on new costumes in the Smurf village.

Unfortunately, while this does extend gameplay as every area within a level needs to be explored, The Smurfs: Dreams is not a long game. In fact, it can be wrapped up in a handful of hours, with a few more added on if you’re collecting everything. At most, you’re still only looking at about 7 to 8 hours and there is zero replay value. That is disappointing, but not enough to impact the overall positive experience that The Smurfs: Dreams delivers. It is a fabulous game that all ages can enjoy. Not just a great Smurf game, but a great modern 3D platformer.

It’s smurfarific!