In the vibrant world of indie games, Onirism stands out by mixing unexpectedly deep shooting mechanics with a surreal, candy-colored aesthetic. Developed by Crimson Tales and published by Shoreline Games, it presents a young girl’s quest in a dreamy world to retrieve her stolen plushie. Released on Steam on October 23, 2025, it already holds a “Very Positive” review status (89 % of over 560 user reviews) indicating strong community reception.
But this is far more than a cute adventure. For fans of fast shooters, colorful worlds, and unexpected depth, Onirism delivers. Let’s break down how and why—and also where it stumbles.
Gameplay & Core Experience
Onirism casts you as Carol, a young protagonist whisked away into the dream-realm of Crearia when her beloved plushie “Bunbun” is stolen. The mission: traverse fantastical worlds, blast enemies, explore, and reclaim what’s lost.
Key gameplay features include:
- A mix of third-person shooting, melee combat, and platforming/discovery segments.
- A large arsenal of quirky weapons (e.g., an umbrella melee, hair-dryer blaster) and gadget-type gear that encourages experimentation.
- Beautiful, imaginative level design where you move from one colorful biome to the next, each introducing new mechanics or twists.
- Co-op and arcade modes in addition to story mode (allowing local/online play, mosh-ups, higher-score runs) enhancing replayability.
Because of its structure, Onirism doesn’t just feel like a casual game—it presents layered challenge and discovery. The core loop of “blast, explore, unlock gear, revisit” is strong.
What Works Very Well
Immersive Character & Personality: Carol is energetic, bold, and fun to control—even when things get chaotic. As one reviewer states:
“Carol herself is the glue … her energy, full of sass … keeps it from ever feeling generic.”
Variety & Creativity: The game shifts pace regularly—one moment you’re platforming, the next you’re fighting hordes, then solving exploration puzzles. The weapon variety supports different playstyles.
Visuals & Style: Onirism’s dream-world aesthetic is memorable. The “cute” wrapper hides a deeper shooter underneath. The contrast works to its advantage. Game8 writes:
“Behind its cozy, colorful art style is a wild, unrelenting shooter that never runs out of new ideas.”
Replayability: With the different modes, gear unlocks, costumes (over 200 costumes according to store page), and discovering secrets, there’s much to come back for.
Where It Falls Short
Performance & Optimization Issues: Some players report frame-rate issues or instability, particularly on lower-end hardware or Steam Deck. For example:
“The FPS is always between 20-35 even on lowest graphics … seems mostly due to lack of advanced graphic settings and upscaling methods.”
This suggests some technical polish is still needed.
Chaos Can Hurt Clarity: Because Onirism leans into wild variety and sometimes overwhelming action, there are moments where the player may feel lost or bombarded with elements. One review notes:
“The sheer volume of content can sometimes feel overwhelming… the chaos can also become disorienting.”
Story & Depth: While the narrative setup is charming, some critics feel the story takes a backseat to gameplay and could be more substantial.
Comparative Positioning
In the realm of indie shooters, Onirism occupies a fun space: it shares DNA with colorful shooters like Ratchet & Clank (for its whimsy) and twin-stick/third-person chaotic shooters for its combat, but with its unique twist—a child protagonist, plushie-theft inciting incident, dream-world aesthetic, and co-op/arcade modes built in.
Compared with more serious or darker indie shooters, Onirism leans lighter in tone but still delivers meaningful mechanics and build depth. For players looking for something between casual and hardcore, it fills a niche.
Final Verdict
Onirism is a delightful, surprising gem in the indie space: it’s imaginative, varied, and fun, with real mechanical weight beneath its whimsical surface. Yes, it has some rough edges technically and some narrative areas that could deepen—but these don’t overshadow the joy it gives.
If you enjoy indie games that combine action, creativity, replay loops, and a strong personality, Onirism deserves a spot on your wishlist.
Who Should Play It?
- Players who enjoy third-person shooters with a quirky twist.
- Fans of indie games seeking both fun and depth in build/gear mechanics.
- Those who like local/online co-op and arcade modes in addition to story.
- Gamers who appreciate a vibrant aesthetic and don’t mind a little chaotic action.
Who Might Skip or Wait?
- Players seeking ultra-polished AAA level graphics or performance on low specs.
- Those wanting deeply emotional narratives or slow-paced exploration rather than action.
Onirism Review by Indie Games Tavern.
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