PC Game Review: "Soldiers Are Dreamers"

Recently a good friend of mine introduced me to Peter Willington, the Host/Owner of 'InRetroSpectPodcast'. He asked me about reviewing a point, and click PC game he had created. Initially I was going to pass it up, but I figured I would give it a try. I'm usually not into PC games, but given it was a special request from a friend I decided to go along with it.


Peter's project took five months to complete. He had no prior experience in game development, and was designing the game as an experimental games criticism piece. In the five months he spent on the project he wrote the script, and worked on the various details of the game. He also focused on exploring the theme of war, and conflict in relation to games (Medal of Honor 2010). His aim was to create a game based on that theme. He mentioned to me that he had acquired the voice talent of the princess from the 'Castle Crashers' game. He also said that the inspiration of his game comes from a poem by Siegfried Sassoon. After I finished reading his message to me I set out to see how he did ...


The story of 'Soldiers Are Dreamers' is presented in a haunting manner with antiqued visuals, and audio clips of voices/music that seem to echo for eternity. As I clicked my way through the objects that were placed inside, and on the desk the mood was somber. It felt like I was viewing the last moments of someone's dreams, and hopes. The person's/soldier's laptop was left open with a message that was in the process of being completed. Two framed pictures sat at each end of the desk. An eerie message played from both of them, reverberating throughout the virtual space where the person/soldier once was. Also amongst the items were a pair of headphones playing a song that only saddened the atmosphere even more. The experience only lasted a couple of minutes, but it's haunting theme stuck with me.

Peter did an amazing job for his first attempt at game development. The point, and click adventure was flawless in nature. The voice clip alterations that he made were brilliantly haunting, and accented the theme to his game very well. I was quite impressed with his choice of the female voice actor from Castle Crashers. For a simple point, and click adventure this game gave me a lot to ponder. It's the type of game that will inspire thought provoking imagination. I give a thumbs up to Peter W. for taking on this task, and delivering it in an inspiring manner.

Credits For Soldiers Are Dreamers

Peter Willington - All Production, Game Design, Script Writing, Visuals and SFX

Female VO - Rina-chan http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/

Male VO - Kyle Richardson http://twitter.com/ManaCrevice

Title Music, "Plane' by Andy Kelly http://soundcloud.com/ultrabrilliant

Headphones Music, "Feathers" by Billy Vincent http://www.billyvincent.co.uk/

If you want to download Peter's game just visit this link. The game is free to the public:

Soldiers Are Dreamers