PAX West - Memoria Wake sends us into a dream world to fight monsters

Have you ever dreamed a dream so real that you remember it? Have you ever thought about what your dreams may be telling you? Dreams are both mysterious and important. Scientifically, it's a process in which the brain processes and stores information. Mysteriously, it's a phenomenon that still has many more questions than answers. 

Memoria Wake won't solve the mysteries of dreams, but it will get you thinking about them. This souls-like action game features a young cat that stumbles upon a dream world filled with strange mysteries and nightmarish dangers. 

Humble beginnings

My time with Memoria Wake introduced me to the fundamentals of combat and navigation. Some parts weren't featured yet, but the core principles of the game were made available. I picked up a weapon that wasn't a sword but a folded umbrella. Navigating through the forest brought me to a landscape that resembled a play area, like a barren landscape of unconstructed tertriminos. Bridges fell as I navigated across, forcing me to run.

Enemies appeared, and the combat was demonstrated. There is no stamina bar, but each strike felt like it had left and weight. However, the action can be described as quick and parry focuses. Small bugs appeared, which weren't too much of a problem. Suddenly, Jack-in-the-Boxes began to appear. These fiendish enemies required a good party to vanquish. The party system felt precise and right. 

Fighting nightmares

One nice attribute was the ability to heal at any time. Beneath the health bar is a blue bar from dream energy. Holding a button sacrifices some dream energy to heal.  This allows quick heals in a pinch. To refill the dream bar, players fight other enemies. 

Navigating through the demo, I came across a teddy bear with an unsewn leg. He needed to be healed and pointed me in the right direction. Following his words, I walked across a small pond area, making quick haste. Frogs begin shooting projectiles at me to dissuade me from going further. Fortunately, I found another weapon.  

A splash of excitement

A water gun provided the necessary tool to fight and take on the frogs. This used dream energy but was precise and effective. Crossing the pond, I made my way to a cave. I was ambushed by a giant monkey with clashing cymbals. These larger enemies were tough, but fortunately, precisely timed parries helped weaken and subsequently eliminate the enemy. 

I arrived at my destination and discerned a fiendish-looking car. This was the boss fight. The cat appeared as if it were made of yarn. Dodging attacks and making parties, I precisely but aggressively engaged the fiendish cat. After a few minutes of time, I successfully defeated the cat and retrieved the needle. Making my way back to the bear, he was stitched up, and the demo came to an end. 

Memoria Wake

“We wanted to make an introspective game about memory, depression, and reconciliation,” the developer told me as I wrapped up the demo. "We have the right combat, and that is going to be the big draw in marketing.” When asked about a release window, he could not divulge. 

Memoria Wake left a strong impression on me. I really appreciate the heart on-screen and the earnest effort to tell a story that may be difficult to translate. Here, it feels like those themes are going to ring true and leave an unforgettable adventure. 

Memoria Wake can be wishlisted now on Steam. As of this writing, the demo is still available to download on Steam.