Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is a third-person adventure game released in mid-April 2006. The game was developed by the Norwegian company Funcom. Dreamfall: The Longest Journey shares a common game universe with the project The Longest Journey, which was released in 1999. Despite numerous references to the past game, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is not a direct sequel to the long-standing project.
The action of Dreamfall: The Longest Journey takes place in two worlds – Stark and Arcadia. These are parallel worlds that follow different paths of development. Progress and technology are paramount in the Stark world, while magic and harmony are central in Arcadia. According to the game's plot, the main heroine named Zoë Castillo investigates the disappearance of a close friend. The searches and accompanying events lead her to Arcadia. The second key character is the leader of the rebels named April Ryan, who, along with her small army, fights against the invader of the northern territories of Arcadia – the Azadi Empire. The last character is Kian Alvane, a warrior and experienced assassin sent by the leadership to eliminate the warrior April. Throughout Dreamfall: The Longest Journey, the three heroes gradually change their perspectives, after which fate intertwines their paths.
In Dreamfall: The Longest Journey, players can solve various puzzles, participate in battles, and even impersonate proper spies, sneaking out of sight of enemies. This is an adventure with elements of action and stealth. Overall, the game's progression is linear, and the ending of Dreamfall: The Longest Journey will be the same regardless. Nevertheless, many puzzles and obstacles encountered during gameplay can be resolved in various ways.
A distinct feature of Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is that players will have to play not only as Zoë Castillo but also as two other characters – April Ryan and Kian Alvane. As the plot develops, players will control one or another hero, which significantly diversifies the gameplay as a whole.
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is an incredibly beautiful game, resembling an interactive film. The relationships between the characters and well-crafted dialogues help players immerse themselves in the world of Dreamfall: The Longest Journey and embody the roles of its main characters. The artistically recreated world and the rich backstory, dating back to the original The Longest Journey, further motivate for a complete immersion in the game.