After winter MOD support and the Lost Realm challenge, spring's major BD overhaul, and summer content expansion, "Shape of Dream," the "MOBA Roguelike" created by the Korean indie team Lizard Smoothie, has fulfilled its initial update promises with three major version updates since its release last September.
This month, this indie game, which has sold over a million copies and accumulated 388 years of player playtime, officially celebrates its first anniversary.
On this special day, Lizard Smoothie brings a major update to "Shape of Dream"—the new "Star Path" system, the true hidden ending, the new ranged hero Cetus, along with new costumes and memories. In terms of content density, it rivals any previous update.
Meanwhile, the console version of "Shape of Dream" has finally arrived, launching simultaneously on Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2. "Shape of Dream" is officially moving from PC exclusivity to a full multi-platform release.
Furthermore, accompanying the console release and new content, a discount event for "Shape of Dream" starts today. The Steam version is 30% off, plus day-one inclusion in Xbox Game Pass and a 20% discount on all three console versions. Regardless of the platform, the barrier to entry is now at its lowest.
Console Players Officially Join, Cross-Platform Play Connects All PlatformsConsole Players Officially Join, Cross-Platform Play Connects All Platforms
With the console release, travelers are likely concerned about cross-platform play. Lizard Smoothie has certainly considered this, and "Shape of Dream" now supports cross-platform multiplayer.
Regardless of the platform, you can team up in real-time with up to 4 players. You can step into the rapids on your PC, and friends can join directly from their Switch 2 on the subway, with no platform restrictions.
You might be asking, what else is included in this major first-anniversary update?
Embark on the Star Path, Understand Them in the Rapids
The centerpiece of the first-anniversary update is the brand-new "Star Path" system.
This system essentially completes the background stories of "Shape of Dream" heroes. As travelers increase their hero proficiency, they can light up stars containing the heroes' backstories on the "Star Path."
Previously, we could only learn about the heroes through small tips displayed during black screens in cutscenes.
Now, through the Star Path, we can gain a deeper understanding of Mist, who flickers through the battlefield, and the obsession he carries to save his sister. We can also learn about the slight softness buried beneath the fury of the Vesper Colossus, symbolizing the cult that burns Everythinggj.
In addition to text as detailed as biographies, Lizard Smoothie has included numerous illustrations matching the artistic style of "Shape of Dream" as visual supplements.
Besides allowing travelers to learn the stories of heroes struggling within dreams and adventuring alongside them in the rapids, unlocking nodes on the Star Path grants exclusive hero souvenir rewards. At the end of the path, a new secret regarding the dreams lies hidden.
No Star Path, A New End to the Dream
At the end of the Star Path lies not only the truth about the heroes' backgrounds but also a hidden route leading deeper into the dreams.
When travelers fully light up the Star Path for any hero, new interactions will unlock in the rapids. Following the clues step by step, you will uncover a brand-new hidden storyline.
A brand-new Boss challenge awaits travelers at the journey's end. The mysteries within are for you to explore. Trust me, when you reach the ending, you'll definitely slap your thigh in excitement.
It reveals the truth behind how the final boss, Primus, constructs dreams, and uncovers the secrets of the Guiding Altar and the merchant Jonas. In short, after experiencing these adventures, your "Spirit Vision" will improve, and things in the rapids that you once took for granted may appear completely different.
How exactly to trigger it and what you will experience along the way is left for travelers to discover themselves.
However, it can be said that this endgame design, which features a "gradual unlock of the ultimate boss" spanning from prerequisites to the final battle and weaving through the storyline, showcases a rare triple coupling of narrative integration, in-run resource management, and high-pressure combat within the roguelike genre.
New Character, New System, New Costumes: The Dream Never Stops
In addition to the new narrative-focused content mentioned above, this update adds Cetus, a new ranged character to "Shape of Dream," filling the long-missing role of ranged control/support in co-op play.
Old characters haven't been neglected either. For example, Hollow Shell received Tier 2 skill expansions and +3 exclusive Memories, further strengthening its capabilities.
Top: After update. Bottom: Before update.
There are also 3 new regular Memories and 1 exclusive Memory for the Hunger Boss, continuously expanding the build depth of "Shape of Dream."
In terms of combat, all Hero-tier Bosses have received substantial enhancements. They now have two attack modes, randomly selecting one set of mechanics during battle.
Players who previously memorized boss moves by heart and could clear the game using muscle memory may need to readjust this time.
Visually, each character has new exclusive costumes, and with limited-edition appearance rewards from Memory Fragments, outfit options are more abundant.
It can be said that this first-anniversary update is truly massive.
One Year: From Two People's Dream to Millions in the Rapids
Looking back, starting from a small team of four Korean university students, "Shape of Dream" achieved million-plus sales, full platform coverage, and uninterrupted major version updates within a year.
Lizard Smoothie previously stated that most content in their roadmap comes from genuine player feedback on Discord and Steam. Judging by this update, they haven't forgotten their original intent. Richer combat interactions, narrative depth, and even gameplay are their love letter to players.
It is predictable that this dream world will become even richer in the future.
Travelers, the North Star awaits at the end of the dream. This time, will you accept fate and walk towards the pure white, or embark on the Starless Path? Only you know the answer.
Currently, discounts are active across all platforms. It's the perfect time to step into the rapids.