CRITICAL REFLEX showcased a live demo of Dream and Ruin at Tokyo Game Show 2026. Developed by Ichthys, this Metroidvania game is set in a kingdom on the brink of destruction and a "collective dream." A demo is also available on Steam.
The kingdom maintains its form through a collective dream created by thousands of martyrs. Players take on the role of a nun who knows she is within a dream, making her a special existence known as a "Lucid Dreamer." She must quell the effects of the collective dream and investigate clues about the anomalies through conversations with other characters.
The game features detailed pixel art, using dark, cool tones to depict a heavy and deeply layered dreamscape. Architecture with strong religious motifs, mutated lifeforms, and fluid character animations come together to create this apocalyptic world.
The dreamscape is also populated by believers known as "Divers." They enter the collective dream to fulfill their missions, but under the influence of the anomalies, they gradually lose their sanity and attack others. Some Divers carry "Relics" bestowed by the "Sacred Words," allowing players to inherit their weapons and abilities to expand their exploration range.
Early in the demo, the protagonist can inherit the "Sublime Axe" from a "Hero Diver," and later acquire sliding and rope traversal abilities. These new abilities unlock previously inaccessible areas, encouraging players to revisit earlier routes. The "Star Guidance" sold by the "Narrator" can mark unexplored paths on the map.
In combat, the chain in the top-left corner of the screen represents the protagonist's health. Attacking enemies fills the "Blood Pool" gauge; pressing LT consumes the Blood Pool to restore health. Pressing RB just before an enemy attack lands parries it, briefly staggering the opponent. However, the parry timing in the demo is quite strict, and the controls for some actions, such as jumping, still feel like they need adjustment.
While there are no obvious route markers in each area, the level design guides players toward their next destination. Locations called "Sanctuaries" allow you to save and fully restore health, with their bright, serene scenery contrasting sharply against the gloomy, chaotic dreamscape. On the other hand, missing key information in conversations can leave you without clues later on, potentially hindering your progress and affecting the pace of exploration.
Conversations with Divers and scattered notes gradually reveal mysteries surrounding the "Sacred Words," the origin of the collective dream, and the protagonist's mission. The release date for Dream and Ruin has not yet been announced, but the Steam demo is currently available.