OK LEMME TALK ABOUT EVERY DAY THE SAME DREAM.
My history of game design teacher had us play through this game for ten minutes one class, and then played it on the projector.
At first no one seemed to really get it, it just seemed like a daily life simulator with catchy music (the music carries the game beautifully, don’t play it on mute if you can help it).
Then some of the other students began murmuring and questioning the point of the game after a few play throughs.
Yes, there are different ways to end the day, but the game has only one true ending, which is reached after ending the day every way possible.
Don’t judge the game by the minimalist graphics and simple gameplay mechanics. Every Day the Same Dream is a brilliantly crafted and for some a highly therapeutic experience.
Things you do one day can and often will affect the following days, (your wife leaves you, the homeless man vanishes, you lose your job, etc.) Until you’re left with only one final option, which I won’t spoil.
To paraphrase my professor, this game makes you look for a deeper meaning, not just in the game but also in yourself. It takes you to a place within yourself you need to be to understand yourself and how you interact with the real world.
Play it all the way through and see for yourself.