Cover of the game Dream Runners

Dream Runners

Ankama, Board Game Box, Brain Picnic · Board game · 2020
Ludopedia
— Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
6.9 BoardGameGeek
Players
2–4 · best 2, 4
Play Time
30–40 min
Weight
Weight 2.1/5
Year
Year 2020
Minimum age
Minimum age 8+
Buy · from US$ 41.33
— rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Dream Runners is a real-time puzzle game that delivers a frantic and highly entertaining experience. The system of assembling patterns under the pressure of an hourglass creates constant tension that keeps everyone engaged from start to finish. It is the perfect choice for those who enjoy fast, dynamic games that don't forgive planning mistakes. If you enjoy a good spatial challenge with a dreamlike theme, you will feel right at home.

Highlights
  • Exciting real-time mechanics
  • Fast and intuitive spatial puzzle
  • Simple setup and explanation
  • High replayability in rounds
Keep in mind
  • Can be stressful for some
  • Relies on manual dexterity
  • Little direct player interaction
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Ever felt like your dreams are getting a bit too weird? In Dream Runners, you are a dream traveler trying to organize the chaos of your mind while nightmares attempt to invade your sleep. The premise is simple, but the execution will get your heart racing: each round, a dream tile is revealed, and all players must assemble a pattern using their segmented tiles to match the symbols on the card. The goal? Banish nightmares, collect coins to purchase new segments, grab keys to open chests, and gather star fragments to secure victory points. The real kicker is that the game happens in real-time. As soon as the first player completes their pattern, an hourglass is flipped, and everyone else must scramble to finish theirs before time runs out! If you fail to cover the symbols on the dream tile, your serenity drops, costing you precious points at the end of the game. It is a frantic race where spatial organization and quick thinking are tested every single second. Over the course of eight rounds, you will have to balance the need to complete your pattern quickly with the urgency of grabbing the right items to upgrade your arsenal. Dream Runners is one of those games that blends the tension of a puzzle with the adrenaline of an action game, making it perfect for those who enjoy fast-paced sessions that require total focus. Don't let the whimsical theme fool you; the pressure of the hourglass turns any quiet table into a mental battlefield. Get ready to assemble your polyominoes, manage your serenity, and try not to wake up in the middle of a nightmare!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Components: Polyominoes Organizations: Forgenext Theme: Dreams / Nightmares
Publisher Ankama, Board Game Box, Brain Picnic, GaGa Games, Zacatrus
Designer Joan Dufour
Artist Jade Mosch

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

856owners
163wishlist
10want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How long is a game session?
The game is quite fast, lasting between 30 to 40 minutes, perfect as a filler or to kick off your game night.
Is it hard to learn the rules?
Not at all! With a weight of 2.13, it is very accessible and easy to teach to new players.
How many players can play?
It works great with 2 to 4 players, keeping the tension high regardless of the player count.
Is the game too chaotic?
Because it is real-time, there is a sense of controlled chaos, but the focus is more on your own puzzle than on sabotaging others.
Does it require manual dexterity?
Yes, since you need to assemble patterns with polyomino-style tiles quickly, a bit of agility definitely helps.
Is the dream theme well implemented?
Yes, the art and the 'serenity' mechanic tie in very well with the idea of exploring and organizing dreams.

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