Melatonin is a rhythm game for Nintendo Switch. That simplistic explanation goes against the nature of this game that our daily life affects our dreams and sleep. But does this abstract concept work? Thankfully melatonin hits all the right beats.
Have you ever stayed up late watching TV or playing a game to get hooked on the exact same content that you sleep in? Melatonin takes that concept and does it. The main character is a nameless person who falls asleep on his couch every night. We enter this person’s dream and run around the cloud-based realm to see what is in their subconscious.
The game is split into four nights, each starting with a short living room scene. Our main character eats, watches TV, and meditates before going to sleep. From here you enter the land of dreams. Each night he consists of four dreams, and he needs eight stars to progress to the next night.
The concept relates to everything from work and stress to dating and social media. Shopping, food, the past, and the future are other topics that occupy your mind at night. Each of these creative ideas serves as a level. In one, you have to swipe your credit card to the beat of items appearing on the shelves. Another game involves climbing ladders to escape rising lava, or jumping left or right when another ladder appears. Of course, it’s all done to music. You can also catch food in his mouth, use his claw machine, and shoot aliens. These elements are reminiscent of other genres, from platformers to shooters, but it’s all about hitting the beat.
Gameplay usually involves tapping or holding down buttons at the right time. Some levels require only one button, while others require alternating three buttons. Beats are distinguished by specific sounds, such as noises that indicate left or right. There are also subtle visual cues to assist, such as the size of the picture being burned or the meter filling up before the rocket launches.
This gameplay mechanic can be difficult, especially at first. That’s why we have a practice mode. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can try out the level scoring mode. A handy meter shows your progress as you earn up to 3 stars per level. There’s also an unlockable hard mode for those who need an added challenge or a reason to revisit a title once completed.
Music is an important part of any rhythm game and Melatonin’s songs are great. In fact, the soundtrack is available on Spotify. Each track is perfect for what it does and helps you find the right groove. The visuals are equally beautiful, using soft pastel colors that create a relaxing experience designed to emulate the land of sleep.
Melatonin offers many accessibility features for all players. If you’re struggling with a level, you can adjust your visual or auditory cues to help. You can also change settings to make scoring easier, so you don’t get penalized for hitting the beat too early or too late. There’s still room for error, but it’s just a little less difficult. All of this is built into an interface thought out with the player in mind.
Overall, Melatonin is a dreamlike rhythm game, hitting all the right notes. It’s engaging yet relaxing, with an addictive quality that leaves you wanting more.
