Dreams are messy. They don’t follow a linear path, and neither does Desta: The Memories Between. If you’ve spent any time looking for a game that feels more like a therapy session than a high-score chase, you’ve probably stumbled across this title from ustwo games. They’re the same folks who gave us Monument Valley, so the vibes were always going to be immaculate. But Desta is a different beast entirely. It’s a tactical roguelike that uses dodgeball—yes, dodgeball—as a metaphor for social anxiety and unresolved trauma.
Honestly, it’s a weird pitch on paper.
You play as Desta, a young person returning home after the death of their father. Everything is awkward. Friendships have lapsed. Words were left unsaid. Every night, Desta falls asleep and enters a dreamscape where these interpersonal conflicts manifest as turn-based sports matches. It’s clever. It’s also deeply uncomfortable if you’ve ever avoided a phone call because you didn't know how to apologize for being distant.
The Mechanics of Regret in Desta: The Memories Between
The gameplay loop in Desta: The Memories Between revolves around throwing glowing orbs at "opponents" who represent people from Desta’s past. You get two actions per turn. You can move, throw, or use a special ability. If you’ve played XCOM or Mario + Rabbids, the grid-based movement will feel familiar, but the physics-based throwing adds a layer of unpredictability.
The ball bounces. It ricochets off walls. It can be caught if you’re positioned correctly.
Because it’s a roguelike, failure means waking up. You lose your temporary power-ups (called Memories) and have to start the cycle over, though you do keep some permanent progression. This mirrors the real-life experience of ruminating on a conversation. You play it back in your head, thinking of what you should have said, failing, and then trying again the next night with a bit more insight.
The difficulty curve is gentle but firm. It’s not trying to "get you" like Hades or Dead Cells. Instead, the challenge comes from managing the positioning of your teammates—projections of people Desta cares about—to create combos.
Why the Dodgeball Metaphor Actually Works
We often talk about "tossing ideas around" or "dropping the ball" in relationships. Ustwo games took that literally. In Desta: The Memories Between, the ball is the conversation. Throwing it is an act of reaching out. Sometimes you hit the mark, and sometimes you get "hit" by a harsh truth coming back at you.
The dialogue happens mid-match. It’s not just flavor text. As you pelt your old high school friend with a glowing sphere, Desta is actively trying to work through why they stopped texting back. It sounds silly, but it captures that specific brand of millennial and Gen Z angst—the fear of confrontation mixed with the desperate need for closure.
The voice acting deserves a shoutout here. It’s understated. No one is screaming about saving the world. They’re just talking about how much it hurt when Desta moved away without saying goodbye.
Technical Performance and Where to Play
Originally, this was a big "get" for Netflix Games. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can play it on mobile without ads or in-app purchases. It’s also on PC and Switch now.
If you're playing on the Switch, the tactile feel of the Joy-Cons makes the aiming feel a bit more intentional than the touch-screen swipes on a phone. That said, the "Dream Team Edition" on PC and consoles is the definitive way to experience it. It includes all the post-launch updates and a few extra characters that flesh out the narrative.
Performance-wise, it’s light. You don’t need a 4090 to run this. The art style is low-poly but high-style, using a pastel palette that makes the dream world feel soft and slightly hazy, exactly like a memory you can't quite sharpen.
Dealing with the Roguelike Grind
Some players find the repetitive nature of Desta: The Memories Between a bit grating. That’s a fair critique. Roguelikes live or die by their variety. While the story beats are excellent, the actual "combat" encounters can start to feel similar after a few hours.
To keep it fresh, you have to lean into the "Memories" system. These are perks you equip at the start of a run. Some allow you to swap places with a ball, while others give you an extra action if you land a trick shot. If you play it conservatively, just walking up and throwing, you’ll get bored. The fun is in the physics. Go for the bank shots. Aim for the environmental hazards.
Real-World Themes and Mental Health Representation
Ustwo didn't just stumble into a story about grief. They consulted with experts to ensure the depiction of Desta’s journey felt authentic. The game touches on:
- Gender Identity: Desta is non-binary, and the game handles this with a refreshing lack of fanfare. It’s just who they are.
- Grief and Loss: The overarching shadow of the deceased father influences every interaction.
- Social Anxiety: The "enemies" aren't villains; they're just people Desta is afraid to talk to.
This isn't a game where you "defeat" your friends. You resolve the memory. Once a match ends, the tone shifts from competitive to reconciliatory. It’s a powerful subversion of the "boss fight" trope.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you’re about to dive into Desta’s subconscious, don’t treat it like a standard tactical shooter.
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First, focus on the "Catch" mechanic. Ending a turn in a position where you can catch a return throw is more important than landing a hit. It preserves your "health" (willpower) and gives you immediate ammunition for the next turn.
Second, don't skip the dialogue. It’s tempting to mash buttons to get back to the action, but the story is the actual reward here. The upgrades you unlock are tied to your understanding of the characters.
Third, experiment with the "Dream Team." You can bring different companions into the dream. Each has a unique ability. If you’re struggling with a specific level, it’s usually because your team composition lacks synergy. Try pairing a long-range "Striker" with someone who can buff your movement.
Finally, play with headphones. The soundtrack by Sylvan Esso is ethereal and grounding at the same time. It’s a huge part of the atmosphere that makes the repetitive loops feel more like a meditative practice than a chore.
Desta: The Memories Between isn't a game for everyone. If you want high-octane action and complex skill trees, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want a game that understands what it’s like to be young, lonely, and slightly overwhelmed by the weight of your own history, it’s a journey worth taking. It reminds us that while we can’t change the past, we can definitely change how we remember it.