LGR - Commander Keen Dreams - DOS PC Game Review

[@Joeyboots80]

Can't believe this was 12 years ago. I feel so old. Just bought Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition on Switch and I thought of this golden oldie. Thanks to Clint for providing quality retro PC gaming content for over a decade and I hope to see more stuff from him for decades to come. Cheers!

[@akumacornflakes]

On the packaging does "Virus Free" mean that it's free of viruses, or that it comes with a free virus? Please respond LGR, this is very important.

[@pcfverbeek]

I need to know!

[@Funlu]

Akumacornflakes if it came with a free virus it would say free virus.. but it says virus free

[@SeanVito]

Lmao

[@420sakura1]

Those were the days when viruses and spyeare were free. Now we have to PAY for them.

[@Ribulose15diphosphat]

Nowadays you have to pay for spyware like Windows 10.

[@Audiomancer]

For some reason, when I was in high school, this game was insanely popular among the student body, along with Street Rod. Someone managed to install the games on the school's network, so kids would be playing those games during school all the time:)

[@HotSoupYum]

This video didn't suck.

[@Eonymia]

I remember this one. A dos pc at a campground had this, Stunts, and Leisure suit larry (quality taste there) along with a ps1 with some NHL game and quake 2. It was a great time, and sometimes we were able to guess our way through the age check in Larry , but not being native english speakers, not to mention young, we had no idea how to play. We were able to get beer, and then get kiled in the alley (or something like that) but never much more than that.

[@RatelHBadger]

The first Keen game we played in school on our vintage ACORN computer units. I'd guess at 1993, maybe 1994 at a stretch. I remember sinking HOURS into this, Lemmings and this weird Pacman clone Ladybug/Ladybird.

[@christians.5629]

14 years... Video quality is retro 😅 still watching your new videos

[@unbridledenthusiasm]

I love Commander Keen and always liked this game. At the very least it should be appreciated for the moment in time it captures as a transitional Keen game. I thought the level design was very good and imaginative and the setting was great.

[@alltogethernow2738]

Classic Game, best memories of it are in grade 6 my friend installed it on the school computers!

[@MalekitGJ]

I don't know if this was referred but: KEEN DREAMS was a prototype for the Goodbye Galaxy, it was launched for free after KEEN 3 to test the reaction from gamers about the new graphics and engine. Obviously got high positive reviews on its time.

[@OleAlexanderBrunaes]

I think I remember reading that the game was fully developed in 1991 and was released in 1993 as a free shareware game, like several other Softdisk games, and that a registered version was released bundled with several registered Softdisk games, although the differences were 99% identical to each other. I don't know if that's true.

[@Dosgamert]

Yep, that's it. I'm gonna do a full playthrough of this one in HD 60fps.

[@archer7561]

I loved the shrug the two yous did. It's like "Dude, what are you doing in my dimension?!"

[@smiauu]

love these old raw LGR episodes

[@jkbGood92]

Sick Les Claypool shirt! Makes me love your videos even more

[@wiegraf37]

DOS platform games are always so different than, say... Super Mario Bros. I have some fond memories playing the original Duke Nukem and Halloween Harry, among others. And I just love that old school music!

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

That's because PCs are less specifically optimized for games. It took longer for PCs to be able to handle those games, but when they had the processing power and memory, the disk storage space was substantially greater. The largest NES cart had 768kb of memory, but for the PC, you could swap disks if need be and by the late '80s you could easily contain a game that size with room to spare.

[@cappantwan2978]

Is this the first appearance of the Clint Clones?

[@nfistfu]

I think the reason why this game is so odd is probably because it came out between the original commander keen engine and the one used in goodbye galaxy. They probably were experimenting with the engine at the time and made a game to see what people thought about it and what kinks they needed to iron out.

[@stockicide]

There must be a way to get more bombs (maybe by getting some and then dying to quit the level?) because I remember getting literally 100 once to take on the boss. It really felt like an epic final battle, too, since he was immune to regular weapons and seemed huge compared to the normal enemies. I always liked this game, and I never missed the pogo or the ledge-grabbing. It was a good challenge. Those crazed-looking veggies were really creepy to me at the time, though.

[@m230690]

The song at 4:16 is Andrea Bocelli, A Volte II Cuore

[@aragornthe5th]

Thanks; I was about to ask :)

[@TimDoherty]

This video is almost 10! Did you know a few years back a version of this was out on steam? By a company called hard disk instead of soft disk. Sadly it’s not for sale anymore. I heard rumours as to why. It was came out through green light on steam when that was a thing. Had steam achievements and a bunch of stuff fans asked for! Even could toggle on cga mode if you wanted

[@babitashuckin5831]

Wow this is ten years old. 2019 anyone?

[@coolbrotherf127]

I've always wondered why he grabs a Xbox 360 controller in his old episodes when he always did PC game reviews.

[@zOMGREI]

The 360 controller became the gold standard for the PC as well not too long after it came out, so it makes sense. They completely kicked the shit out of the trash tier controllers that other companies offered (Logitech in particular) for the PC at the time, and needed so much less fiddling around with thanks to all of the console ports with native 360 controller support.

[@stephanemignot100]

@@zOMGREI Even on mac! ^ You need a third party driver but these controllers are great and easy to fix...

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@zOMGREI For these games, the correct controller was the Gravice PC GamePad. It came out just after this style of game became reasonable on PCs. Before 1991, there weren't that many games that would even benefit from a gamepad. I remember lusting over it. But, since most PC games could handle Keyboard inputs without any issues and my computer needed Tandy compatible cards in order to add the port, I didn't get one.

[@dedclownsRfunny]

I loved this version for how friggin weird it was

[@cellcoremax1]

i enjoyed the review, this used to be one of my favourite games as a kid. the whole not being able to grab onto ledges, no pogo stick, no gun always seemed logical to me, because he's dreaming, and dreams can often make us inferior. for instance, he's powerless against his parents who are making him to eat the veggies he doesn't like, hence the no gun, pogo, etc. or maybe i'm reading too much into it.

[@unbridledenthusiasm]

The inability to grab onto ledges was a limitation of the engine, but I agree with you about the pogo stick and gun. This is a great between-series game.

[@LGR]

unbridledenthusiasm This uses the same engine as the "Galaxy" games, and those let you grab onto ledges! Granted, it's an earlier incarnation of it, but it was obviously possible :)

[@unbridledenthusiasm]

Sorry professor

[@seanmyster6]

That's basically how I feel about Keen Dreams, too: it's the weakest of the Keen series, but even the weakest Keen game is still a guaranteed good time! 😁👍 I even bought the Switch port of it. 😉

[@ZombieGamer009]

80% of your content is stuff I either have no interest in or couldn't possibly get, but your reviews are just so damn entertaining :D

[@richardestes6499]

I purchased this from the Nintendo eShop (Switch) because I had watched your other keen related content. Until now, I couldn't figure out what the hell I was playing, but your review explains a lot.

[@patrickbedruz6475]

I can't believe I finally found this game. It was the first game I ever played when i was 5 years old. I kept searching "skinny dreams" until I added "90s video game" then it popped up.

[@XyIv]

it's been a long time since I played this game! Forgot about it, enjoyed the video reminder.

[@Shortmandesigner]

Awesome review! Ya, I've played around a little bit with this one, and I agree, you really don't know how much you'll miss having stuff like background music, and something like grabbing onto ledges until you literally don't have it... O_o I literally tried multiple times just to grab onto a ledge the first time I played this. XD 7 Keen games including this one? Don't forget the awesome, but strictly "unofficial" , mods Ceilick made, and is making.

[@mwkmn]

Oddly enough this was the only Keen game I've ever had exposure to (back in the 90s that is), so to me the "normal" Keen games have that exact nasal abnormality effect.

[@timfaasse]

That second song actually fits the game quite well if you think about it , awesome video by the way.

[@bagull95]

Can you/have you done videos on the original Commander Keens?

[@SplitSides]

Song at 4:19 ? pls

[@LGR]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4exYapufaeNm6c

[@SuperBeautifulNoise]

Hey does anyone know what game the intro music is from? Thanks guys. :)

[@LGR]

It's not from any game, it's a chiptune titled Vaxeen 4U.

[@SuperBeautifulNoise]

Lazy Game Reviews Ah I did not expect a reply from you! Your reviews are great. Thank you for the info! :D

[@CrystalMcNair]

Oh thank you! This one has been bugging me for so long, because I knew I had it in my old chiptune collection and couldn't remember it's name.

[@sleaf6]

I still have K4 on my computer... went from 95, 98, 200, XP, Win7 (and yes, I have to emulate it now) Childhood memories with that game.

[@mymo82]

the Bocelli in the background is genius

[@jimandaubz]

This. Keen dreams was my first real experience pc gaming. And the first game I ever got the within a year of its release... Out of two games. 😅. This old video just made my nose itch. I used to believe it was some kind of alpha version of the keen games they just released as sharware to be a nerfed ad.

[@kristianbiltoft5329]

This was the first video game I every experienced in my life

[@jaxnean2663]

Just bought the Switch version, good thing I never played the better sequels of this game, that's my first ever Commander Keen game so I'll never feel I missing the better features of the more popular CK games. The Switch version does offer background music, it's not exactly 4:05! But it's ok!

[@OleMenn]

I heard they just released the source code for this. Probably a fascinating look-through for those interested in that kind of stuff.

[@steve122288]

best review ive ever seen in my life

[@sande6]

Interesting, i liked Commander Keen games too and played them all. But this was Always Commander Keen 7 to me, newer knew until know that it was actually made so early.

[@vol.2158]

Really need to hear this theme song in new videos again!

[@vollderdude]

great video! played that game years ago, but i can't remember the bomb-thing o_O

[@Helmutschmackr]

This was the first keen game I played. I loved it

[@BRANITOR]

Holy !!!! You were young man !!!

[@GreshKaal]

This is quite the bizarre game... I haven't a clue what to say about it, other than... Huh. Also, if I may ask, what was the song at 6:16?

[@SpencerLemay]

I think I have a small rock inside my nose, I was laying on the ground in a playground when my brother who threw rocks at me landed one at the perfect angle in my nose, I then tried to get it out put pushed it deeper in there. Doctor said nothing is their when he looked, but my right nostril doesn't have any airflow so 10 years later I think its still there.

[@vailingsiren4290]

Go to the doctor man that shits dangerous

[@nomalthenomal]

I just got to beat this game recently on a DOS emulator. It felt actually kind of fun despite enemies reacting way faster than you. It didn't feel so punishing to lose because i was just exploiting the save system. The Boobus bombs did not break the game for me even though i only realized that they were completely necessary to beat Boobus in the last third of the game

[@JonnyInfinite]

I had C.K. 4 on a 386 that had no music...but had sound effects. It may have been the absence of a sound card...I actually prefer it silent

[@todesziege]

If you only had PC Speaker it would only play sound effects. Or if you had a sound card, it might not have been setup for the game.

[@EnigmaHood]

This was my first and favorite Keen game. I still prefer it over Keen 4 and 6 even those were awesome as well.

[@ppsilocin]

Hey, what are these Adlib tracks called?

[@invghost]

Wolfenstien 3d, Duke Nukem 1 and eventually interstate 86 were my intros to gaming Oo

[@aleksandaratanasov9738]

Just found out the complete CK-pack (Keen Dreams is not included) is available on Steam. :) It's the first result after I googled "Buy Commander Keen".

[@OleAlexanderBrunaes]

It was the fourth Commander Keen game I've played. Previously I thought it was the third official CK game I've played because I thought Commander Keen 4 was a Commander Keen 6 mod. Commander Keen 1 was the first I've played.

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

There mustve been music in one version of this gme. Theres a "visit to id software" video going around, should be easy to find. T starts with Bobby Prince showing off music he made for this, and explaining his ideas with it. Maybe it didnt make the final cut due to time? Seems odd

[@Xeotroid]

There WAS supposed to be music in the game, but because the game was released on floppy disk only, there wasn't enough space for it. The vegetables song ("You've got to it your vegetables") was used in The Secret of the Oracle, however.

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

***** Aah interresting, thanks for clearing that up

[@NueThunderKing]

Curiously this game is in the Switch Eshop, if you wish a portable version of this for some reason

[@awelcruiz]

For some reason, this is the only Commander Keen game available on the Switch. Why?

[@DiabloArcade1]

Gotany other interesting finds/rares of the dos age? such as anything obscure, SkyRoads?

[@TheMentalRelapse]

If the kings name is Boobus, is the queens name Dickus....hmm...

[@flashinmahcash]

No, it's Titus.

[@mudkiptg]

Biggus Dickus is the family name

[@MiaJolie-yl7gv]

My youth

[@schinsky6833]

How do/did people play these dos platformers. With keyboard or did they use a joystick?

[@Superphilipp]

I and everybody I knew used the keyboard. Joysticks were for flight sims and so on.

[@TheJellyCorona]

Whats the song at 4:19?

[@Crimson_Aj]

This brings back good memorys

[@DeusSlayer]

Hey random question. I used to have a disc that was titled 5 star games or something to that effect and it had HUNDREDS of dos games on it. I remember I got it when I was like 5, but I have seemed to have misplaced it. I cant find it anywhere on ebay or anything. Do you remember anything like this? If so do you think you could lead me in some direction to where I could find it?

[@goodiesguy]

I liked this one, but my favorite was Commander Keen 4 I think (Goodbye Galaxy).

[@leomdk939]

Definitely the best one!

[@jstroja]

That's the best intro yet! LOL

[@redmage777]

I would like so you do the rest of the series, perhaps a video on the 1st Trilogy and then one on the 2nd...

[@Kj16V]

Hey, could someone tell me the name of the intro music to this video? I must make it my ringtone!

[@Kj16V]

Oh, and to any "funny" guys planning to say "Darude Sandstorm," my pimp hand is ready to give you a back-hander right across your smarmy chops.

[@B9zm3g]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d57XnGqbgs6bhqM

[@inoobtacular501]

What song was that in the intro?

[@jannevaatainen]

Why there is a music menu even though it doesn't have music? Also, Sound blaster option is greyed out, even though I have a Sound blaster installed, not Adlib. Easily the worst Keen game, very hard and frustrating, though still somewhat enjoyable.

[@bharatiyajan]

Was bio-menace was also made by id guys? number of things are similar to that of commander keen. bio-menace was published by Apogee

[@bharatiyajan]

got my answer. game engine is the same... as per wikipedia "It was built on a licensed version of id Software's Commander Keen game engine, and was known as Bio Hazard during production"

[@purplehatproduction1]

where is the music from 4:08 from?

[@Worthless6Part3TheSideAccount]

Comander Keen in Keen Dreams Came out in January 17 1990

[@LiluDallasMultipass]

Vintage LGR! I came here as someone said Keen Dreams > the Goodbye Galaxy series. That person was wrong... wow... how come this game looks worse despite being newer?!

[@leomdk939]

It's not newer. It was developed between Episode 3 and the Goodbye Galaxy series.

[@samvimes9510]

This was so inferior to all the other Keen titles, but I still loved this game.

[@rileyyyyh]

man. lgr has always been great

[@suchmeerkat]

this commander keen sounds very similar to one of the pajama sam games! the whole vegetable nightmare thing, but i bet this wasn't the first time this has been done in a game ahaha.

[@josiahhockenberry9846]

Nostalgia🤤 I love this game🤗

[@Roxor128]

Considering that it feels like one, it's not unreasonable to consider Keen Dreams to be the prototype for Keen 4-6. I can imagine ID making it as a way to test out their Keen 4 engine, then on realising they've got a nearly complete game, giving it to Softdisk to publish.

[@ElCandato]

intro song name ?

[@hobocamptheater]

what happened to that screenshot of doom? now it's just the doom logo. either that or I've gone crazy and I'm blending videos together.

[@kaiandark]

Anyone know the name of the track that starts at? 6:20

[@bubbahogg-buga4613]

wow, youre so young in this, LGR...what were you, 18..19?

[@lozenmczapor4771]

heh

[@FightingForceSoulless]

John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, John Romero, Tom Hall, when i see those names, i know that i must play the game, i did not know about Keen Dreams, it is a new game for me, so why not try and see what it is

[@AlexD0007]

lmao I have to ask, what was that music that you added to the video to make it more interesting? Sounded like male singing? Who was that and what's it called? :) It was awesome

[@SprocketWatchclock]

7 Keen games? I thought there were only 6. What's the extra game I'm missing? I have all the ones on Steam plus this one.

[@DiabloArcade1]

How do you HAVE THESE? the only commander keen related item on ebay is the manual for this game, and thats at 100 bucks.

[@smiauu]

oh and why theres no keen wetdreams?

[@Ribulose15diphosphat]

This Game is Open source Now. Some guys bought it from (bankrupt) Softdisk and released it on Gihub.

[@MegaTNT32]

Do you have a twin or something? I thought you just did editing magic for the scenes with 2 of you but i realized there way to real to be just editing!

[@LGR]

Nope, just editing!

[@MegaTNT32]

Wow. Much Editing. So Realism. To LGR. Wow.

[@RussellTeapot]

+MegaTNT32 it's not so hard to do this kind of things: all you need is a stable camera (mabe you can put that on a table, shelf, whatever) and enough distance between the two position that you want to occupy. Next, you take the left half from one shot and the right half frome the other shot. And that's it! The tricky part is to act like you are effectively interacting with the other "person", like meeting the other's eyesight or something on the line

[@AndyAKratz]

...Or put on some other Adlib music *Puts on adlib music from Duke Nukem II*

[@greaterreviews]

Keen Dreams updated to work on windows and linux natively! steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=315040793

[@Roxas4ever]

You do not even know how many brownie points you get from me just by saying that you love the Commander Keen series. Seriously LGR. I already loved you from your Sims videos, and now this?

[@Bam050196]

The First id Game I played was Commander Keen.

[@DaemonlordX]

Ah this game was a pain! It was shareware but you could finish it. I'm annoyed there is no legal way to obtain this game other than on Mobile or that I can't get Keen 6: Aliens Ate My Babysitter since it was released by Formgen. Only other way I know is the id software anthology which is rare, expensive and I already own most of their games.

[@ppsilocin]

Never mind, i figured out that it is from Duke Nukem 2. :)

[@ErinTurco21]

0:25 DOPEFISH LIVES!

[@greaterreviews]

This game is in Greenlight now! Please vote for it! steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=315040793