This Steam game started as an April Fools' prank - but it's real, players love it, and it's free until April 8

​Dreams of Aether is a newly released collection of fast-paced microgames developed by Lepioid LLC and published by Aether Studios. Launched on April 1, 2025, the game is available on Steam and is currently free to claim until April 2, after which it will be priced at $2.99. ​

In Dreams of Aether, players will have to guide Absa, the Storm Architect from Tempest Peak, who finds herself trapped in an eternal dream world filled with bizarre scenarios. The game features characters from the Aether universe, including Zetterburn and Orcane, and has a series of rapid microgames that challenge players to punch, flap, and swing their way through various situations.

The game has quickly drawn praise (sitting at 400+ "Very Positive" reviews) for its addictive gameplay and unexpected polish, given that it's presented as an April Fools' release. Some players also enjoy its visuals and original soundtrack crafted by flashygoodness, who has been covering music, design and programming for games since 2008. Many have pointed out the depth behind its seemingly simplistic facade.

The game is available exclusively for Windows PC and has a small footprint, suitable for a wide range of computer setups. Dreams of Aether may have been made as a joke, but it should be a good game to add to your Steam library while it's free.

Update: The game's status has changed from free to discounted as of 17:00 UTC (April 2, 2025). Please take a look at the screenshots below for more information.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.