CHAT TO PLAY

Hi everyone :D  

Have you ever played video games while chatting with friends?  Well, how about playing a video game that depended on chatting?  Here's what one might look like, lol.  

Also to note, this one is pretty long (and long-winded XD), I hope everything makes sense.  Enjoy! 

 

*Old Dream - May 15 2016

*** 

My sister signed up for an online chatting service.  It was for people to meet each other either as friends or for starting relationships.  There was a catch though, it was a gaming chatting service where chatting helped to unlock game/boss areas, or make them easier by getting rid of obstacles.  I didn't know about that until after I did a bit of chatting myself.

There was a time when my sister left her computer on but had left the room for a very long time without telling the guy she was chatting with so when he was messaging asking where she was I decided to message back so he didn't have to keep wondering and waiting.  I told the guy my sister was busy at the moment and will come back later.  The guy said thanks and asked if I wanted to chat sometime.  I said okay since I figured it might be a good way to snoop on the guy for my sister, lol.  

The chat service was interesting in another way because all the chats were public so you could look at conversations as they going on and then request to be part of the chat if you wanted to.  Though most members knew to stay away from chats between two people, as a courtesy.  The site was pretty overwhelming seeing all the convos going on but then when I started the chat with the guy, it was okay.  I could ignore everything else.  

We started with chats about the usual topics like name, and location.  His name was Tim.  When I asked where he lived he showed me a world map with the city highlighted.  It was a place southwest of Toronto.  It was cool to find out he lived nearby.  

Then we got to chatting about other things like why he was using the service.  He said he was just trying to meet people, find new friends, play the game.  That's when I found out this was a game-chat type thing.  He said the more you converse with someone, the easier the game levels become.  You can go in yourself, but you'd pretty much get killed all the time.  As well, the game always restarted at the last level that was beaten by the "host" player.  So pretty much he wanted to chat some to weaken the stage and then start the game (chat continues, of course, lol)

After chatting for a few days he asked if I wanted to try the game and I agreed.  The game was quite pixelated and it was a dungeon-type stage with stone walls and floor. And there was a dragon monster in the center of the stage.  It was kind of hectic with stones falling around us and the stage shaking since we didn't chat too much to rid of those obstacles but it was fun.  We were each controlling a knight that could jump and fight with a sword.  We died in the end, but as a first time it was a decent run, and we had a good laugh.  We got squashed by falling stones, lol.  

Then I told him I had to go, and he ended the session with a custom pixel animation of a "vampire-like" figure coming and bowing with a cape in front of his face and then disappearing into floating pink petals.  I thought it was really cool :D  

The next day he told me an event was going to take place the following day where chatters could go and play the game in real life.  I was like, "really?"  (He was serious.  I was wondering why he didn't ask my sister, and I was feeling weird since I was married, but it seemed like a unique opportunity).  I told my sister so she could come along too if she wanted.  

There were many people at the event area, we decided to meet at a nearby restaurant.  I thought it was gonna be weird meeting in person, but it wasn't.  He was a bit taller than me, a little plump and round, with short brown hair.  We shook hands and introduced ourselves; his name was Tim (as mentioned previously). Then we starting getting ready for the game.  The event was for "couples", so only sets of two could register.  It didn't mean you had to really be in a relationship with your partner.  

The objective of the event was to get the most points by the end of the stages. All participants were fitted with fighting gear (padded armour, gloves, helmet, and a sword).  About 4 couples were sent in at once.  

The same monster we fought while on the computer was on the first stage, so I was hacking at it and things were all good until my partner got killed by a team mate :O  I went to him and was crying because I couldn't understand it.  Then the guy who killed him came back and killed me saying they don't care who they have to kill, they just wanted to win :(

So me and Tim were lying on the floor dying, and the dream faded out for a moment, then faded back showing a victory party happening for the winning couples being catered to by the losing couples.  I didn't know of this condition :| 

As the night winded down and people start leaving, Tim told me there's a special training booth where we can preview all the game monsters.  He was angry at those jerks for killing him off, so he asked if I wanted to train for the next time so we can kick those jerks' butts, and I said "of course!" XD.  He said even though it was such a rough start, he still had lots of fun and was happy to meet me.  I said it was nice meeting him too :)

Then the scene fades for a moment and I "wake up" seeing my sister chatting at the computer...?  I was confused.  I asked her if she had ever left the computer so long I had to reply for her and she said no, she never leaves for more than a few minutes while chatting.  Then I asked her what day she started chatting.  She said Monday.  It was currently Thursday night.  

So after piecing it together, it seemed I was "chatting" with the guy only in my dreams since Monday (if that makes any sense).  It all felt so real :|   But I was relieved because then it meant I didn't steal my sister's potential boyfriend, nor did I "cheat" on my husband.  Not that we kissed or anything anyway, it was just a friendly meeting.  But you know how it would look, lol.  

Then I woke up for real. 

***

If you managed to get through that, thank you!  I think a game-type chatting service would be really fun and neat.  I was really blown away by the "vampire" outro from the guy, and to this day still remember how it went.  I wish I could have recorded it, but 'tis the dreaming life, lol.

What do you guys think?  Would you want to meet new people by using such a chatting service?   

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

Hi everyone, this dream is written as two parts since I don't remember how I got from one to the other.  It's also quite weird in my opinion, but I feel there is much to get from it, lol.  

 

*Old Dream - April 9 2016

*** 

First part:

Me and my sister went to the same school and shared a locker, but one day when I was looking for a specific blanket in there I couldn't find it.  Then my mom pops up and says she moved it back home because the blanket wasn't good enough.  The blanket was good enough to me though because it was fluffy and warm. I kept telling her to bring it back and she said no.  She brought me a new blanket but I didn't like it and was yelling for my old blanket.  Finally she said I could take it back if I could find it again in the house.  

 

Second part:

I was in school and was listening to a guest speaker in a large room with many other people attending as well.  There were some kids beside me and when the lecture was over the kids were still there because their parents didn't come to pick them up yet.  I told them I'd wait with them.  There was also one other guy who seemed to be sleeping in a chair, maybe he got bored, lol.

Eventually the kids' parents came and I was free to go but I was stopped by the speaker because he saw what I did and was hoping I'd be willing to help out with a presentation session for learning valuable skills the next day.  I agreed, though on second thought, maybe I shouldn't have.

I was in charge of setting up a mushroom-themed kitchen.  I needed a fridge from the speaker's place as well as set up a sink with shiitake mushrooms for faucet handles, and an oven that was mushroom-shaped.  I also needed mushrooms for decorations :O 

I was in the middle of looking up how to complete the mushroom setup when a woman burst through the lecture room doors saying she needed help from the speaker.  The speaker followed the woman as she ran across the school yard then suddenly she sped off behind a wall and pulled out a gun. 

When the speaker caught up to her, he though she was gonna was going to hurt someone so he quickly wrestled with her for the gun which she thankfully dropped and then she started to explain herself.  

Years ago when the speaker attended a lecture, there was a scholarship giveaway and he was the one who got the winning slip, but since he didn't need it he gave it to one of his students that happened to be the daughter of the woman.  As she was attending the lecture too, she saw that her daughter accepted the scholarship meaning she was gonna go to this school and the mother did not like that one bit and so she came out for crazy revenge.

***

 

I must say, I have no idea what this dream was trying to tell me, if there was any deeper meaning to this, lol.  The only common connection to both parts is it was dealing with mothers trying to get what they want versus what their children want.  But can that really be all?  Seems like a convoluted way to send a message, no? lol.  And what were all the mushrooms for? XD  

Thank you as always for reading, I hope you enjoyed!

AURAS

Hi everyone :D  This was kind of a strange dream, but intriguing enough to jot down.  Hope you enjoy it!  

 

*Old Dream - March 28 2016

*** 

I could see people's "energy/aura" on the floor where they stepped (like glowing underneath the feet).  Not everyone had an aura, just some. 

The first one I saw was a very dark red/black aura - kind of like a big pool of blood

Then I saw a light blue glimmery blue aura - sort of like water 

I had an aura too, and mine was light purple.  Kind of the same glimmeriness as the blue, but it's purple.  Most people who had auras had the light purple.  

The place where I saw these auras was a big wind tunnel where someone was trying to hang glide for the equivalent of 500m (staying in the air for a certain amount of time).  It was going well, but then someone thought things were getting dangerous and shut off the wind power.  That's when I first saw the red/black colour flood the floor.  I think it was just a vision because when I walked on the floor, the colour was gone and I started seeing other auras.

Then eventually there was mud on the floor which covered up the aura colours, and that's when I left the tunnel to search for the person who had the light blue aura.

*** 

The most crazy thing after re-reading this after all these years is that me and my husband got our aura's photographed recently (in 2025), and they matched the colours in my dream.  Both for me and my husband :O  Is this just coincidence or something else?  

We had already been married by the time I had my dream, so that's not the coincidence, but maybe that when things go awry, the best person for me to go to would be my husband?  

What do you guys think?   

INSPIRATION

Hi everyone :D  Have you ever had an artist's block?  (or other kind of block in creativity?)  I have, and I can only imagine this dream was trying to help me out of it.  I wonder if you'd feel the same?

 

*Old Dream - February 20, 2016

*** 

I was in an art school where a famous artist was visiting to teach about ideas and how they can be inspired (or something like that)

The artist's name was Amelia.  She focused on water colour art, but she worked with paints that changed to clear when wet with water but becomes visible when dry.  

She had a painting up on the wall and then she wet it using a watering can to reveal a message that was written underneath.  I don't remember what it said exactly, but it was along the lines of:

"Inspiration can come from anywhere, ideas are your own creation"

Pretty much saying that art is so much more than what others thinks looks good, and that art can be an expression of anything we are interested in.

There was a group of booklets on the table that Amelia had put together over the years as an artist, and from those she recommended three to me.  These booklets were sort of like a collection of ideas, but each one had different art styles and content or notes.  When I picked up one that was not being recommended she said "not that one", I wondered what was inside....

I also had an assignment due for class which I didn't finish.  It was to use water colours to express myself without thinking too much about the content.  Pretty much, challenging me to let my insecurities go and paint from what I felt was right for me.

*** 

 

I've been in and out when it comes to creating art, but one thing's for sure; when I haven't been creative for a long time, I miss it a lot.  Thankfully my mind is always coming up with new ideas and I really want to get them out, but I don't know how :|  

I'm hoping that one day I'll realize at least a few of my big ideas (writing a book, making a movie, writing a song).  Do any of you have ideas you want to put out into the world too and are stuck like me?  

SING IT FOR YOU

Hi everyone :D  Have you ever had to fill a role you didn't think you'd be the right fit for?  Well, that's exactly what happened here, but thankfully the outcome was better than expected, lol.  Enjoy!

 

*Old Dream - December 22, 2015

*** 

I was part of a group of travelling performers.  There were different roles and everyone got a chance to change roles if desired or needed.  

For example there were singers, and instrumentalists (mostly drummers, but there were also people who just had sticks and hit whatever was around the environment, like stage equipment, flooring, etc.), and even if you sang at one event, you would be able to play an instrument at the next event and then someone else would sing.

I was usually an instrumentalist, but I had to sing in front of a large crowd of people because the one who was supposed to couldn't so I decided to help out for the next couple of events.     

Interestingly I wasn't really scared.  I was definitely a little hesitant at first but after seeing how excited the crowd was got me all fired up, lol.  

The first time singing was really awesome; the words just came out.  I didn't feel any fear after the first few lines, and the instrumentalists were great!  We worked well together even when we were improvising.

The second time singing was still good, but the head drummer went on too long when leading the crowd on drum rolls (3 times and really long).  I had to do them too just to add group spirit but my fingers were tired after.  One of the other performers even asked me what was going on :/

After the show I got talking to one of my friends (and fellow performer), she said I should do it again for a few more shows because of how happy I looked.  I said she should go on because it's her turn but she insisted I continue in her place.  She was really nice and encouraging :)  

Below are some lyrics that I remember (or at least the gist of).  The song was about encouraging the crowd to sing and to show them that they are/can be awesome if they believed in themselves and their abilities. 

 

To all of you

To all of me

Sing it for you 

Sing it with me

Sing it from the heart

This is what you should to do

So that you believe in you

 

It's longer than just these lines but I don't remember much else, lol.  Also I think the third and fourth lines got repeated until the crowd really got into it. 

After that, while still in the dream I was talking to my sister about the dream and trying to write down the lyrics.  That sort of helped me remember more for when I was really awake. 

*** 

 I really enjoyed this dream.  I had lots of fun singing in front of a crowd (which I've never done in real life), and the positive energy from the final performance (the one where the lyrics come from) was off the charts!  I would love to experience something like that in real life, maybe one day :D

Is there something you have always wanted to do, but maybe too afraid to try?  If so, then I wish you have the most amazing dream about it and re-energize your spirits :D  

Little Tid Bits 2

Hi everyone,  

Here are a few short dreams :D  I couldn't remember too much from each but there were some memorable parts and so that's what I focused on.

 

*Old Dreams x 3 

*** August 21, 2015

I was traveling with my husband and one other person to deliver a fruit that had been used to make juice that could potentially harm people because they had growth hormones that made things unusually large.  

The hormone was even destructive to the plant itself and only 1-2 of the extra large bunches of fruit survived from each plant.  The other fruit just grew big and died quickly.  The plants were very recognizable because of their orangey colour and extra lumpy texture.  

We were tasked with delivering the fruit to someone who was to develop a drink that can reverse the growth effects.

 

*** October 19, 2015

Me and group of people were exploring a mysterious island to understand the story behind it.

Two important words: 

Besharion (or Besharu) something like that: means deformity

OHNO: means Queen

The story was of two people; of how they met and fell in love.  It was all simple at first but then the man became afflicted by a curse/illness that turned his skin into rock-like material, sort of greenish brown.  

I think the woman had something to do with the curse because of the words.  I think it was to mean who ever fell in love with her would get the illness because her "beautiful" look was superficial, and her true look was the rock-type skin. 

 

*** December 14, 2015

I was a pilot in a real-life multiplayer airplane shooter type game (the ones where enemies come down from the top of the screen and the players shoot up from the bottom).    

There were many bullet types (about 8-10 types) for the players as well as explosives that the players were free to use in limited amounts.  Enemy ships had different strengths and weakness against the bullets.  Enemies also had shields, but they were neutral so all bullet types would work against them. 

If a player ran out of bullets (or chose to) they can ram into the enemy with the front of their airplane which had been fortified to be extra durable and strong (even compared to bullets).  

The danger of that though was the pilot had get close to the enemy (obviously), but if the pilot managed to hit the enemy, the player's airplane's damage output would increase 100% until it got hit by the enemy or until extra strength maxed out (like 5 times) so it was a strong, but risky option compared to bullets. 

*** 

HIDEAWAY

Hi everyone, sorry for the later than usual post, I guess old habits are harder to kick than expected 😅  

Anyway, here's a short dream that I found quite interesting.  I wish I remembered more, but the ending is what really stood out to me.

 

*Old Dream - July 26, 2015

*** 

I was in a demon world and went to school there.  I think it was university, but not completely sure.  While walking around the school grounds I saw some teachers and students talking, but upon closer eavesdropping, I realized they were making deals which each other, like how much the students can get away with if the teachers were compensated enough.  I was shocked to say the least :O 

Two of the teachers (who were demons) saw me peeking out and started chase.  I ran into a residential neighbourhood and hid in one of the houses but noticed there were lots of windows so it didn't provide full cover.  I then went back out and climbed onto the roof.  

Some guy (a human) saw me and asked what was going on so I told him the situation and he agreed to help me stay hidden.  The two teachers walked by and thankfully they didn't see me.  

Then I met up with a demon friend who showed me her campus dorm and her demon friends.  They heard my situation and wanted to help also.  

My friend also had knew of a place for me to hide but only she could take me there.  It was an alternate dimension of sorts, sort of like her personal portal world.  She got there by lying in the floor and then "falling through" it.  

My friend readied herself and then I slowly laid on top of her with my back and she put her arms around me.  Then we both "fell through" the floor to the other world together.

*** 

 

For the longest time after this dream I pondered whether or not "falling through" the floor was possible.  Even if on like a spiritual/non-physical level.  

Like lie on the floor and then feel yourself "fall through", and then you can move around like an "out-of-body" experience.  I think it's possible, but what do you think? :D

FOR THE LOVE OF SANDWICHES

Hi everyone :D  I used to live in a home with a basement and would always try to think of how to make the best use of its space.  Well, this dream is one possibility, I guess, lol.  Enjoy! 

*Old Dream - June 5, 2015

*** 

Someone opened up a sandwich store in the basement of my old home.  There was a side entrance leading directly to the basement so it didn't really affect the rest of the residents.

The store was one of the most popular sliced meat sandwich shops because of the variety of meats and the seasoning was one of a kind.  There were also a lot of specialty cheeses.  

The sandwiches were super tall (like over a foot tall) and filled with lots of toppings.

The cheese was always placed just before top bun was put on, and then customers were not supposed to take the top bun off for any reason; it was some sort of "store policy" -  also because ruined the feel of the sandwich (at least that was the claim).

The basement had meats hanging all over on clotheslines and heaters and things like that.  The cheeses were stored in piles in any corners that had space.  It was not very hygienic, but still lots of people ate there and the line of waiting customers pretty much went out the door and into the sidewalk :O 

*** 

 

Though I'm a big foodie and love cheese very much, I never got to try those sandwiches in my dream.  I think the hygiene was definitely a factor in being hesitant :O  What would you do?  Would you try one of these "super popular" sandwiches? lol

 

 

ONE WISH...

Hi everyone :D  Sometimes I dream that I'm the opposite sex which is pretty neat.  So this time I was a guy, lol  (and yes, I do know it's me and not someone else).  

It's also in third person because I was watching the guy and events and not seeing it from my personal point of view. 

 

*Old Dream - June 2, 2015

*** 

I dreamed there was a guy (me) who was chosen to be part of an art show but didn't submit anything to be a part of it for whatever reason.

Then one day as he was looking through some art displays he came across an interesting one in the subway.  And it was interactive which got him really curious.  

There was a giant box with what looked like a set of subway train doors.  Behind the doors was a full colour digital display which changed up everyone minute or so (seen through the windows on the doors).  

Participants were asked to stand by the doors and watch as the display images rolled by (kind of like watching trains passing),  The scenes were always of four people sitting on a bench, but each time they were wearing different clothes, from a different era, there were even different settings in the background, etc.  

After a while a host-like man holding a microphone walked up from behind the display and told the guy that he can affect the display by opening the subway train doors and so he did.  There was a screen dividing the inside and outside of the "train" but he was able to move his arms through it and make the decision to walk through completely.  The host talked to the guy as he was making his motions, and also told him that his choices were very important and that while in the art world he could make one desire come true.  

The guy eventually stepped out of the "train" and saw the environment changed based on what image was on display :O    

He then waited until there was a scene leading to a mall grocery store.  The host asked why, and the guy said that if he wanted to live there (in the art display world) he'd have all the supplies he'd need.  And the other scenes led to inedible food so why go there.  

The host then told the guy that the art world was in trouble and was literally going to fall apart if the guy didn't help and that was why the guy was able to walk through the screen.

At first the guy was reluctant, but after seeing the sky turn almost completely black, start storming and feeling the ground tremble, he decided to help.  He was tasked to find a girl who could bring peace to the world. 

My dream then showed a montage of clips of the host taking risks to follow the main guy by going into another guy's "art world" experience, and interestingly there was a female voice over hosting about what was going on.

In the other guy's art world the main guy had to overcome purple/blue mountains, bubbling liquid ponds, and walking along slippery stone ledges; kind of like a contest setting. (A contest between guys who are picked to be potential saviours).

Back at the grocery store location, the guy finally made his decision and told the host he's ready to help the art world.  He then made a wish to go to where to girl was.  The host asked if that was what he really wanted to spend his one wish on, and the guy said yes.  

They were then transported to a place that was dark and rainy and there were people who want to talk to the guy.  

The people asked him why he didn't participate in the show as requested.  He said he had an idea but the desire slipped away but that he felt honoured to have been asked. 

The people also why he wanted to live in the grocery store and be away from the "real" world.  His answer was that he didn't want to face the truth that he might have lost his drive and passion for art.

There was a bit more to the dream but I forgot what happened, but I feel things got resolved in the end. 

***  

Thank you if you got to the end!  This was a long one, lol.  

Revisiting this dream makes me wonder if it was around that time (2015) when I began to lose the drive to create art for myself.  

I used to love drawing and colouring, and crafting like it's nobody's business, but as life went on, and priorities changed, my reason for creating art also changed from something for fun to something purely for function.  And I'm definitely not okay with that anymore.  

Maybe it's time I start creating for myself again, eh? :)

WISHES OF THE HEART

Hi everyone, the first part of this dream involved two characters from the show "Criminal Minds" (Derek and Garcia).  I'm hoping that even if you're unfamiliar with the show that the events will still be interesting.

 

*Old Dream - May 30, 2015

*** 

Derek was dying (for unknown reasons) and forgetting about past events.  Garcia tries to get him to remember because she loves him, and supposedly he has also loved her before (more like a confession from the past) but Garcia knows/wants it to be true in the present time.  

* A couple of significant points (not sure why, but I felt it needed to be noted):*  

1. A slow song was being sung by a male country singer. 

2. A country-ish partner dance happening in the background  -  move to right, move to left, slide to the front, spin to the back and move to the right again to start the loop.

Alright, back to the main story now, lol.  I saw an image of Juicy Fruit Gum flash by and then Garcia being frantic because Derek collapsed and was dazed.  She then pounced on his motionless body and yelled at him to remember and to take the gum from her mouth and told him to say that he loves her:  in her words:  "Say that you love me!", "You have to remember that you love me!  Because I love you!"

--- A break while I wake up ---

Sort of continuation of dream, more people are affected by the unknown dying/forgetting condition.  Derek was still the main focus though.  

Shifting away from the unknown condition, the Olympics had come to Toronto and people were celebrating in the downtown core around the Eaton centre area.  

Confetti-like snow was falling from an orangey-yellow sky which made for a most spectacular scene and encapsulated the high energy atmosphere :D  Buildings were lit in a blue hue because Olympic ads were being projected from screens all over the place.

There were a lot of people in the streets making noises and cheering and then one person confidently said they'll make the whole area go quiet.  And with that, the guy whispered something to the people beside him who then whispered to those beside them and so forth and so forth until the whispering reached everyone.  To my disbelief, the whole area went silent within a minute :O  That was pretty amazing of the guy!

*** 

 

I had always enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Derek and Garcia in the show because they were so caring of each other even though they weren't romantically involved.  Though there was that part of me that wanted to see them together, lol.

As for the downtown scene, wow, I remember it so vividly even though it's been over 10 years!  To this day I still wonder whether someone could really quiet down a crowd like that.  What do you think? 

TO STAY OR TO GO?

Hi everyone, this is a short one, but I found it was quite the fun little adventure :D 

 

*Old Dream - May 4, 2015

*** 

The Earth was ending due to time/atmosphere (like it's too far from sun etc.)

A small group and I decided to look for other planets to live on.  We "flew" (more like teleported) to three different places to check them out but all of them were smaller than earth with not very much space to live.

Then we went back to earth to discuss ways to bring earth back to a safer/better distance from the sun (eg. Big rockets, explosions, etc).  Though the options all seemed too risky in bringing earth to an even quicker doom, so we just left it and went to the other planets again.

Time passed (like many, many years in dream time) and I decided to call a cell phone that I remembered was left on earth, and you know what?  Someone answered :D  I really didn't expect that since I was just doing it for fun, I really thought the earth would have been gone by then.  It was really nice to hear it was still alive in some way and people found a way to survive for so long.

***   

Reading on this again I feel like maybe there was another way other than flying off to another planet.  It feels kind of like abandoning my home especially after finding out that people were able to survive :(   

What would you guys do if the Earth was ending?  Would you stay and try to survive or find a way off to another planet?

PICKING UP SKILLS

Hi everyone, this was a fun one, I really enjoy video game-themed dreams.  I hope you enjoy too :D 

 

*Old Dream - Early 2015

*** 

Me, and a bunch of other people were playing a newly released game.  It seemed like an RPG/MMO since there were many players on the same stage.

The perks of the game was that there were special abilities spread around the world and if you can find them you can absorb their power to gain an ability (eg. Bird = flying ability).  These abilities were brightly coloured and shaped like cubes to stand out from the environment but also decorated to blend in.  So some were easy to spot and others more difficult.  

Also, at the end of each boss level there was a special ability just lying around the area and you didn't even have to defeat the boss to get it.  For the ones who were skilled enough, they were able to reach the abilities and absorb them before the boss got to them.

There were also player levels, and as you leveled up you got fighting skills, and there were two types.  

1. Jumping / non fighting 

2. Fighting skills but they were called something else because those were the only skills that could get a bosses attention (aggro) that could help other players who were getting beat up.  

There were also item pick ups/purchases that helped along the way and gave you supplementary skills.

The levels were big and had lots of scenery like forests and tropical areas, castles and architectural things.  

***

Looking for ability cubes was really fun, I even got one in the boss area by stealthily sneaking around!  I don't remember all the abilities I got, but definitely flying for sure.  What abilities would you want to find? :D