Dreamfall is an escape from reality in addition to being a pleasant escape from traditional gaming.
You can't classify this as any type of game genre very easily, I suppose generic "adventure" fits. Its attractive. The art direction is just something you'll appreciate all around. The graphics get to be varied because your story takes you across regions in various worlds, realistic and fantastic. I'm playing this as a download on a more advanced console than it was written for, on a large HD screen and it still looks great.
Dreamfall is very light on action (although there is a small bit where its an appropriate obstacle). Most times however, you'll be required to find an alternative solution around enemies, and make use of your environment. If you find your self getting wiped out in one or two hits, that should suggest its one of those times!
There are object and gather type puzzles (using the key in the hidden drawer to open the safe) which comprise the majority of the game, but these are well done and none are repetitive. Some involve more thought than others, some involve timing and dodging NPCs you want to avoid or hide from, overall the puzzles are an immersion factor, since they are often cast in very mundane settings (which all are all parts of a very non-mundane larger plot).
There is, of course, a lot of dialogue, some interactive and the rest the "movie" part of the game. Overall this makes Dreamfall something you can play in a low key mood where you might normally have watched an episode of your favorite TV show instead. The host of characters becomes like a nicely varied cast, and you'll find yourself curious what becomes of them.