YUMENIKKI -DREAM DIARY-
- February 22, 2018
- Active Gaming Media Inc.
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Yume Nikki: Dream Diary" is a modern indie title that reimagines the surreal world and characters of the cult classic RPG Maker game in 3D. With six expansive dreams to explore, players will experience gameplay evocative of recent indie classics as they delve into the dream world using items and abilities to uncover its mysteries. The game also features an updated version of the beloved minigame, NASU. 'ALL-NEW OLD' original character included.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and atmosphere that capture the essence of the original Yume Nikki.
- Engaging puzzles and gameplay mechanics that provide a different experience from the original.
- Strong soundtrack with remixes and original tracks that enhance the overall experience.
- Linear gameplay that limits exploration and feels restrictive compared to the original.
- Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
- Less content overall, with fewer effects and areas to explore than the original Yume Nikki.
- gameplay225 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from the original's open exploration to a more linear, puzzle-platforming approach. While some appreciate the engaging puzzles and atmospheric design, others criticize the clunky controls, frustrating mechanics, and lack of the original's surreal charm. Overall, the game offers a different experience that may appeal to fans of modern indie platformers, but it may disappoint those seeking the free-form exploration that defined the original.
“I loved that it maintained the core exploration mechanic, but added some puzzle-platforming elements; it felt like something like Inside or Little Nightmares, which I love.”
“The gameplay itself is an enchanting dance between exploration and introspection.”
“This game encompasses all the things the original Yume Nikki was known for - precision puzzle platforming, railroaded gameplay, the occasional game-breaking glitch...”
“The gameplay is unnecessarily frustrating.”
“The gameplay is boring and convoluted to the point of a walkthrough almost being required for some parts.”
“The switch to platforming and puzzle gameplay ends up being weak, and not enough stuff from the original game makes it here to justify a nostalgia purchase.”
- graphics191 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the surreal and atmospheric visuals that evoke a dream-like quality, while others criticize the dated and inconsistent graphical quality, including stiff animations and low-resolution textures. Many players appreciate the unique art style and the homage to the original game, but feel that the transition to 3D has not fully captured the charm of the pixel art aesthetic. Overall, while the visuals can be stunning in certain areas, technical issues and a lack of polish detract from the experience for many players.
“From the moment I delved into the dreamscapes of Yume Nikki - Dream Diary, I was struck by its unique blend of surreal visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundscapes.”
“The art, models, animations, particles, scenery, and scenes are amazing too; the models and textures are really well made, the animations are fluid and a marvel to watch, the ambience, aesthetics, and scenery is breathtakingly well made.”
“The unique art style and atmospheric soundtrack create an otherworldly ambiance, keeping players engaged throughout their journey.”
“The graphics are bad; you can't move the camera around at all (this especially sucks for block world & snow world).”
“The animations look cheap, the textures look cheap; I found myself clipping through railings, falling through floors, re-spawning off screen and getting stuck wherever I was, and lagging even on the lowest graphical setting.”
“The remaster's updated graphics take away the original's visual ambiguity, giving an unnecessary sense of certainty to the game's world that makes everything feel relatively dull and lifeless despite an improvement in fidelity.”
- music180 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and the blend of remixed tracks from the original "Yume Nikki" alongside new compositions. While some fans appreciate the nostalgic nods and emotional depth the soundtrack adds to the gameplay, others feel that it lacks the originality and variety of the original score. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as one of the game's standout features, enhancing the surreal and immersive experience.
“The music in Yume Nikki: Dream Diary is an integral part of the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact and serving as a bridge between the player's reality and the endless, mysterious dream worlds within the game.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal, and I highly recommend you check it out.”
“The music is beautiful, eerie, and sometimes sad.”
“Most of the music sucks, as it's just remixed versions of the OST. My heart sunk hearing the flute room theme completely bastardized in such a manner.”
“Unfortunately, the music has much to be desired....”
“I also felt that the music was rather flat; there are no moments which really surprised me music-wise.”
- atmosphere150 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its surreal visuals and atmospheric soundtrack that evoke a sense of mystery and immersion reminiscent of the original *Yume Nikki*. However, some players feel that the game sacrifices the original's unique exploration and dreamlike quality for a more linear and horror-focused experience, leading to a less cohesive atmosphere. Overall, while the game captures some of the original's charm, it struggles to maintain the same depth and intrigue, often feeling forced or generic in its approach to atmosphere.
“The atmosphere of the game is incredible; between the soundtrack and surreal visuals, it feels like a 4 CD-ROM installable forgotten dream.”
“The atmosphere, the music, and sounds, and style and world is just so incredible, surreal, and something I could just soak in for hours!”
“The unique art style and atmospheric soundtrack create an otherworldly ambiance, keeping players engaged throughout their journey.”
“The beauty of the original was the coexistence with these entities, but here, their hostility disrupts the serene atmosphere, leaving players more aggravated than intrigued.”
“It completely lacks the original's perplexing yet calming atmosphere and just feels like a generic horror take on a game that isn't made to be scary.”
“An atmosphere-free charisma void with none of the mystery or dread that made the original special.”
- story96 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its reimagined narrative and emotional depth compared to the original, while others find it confusing and lacking clarity. Many note that the storytelling relies heavily on subtext and interpretation, which can leave players feeling lost without external guidance. Overall, while the game offers a more structured plot, it still maintains the surreal and ambiguous qualities that fans of the original may expect.
“I bought this game on sale for $3.00 and am happy with that purchase price and experience because once you do understand the troubling lore, it makes for a compelling story.”
“The art and visuals are gorgeous, the story is engaging and surprisingly powerful, and there are a lot of fun platforming sequences alongside the puzzles and fetch quests that move the story along.”
“It continues the story of Madotsuki, a young dreamer, as she explores her dreams for hidden memories and inner fears, which she must respectively collect and confront in order to take control of her life again.”
“If you were expecting a concise and easy to understand game story, then you have come to the wrong place.”
“There is no real story, just like the first game, though a few things were made a tiny bit more obvious.”
“The lack of a completely cohesive story is something that Yume Nikki shares with its original, but I feel it is vastly more cohesive than the original at the same time.”
- stability48 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that disrupt gameplay. While some updates have addressed minor issues, many still experience frustrating softlocks, collision detection problems, and clunky controls, leading to an overall impression of the game being unfinished and in need of further polish. Despite its charm and homage to the original, the persistent technical flaws detract from the experience, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy the game.
“I had to reset my game 5 times throughout a 4 and a half hour stream because I kept softlocking, and even though this game is 6 years old, the developers seemingly don't care about partially game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
“It is still a buggy mess of a game and not worth playing or spending any money on.”
“The game constantly has you clipping through things, game events are always bugging out to where you have to constantly restart, and the gameplay (controls and effects) isn't even free from these bad, buggy, glitchy graphics.”
- grinding17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many sections feeling like unnecessary padding due to repetitive puzzles and linear paths. While some collectibles provide a sense of accomplishment, the overall experience is marred by janky platforming and a lack of engaging gameplay, leading to a feeling of boredom and annoyance during exploration. Frequent autosaves and checkpoints help mitigate the frustration, but many still feel that the grinding detracts from the game's enjoyment.
“Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
“This is probably one of the worst, most tedious and boring sections of the game.”
“The addition of platforming just makes exploration even more tedious; it's not fun or constitutes any sense of gameplay, it's just another obstacle between the player and finding something interesting.”
“If you need to know a complaint, the game can feel tedious and slow at times.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary" is highlighted by its evocative music and nostalgic ties to the original game, which together enhance the player's connection to the narrative and dreamlike exploration. Reviewers note that the game successfully elicits a wide range of feelings, from calmness to tension, while also providing touching moments that validate personal experiences. Despite some critiques regarding its commercial intent, many find it a worthy spiritual successor that captures the essence of emotional resonance found in the original.
“The music in Yume Nikki: Dream Diary is an integral part of the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact and serving as a bridge between the player's reality and the endless, mysterious dream worlds within the game.”
“This game made me feel calm, frightened, tense, relieved, stressed... an absolute ride that I'm glad I decided to take.”
“The genius of the original Yume Nikki was its willingness to skip conventional gameplay to deliver an emotionally resonant experience.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including erratic performance, frame drops, and poor graphics that demand more from PCs than expected. Many users noted bugs, glitches, and awkward platforming, which detract from the overall experience. Despite its charming ideas and visuals, the lack of proper optimization has led to a frustrating gameplay experience for many players.
“Performance was a bit erratic but overall pretty solid; I cannot vouch for the original performance.”
“This game shines, once more, in its visuals. Even though the game is not very optimized and can demand a lot from a PC with regular visuals, it really delivers a fantastic atmosphere and aesthetic that's up to the original.”
“The game is poorly optimized, getting frame drops at random points, especially with lighting effects.”
“Completely riddled with bugs, glitches, bad animations, horrible optimization and framerates. I have a feeling this game was simply not beta tested.”
“Granted, I wasn't expecting it to look spectacular considering how small the team working on this was, though it becomes an issue when the game has some pretty severe optimization issues all throughout.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a cash grab that exploits the nostalgia of a beloved title in the RPG Maker/indie scene. While some players acknowledge efforts made in the game's development, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, suggesting that the game fails to justify its price and feels like a quick financial ploy rather than a genuine revival of the series.
“I unfortunately pre-ordered this game when it was first announced thinking that it might turn out to be actually good and not just a quick cash grab.”
“Sadly, this feels like a cash grab for a dearly beloved title in the RPG Maker / indie scene.”
“It is nothing but a cheap cash grab; it doesn't deserve your money or your attention.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting decent value due to multiple endings and interesting backtrack events, while others criticize it for having little to no replay value, especially given its short completion time of around three hours. Overall, opinions vary significantly, with some recommending it for its concept art despite the limited replay potential.
“If you like games with cool concept art and decent replay value, please give Dream Diary a shot.”
“The replay value is very, very good.”
“The original had a lot of replay value for that, in my opinion.”
“It has some replay value because of 2 endings, and some interesting events if you backtrack to completed areas, but that’s it.”
“Hell, maybe even just watch a let's play, because there's little to almost no replay value.”
“The game takes about 3 hours to complete, and it has zero replay value.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is visually appealing, with well-designed characters and symbolic elements that enhance the experience. However, many players feel that the depth of character development is lacking, as it often relies on reused art and fails to provide meaningful growth or narrative progression. Overall, while the aesthetic is praised, the substance behind the characters leaves much to be desired.
“Viewing the character designs and understanding their symbolism are the highlights for me.”
“From the familiar character designs and new monsters, abstract worlds, and multiple cameos of past images, it's a real joy seeing them all rendered in 3D.”
“Showing early character designs felt like it was just art they used to promote this, and then reused art from the original game but made to look like it was drawn in pencil.”
“From the familiar character designs and new monsters, abstract worlds, and multiple cameos of past images, it's a real joy seeing them all rendered in 3D, but Uboa was surprisingly disappointing; he's just a face that showed up for one second.”
“It's called character development.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some moments eliciting laughter through quirky mechanics and mini-games, while other aspects feel bland and fail to deliver a strong comedic impact. Comparisons to other indie titles suggest that it lacks the charm of being "so bad it's funny," leaving it feeling somewhat forgettable in the humor department. Overall, the humor is hit-or-miss, with a few neat elements but not enough to elevate the experience.
“It's like the first Yume Nikki if it was a puzzle platformer, but Mado falls through the floor sometimes and the camera points at the ground if you look at it funny.”
“There are some things that I think are pretty neat, like mini games. Ao Oni made me laugh, and the flute can be played freely, though with only four tones. You need to hold 'Q' to pinch yourself, so no more misclicks.”
