Info about Yume Nikki:

Official game description:
An RPG Maker tour de force, and a divisively controversial work for fans.
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You are free to explore the various dream worlds at your own pace.  
If you check certain characters or items in the game you will collect an “Effect”. These “Effects” can be used to change the main character’s appearance.  
Some of these “Effects” have special actions or animations which you can activate by pressing 1 or 3 on the number pad.  
Yume Nikki is a very unique title that has become one of the most well-known indie games to come out of Japan.  
It is unlike any other RPG, especially in the fact that there really is no action or dialogue to speak of. This gives the game a very dark and foreboding atmosphere. Can you make it to the secret ending?  
*   There are no particular goals nor story of which to speak. You simply walk around.  
*   Checking certain characters inside the dream will increase the number of "Effects".  
*   Using "Effects" will cause the main character's appearance to change.  
*   (During this time, you can use the 1 or 3 keys to implement special movements and effects.)  
*   Using the same "Effect" a second time will cause the character to revert to their original form.  
*   "Effects" can only be discarded inside rooms with many doors.
**FAQ**
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Q. There is a glitch or aspect ratio issue in the game.  
A. Please switch to Window mode by pressing F4 or Alt + Enter.  
Q. Why does the Japanese version crash?  
A. The Japanese language coding in this game runs only on Japanese system locales. If you want to play the game in Japanese and it crashes, please change your system locale to Japanese.

Release date: 9 Jan, 2018

Categories: Exploration, Walking Simulator, Collectibles, Environmental Storytelling, Atmospheric Horror, Single-player


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Unique & Captivating Atmosphere (weight 1): Players consistently praise the game's distinct, dream-like, and often unsettling atmosphere, enhanced by its surreal visuals and evocative soundtrack. This creates a deeply immersive and thought-provoking experience that many describe as a work of art.
- Influential Cult Classic (weight 0.33): The game is widely recognized as a highly influential cult classic, particularly within the RPG Maker horror genre. It has inspired numerous other indie games and created a subgenre of 'Yume Nikki fangames,' solidifying its legacy in gaming history.
- Open to Interpretation & Meaning (weight 0.32): A core aspect of the game's appeal is its abstract nature, lack of explicit narrative, and open-ended design, which encourages players to interpret its symbolism and meaning individually. This fosters deep personal reflection and engagement.
- Memorable & Enduring Experience (weight 0.24): Many players describe the game as unforgettable, often returning to it over time. Its unique qualities, emotional impact, and ability to provide comfort or provoke thought ensure it remains a cherished and enduring experience.
- Rewarding Exploration & Discovery (weight 0.15): Despite minimal traditional gameplay, players find immense satisfaction in exploring the game's vast, interconnected, and bizarre dream worlds. The discovery of hidden effects, secrets, and unexpected events makes each playthrough unique and engaging.
- Exceptional Soundtrack (weight 0.09): The game's soundtrack is frequently highlighted as a standout feature. Its minimalistic, ambient, and often eerie compositions perfectly complement the surreal atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience.

Common complaints:
- Confusing and Directionless Gameplay (weight 0.35): Players consistently found the game confusing, lacking clear objectives, story, or guidance, leading to boredom and frustration. Many felt lost and struggled to understand the game's purpose or how to progress without external help.
- Slow Pace and Limited Interactivity (weight 0.25): The game is criticized for its very slow movement speed, lack of interactive feedback, and overall sluggish pace. This contributes to a feeling of boredom and a lack of engagement, making the experience feel like a 'walking simulator' with little to do.
- Depressing and Unrewarding Ending (weight 0.2): The game's ending is frequently described as sad, depressing, and unrewarding, often interpreted as the main character's suicide. This conclusion leaves many players with feelings of emptiness, disappointment, and a sense that their efforts were not justified.
- Reliance on External Guides (weight 0.12): A significant number of players found the game nearly impossible to complete or fully understand without consulting online guides, wikis, or walkthroughs. This necessity detracts from the intended exploration experience and can make the game feel tedious and antiquated.
- Disturbing and Unpleasant Content (weight 0.04): The game contains disturbing imagery, themes of trauma, and visuals that can cause physical discomfort like headaches or nausea. While some appreciate the psychological elements, many found the experience unsettling and not traditionally 'fun'.
- Unfavorable Comparisons to Other Games (weight 0.03): The game is unfavorably compared to other titles, particularly 'LSD Dream Emulator' and 'Undertale'. Some critics suggest it borrows too heavily from 'Undertale' or fails to deliver a comparable experience to other dream-like or horror games.
- Outdated Controls and Gameplay (weight 0.03): The game's controls are described as stiff and lacking modern features like WASD support, particularly in the Steam port. This, combined with generally mediocre and monotonous gameplay, contributes to an overall underwhelming experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Focus on exploration and experience (weight 0.3): The game is primarily an exploration-focused 'walking simulator' where the objective is not completion but the journey itself. Players are encouraged to wander aimlessly, discover new places, and immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere and surreal scenery.
- Minimal narrative and guidance (weight 0.27): The game lacks traditional elements like dialogue, explicit plot, combat, or clear objectives. It offers no handholding, leaving players to interpret the abstract and symbolic world on their own. This contributes to a pervasive sense of isolation and mystery.
- Explore Madotsuki's dream world (weight 0.21): Players control Madotsuki, a hikikomori girl who explores her own subconscious through a vast, interconnected, and often unsettling dream world. This world is filled with surreal imagery, strange characters, and cryptic symbolism, reflecting her inner mind.
- Collect 'Effects' for progression (weight 0.17): A core gameplay mechanic involves collecting 24 (or 25) 'effects' scattered throughout the dream worlds. These effects change the protagonist's appearance, grant special abilities, and are essential for unlocking new paths and ultimately reaching the game's ending.
- Surreal, maze-like dreamscapes (weight 0.15): The game features a sprawling, non-linear dream world with a tree-like structure, accessed through 12 main doors. These environments are often repetitive, looped, and labyrinthine, creating a sense of eternal sleep, confinement, and disorientation.
- Challenging without a guide (weight 0.1): Due to the game's lack of direction and complex, maze-like environments, many players find it nearly impossible to complete or fully understand without consulting a guide. Getting lost is a common experience, though some prefer a 'blind' playthrough for the initial experience.
- Open to player interpretation (weight 0.08): The game's abstract nature, lack of explicit narrative, and symbolic imagery leave its meaning entirely open to player interpretation. This has led to numerous fan theories and discussions about the protagonist's backstory and the themes explored.
- Single, cryptic ending (weight 0.05): The game has one specific ending, which is triggered after collecting all 24 effects. This ending is often described as shocking, dry, and leaves players with more questions than answers, further fueling theories and interpretations.
- Bicycle effect for faster movement (weight 0.04): The 'bicycle effect' is a notable item that significantly increases Madotsuki's movement speed. This effect is highly valued by players as it helps in traversing the large maps more quickly, reducing the time spent walking.

Performance notes:
- Audio quality issues (weight 0.01): Some music tracks are reportedly distorted following a recent update, negatively affecting the game's sound experience. Given the importance of sound effects, this is a notable concern.
- Game fails to launch (weight 0.01): Multiple players reported that the game does not start at all, preventing them from playing. This is a critical issue impacting accessibility.
- Input methods are broken (weight 0.01): Players experienced issues with basic input methods, specifically arrow and enter keys, rendering the game unplayable. This severely impacts user interaction.
- Low hardware demands (weight 0.01): The game is noted for its extremely low hardware requirements, making it accessible on a wide range of systems. This is a positive aspect for player accessibility.
- Improved font rendering (weight 0.01): The Steam version of the game has resolved common RPG Maker font issues on Windows 7, indicating a positive technical improvement for specific operating systems. This enhances visual clarity for some users.

Recommendations:
- Not for Everyone, but Recommended (weight 0.53): The game is widely acknowledged as niche, appealing primarily to players who enjoy exploration, surrealism, abstract art, and psychological themes. Despite its polarizing nature, many reviewers urge others to try it, especially given its free availability.
- Patience and Exploration are Key (weight 0.39): The game rewards patient players who are willing to wander aimlessly, explore dream worlds, and take notes. It's not a traditional RPG with clear objectives, but rather an experience focused on discovery and atmosphere.
- Play Blind for Best Experience (weight 0.32): Many players strongly recommend experiencing the game for the first time without guides or wikis to fully embrace discovery and immersion. This approach enhances the unique atmosphere and impact of the game's ending.
- Use Guides if Stuck (weight 0.22): While a blind playthrough is recommended initially, players are advised to use guides or wikis if they get stuck, become bored, or want to find all secrets and endings. This balances discovery with progression.
- Consider Getting Bicycle Early (weight 0.19): For those who might find the initial exploration tedious, a practical tip is to look up how to obtain the bicycle effect early on. This significantly speeds up movement and can improve the overall experience.
- Explore Fan Games and Similar Titles (weight 0.13): Players who enjoy the game are encouraged to explore its fan games, particularly Yume 2kki, which captures a similar essence. Recommendations for other psychological horror RPGs like IB and Mogeko Castle are also common.
- Enhance Immersion with Setup (weight 0.06): For a truly immersive experience, players suggest playing alone, at night, in a dark room, and with headphones. This setup is believed to amplify the game's unique atmosphere and psychological impact.
- Free and Worth Trying (weight 0.05): A significant number of players emphasize that since the game is free, there's no financial risk in trying it out. This makes it highly accessible and encourages even hesitant players to give it a chance.

Other player notes:
- Unique, Surreal, and Confusing Experience (weight 0.19): Players consistently describe the game as a bizarre, dream-like, and often confusing experience unlike anything else. Its abstract nature and lack of clear goals contribute to a sense of anxiety and disorientation, making it an acquired taste not suitable for all players.
- Rich in Interpretation and Symbolism (weight 0.16): The game is lauded for its deep philosophical and psychological themes, which are open to extensive player interpretation. Its minimalist storytelling and evocative imagery encourage community discussion and the development of numerous fan theories about the protagonist's trauma and the dream world's meaning.
- Highly Influential Indie Classic (weight 0.14): Despite its niche appeal, the game is recognized as a seminal work in indie gaming, inspiring numerous popular titles like Undertale, Omori, and Lisa The Painful. Its use of the RPG Maker engine demonstrated the tool's potential beyond traditional JRPGs, cementing its status as a cult classic.
- Requires Patience and Exploration (weight 0.09): The game demands patience and a willingness to explore without explicit guidance. Many players found themselves needing external resources like wikis to understand its mechanics or lore, though some recommend avoiding them for a purer experience.
- Strong Community and Fandom (weight 0.08): The game has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that actively engages in discussions, theories, and fan-made content. This community aspect is crucial for understanding and appreciating the game's depth, especially given its ambiguous nature.
- Free-to-Play Accessibility (weight 0.03): The game is freely available, which is a significant factor for many players. Its no-cost entry removes barriers and encourages curious players to experience its unique world without financial commitment.
- No Dialogue, Minimal Language Barrier (weight 0.02): The game features no dialogue, which means language support is not critical for gameplay. This makes it accessible to a global audience, with community-provided localization instructions available for specific languages like Chinese.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.2): Players feel satisfied by the game's unique and abstract exploration, often finding joy in self-discovery, collecting items, and interpreting its open-ended narrative. The game's memorable atmosphere, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack contribute significantly to this positive experience, making it enjoyable for both active play and low-stakes wandering.
- Admiration (weight 0.07): Admiration stems from the game's profound influence on other indie titles and its status as a unique, artistic masterpiece. Reviewers praise its creative world-building, intricate details, and ability to convey deep meaning without dialogue, often calling it a timeless classic that pushed the boundaries of its genre.
- Frustration (weight 0.06): Frustration arises primarily from the game's lack of guidance, leading to players getting lost in vast, repetitive environments and struggling to find objectives or effects without a guide. Slow movement speed, technical issues like crashes, and the perceived tediousness of aimless wandering also contribute to this negative emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is generated by the game's unique, surreal exploration and the thrill of discovering new areas, hidden effects, and secrets. Players are often captivated by its intense atmosphere, psychedelic visuals, and the promise of an unforgettable, mind-bending experience, leading to strong recommendations for others to play.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the game's surreal concept, unique artistic style, and its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through its atmosphere and visuals. The quality of its pixel art, soundtrack, and its pioneering role in the exploration genre are frequently highlighted, especially given its free availability.
- Confusion (weight 0.04): Confusion is a common initial reaction due to the game's abstract nature, lack of clear objectives, and bizarre, nonsensical events. Players often struggle to understand the game's progression, meaning, or what to do, leading to a sense of being lost or baffled by its design choices.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Disappointment often results from the game not meeting expectations, particularly regarding engaging gameplay, clear goals, or a compelling story. Players find the game boring, tedious, or directionless, especially if they expected a more traditional gaming experience or if technical issues hinder their play.
- Curiosity (weight 0.03): Curiosity is sparked by the game's mysterious nature, ambiguous meaning, and open-ended exploration, which encourages players to seek out secrets, interpret its symbolism, and research theories. The strange and unique dream worlds, bizarre effects, and hidden passageways continuously motivate players to delve deeper.
- Intrigue (weight 0.03): Intrigue is driven by the game's persistent psychological draw, its unsettling yet comforting atmosphere, and its cryptic symbolism that invites deep interpretation. Players are drawn to its bizarre visuals, layered design, and the feeling that its randomness hides a profound, underlying meaning about the human psyche.
- Awe (weight 0.03): Awe is evoked by the game's profound emotional impact, its stunning and morbidly comforting visuals, and its unique, surreal atmosphere. Players are often mesmerized by its artistic merit, philosophical depth, and its ability to create a life-changing or deeply affecting experience that challenges conventional game design.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Enjoyment comes from the game's surreal vibes, addictive exploration, and the simple pleasure of discovering new, unique places and entities. Players find satisfaction in mindlessly wandering through its worlds, collecting effects, and appreciating the overall aesthetic experience, often overcoming initial boredom to find it fun.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game stems from a deep personal connection to its unique freedom, exploration, and its memorable worlds, music, and characters. Players express strong affection for its overall atmosphere, surreal locations, and its ability to become a cherished 'life game' despite any perceived flaws.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is experienced through the overall positive game experience, including its wonderful music, the delight in playing, and the excitement of discovering cool effects and weird graphics. Players express happiness in replaying the game, its profound personal impact, and its unexpected release or re-transmission to a wider audience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is triggered by replaying the game, which often evokes childhood memories, particularly of RPG Maker games or early 2000s indie gaming. Players recall playing it during adolescence, finding it a safe zone, or appreciating its aesthetic as a representation of a past era in gaming.
- Comfort (weight 0.02): Comfort is found in the game's soothing qualities, its trance-like gameplay, and its ability to provide solace and accompany players during difficult times. The game's atmosphere, soundtrack, and the warm memories it evokes create a sense of ease and a safe escape within its dream world.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arises from the game's repetitive environments, slow pace, and perceived lack of action or engaging content, especially during initial experiences. Players often feel unmotivated by the aimless wandering and the absence of clear objectives, leading to a sense of disinterest after a certain playtime.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is derived from the game's bizarre aesthetic, often compared to dreams on melatonin or an 'LSD trip,' and its 'stupid walking simulator' aspect. Players find humor in specific in-game events, the ability to transform into strange creatures, and the game's overall weirdness and minimalist design.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by the game's unique structure, premise, and atmosphere, challenging traditional game norms with its abstract and mysterious exploration. Players are drawn to its unique aesthetic, artistic experience, and the promise of a freaky, psychological surreal horror journey.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is primarily caused by the game's tragic narrative, particularly the character's ending, which is often interpreted as nihilistic or profoundly impactful. The game's themes of isolation, emptiness, and its ability to evoke strong emotional responses through its music and atmosphere contribute to this feeling.
- Fascination (weight 0.01): Fascination is generated by the game's weird and captivating dream worlds, its potential for emergent storytelling, and the meaningfulness found in its rooms. Players are drawn to its unique atmosphere, visual imagery, and the mystery surrounding its symbolism and hidden meanings, often feeling their minds blown by the experience.}