Yume Nikki: Dream Diary

As you know, the Japanese are famous for creating unusual games that require not so much ingenuity and dexterity as rethinking life. One of these unusual developments is "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary" - "Diary of dreams", a surreal quest created by the group "Kikiyama".

The plot of the game

The idea is somewhat unusual, but, in essence, simple. Girl Madotsuki, which translates as "The moon in the window", sees dreams, where she opens up different worlds with the most outlandish creatures. To wake up, the heroine must explore all 12 worlds, go through labyrinths and secret rooms, and reveal many secrets. There are almost no roles and dialogues here, the emphasis is on mesmerizing and disturbing images. Some characters even have the character of Internet memes.

Features of the gameplay "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary"

The player must control Madotsuki and complete all the tests. The schoolgirl has almost no entertainment: dreams, playing on a console and a diary where she writes down what she saw. The apartment is closed, the only way out is through dreams, and the girl falls asleep instantly, there is no problem with that. Problems start in dreams. First, the heroine enters the Nexus - the starting point from where all 12 doors are visible. For each - her inhabitants, meeting with them, the girl receives items that will help and complete the game.

Some finds change their appearance, while others reveal unknown talents.

The game is interesting in that all these worlds are very large, it is easy to get lost in them. And sometimes they are intertwined, so you can go through some locations only by going back, using reverse logic. If the player - along with the girl, of course - gets tired of wandering, it remains possible to wake up and then start the search again. This can be done at any time if Madotsuki pinches his cheek.

You cannot die in the game, but you will have to face aggressive creatures more than once. For example, the toriningen are bird girls. If they touch the heroine, Madotsuki will teleport to the location without an exit, and you will have to wake up, start walking anew. There are also peaceful toriningens, but if you push or hit them, aggression wakes up instantly.

Characters and their features

As for Madotsuki, everything seems to be clear. The girl does not have special talents, her task is to explore the worlds, get the necessary items and return home. No weapons or fights. Everything is tied to philosophy, logic and correctness of actions. Other characters you will encounter are worth mentioning:

• Sitai. Found in Dense Woods B, surrounded by cones. Interacting with it gives the effect of a traffic light.
• Uboa. A kind of ominous black and white mask, in a collision, the girl is transported to a location where there is no exit.
• Sekkom Masada. A man in a black suit with a white face. Lives on a spaceship, likes to play the piano.
• Poniko. This blonde girl lives in a wigwam in the Pink Sea. She does not want to communicate, but it is not necessary to shake her. By the way, if you turn on the light in the wigwam, then Uboa may appear in the place of the girl, so it's better to wander in the dark.
• Monoe. A girl from the White Desert, can teleport to any place.
• Kyukyu. A creature that looks like bright red plasticine loves to rub the railing of stairs.

Meaning and implementation of the idea in "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary"

Until the girl finds the key to the next door, she is unlikely to advance further, otherwise you can jump around the worlds endlessly. Riddles and new mechanics help, for example, in the world of the Shopping Center, you need to catch up with the character and get the key. And to catch up, you need to turn on all escalator belts in the opposite direction.

The main emphasis is on the exploration of worlds and the search for deep meaning. Critics note that the authors have created an atmosphere of frightening madness, when the unconscious is intertwined with loneliness. Interest in the game is also knocked out by tight sections, where nothing interesting happens.

According to the graphic style, the picture is unpretentious, but it looks good, thanks to the play of chiaroscuro. Fewer available effects that need to be collected to complete the game, it does not spray, it makes the plot more coherent.

Reported game issues

Dreams turned out to be linear, so it's really possible to go through them. Although difficult. Quite good puzzles have been worked out, which makes running around the worlds very lively. But with platforming it is problematic. For example, when the double jump has not yet opened, and you need to jump on small platforms, players involuntarily begin to get angry and grit their teeth.

The ending also turns out to be incomprehensible for the majority. It seems that they collected the objects and returned home, but the feeling of what they had found, for which they had spent so much time, did not appear. However, this is possible for compatriots. And for the Japanese, who will not drink a cup of tea without philosophy, that's the thing. Because "Yume Nikki: Dream Diary" gives rise to interesting thoughts.

Technical highlights of Yume Nikki: Dream Diary

The events and cut-scenes received a positive rating from the players, cool staging of shots, angles and shades do not weakly excite the imagination. So cinematic is a clear plus. The excitement of the explorer and the joy of the finds are also felt. In general, the rejection of the kawaii cartoonishness helped to demonstrate not weak such horror.

To play or not to play?

The game is unusual, but intriguing, it is worth trying, in any case. It is also recommended for adolescents, even critics agree that the sur of dreams conveys well the emotions and anxieties of the maturing Madotsuki. So, perhaps, something valuable or important will be discovered in the amazing 12 worlds by her peers?