{{Short description|2004 video game}} {{About|the 2004 video game|its 2018 reboot|Yume Nikki: Dream Diary{{!}}''Yume Nikki: Dream Diary''}} {{Good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox video game | title = Yume Nikki | image = Yume Nikki header image on Steam.jpg | caption = Steam artwork | developer = Kikiyama | publisher = {{unbulleted list|Kikiyama{{efn|Self-published on Kikiyama's website prior to its 2018 Steam release}}|Playism}} | engine = RPG Maker 2003 | released = June 26, 2004 | genre = Adventure | modes = Single-player | platforms = Windows }}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Yume Nikki'''''|ゆめにっき||{{lit}} "Dream Diary"|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 2004 surrealist adventure game created by the pseudonymous Japanese developer Kikiyama. The player controls a girl named Madotsuki and explores her dreams, collecting 24 effects that change her appearance and equipment. Random events also occur throughout the game in the form of cutscenes and unique gameplay sequences. The game was developed using RPG Maker 2003 without a traditional plot or battle system. Gameplay instead focuses on the exploration of the dream world.

''Yume Nikki'' was distributed as freeware on Kikiyama's personal website in June 2004, with updates continuing until October 2007. The game received a cult following globally following an English fan translation. Its emphasis on open-ended exploration and lack of combat was described as a precursor to walking simulators. Its visual style and horror elements also inspired numerous indie games. ''Yume Nikki'' was published on Steam by Playism in 2018 in promotion of a reboot, ''Yume Nikki: Dream Diary'', which was released the same year.

==Gameplay== right|thumb|Madotsuki on a staircase with the bicycle effect equipped, which increases her movement speed<ref name="PCGamer" />

''Yume Nikki'' is an exploration-based adventure game with no dialogue, combat, or plot; there is also no way to reach a game over.<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |last1=Muncy |first1=Julie |date=January 23, 2018 |title=The Mysterious Japanese Game That Took 14 Years To Officially Come Out |url=https://www.wired.com/story/yume-nikki-japanese-game-that-took-14-years-to-officially-come-out/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125154245/https://www.wired.com/story/yume-nikki-japanese-game-that-took-14-years-to-officially-come-out/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The player controls a girl named Madotsuki who lives alone. The game begins inside her apartment, which the player is initially unable to leave.<ref name="HG101">{{Cite web |last=McSwain |first=Ryan |date=May 4, 2017 |title=Yume Nikki |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/yume-nikki/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302203215/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/yume-nikki/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The player can save their progress by sitting at Madotsuki's desk and writing in her dream diary. Sleeping in her bed causes Madotsuki to start dreaming.<ref name="Wired" />

Her dream begins in a room closely resembling her apartment. Upon leaving the room, Madotsuki enters a hub area commonly referred to as the Nexus, which contains a series of styled doors. Each door leads to a different area in the dream world, with areas having distinct environments and designs.<ref name="HG101" /> The player's objective is to explore these areas and collect 24 different Effects, items that change Madotsuki's appearance or equipment when used.<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web |last1=Zavarise |first1=Giada |date=October 28, 2017 |title=The horrifying legacy of Yume Nikki, the homebrew game that became a phenomenon |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-horrifying-legacy-of-yume-nikki-the-homebrew-game-that-became-a-phenomenon/ |access-date=August 7, 2019 |website=PC Gamer |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113041305/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-horrifying-legacy-of-yume-nikki-the-homebrew-game-that-became-a-phenomenon/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USgamer" /> Effects can be collected by interacting with certain objects and non-player characters (NPCs). Other objects can send Madotsuki to different areas. Throughout the game, random events occur, which can be cutscenes or have interactive elements.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="HG101" /> The game's ending, unlocked after the player collects all 24 Effects,<ref name="PCGamer" /> shows Madotsuki jumping off of the balcony of her apartment.

==Development and release== ''Yume Nikki'' was developed and self-published by Kikiyama, a pseudonymous Japanese developer about whom very little is known.<ref name="Wired" /> They created the game using the RPG Maker 2003 engine.<ref name="PCGamer" /><ref name="Eurogamer">{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Matthew |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Surreal cult classic Yume Nikki now available on Steam |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/yume-nikki-now-available-on-steam |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521063438/https://www.eurogamer.net/yume-nikki-now-available-on-steam |url-status=live}}</ref> Kikiyama first shared a build of the game on June 26, 2004, on the Japanese textboard 2channel. They continued to update the game until 2007, stopping at version 0.10.<ref name="PCGamer" /> After its initial release, it received a fan-made English translation.<ref name="Wired" /> From 2011 to 2018, Kikiyama's status was unknown as they were unresponsive to all contact. A popular theory was that they could have died, possibly in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.<ref name="Wired" /> ''Yume Nikki'' was officially distributed by publisher Playism via their Online Store in February 2012, under version name 0.10a, and went on to receive an English localization in June of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yume Nikki on the Playism Store {{!}} Bringing a different breed of indie game to the world. |url=https://playism.com/product/yumenikki |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116010230/https://playism.com/product/yumenikki |archive-date=2019-11-16 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Playism Store |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, the game was released on Steam on January 10th,<ref name="Steam">{{Cite web |title=Yume Nikki on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/650700/Yume_Nikki/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=Steam |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513113559/https://store.steampowered.com/app/650700/Yume_Nikki/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store on August 30th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yume Nikki - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.caerux.yumenikkien&hl=en_US |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-06 |title=Yume Nikki App |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yume-nikki/id1453117329 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=App Store |language=en-US}}</ref> Kadokawa Games, the developer of the RPG Maker software, confirmed that Kikiyama was still alive and involved with the project.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="Countdown">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/10/16873602/yume-nikki-steam-download-new-project-dream-diary-sequel|title=A disturbing cult classic finally hits Steam, with a follow-up on the way|last1=Frank|first1=Allegra|date=January 10, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=January 10, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110193626/https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/10/16873602/yume-nikki-steam-download-new-project-dream-diary-sequel|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Kikiyama was interviewed by Toby Fox in ''Famitsu''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Undertale's creator conducted an interview with a cult-hit RPG dev, and it's bizarre |url=https://www.polygon.com/23585012/toby-fox-yume-nikki-undertale-kikiyama-famintsu-interview |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Reception== ''Yume Nikki'' received positive critical reception for its unique, surreal visual style.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="HG101" /><ref name="RPSLegacy">{{Cite news |last=Zavarise |first=Giada |date=January 15, 2018 |title=Yume Nikki's legacy: an invitation to dream |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yume-nikki-legacy-introduction |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522054628/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yume-nikki-legacy-introduction |archive-date=May 22, 2022}}</ref> Its visual style has been compared to the 16-bit graphics of ''EarthBound''.<ref name="HG101" /> Ryan McSwain, writing for ''Hardcore Gaming 101'', remarked that the game created surprisingly good visuals by using layering effects and "eye-catching animations". He also praised the game's music and sound design.<ref name="HG101" /> Giada Zavarise of ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' said that the game's pixel-art style influenced a movement of indie horror games like ''Ao Oni'' and ''Ib''. She also attributed some of the game's popularity to the fact that its "dreamy" imagery invites speculation about its meaning.<ref name="RPSLegacy" /> ''Wired''{{'s}} Julie Muncy also pointed to the game's surreal imagery and said that it appeals to those interested in dream interpretation.<ref name="Wired" />

The gameplay and atmosphere were also well-received by critics, who identified the game's emphasis on exploration as a major appeal.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="HG101" /><ref name="RPSLegacy" /> Some critics called it an early example of a walking simulator.<ref name="PCGamer" /><ref name="RPSLegacy" /> Muncy described it as being "rich in atmospheric dream worlds" and said its surreal world-building logic creates uneasiness in players.<ref name="Wired" /> McSwain and Zavarise agreed that the game's world was enjoyable to explore and had distinct and interesting locations. They both criticized the lack of any guides or maps, which made it too easy for the player to get stuck.<ref name="HG101" /><ref name="RPSLegacy" /> McSwain also criticized the game's random events for being too difficult to encounter due to their rarity.<ref name="HG101" /> Zavarise specifically said the early parts of the game, before the player is able to memorize paths and landmarks, were the most likely to drive new players away.<ref name="RPSLegacy" />

==Legacy== Originally receiving a limited Japanese-only release, ''Yume Nikki'' later gained a larger cult following in the West, due in part to its fan-made English translation.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="RPSLegacy" /> Gita Jackson of ''Kotaku'' also attributed this following to the game's "unusual visual style and oppressive tone".<ref name="KotakuStory">{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Gita |date=January 16, 2018 |title=The Horror Game Developer Who Disappeared For A Decade |url=https://kotaku.com/the-horror-game-developer-who-disappeared-for-a-decade-1822123563 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022153217/https://kotaku.com/the-horror-game-developer-who-disappeared-for-a-decade-1822123563 |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> Caty McCarthy of ''USgamer'' compared its proliferation across the internet in the mid-2000s to that of ''Cave Story''.<ref name="USgamer">{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caty |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Over a Decade Later, Yume Nikki Wakes Up on Steam |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/over-a-decade-later-yume-nikki-wakes-up-on-steam |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730014506/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/over-a-decade-later-yume-nikki-wakes-up-on-steam |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=USgamer |language=en}}</ref> Due to the game's open-ended nature and the accessibility offered by the RPG Maker software, ''Yume Nikki'' has inspired the creation of a number of fangames, some of which have attempted to explore theories about the original game;<ref name="PCGamer" /> notable fangames include ''{{nihongo foot|Yume 2kki|ゆめ2っき|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}}'' and ''.flow''.<ref name="PCGamer" /><ref name="HG101" /><ref name="IGNsteam" /> It has also influenced other indie games, such as ''Omori'', ''Lisa: The First'', ''Doki Doki Literature Club!'', and ''Undertale''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lada |first1=Jenni |date=July 21, 2021 |title=Doki Doki Literature Club Creator Listed Yume Nikki as an Inspiration, Joked About Monika in SSBU |url=https://www.siliconera.com/doki-doki-literature-club-creator-listed-yume-nikki-as-an-inspiration-monika-ssbu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003104827/https://www.siliconera.com/doki-doki-literature-club-creator-listed-yume-nikki-as-an-inspiration-monika-ssbu/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Siliconera}}</ref><ref name="RPSLegacy" /><ref name="KotakuStory" /><ref name="PCGamerOmori">{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Rachel |date=2021-01-13 |title=Omori review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/omori-review/ |work=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114092627/https://www.pcgamer.com/omori-review/ |archive-date=2021-01-14 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-06-07 |quote=Throughout my time playing ''Omori'', I couldn't help thinking of it as the spiritual successor to ''Yume Nikki''. }}</ref><ref name="IGNsteam">{{cite web |last1=Rad |first1=Chloi |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Cult Horror Game Yume Nikki Hits Steam, New Project Teased |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/10/cult-horror-game-yume-nikki-hits-steam-new-project-teased |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805205138/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/10/cult-horror-game-yume-nikki-hits-steam-new-project-teased |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |website=IGN}}</ref> In January 2018, games journalist Lewis Denby started a podcast, ''Dream Diary'', which explores the history and theories surrounding the game's origins and its rise in popularity.<ref name="USgamer" /><ref name="IGNsteam" />

The musical project ''Uboa'', created by Australian musician Xandra Metcalfe, derives its name from the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Xandra Metcalfe of Uboa Talks 'Impossible Light' |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/interview-xandra-metcalfe-of-uboa-talks-impossible-light/ |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=New Noise Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Related media===

====Print adaptations==== ''Yume Nikki'' has seen semi-official adaptations into a manga and light novel.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="PCGamer" /> The manga was illustrated by Hitoshi Tomizawa based on an original story by Machigerita, and was serialized in Takeshobo's web magazine ''Manga Life Win+'' from May 20, 2013, to March 13, 2014.<ref name="NlabManga">{{Cite web |title=再現度高いぞ!? 「ゆめにっき」Web漫画連載がついにスタート |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1305/20/news133.html |access-date=May 22, 2022 |script-website=ja:ねとらぼ |date=May 20, 2013 |language=ja |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522021301/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1305/20/news133.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ANNAdaptations" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mangalifewin.takeshobo.co.jp/|script-title=ja:まんがライフWIN|publisher=Takeshobo|access-date=May 10, 2026|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328195045/http://mangalifewin.takeshobo.co.jp/|archive-date=March 28, 2014|url-status=dead|quote=3/13 Dai 10-wa kōkai!!|script-quote=ja:3/13 第10話公開!!|trans-quote=3/13 Episode 10 released!!}}</ref> Its chapters were compiled in a single volume, released on May 22, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mangalifewin.takeshobo.co.jp/rensai/yumenikki/|script-title=ja:ゆめにっき|publisher=Takeshobo|access-date=May 10, 2026|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706045237/http://mangalifewin.takeshobo.co.jp/rensai/yumenikki/|archive-date=July 6, 2014|url-status=dead|quote=5-tsuki 22-nichi komikkusu hatsubai kettei!!|script-quote=ja:5月22日コミックス発売決定!!|trans-quote=The comic book will be released on May 22nd!!}}</ref> The light novel is titled ''{{nihongo foot|Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream,|ゆめにっき —あなたの夢に私はいない—|Yume Nikki: Anata no Yume ni Watashi wa Inai|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}}'' and was written by Akira and illustrated by Aco Arisaka.<ref name="ANNAdaptations">{{cite web |last1=Nelkin |first1=Sarah |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Yume Nikki Surreal Horror Game Gets Novel, Manga Adaptations |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-03-01/yume-nikki-surreal-horror-game-gets-novel-manga-adaptations |access-date=August 7, 2019 |website=Anime News Network |archive-date=March 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303002247/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-03-01/yume-nikki-surreal-horror-game-gets-novel-manga-adaptations |url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on August 27, 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4569813054|script-title=ja:ゆめにっき あなたの夢に私はいない (FreeGameNovel)|website=Amazon|publisher=PHP Institute|language=ja|access-date=May 10, 2026|id={{ASIN|4569813054|country=jp}}}}</ref> and was licensed for digital distribution in English by J-Novel Club.<ref name="IGNsteam" /> ''PC Gamer'' reported that the manga and light novel were criticized for providing explanations for things the game had left open to interpretation, and the ''Yume Nikki'' merchandise distributor stated that the adaptations were not created as canonical extensions of Kikiyama's original ideas.<ref name="PCGamer" />

====''Yume Nikki: Dream Diary''==== {{main|Yume Nikki: Dream Diary}}

Along with the release of ''Yume Nikki'' on Steam, a two-week countdown appeared on the Kadokawa Games website.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="Countdown" /> At the end of the countdown, a reboot called ''Yume Nikki: Dream Diary'' was announced. The game, which is rendered in 3D,<ref name="GematsuReboot" /> was developed by Kadokawa under the supervision of Kikiyama, and features some design concepts and characters left unused in the original game.<ref name="GematsuReboot">{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |date=January 25, 2018 |title=Yume Nikki: Dream Diary is a 3D reboot, launches for PC on February 23 |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/01/yume-nikki-dream-diary-3d-reboot-launches-pc-february-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203002307/https://gematsu.com/2018/01/yume-nikki-dream-diary-3d-reboot-launches-pc-february-23 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |website=Gematsu}}</ref><ref name="IGNsequel">{{cite web |last1=Rad |first1=Chloi |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Yume Nikki: Dream Diary Revealed, a 'Reboot' of 2004 Cult Horror Game |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/25/yume-nikki-dream-diary-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130134832/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/25/yume-nikki-dream-diary-revealed |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=IGN |publication-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> Many of the characters and locations from the original returned in the reboot, and puzzle and platforming elements were added.<ref name="IGNswitch" /> It was released on Steam on February 23, 2018<ref name="IGNsequel" /> and for the Nintendo Switch on February 21, 2019.<ref name="IGNswitch">{{cite web |last1=Rad |first1=Chloi |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Yume Nikki: Dream Diary Launching on Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/15/yume-nikki-dream-diary-launching-on-nintendo-switch |access-date=February 17, 2019 |website=IGN |publication-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218023045/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/15/yume-nikki-dream-diary-launching-on-nintendo-switch |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Dream Diary'' received "mixed or average reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticSequel">{{Cite web |title=YUMENIKKI -DREAM DIARY- for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/yume-nikki-dream-diary/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110090347/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/yumenikki--dream-diary- |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |language=en}}</ref> Critics comparing the two games generally felt that ''Dream Diary'' was not as good as the original.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Adam |date=February 26, 2018 |title=Wot I Think: Yume Nikki - Dream Diary |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yume-nikki-dream-diary-review |url-status=live |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421114343/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yume-nikki-dream-diary-review |archive-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Kevin |date=August 12, 2019 |title=Yume Nikki – Dream Diary review |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/38126 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Adventure Gamers |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124045047/https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/38126 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Adam Smith of ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' said that it had lost the "mysterious horror and charm" of the original.<ref name=":0" /> Kevin Lynn of ''Adventure Gamers'' felt that ''Dream Diary''{{'s}} visuals were a "solid translation" of the original's into 3D, but said ''Yume Nikki''{{'s}} defining open-ended gameplay had been sacrificed in favor of adventure game tropes.<ref name=":2" />

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2025-02-23|En-Yume Nikki-article.ogg}} * [https://www3.nns.ne.jp/~tk-mto/ Kikiyama's website] {{in lang|ja}} * {{cite web|url=http://yumenikki.net/|title=Project YUMENIKKI|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817111812/http://yumenikki.net/|archive-date=August 17, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 14, 2013}} {{in lang|ja}} * [http://yume-nikki.com/ ''Yume Nikki: Dream Diary'' official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208160759/http://yume-nikki.com/ |date=February 8, 2019 }}

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