Yume Nikki

Yume Nikki the game that inspired Undertale and Omori, this 2004 Japanese 2d game made in rpg maker is a very surreal experience to be had. You play as this girl who goes to bed to wake up in a dream world, outside her room are different world to be explored and find effects that you can use to get other items such the umbrella to remove fire or to receive the game ending which will not spoiled. This game is free to play on steam and it's old so anything can play it. Do it, if you're not easily unsettled.

Yume Nikki is basically like taking acid but as a visual walkthrough. This game isn't about gameplay, but about an experience and adventure. With it's limited capabilities, it really does set the world of Yume Nikki and I found the game super surreal and scary somehow, Yume Nikki does a perfect job at putting you uneased at all times, even though nothing really happens; the music soundtrack (which is now one of my favourites of all time) and visual really fit perfectly together with setting an atmosphere of each world and section. Going through each discovery and place was very unsettling on the undertone, but I couldn't stop playing without finding all the effects.

I'm a sucker for music and oh boy this game really made me love it, even though it's super unnerving as you're this girl who's in my perspective is a shut-in that escapes life from dreaming. I think the dreams portray what the girl is feeling with the creepiness, with some symbolism of the end on stairs, the creepy ladies that I thought to be an abusive mother from trauma. This game says very little and put everything up to the audience's interpretation, which is amazingly genius that this very simple old game can resonate with so many people and be popular in the world of 4k graphics and triple A titles.

The soundtrack is very simple yet effective at setting the tone and making you on the edge when you're never really in danger. The songs are like 10 second loop but playing forever in that area. The repetition I think adds to the spook factor because with the trippy or spooky surrounding adds to the whole game. There's even some jammers in the mix too like FC basement or the rooftop.

Overall, it's a masterpiece to me and the art and community is amazing for this niche game. Play if you like 2d Japanese edgy games.

Thanks for Reading My Mini Review.