Yume Nikki - Dream Diary -

So, I took advantage of a 3 euro sale, and downloaded myself a copy of Yume Nikki - Dream Diary. Now, in case you're unfamiliar with the Yume Nikki franchise (because, even though only a handful of products are available, this is basically what it's become), here's the quick rundown: about 10 years ago some Japanese anon nicknamed Kikiyama  released a small pixel-art style game called Yume Nikki. Cobbled together with rudimentary skills and a copy of PRGMaker, the game's bizarre, dream inspired atmosphere, as well as its lack of perceived basic elements of gameplay (almost no enemies or game overs, an 'ending' that is little more than an afterthought, no significant scoring system) caught on with those looking for something bizarre, different, and free.
Cue Kadokawa (yes, they don't publish just books) and their so-called Yume Nikki - Dream Diary - project: a tribute / sidequel /rehash of the original game in glorious 3d graphics, allegedly under the supervision of Kikiyama itself. A cursory browse of the web should make it pretty clear that this cash-in masqueraded as a tribute was very, very poorly received.

Because, I won't deny it, the game is a quick and dirty cash-in, designed to capitalize on the original game's popularity, while trying to get more audience by sticking on top of it more typically 'game-like' elements that might appeal to a contemporary crowd. Still I feel that, while the intentions might not have been pure, the tangible result is a flawed, but still interesting little game - for a number of reasons.

First of all, while I was very attached to the pixel-like graphics of the original Yume Nikki, I must admit that the select few worlds rendered in Dream Diary are visually stunning, keeping to the predecessor but adding a layer of eye candy that, for obvious reasons, the original lacked. Also, the couple of worlds that are 'new' to Dream Diary (a city alley and a school) are probably the best parts of the game: the school in particular could very well deserve its own small, indie game.

So, where's the problem(s)? first of all, Kadokawa's attempts to turn Yume Nikki's abstract gameplay into a more streamlined experience, both action-wise and in the story department, leave a lot to be desired. A 'good' ending tacked at the end of the game, while heartwarming, has little sequitur with both the original, and the remake's own atmosphere. Also, the many platforming elements, often poorly designed, really drive home one concept that, by now, I hoped all game designers got into their head: your game either is a platformer, or it isn't. Platforming 'elements' never work, period. Controls are wonky, and the point of view more often interferes than not with actually accomplishing objectives. Finally, the puzzle elements are ok, but very basic and could have used some more polish.

As often happens with remakes / reboots / however you want to call them, I feel Dream Diary would have worked much better as its own thing, keeping the bases but delving into its own world - perhaps building more on the 'school' levels. As it stands, Dream Diary is a largely disappointing experience, and not the least because it's hampered by the legacy left by its predecessor, a milestone in indie gaming.

If you're wondering yes, it's worth those 3 euros. Not much more, sadly.