Yume Nikki is an independent Japanese exploration game created in RPGMaker 2003 and first released for free in 2004, with the last update posted in 2007. The game gathered a dedicated cult following, which was expanded worldwide after a fanmade English translation of the game made it more accessible outside of Japan. Only a few years after the game's initial release, fans began to create their own games borrowing gameplay and main ideas from the original. Over time, more and more of these fangames were made, and some even achieved a level of popularity close to the original Yume Nikki. Nowadays, there are hundreds of Yume Nikki fangames available online, from small demos with a handful of locations to massive collaborative projects with over a thousand locations to explore, all showcasing different art styles and vibes.
This page will by no means be a comprehensive list of Yume Nikki fangames, but will instead attempt to document the best and most popular of these games. This list will be passively updated over time with fangames I play and think should be on here. For a collection of many Yume Nikki fangames, I would also recommend to visit the Yume Nikki Fangames Wiki linked below.
Never stop dreaming.
Yume Nikki (which translates to "Dream Diary" in English) is an exploration RPGMaker video game created in 2004 by Japanese developer Kikiyama. The game stands apart from any other early RPGMaker games in its lack of battles, dialogue, and a clear narrative. In the game, you play as a girl named Madotsuki as she explores her dreams.
You begin in Madotsuki's bedroom, where you are able to go to sleep and transport to the "Nexus", which is a hub area with a dozen doors, all leading to a different dream world. From these worlds, you can explore deeper into the worlds, finding yourself in about 40 main areas, all with their own concept and vibe.
The main gameplay entails walking around these strange and surreal places in Madotsuki's dreams collecting "effects", which are collectibles that change her appearance, and sometimes provide special abilities that can help the player in various ways. One example of a useful effect would be the bicycle, which increases movement speed, allowing you to get around faster.
The game has tons to see, much that a player going in blind would most likely not see their first time around. Many chance-based "events" in the game can randomly happen as the player explores, adding more depth and intrigue into the game.
Yume Nikki garnered a passionate fanbase in Japan and eventually, mainly due to an English translation, worldwide. This cult following has led to a multitude of fangames being created by a multitude of different creators, showcasing different art styles and vibes.
Various, 2007
Yume 2kki is a collaborative fangame first released in 2007. It is the single largest of any Yume Nikki fangames, featuring over a thousand locations from dozens of creators over decades.
This is often considered to be the best Yume Nikki fangame, with the sheer size of it making it easy to get lost in its ocean of dreams. The high variety of the locations, due to the many different people who have worked on this game, keep the player's exploration fresh as they get deeper into the game.
Yume 2kki Wiki
lol_rust, 2009
.flow is a fangame created by lol_rust. This game is often considered to be one of the best Yume Nikki fangames, with many praising the horror elements and decrepit, oppressive atmosphere, which are big shifts from the colorful and strange loneliness and occasional whimsy of Yume Nikki.
The game's aesthetic is that of rusted metal, concrete, illness, and blood: all of which are common sights. Every location feels old and abandoned, despite the occasional living being that can be seen aimlessly wandering or loitering.
.flow Wiki
Koronba, 2010
LcdDem (Lucid Dream) is a fangame created by Koronba. It features a more tranquil and peaceful vibe compared to the original Yume Nikki.
While one of the most well-known Yume Nikki fangames for a time, nowadays it is usually more known for the developer disappearing from the internet after removing download links of the game and making a statement on their website urging people to not download or play the game anymore.
LcdDem Wiki Page
Harinezumi, 2013
Mikan Muzou is a fangame created by Harinezumi. It uncommonly features a male protagonist, hinted at to have a rough, possibly criminal past.
This fangame is similar to .flow in aesthetic, but with less horror elements. Dream worlds are often drab with muted greens and browns, and a plethora of grey.
Mikan Muzou Wiki
Zenmaigahara, 2010
Yume Nisshi is a fangame created by Zenmaigahara. It's a traditional fangame in style and content, featuring strange and open areas to explore.
Yume Nisshi Wiki Page
oudn, 2010
Yume Graffiti is a fangame created by oudn. It has a similar art style and design to the original Yume Nikki.
Yume Graffiti Wiki Page
Isasapiens, 2011
Me is a fangame created by Isasapiens. It's more rough around the edges than the original Yume Nikki and most fangames, but is considered to be a classic of Yume Nikki fangames by many. Me manages to be quite unique, however, in its frequent text boxes of descriptions and dialogue.
Me Wiki Page
Hinamokke, 2019
Yume Tagai is a fangame created by Hinamokke. It features two playable protagonists, one unlockable through specific steps.
Yume Tagai Wiki
dmn, 2022
Braingirl is an unfinished fangame created by dmn. It features mostly colorful interiors to explore, contrasting the wide open areas of the original Yume Nikki.
Braingirl Wiki
Klaufir, 2010
Answered Prayers is a fangame created by Klaufir. Instead of exploring dreams, you explore the game's 'Spirit World' and find 'prayers', which work the same as effects in the original Yume Nikki.
Answered Prayers Wiki
TanDen, 2012
Dream Genie is a fangame created by TanDen. It has a more clear story developed through events in game and meeting characters. There's also much more dialogue from NPC's and flavor text throughout the world than the average Yume Nikki fangame.
Dream Genie Wiki
Various, 2024
Collective Unconscious is a collaborative fangame. It's probably the second largest Yume Nikki fangame behind Yume 2kki, holding a few hundred different areas players can explore.
Collective Unconscious Wiki
Team Uneven, 2015
Uneven Dream is a collaborative fangame. A few times larger than Yume Nikki, it has two playable characters and plenty of great and differing locations to explore.
Uneven Dream Wiki
Various, 2024
black rain is a collaborative fangame headed by Murasaki no Yume. The game keeps up an aesthetic mostly consistent with that of the 2000s, which is visible in the "Flip Phone Graveyard" area.
black rain Wiki Page
