Inspiration

Inspiration (sometimes called .Inspiration, likely in the same style as .flow) is a somewhat obscure fangame by Russian artist Rainychan. The game centers around the story of a reclusive artist named Alex, who appears to live alone. His computer has broken down, so he has been reduced to reading books he's grown tired of and falling asleep to explore his dream world.

Protagonist
The main character is a small boy, though likely a teenager, with mid-length black hair parted in the middle and a blue shirt with a sort of checkered design on the front of it. Like Madotsuki of the original Yume Nikki, his eyes always appear to be closed.

Alex is likely a somewhat isolated individual who does not feel accepted by people. Unlike in a lot of fangames and in the original Yume Nikki itself, he is able to leave his one-roomed house and travel in the foggy street outside. His actions reveal him to be an unmotivated but imaginative individual on his own terms. For example, while he is uninterested in reading books after his computer -- the tool that likely served as his creative conduit, perhaps in another allusion to .flow -- has shut down and he's tried a few, his dream world shows Alex's outlook towards use of color and neutral shades and evidence his interest in nature.

Worlds that are populated by natural elements, such as Sky or Forest World, tend to be empty, relaxing, and unrestricted to the protagonist. The few individuals that live there, if any, tend to be peaceful. On the other hand, characters located in more crowded, urbanized areas are more malevolent or indifferent towards him, whether they be chasers or simply NPCs that opt for monophonic sounds upon interaction over actual spoken dialogue that other, more friendly characters may avail themselves to. Some exclude him when he tries to join in a group: the green block with a martini in Color World 3 says "the party is over" and nothing else, despite the fact that two other socialites are in the room and no efforts are being made to end any sort of social gathering -- in fact, the block itself seems quite settled.



In another example, the first girl you encounter in the black and white mask area says, "This place is too good for you. Get out." She is smiling and continues to walk around. The fact that this all occurs in the dream world of an individual who lives alone indicates that this could be a result of his current self-image in terms of how he believes others perceive him or traumatic social incidents that may have occurred in the past, staying true to the nature of Yume Nikki and its derivitive games.

One notable exception to this peer-rejection pattern seems to be the Shopkeeper, who on first appearance is very friendly towards Alex, even going so far as to give him a free effect to coax him into becoming the "buying type." However, his sincerity of goodwill towards the protagonist is arguable -- after the initial conversation, the only thing the man says is, "Welcome!" before taking the player to the shop screen, likely indicating that once his ulterior motives, i.e. convincing Alex that he is an approachable individual worthy of a loyal customer, have been realized, he is comfortable with resigning to his true hidden personality of indifference towards any personal struggles of the main character; perhaps the fact the bangs of his green hair cover his eyes and his ever-present smile are symbols of this untrustworthy characteristic. Interestingly enough, the effect you receive from him is Protagonist.

Game Mechanics
What sets Inspiration apart from a number of fangames and the original game it's based on is a handful of traits: for one, the game was made with RPG Maker XP, a newer version than the more common RPG Maker 2000 and 2003. The controls and circumstances are, consequently, radically different. Arrow keys are used to move, but ENTER is now the interact key in place of the usual use of Z. When SHIFT is held, the game speeds up slightly, a useful tool for navigating faster. The game is sped up more when SHIFT and CTRL are held at the same time. The "x" key is still used to access the menu, but this menu has a different layout and can be used to save from any point in the game, as opposed to just in the protagonist's bedroom.

Controls aside, Inspiration is a relatively easy game to find one's way through, partially as a result of the fact it has yet to be further developed and expanded, but also due to the fact that the maps don't loop, and therefore doors to new locations are much easier to find.

Inspiration also makes use of character dialogue, which helps gain an insight into the mind of the main character and figures he sees in his dreams. Interacting with certain objects in the real world bedroom sometimes make Alex lend his thoughts on them. The main character having any sort of dialogue is something of a defining and avant garde trait of the game, which only so many other fangames have made use of, such as the Looking Glass. Traditionally, the protagonist is left to be silent and their personality up to the player's own discretion.

Effects and Items (WIP)
3D Glasses give Alex, well, 3D glasses. It appears as though the effect has no other use besides appearance. It is found in the Numbers Room accessed from Neon Town.

Mage makes Alex don a purple hooded robe, in the image of a traditional mage. The effect is obtained by walking in the circle of light in the Magical Lab in the Sky.

Girl turns Alex into a girl, giving him longer hair, though the difference is difficult to see. Found in the Eyes Room in the leftmost mirror, which hints at some thematic aspects of the protagonist's possible inner conflicts. The Eyes Room can be found by interacting with the leftmost stereo in the Neon Room.

Protagonist gives Alex a red ballcap, yellow backpack, and blue striped shirt to wear. It can be received for free by talking to the shop keeper in Black Gray.

Short Hair shorten's Alex's hair. It can be purchased in the shop for 25 G.

Talisman places a paper talisman on Alex's face. It can be purchased in the shop for 25 G.

Monochromika  can be bought in the shop for 15 G. It changes Alex's palette to monochrome.