The dream with my beloved dog Lily continues. The indie game "Lily in Dream World" is a battle action title deeply reflecting the creator's own "story" [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/949/G094918/20250928039/
Writer: Takahashi Yusuke | 2025/09/28 09:30 (UTC)
In recent years, cat-point-of-view exploration adventures like Stray and Little Kitty, Big City have occasionally drawn attention. So why not try a dog’s perspective game if it offers an interesting twist? That’s exactly what caught the eye of this writer—a dog lover (though I also adore cats)—at the iGi × Sōfū booth during TGS 2025: “Lily in Dream World.”
The game’s adorable protagonist, Lily, is a miniature dachshund who has already passed away. Her owner, Takel-kun, sinks into deep despair after her death. To recover lost memories with him and bring back his smile, Lily embarks on a journey through the “Dream World.”
You might naturally assume this would be a heartfelt adventure. But the gameplay of this title is actually “musou-style battle action.” Lily, wielding weapons in her mouth like a ninja dog, slashes through hordes of enemies resembling zombie dogs—“Petros”—with swift, decisive strikes: Zubazuba! Bash! Yet no matter how many fall, more keep emerging, relentlessly pushing Lily toward the edge. The tension is absolutely gripping.
The action is packed with variety. Players can learn skills like “Senshou Dog” and “Hyakuretsu Dog” (punch?), enhance abilities and stamina, build up a gauge to unleash powerful attacks, dodge just in time for counterattacks—offering both growth and strategic depth.
As you progress through stages, massive bosses appear and the gameplay shifts into intense, skill-based combat. When you successfully dodge an enemy’s attack and break their defense, a “chance moment” arrives—offering solid, satisfying gameplay.
Watch for the enemy’s movements before attacks to respond effectively Image Gallery No.006 thumbnail / The dream with my beloved Lily continues. Independent game “Lily in Dream World,” a battle action title deeply infused with the creator’s personal story, was showcased at TGS2025
Opportunity! Deliver a crushing attack Image Gallery No.007 thumbnail / The dream with my beloved Lily continues. Independent game “Lily in Dream World,” a battle action title deeply infused with the creator’s personal story, was showcased at TGS2025
To be honest, there’s a bit of an oddity—deliberately dodging into attacks makes “just dodge” easier to pull off. So the gameplay isn’t overly tight. According to creator Yoshio, the goal wasn’t to frustrate players with difficult combat but rather to create a game that even complete beginners or children who’ve become interested in Lily can enjoy thrillingly and excitedly.
To be honest, the connection between a miniature dachshund and battle action still feels somewhat mysterious even now (laughs). But that very ambiguity is what gives this indie game its unique soul—and proof of fresh, boundary-pushing expression beyond conventional genres.
The game isn’t purely action-focused. Exploration and story segments are present too, giving the overall experience a well-balanced rhythm. Though it has a warm, cozy atmosphere, mild horror elements occasionally creep in—fitting for a dream world gone awry. It manages to strike a perfect balance: accessible enough for young children yet offering stylish, satisfying action gameplay that fans of the genre can truly shine in. That’s exactly what this game aims to achieve.
In fact, I covered this game in my article last year at Tokyo Game Dungeon 5. Since then, creator Yoshio has been selected for the fifth cohort of iGi—an incubation program hosted by Marvelous.
Creator Yoshio from Yoshio Games Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / The dream with my beloved Lily continues. Independent game “Lily in Dream World,” a battle action title deeply infused with the creator’s personal story, was showcased at TGS2025
At TGS 2025, the game was exhibited at the iGi × Sōfū booth and even featured as one of the topics in a TBS news program’s coverage of TGS 2025. Apparently, seeing Anjo from N-Station up close made everyone swoon—“He’s too handsome!”
“Anjo from N-Station was so handsome I fell head over heels just watching him up close.
Lily also felt a bit more responsive to control this time.
Plus, the game explanation hit all the right notes—I’m totally hooked.
I plan to keep joking about this forever—until I’m old and gray.” pic.twitter.com/IStBi3z2lS
— Yoshio Games @TokyoGameShow2025! (@Yoshio_Games007) September 25, 2025
It’s safe to say that Lily, now in heaven, would be thrilled to see how far her story has come. The dream between Lily and Takel might not just live on in Yoshio’s heart—but perhaps also linger within the hearts of everyone who plays this game—leaving behind a lasting emotional resonance.
The moment Lily met Takel. With each boss defeated, memories return one by one Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / The dream with my beloved Lily continues. Independent game “Lily in Dream World,” a battle action title deeply infused with the creator’s personal story, was showcased at TGS2025