GB Review: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii)

Blog Style or Sort By Most Bumps This... Day Week Month Life

GB Review: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii)Posted 11:58am Wed Jan 30, 2008 by Solomon Lee Tags: review, Nights Journey of Dreams, wii, sega, 3 stars

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is a promising title that suffers regrettably from bland platforming levels and poor control scheme. Despite having high hopes for this game, I can only recommend NiGHTS as a rental for both hardcore fans and newcomers. The game sports beautiful visuals and a nostalgic soundtrack but the game as a whole feels much too fragmented. Online multiplayer modes are a nice addition but they don't offer much in terms of replay value and appeal. As it stands, NiGHTS is only enjoyable at select moments with the rest of the game falling victim to mediocrity.

score:

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

NiGHTS: Into Dreams, released over a decade ago, was Sega's flagship title for the Saturn that challenged Nintendo's magnum opus, Super Mario 64. Though the game was highly praised for its creative gameplay mechanics involving flight and the use of a special controller, Nights was eclipsed by the red plumber in Mario 64 that achieved enormous success. After many years of fan requests and petitions, Sega has enlisted Sonic Team to bring back one of their most cherished titles on the Nintendo Wii. The long awaited Nights sequel has arrived with the enigmatic NiGHTS soaring once again in NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams.

The story involves the tale of two children, William Taylor and Helen Cartwright, who have nightmares regularly due to failing relationships with their parents. Consequently, they are overcome by feelings of despair and loneliness as they both struggle alone. NiGHTS, the carefree purple Nightmaren, reaches out to them upon their arrival in the mysterious dream world known as Nightopia. It is in this world that Will and Helen summon the courage to help NiGHTS rescue Nightopia against the evil Wizeman and the sinister Reala. Together, they must restore peace to Nightopia by collecting the positive traits of five colored orbs: courage, hope, intelligence, growth and purity.

At the start, you can choose either Will or Helen and your choice will dictate the story that unfolds in the game. Both of them have unique experiences in Nightopia as they encounter NiGHTS, Reala and the evil Wizeman in different circumstances. The game begins in a centralized area known as the Dream Gate where you are able to visit seven different worlds through separate doorways. Each world consists of five levels with mission objectives to be completed in a short period of time. The first few levels are reminiscent of the flight levels seen in the original release with NiGHTS soaring through yellow rings, snagging blue chips and destroying flying enemies. Taking control of the purple jester-like Nightmaren requires you to fuse together and "dualize" with NiGHTS. In other words, both Will and Helen must temporarily assume the form of NiGHTS to begin and complete the chase levels.

NiGHTS can be controlled with the Wiimote, Wiimote and nunchuk, classic controller and the Gamecube controller. NiGHTS fly horizontally and vertically leaving behind a sparkling rail of lights that can be used to execute aerial combat maneuvers. The Wiimote option is utilized by pointing the screen cursor in the direction that NiGHTS should be flying. Whereas the nunchuk and classic controller offers intuitive controls, the Wiimote by itself lacks the necessary precision needed to guide NiGHTS from Point A to Point B. In the various stages, you can perform two special moves: the Drill Dash and the Paraloop. The Drill Dash allows you to spin and accelerate at a faster speed to collect rings, smash items and destroy enemies. Conversely, the Paraloop is executed by flying in a circular motion around flying creatures and foes. Thus, an aerial vacuum is created that captures both Nightopians and Nightmarens in mid-air and sends them to a different world entirely.

Boss encounters are initiated at the end of the first level of each world. The different challenges vary from easy to moderately difficult when facing a hideous foe. Frustration easily mounts in boss fights as you often struggle to figure out how to finish the necessary mission objective. In addition, dying in a boss fight means that you have to start the entire mission over again. Sadly, there are no save points or items that allow you to restart the boss encounter after a slow but painful death. Once the boss is defeated, you must fight a stronger form of the same boss once more in the final level.

Persona masks are highly coveted items to be found in the separate worlds throughout, and when found and used accordingly, they transform NiGHTS into three different creatures: dolphin, dragon and rocket. The dolphin persona mask allows you to swim freely underwater and enables access to secret secluded areas while the dragon mask provides NiGHTS with superior wind resistance. Finally, just like the name suggests, the rocket persona mask turns you into a rocket blasting you through yellow rings and breakable objects at a phenomenal speed.

The biggest disappointment in this game is the platforming levels. With either Will or Helen, you must finish numerous mission levels ranging from regrouping with NiGHTS to collecting as many orbs as possible. However, these levels are dull and uninspired compared to the more intriguing free-roaming flight levels with NiGHTS. What's more, it's not always clear where you're supposed to go when trying to complete the mission objective in a timely manner. To top it off, the camera is dreadful and quite a nuisance around tight corners and walls. These levels comprise a majority of the mission levels in the Nightopia worlds that really doesn't add anything valuable to the overall gameplay.

After the first Nightopia world is cleared, a special doorway is unlocked to another world. This secluded world, known as My Dream, is home to your private collection of creatures from the Nightopia worlds. In reference to the Paraloop technique, Nightopians and enemy creatures, Nightmarens, are brought to this world after they are captured in regular mission levels. There are two kinds of every creature and the type and quantity of the creatures will influence the environment of the My Dream world. Special gifts and invitations can be exchanged and extended to online friends that wish to visit your paradise through an exclusive friend roster list.

Multiplayer matches feature two different modes: Race and Battle. Under the Race mode, you can compete against a friend locally or online to be the first to reach the goal. The three online modes are as follows: With a Nearby Friend, With a Faraway Friend and With a Random Player. With a Nearby Friend mode pits two players against one another in a Nightopia game. The Faraway Friend mode allows you to challenge a friend online from your friend roster list whereas the Random Player mode matches you up against almost anyone online. Regarding the Battle mode, you are free to set the rules and parameters of a competitive game against a friend offline.

The visuals in this game are simply a delight. Vibrant colors and polished designs are evident in the trees, waterfalls, rocky terrains, buildings, aquatic creatures and the surrounding landscape. The roller coaster mission with fireworks, flying enemies and the soaring NiGHTS is wonderful eye-candy filled with charm and excitement. As for the soundtrack, the music blends perfectly with the game in promoting the artistic and whimsical world of Nightopia. Most of the voice work is well done with strong performances behind Will, Helen and the cheerful NiGHTS.

Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Release Date: 12/18/07
ESRB: E