Games for Lunch: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams

In a nutshell: The world's foremost flying-dream-jester simulation
3/18/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 3

0:19 The little angelic Nightopians are SO CUTE! But then the red-jester Reala comes in and attacks/nags NiGHTS. "Seize the traitor! ... Go and lock up the prisoner. I'll be back shortly." Ugh... does this mean I have to control Will for a while? Owl: "Red Ideya, Dualize, blah blah blah."

0:21 Sure enough, I have to walk as Will. But not for long... NiGHTS is trapped in the cage about five feet in front of me. I touch him and we're off and flying!

0:23 I have to chase a bird through a section full of blue collect-a-balls and rings. I get a D because I don't really know what I'm trying to do until halfway through. The controls ride the fine line between responsive and touchy. It's slightly out-of-control, but in a good way... very smooth.

0:27 Focusing on speed in the next section, I get a C. It's hard to see what's coming up, though, meaning it's hard to plan ahead unless you memorize the stage -- which I guess is the appeal for some.

0:28 The perspective briefly changes here to a behind-the-back, Star Fox style, which kind of ruins the point. NiGHTS can't do loops, just follow a set path. Still, I can see where I'm going, so in a way I enjoy it more.

0:30 Another C on Section 3. I think I've figured out why the controls are so tough: the constantly changing perspective. I keep unconsciously trying to correct for it, so I teeter up or down slightly. Would be better as a true side-scroller, I think.

0:31 Boss time... a big jester-ball... thing. I have to tap him and dash to get him to the top of a tower. More constant perspective changes and a camera that refuses to zoom out make it tougher than it should be. I get a C. I know, excuses, excuses, but it really feels like gameplay took a backseat to stylish camera angles and presentation, here. It's not unplayable; it's just not as playable as it could be.

0:34 Owl: "Ideya Nightopia Ideya blah blah blah."

0:38 I stumble into the "My Dream" area: a big, mostly empty field populated with the few enemies I've beaten so far. I'm not impressed. The boss isn't even here, and he was by far the most interesting enemy so far, visually.

0:41 Octopaw expels rings. How convenient. "Come on Will. Shall we have some fun." NiGHTS gave off a creepy, Michael Jackson vibe just there.

0:43 The point of this level is to follow Octopaw's trail of rings and keep your combo going quickly. Reminds me a bit of Piltowings. The goal is to get a 30 string. I get 93 without breaking a sweat. Still only ranks a B. Most fun I've had yet, though. It's all about fluidity of motion, here.

0:45 Argh. I accidentally touch NiGHTS in the dreamgate hub area and it takes me through flying lessons again. There's no way to get out except to QUIT THE GAME. Boo. Bad design.

0:47 I'm liking the music. It's soothing in a Katamari-ish way. NiGHTS and Will talk father issues, but then the Nightopians are getting sucked into a vortex. Paraloops can save them, so off we go.

0:50 Again, the super-zoomed-in view means it's hard to find the little buggers I'm supposed to be saving. There's a radar of sorts, but I can't make head nor tail of it. NIGHT OVER. I accidentally hit "Quit" instead of "Retry" -- argh!