| NiGHTS into Dreams is one of the most critically
acclaimed games ever created for the Sega Saturn. It came with the very first analog
control pad for the use of this game. This game has redefined how the action/adventure
genre of games were made. It forever changed videogame controllers with the addtion of an
analog joystick. But how does it play? I'm sure you've heard all of the positive reviews
and all of the negative ones as well, and are probably wondering "Where can I get a
unbiased review?" Right here, of course! To be
honest with all of you, I was infatuated with playing this game when it first came out in
America. I saw it at a store display in my local Toys R Us, and thought it looked cooler
than Super Mario 64, which also came out at about the same time. So I picked up the 3-D
control pad and played it, as everyone else was drooling over the Super Mario game,
imbeciles (j/k). I won't deny that this game is very confusing to play at first, but once
you get into the game, the controls become second nature, really.
The graphics in this game by today's standards are in the realm of
average to above- average. Keep in mind this game's from 1996 folks, it's not like we had
PS2 quality technology yet. But for graphics back then, these were phenomenal. In my
opinion, this game still looks better than some of the crap I've seen today on the newer
systems. One thing to complain about though, would be the very few and rare instances of
slowdown in this game. I've only seen 2 scenes of actual slowdown, and I'm a little bit
over halfway right now.
NiGHTS into Dreams has many bright levels and colors throughout the
entire game. Technically speaking, I think that the game plays in 256-bit color, which was
rare back in 1996 for games to use. The FMV's are not exactly Squaresoft quality, but they
are pretty good anyway, again, especially good for 1996. Every level is masterfully
designed by the creative folks at Sonic Team and Yuji Naka. The effects in the game are so
incredibly well done and perfectly thought out. Another thing worth noticing
about this game is that although it comes with a 3-D control pad, (which I did not have
the luxury of having while playing this game :( ) most of the game is not really in 3-D.
The main aspect of the game, having Nights (the main character) fly through the air is
really only 2-D. When you control Ellis or Elliot, however, the game is in 3-D and you can
rotate the camera. However, this is not to say that Nights' stages don't look like they're
in 3-D. The scaling effects that the Sega Saturn has come greatly into play in this game.
In Nights' levels, you can move in any direction on a 2-D plane. This is
why I call it 2.5-D. It does feel like it's 3-D most of the time, and an analog stick
would be the perfect controller to utilize that. However, it is important to realize that
the entire level is inter- twined with itself, meaning under normal circumstances, you are
able to go back to any part of the stage at any time, unless you've already completed that
stage.
As for the sound in this game, it's pretty good too. The music is the
shining star of this area, and Sega knew it too, as you can put the NiGHTS CD into your CD
player or the Saturn CD player and listen to tracks from the game. As for the sound
effects, they're your standard Sega effects where when you complete something, a little
chime will pop out to let you know you did something. There are also nice explosion
effects in the game along with Ellis and Elliot yelling out from time to time. But
basically, unless you count the music, the sound effects in this game are only average.
The gameplay is the true shining star of this game. As I mentioned
earlier, I did not have a 3-D control pad handy to play this game with. However, it still
rocks without a controller, although I'd rather have one because the game is obviously
meant to be played with it. You'll play as Nights, and fly around through hoops and loops
and perform tricks. It may sound simple, and the gameplay actually is, but let me assure
you that this game packs a lot of game in. While playing as NiGHTS, you are timed as you
progress throughout the stages in a course. If you run out of time, then you are
transformed back to Elliot or Ellis, who is then left to beat the mini-boss on their own.
All of the bosses have a unique way to beat them. With Elliot's first
boss, you must fly into the boss and aim it towards a breakable obstacle on the right side
of the screen and throw him into it until you hit the last one. They're all quite well
thought out, and most of them are challenging and fun to fight against. I personally think
this is a triumph for all action/adventure games, the way that everything was so thought
out and planned ahead.
As for replay value, unfortunately, this game is rather short. However,
I've found myself coming back for more every time I turn off my Saturn. Although the game
doesn't last long, I think that you'll do just like me, (if you actually find yourself
enjoying it) and keep coming back. The level design is excellent and so
intriguing that I
keep coming back to try to find some new stuff in each level (and I usually do!). Another
thing that really keeps me back is to try to find those oh-so-quick cameos from other Sega
games. Actually one of the levels is based on a Vectorman level, which I think is quite
cool.
Overall, if you own a Saturn, there's no freaking reason why this is not
in your collec- tion. This game is a triumph for level design, videogame controllers, and
the entire videogaming world in general. Ignore the negative reviews of this game, and go
pick this up today! (If you've got a Saturn, of course)
.:. bizzarro |
