A dream come true?
When Sega went multiformat publisher, it looked like anything was possible. Surely Sonic would conquer the world; Phantasy Star would rewrite online gaming; Virtua Tennis would become an annual success; next-gen Shenmue would emerge; and celebrated 1996 cult Saturn classic NiGHTS: Into Dreams would get the acclaimed mainstream sequel it deserved.
Sadly, most haven’t happened. Sonic’s efforts have been hit-and-miss; PSU was a comfortable more-of-the-same; Virtua Tennis 3 was the first home-system VT since 2001; and Shenmue III simply hasn’t transpired. Luckily, with Wii NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, we’ve got one of our wishes. But can it live up to twelve years of expectations?
Hardcore fans of the first NiGHTS will find NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams to be familiar and fun, if nowhere near as fresh as the original. Everybody else will discover an enjoyable, if inconsistent gliding-platformer with all the hallmarks – good and bad – of Sonic Team’s recent releases.
A buoyant, busy sensory assault of trippy bright colours, sweeping string orchestra, cutesy characters and sheer childlike fantasy.
Most obviously, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams has bags of charm. A buoyant, busy sensory assault of trippy bright colours, sweeping string orchestra, cutesy characters and sheer childlike fantasy, Journey of Dreams stylistically does Sonic Team proud.
It’s a great start to what, at its best, is an elegant, enrapturing and surprisingly diverse title. NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams sees you entering the dreams of twelve year-olds Will and Helen and undertaking three different styles of play; traditional NiGHTS free-floating play where you control the titular androgynous jester, boss battles, and platforming where you control whichever of the kids whose story you’re playing.
In flight, NiGHTS is an utter joy – providing you don’t go for the Wiimote-only controls. The Endless Ocean-style Mindsight pointer method is shockingly oversensitive, and you’ll do best using the Nunchuk to move – or, preferably, a Classic or GameCube controller.
Whimsical fairytale
These levels see you chase three birds through three different on-rails laps of a whimsical fairytale – collecting orbs, gliding through hoops to maintain your boost meter, circling enemies, sometimes changing into different forms, occasionally controlling NiGHTS from a behind-the-character view, and generally trying to get the fastest time and best score possible. It’s every bit as addicting and replayable as the Saturn original, and if NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams contained a solid ten hours of this, it would be an instant Wii classic.
Sadly, it doesn’t. Indeed, the execution of the rest of Journey of Dreams can’t help but leave you wondering what Sonic Team were thinking.
A title, much like its forebear, that some players may not 'get', but all should sample.
Getting to a boss in NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is both a blessing and a curse. They’re amongst the most interesting you’ll see outside of a Zelda game, but run out of time and you’ll not restart the boss itself, but actually do the entire level again to get to that point. Frustrating isn’t the word.
If that’s annoying for NiGHTS fans, Journey of Dreams’ platform levels will be a little soul crushing. Frankly, they’re uninspired and dull, but you’ll persevere with them – as well as bearing with the kiddy story, hammy dialogue and surprising frequency of lengthy cutscenes – just to get to that ever-playable gliding gameplay.
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams’ other features are novel, though not necessarily essential additions. Multiplayer is made up of races and battles, but is an interesting diversion at best that true NiGHTS fans will get more from than everyone else. The My Dream area, meanwhile, is a nice touch – especially the weather mimicking – but is utterly ancillary to Journey of Dreams’ main game – which is sadly over within 6-8 hours, with only the ever-elusive A grades on each level for completists to pursue thereafter.
What it comes down to, then, is uniqueness. The original NiGHTS was often called a "Sky-based Sonic", and considered at the time to be one of the most original titles around. Twelve years on and that’s an apt summing up of Journey of Dreams, too. Thankfully, it’s a darn sight better than the spiny speedster’s recent releases, and – despite the brevity and a few old school gaming quirks – will be a title, much like its forebear, that some players may not 'get', but all should sample. Sweet dreams for Sega fans, then; and not a nightmare for anyone else, either.
GAME's Verdict
- Classic time-attacking gliding NiGHTS gameplay.
- Wonderful, bright, vibrant visuals, as you'd expect from Sonic Team.
- Brilliant bosses.
- Platforming levels aren't anywhere near as enjoyable as the flying ones.
- Having to replay an entire level because you failed to beat a boss.
- At 6-8 hours for the two kid's stories, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams isn't an epic.
Review by: Mark 'Sleepalot' Scott
Version Tested: Wii
Review Published: 25.01.08