A Magical Jester has finally returned after 10 long years with this flawed yet charming Wii-exclusive title.
For those who don't know, NiGHTs: Journey of Dreams is a (respectiviley proclaimed) sequel from "NiGHTs into Dreams" released on the ill-faded Sega Saturn back in 1996, which came with a different style controller and different style of gameplay. Many Consider NiGHTs to be a spin off of Sonic, but if that's true or not back then, NiGHTs holds it's own as an underrated title.
Story: Just like in the first game, you have 2 kids to choose from to Journey into their dreams.
A boy named Will who loves being around and cared by his dad since he has not much friends, but when his dad leaves him, he had to face with his loneliness.
Then there is a girl named Helen, who is praticing to play the violin with her mother, but she spends more time with her friends than focusing on the concert that she is suppose to do.
Their dreams of those stories become nightmares, so they both run away from dark spirits that try to catch them, though they enter the white light that leads to the Gate of Dreams.
So, it's not really hyped, epic kind of stories but more like something delightful that we can appreciate in the game, though during the course of the cutscenes, they may seem different with the characters but it's the same thing, but there are a few variatons that add differences to both stories.
While during the main course of the game, NiGHTs with the child of your choice defend Nightopia from the evil Nightmaren which is lead by the dark Wizeman the Wicked and his main henchman and NiGHTs rival Reala (who looks similar to NiGHTs but more creepy, dark, sinister and kinda cool ^-^).
The story progresses for the kids to learn on what's right and such, also mysteries about NiGHTs.
Gameplay: It's pretty much like the first, you just go around and do different missions. For example, when trying to get NiGHTs out of his cage, you Dualize with him (as in the child you chose will join into him so you can play NiGHTs) and you have to go around and get 3 keys to get NiGHTs out in every different direction. After, you fight a boss, most of them are challenging or at least tricky like a chameleon that keeps disappering.
Graphics: The colours in the game are astounding in the least but low wheb it comes to the technical spots. Even with the cutscenes, there are a few frame rate issues, but that does not interrupt the gameplay. So, the graphics are not the best but colourful.
Design: Simple and sweet, the Gate of Dreams is nothing more but a park surronded in water but when comes to playing the game, level design is astounding as it looks.
Controls: There are many controller types you can choose from, not one but 4 controller types which include the Wii-mote, Nunchuck, Classic Controller or the Gamecube controller (I use the Nunchuck controller while many people prefer the Classic and/or Gamecube controller). They're pretty simple though can be taught for the first time or different controller type when you Dualize with NiGHTs and learn from Owl (the player's tutor), there are a few tricks like the Paraloop, which you make NiGHTs do a loop that can grab a bunch of orbs or .
Though the controllers are a bit broken in someway, like it may not aim on where you move on the wii-mote or control stick, but if you can get pass that it's not too bad, but not the best either.
Sound: First: Music, it is beautiful, well-crafted orchestrated music makes this a buy it now soundtrack with such magnificent classical style, there are a few ones that we remember but it's all well and dandy.
Second: Effect, it has a few classics and some new ones.
Third: Voice, Yes, NiGHTs has a voice in this game, though the dialog may seem a bit cheesy, but so is the voice acting, sounding stereotypicial british people and NiGHTs may seem like a he to the characters in the game but sound more of a she with the looks and voice. So, it's seems laughably bad but not horrible.
Overall: This may not be the best NiGHTs game that we'd hope for, with it's clunky controls, dodgy graphics, tough boss battles and cheesy voices, but it's all the same gameplay that we remembered 10 years ago and has that certain charm that we love and care.
Give it a rent first, but if you're a Sega fan and/or want something worth while for your Wii, then this will do just fine!