NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams

"Sega's Dream Demon Returns!"

Intro
Nearly 11 years ago a game was released on the Sega Saturn called NiGHTS into Dreams. The game was overlooked because Nintendo released Super Mario 64. NiGHTS was an amazing game that changed the way people looked at games. NiGHTS has gone down as a cult classic and for years demand for a sequel as big. Now finally NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams races to the Nintendo Wii but is it welcomed to the Wii? Or does it fail to match the brilliance of the first?

Story
You play the game as either two kids; Will and Helen. Both have some parental issues that the two children will try to conquer over the course of the game. Will seems too been too dependent on his father and Helen seems to be avoiding practice with her mother for some violin performance. The two go to sleep, have a nightmare, and wake up at the Dream Gate where they meet the friendly owl named Owl (how original). Soon after they encounter NiGHTS who is genderless (but in this review NiGHTS will be referred to as a boy) and because of this Sega tried to give him a voice that would sound like either a boy or girl would sound like…I would have made NiGHTS mute. So Wizeman the Wicked is out to conquer Nightopia and it's up to NiGHTS and the two children to stop him.

Graphics
The graphics for NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is either a hit or a miss. Some levels are beautiful and just dazzle with colors. Others seem bland and slapped together quickly. NiGHTS and the bosses look amazing and the Nightopians just look dull. The Chao from the Sonic series are much more interesting and they should have replaced the Nightopians with the Chao. Some of the enemies look amazing while others seem like they were rushed. Overall NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams has some amazing visuals and level designs that the first one is known for.

Gameplay
As NiGHTS you fly around a level flying through rings while trying to catch a bird who has the key to a cage. You have to catch three birds. Then you go fight a boss and three missions later on mission 5 you fight a harder version of that boss. The other three missions are either dreadful are fun. You'll chase an octopus creature called Octopaw trying to get as many links as possible. NiGHTS will turn into a rollercoaster and you'll speed through the tracks avoiding obstacles or into a ship to catch drowning Nightopians. In this game NiGHTS can transform into a dolphin, a rocket, or a dragon when you get the persona mask. The rest is platforming as the children which seemed to have been neglected. You'll go through the levels begging it to end so you can enjoy another level flying as NiGHTS or fighting one of the amazing boss battles.

Sound
The voices of all the characters fit. From Helen to Wizeman. Though as stated above I would have preferred NiGHTS silent throughout the game like Link or Samus. Reala sounds threatening and perfect for his role, Wizeman sounds great and even Owl sounds pretty cool. The music for NiGHTS is amazing and some of the best around. Some music from NiGHTS into Dreams is in this game remastered. The only game with better music is Super Mario Galaxy. Sonic Team is known for amazing music and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is the pinnacle of Sonic Team's musical score.

Replay Value
The game has a pretty good replay value as you go back to try to get a C rank or higher to unlock a hidden boss as well as the hidden ending. It is said if you get all 60 Dream Drops something is said to happen and I'm here to tell you it's not a new title screen. You'll want to go back again and again to play through the levels.

Overall
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is overall better than NiGHTS into Dreams and one of the best Wii games out. Flying through this visual masterpiece is something I will gladly do any day of the week.

Score: 9/10
Good: Flying through the levels, the visuals of the levels, the amazing boss battles, and online racing and battle modes through Wi-Fi.
Bad: Platforming as Helen and Will.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/25/07

Game Release: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (US, 12/18/07)