TGS hands-on: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Sep 20th 2007 at 4:19PM }
After clamoring for a NiGHTS: Into Dreams sequel for years and clinging to creator Yuji Naka's legs even as he propelled himself through the doors of his own studio, many fans of the acrobatic airborne harlequin were delighted to see their dreams come true in the form of a new Wii title. Journey of Dreams had found the perfect platform, where boundless motion controls would exquisitely express the freedom of flight.
Right?
Bizarrely, tellingly and somewhat amusingly, the Tokyo Game Show demo of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams makes no use of motion controls whatsoever. The analog stick on the nunchuck controls movement, the A-button speeds you up and.... well, that's pretty much it. While several control schemes are likely to be in the works for the completed game, the lack of Wii-specific abilities seems to worsen the lack of differentiation between NiGHTS and its sequel.
Gallery: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
It's an unfortunate omission at this stage, but we can't form an opinion on a control scheme we only imagine to be great. We do imagine, however, that these potentially unique controls could become something of a crutch for Journey of Dreams, as playing the game with traditional controls not only makes us question the choice of platform, but how the game differs from Into Dreams.
Depending on how fond you are of nostalgia (if you've even played the Sega Saturn original), perhaps that's not a bad thing. There's still a sense of grace and fluidity to be gained from flying through the air, maneuvering through rings and, instead of collecting a set of orbs, chasing after a crazed bird with a key lodged in its beak. You'll fly in a circuit around the boldly colorful levels (currently stricken by an abysmal framerate, it should be noted) until you catch it and use the key to unlock another circuit through the same environment, all the while avoiding enemies or dispatching them by doing a quick loop around them. It's the classic and relaxing gameplay that made NiGHTS so memorable, whether or not you played it with Sega's "3-D" (read: analog) controller.
It seems Sega is doing right by NiGHTS fans so far, albeit by giving them exactly what they want and nothing more. However, failing to demonstrate meaningful motion controls at this juncture seems to imply that the gameplay isn't even fundamentally affected by it. If other Wii control schemes can match the dreamy and effortless movements of the game's androgynous protagonist, however, Journey of Dreams might reach beyond being a straightforward sequel.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shig @ Sep 20th 2007 4:24PM
Perhaps they're making graphics their first priority?
phattie @ Sep 20th 2007 4:47PM
Take another look at the screen shots.. circa Dreamcast.
Robotheart @ Sep 20th 2007 6:15PM
If graphics were their first priority, they would have designed the game on a system whos graphical power isnt processed by 2 hamsters in a rusty excersize wheel.
phattie @ Sep 20th 2007 4:30PM
They learned from the mistake of warhawk.. flight + motion controls dont work.. or at the least give players options in addition to the motion controls.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 20th 2007 4:34PM
Umm... what? Warhawk had excellent motion controls.
Do you mean Lair by chance?
phattie @ Sep 20th 2007 4:35PM
Yea, Lair...
NaeemTHM @ Sep 20th 2007 4:32PM
OK Shit like this brings my piss to a boil. That's right...this shit gives me hot pee.
...err...anyway....Why in the name of all that is Shiggy would you develop a game with no motion control, for the Wii?!
This is a practice in stupidity. Nintendo is trying to prove that you don't need graphics, you need game play. And what do they do? Make a game with subpar graphics and a control scheme that dates back to Atari.
Way to go tards.
vinny @ Sep 20th 2007 4:42PM
its friggin sega, what did you people expect
warioswoods @ Sep 20th 2007 4:45PM
Watch your antecedents there, buddy.
"Nintendo is trying to prove that you don't need graphics, you need game play."
Okay, fine so far. And then?
"And what do they do? Make a game with subpar graphics and a control scheme that dates back to Atari."
Now, it would appear that "they" in the second part is meant to refer to Nintendo. However, as you know and as the article clearly states, Nintendo did not develop this game, SEGA did.
Either your writing is just unclear, or you misunderstood. Either way, I'll agree (with what you appear to be saying, given a charitable reading) that SEGA is making a monstrous misstep by not developing this game with the Wii's controls in mind from the ground up, for even if they add them in later, you can always tell the difference between something added as an alternative control scheme or 'feature' and something that was originally designed for a particular controller.
NaeemTHM @ Sep 20th 2007 4:53PM
Yea sorry I meant Sega. I thought that was implied.
Shagittarius @ Sep 20th 2007 5:05PM
"Nintendo is trying to prove that you don't need graphics, you need game play."
So beacuse theres no motion controls the gameplay sucks?
Grog @ Sep 20th 2007 5:47PM
As cool as the Wiimote can be, part of the power of the controller is that it can do just about anything you want: it can point, it can do motion control, or it can do more "traditional" analog/digital control.
It didn't ruin any Gamecube games not to use the second joystick or the shoulder buttons in the same way as other games did, and it wouldn't hurt a game to use a more traditional control scheme on the Wii.
Still, one has to think that a more revolutionary motion control scheme should be an option for a game like this.
ttr @ Sep 21st 2007 1:38AM
There's plenty of DS games that don't use the touch screen at all and barely use the 2nd screen for anything at all except maybe a map display.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 20th 2007 4:35PM
This game looks worse and worse as more news comes out about it. :(
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Sep 20th 2007 4:41PM
I'd been telling people from the get go, do NOT ask for a NiGHTS sequel, it will only end in tears.
All you people who demanded it deserve the whoring out of out and ruining of the series that you specifically asked for.
There ya go, NiGHTS fanboys, hope you liked ruining the memory of your favorite game by demanding that Sega make a flaming car wreck out of it! Enjoy the spectacle!
Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 20th 2007 4:57PM
Well Duh! Its gunna suck. Its made by Sonicteam.
amirite?
Dorian @ Sep 20th 2007 4:35PM
you liars!
Mark @ Sep 20th 2007 4:38PM
No, this post is crap. I was reading www.Seganerds.com and the guy on that site played with the motion controls, though thought them to be awkward. Yay for Joystiq messing up the facts again. *cough*
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 20th 2007 4:48PM
IGN also said there weren't any motion controls they could play with.
There's a video, however, of them using the wiimote as a pointer to guide NiGHTS around.
But that's not quite what people were hoping for, either, I suspect.
Well...at least the No More Heros impressions have been good.
T3H WICKERMAN @ Sep 20th 2007 4:42PM
looks like knights is looking for a skin flute to play any volunteers?
T3H WICKERMAN @ Sep 20th 2007 4:43PM
Mark you seem uptight maybe knights can help you out with that stress...
vidGuy @ Sep 20th 2007 4:45PM
Thank God! Motion controls would have ruined this title. Anyone who has played the Wii or the PS3 knows that there are situations which benefit from motion and situations which are crippled by motion. With the constant change of perspective and camera angle associated with Nights, motion would have made the game unplayable. I'm sure SEGA figured that out when they were play-testing.
Slvrgun @ Sep 20th 2007 4:57PM
Great point. This isn't one of those titles that would benefit from motion controls. Trust me I own the original Nights. Sega should have made this game for the 360 and included an unlockable Original Nights Mode (in HD of course).
slacker164 @ Sep 20th 2007 5:30PM
Um… Anyone that’s played the original NiGHTS knows motion controls are a perfect fit. There have been rumors of motion controllers for NiGHTS since it was first released due to how obvious a match it is. On the Saturn NiGHTS analogue controller the cord was detachable and it looked to be designed for additional attachments. The first thing most fans wanted was some type of motion/tilt attachment for NiGHTS, but nothing ever came of the odd slot on the controller. When the Dreamcast came out NiGHTS fans again started talking about a motion sensitive device to plug into the VMU slot for a new NiGHTS. Again, nothing came of it. At some point during the Dreamcast era, one of the developers even said in a Japanese interview that there would not be another NiGHTS game unless they had a system with motion controls to build on. When the details of the Wii were announced NiGHTS fans again awoke in a frenzy at the possibility of a new game now that a system with motion controls really had arrived.
You obviously don’t understand the draw to the original or why motion controls have been associated with the title since its debut in the 90’s. If SEGA can’t deliver good motion controls, the game is dead. They might as well just can it rather ruin it like they have Sonic. Hopefully this isn’t the end of it and they’ll deliver, but this news is worrisome to say the least.
Mr Khan @ Sep 20th 2007 5:53PM
slacker is right, the whole history of a potential NiGHTS sequel has been based around motion controls
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 20th 2007 4:46PM
GOD DAMNIT SEGA, IF YOU FUCK THIS UP...
ThornedVenom @ Sep 20th 2007 7:29PM
IF SEGA SCREWS UP AS USUAL, WHAT NOW?
>_>
WiNG @ Sep 20th 2007 4:57PM
Okay let me just go on a little rant as one of the decade-long NiGHTS sequel beggars
1. You know so many games come out that everyone disses as "tacked on waggle". Now NiGHTS does not have tacked on waggle, and there is a complaint? Sure this game could be on PSP or 360 or whatever, but Sega probaly chose Wii b/c they thought it would sell best.
2. According to some vids I saw there is an optional control scheme where you use the pointer to control NiGHTS.
3. I don't see how being more like the original NiGHTS is bad. Whenever a remake or long waited sequel comes out, reviewers praise games sticking to their roots. Also keep in mind other info released is that there will be WiFi weather, multiplayer, some kind of online service, and other options. So, it won't just be a total rehash. Even if it was, it would be cool just so more than 5% of gamers, especially young ones, could get to play this franchise.
4. Sucks about the framerates, this better be fixed! Sure the original had the same problem but games could barely be 3D at that point!
konchu @ Sep 20th 2007 5:10PM
I agree I dont see what having classic Nights control is at all a bad thing. I don't mind a extra motion mode and I dont mind motion controls if they are good. But I definatly have no issue with them keeping a game that is as loved as much as Nights true to its roots. This is a game that can either be done oh so right or will be denied by fans till the end of time.
Mr Khan @ Sep 20th 2007 5:39PM
Its the classic gamer response
"I'll bitch if you will and i'll really bitch if you won't"
Personally, i love what i'm seeing. Now give us a damn US release date
DUKobE8 @ Sep 21st 2007 3:45AM
Seriously...What is wrong with Sega? I expect absolutely nothing from them now. I mean, if it's made by Sega, even if I'm interested in the it, I have no expectations for the game, period. Sad.
Robotheart @ Sep 20th 2007 5:06PM
Making a sonic team game without yuji naka is like making a tuna sandwich without bread. its going to be a mess, and the longer we wait, the more its going to stink.
has nobody learned their lesson with the aging, ailing, sonic series?
Mr Khan @ Sep 20th 2007 5:42PM
"making a sonic team game without Yuji Naka"
dude, Yuji Naka was there WELL into ST's mediocre period
Jeff @ Sep 20th 2007 5:08PM
Oh c'mon.
I'm sure the lack of motion controls makes this game much better.
I seriously despise motion controls. They're a gimmick, the industry needs to move on.
NeoAngelicPrince @ Sep 20th 2007 5:09PM
Isn't Ludwig a ps3fanboy?
mypackage @ Sep 20th 2007 5:37PM
This seriously looks like a dreamcast game
JLTorrente @ Sep 20th 2007 6:28PM
Can i has your dreamcast? mine has not images like those...
Mr Khan @ Sep 20th 2007 5:41PM
I don't know what screens and videos the rest of you are looking it
Is there something i'm not getting? The only thing that looks dissappointing, IMO, is NiGHTS himself
Sean @ Sep 20th 2007 5:41PM
Is that guy skilled at the jazz flute?
Robotheart @ Sep 20th 2007 5:53PM
@ Mr Kahn Their mediocre period was a million years ago. they've been in a quality vacuum for the past few years. As in The absolute absence of.
TX2 @ Sep 20th 2007 7:26PM
It's not the lack of Motion controls that worries me. It's the December release date. Is it just me, or does Sega never seem to take any time to develop their games?
shouryuuken @ Sep 20th 2007 8:31PM
man stop cryin, i love the ds and the wii, but some games just make me mad when they add stylus or remote controls.. like kirby canvas curse looked great, but i HATED controlling him with the stylus, and sonic and the secret of the rings was pretty lame control wise imo i mean.. the tilting the remote forwards and backwards was pretty annoying... i dont see how any nights fan could whine about the game being similar to the first, wouldnt that sound good? i couldnt imagine "halo 3 plays like halo 1 and 2" and a bunch of halo fans whining.. that'd be pretty stupid unless they didnt like halo. also, i cant stand it when ppl dont wait to play the game to say its going to suck.. if you havent played it.. you dont know.. really... ive liked plenty of games that were given bad scores (not too low lol) and disliked some that are known as classics.. all these comments crack me up, who cares that naka has left, because really.. a good game is a good game no matter who makes it, the sonics on gba and ds are better than the adventures/heroes games.. and naka was still at sonic team when those were made, whats that tell you?
V1L3 @ Sep 20th 2007 10:10PM
What's with all the Sega hate lately?
A couple of mediocre Sonic games (Shadow, Sonic 2006) and all of a sudden, Sega are the worst developer in history?
Is this a case of "a few bad apples," because the overwhelming majority of Sega titles (Outrun 2006, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Tennis 3, Sega Rally Revo, Crush, Sonic Rush, Sonic Rivals, Crazy Taxi Fare Wars) are getting better than average reviews.
As for NiGHTS, from all the accounts, it sounds like the default control scheme at TGS was analog, but there's going to be an option for motion control. The framerate needs work, and the control is a little "floaty," but other than that, it sounds great.
As for the graphics, I don't know what videos you've been watching, but the only Wii games I've seen that look BETTER would be MP3 and Mario Galaxy.
vgxtremist @ Sep 21st 2007 12:05AM
I must admit, this is why I rarely want sequels for classics...my example is Chrono Trigger, even though another was made, a 'true' sequel would have a heck of a time topping it and since it is the standard by which I game, I can't imagine improvements.
PayTheMan @ Sep 22nd 2007 3:57PM
What's with all the hate? Sure a lot of the game is the same but that's what you do when shit just works. Ever notice how all new MMOs copy many of the concepts found in WoW? Or how Halo 2 is exactly like Halo 1 except for the ability to carry two weapons?
Slaziman @ Sep 21st 2007 9:24AM
and go invisible with the arbiter
and energy swordzzz
cybereality @ Sep 21st 2007 10:19AM
Sega once again has lets us down.
I don't even know what else to say, I think Sony put some hoodoo-voodoo curse on them during the PS1 era and it still hasn't worn off. Thats the only reasonable explanation for their poor performance. Which franchise will they decimate next?