Re-experiencing NiGHTS the right way.

So I finally got around to playing my Japanese Sega Saturn a couple of weeks ago. It's been dusted off and fitted with new "2032" batteries, and it's practically as good as new. With the excitement surrounding the new NiGHTS installment for the Nintendo Wii, I felt it was necessary to re-experience the greatness of the originals especially if NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams doesn't live up to its predecessor.

I grew up playing NiGHTS (and NiGHTS xmas), and it's a franchise that I rank as one of my all-time favorites, right alongside REZ. It was actually very inspiring to my imagination as a kid. Musically, and visually, it was just incredible, then, and even a little so now.

The right way to experience NiGHTS is to play a course over and over again, to really get into the rhythm of it. It is then you'll understand what the game is all about. The first levels of Elliot and Claris, are perfect for getting high Links. They're small enough to get through quickly, and designed to make continuous links without much interruption.

At it's heart, NiGHTS is basically a high-score based game, with gameplay revolving around repetition. Players must move NiGHTS though a series of dynamic levels, racking up points by making continuous Links, and tricks, in a timed course. If Sonic the Hedgehog could fly, he would essentially be NiGHTS. Yet NiGHTS is more than just Sonic in the air. NiGHTS is a very fluid character, and can move in almost any direction the player commands.

What I enjoy most about NiGHTS is the looseness of the gameplay but the tight feel and control the player has over the character. It's a sweet spot that's hard to explain. Getting into the rhythm of a course is addicting, I find myself zoning out, much like when I play REZ. The courses are designed in a way to give players the freedom to experiment with their own techniques, of using loops, and linking to get through the level the fastest. It's awesome.

I believe the highest Link I ever got was 305, in Splash Garden (NiGHTS). In Spring Valley (Xmas NiGHTS) it was a little over 200. The joy of the game is that I'm always up to the challenge of beating my score, and getting a higher link.

Here are some of my scores from the original NiGHTS...

...and Christmas NiGHTS

If you're gonna be buying the new NiGHTS, you MUST play either XMAS NiGHTS or NiGHTS into Dreams!!! Buy a Sega Saturn for these two games!

Overdramatic

One would assume so from hearing the unintentionally humorous obituary-esque podcasts, and from reading all the posts regarding one of Gamespot's most outspoken personalities. The 11 year veteran was fired from Gamespot this past week, if you haven't noticed by now, causing quite a stir of emotional rumor, speculation, and discussion. He didn't die, but his voice on Gamespot was silenced to the surprise of many.

For whatever reason as to why he was fired so unexpectedly, one thing is clear: it can happen to anyone. No one is immune from fucking up and/or losing employment. It's reality. Kind of like those funny videos of Models strutting down a catwalk but then tripping in embarrassment in front of hundreds of people. Shit, they're human after all! Why that example comes to mind is because well, some amusing commercial came on prior to watching The Golden Compass the other day, and it is highly relatable to the fact that some game writers can be thought of as omnipotent personalities, set high on a pedestal, as to which many fan-boys/fan-girls worship.

In the end they're human too, and are susceptible to mistakes which in this case, may cause employment termination. Gerstmann is talented no doubt, and can probably take his show on the road independently, and do pretty well with his fan-base. It's not like he was saving starving children in Africa. Though, his reviews must have saved you a few dollars from making poor purchasing decisions.

I think the entire situation was handled in an extremely overdramatic way. The editors all seemed like they attended a freaking funeral. Had they calmed down a bit, prior to broadcasting their emotional distress to the thousands of people who view the site, I think they wouldn't have come off as unprofessional. Yet Professionalism is important, some would say integral to making game writing a serious and respected form of journalism.

Personally, I don't really care who got fired. It's not a big deal to me, or most people who work in the game industry, but for those who follow game sites, and obsess over their favourite game critic(s), losing Gerstmann must have been devastating.

Oh well.