Played during the Backloggd’s Game of the Week (Dec. 20 – Dec. 26, 2022).
Neither the US nor Sonic the Hedgehog have ever held any attraction over me, to the point where I must confess to my bewilderment at the community's elation upon the release of Sonic Frontiers (2022). Perhaps it's all part of a zeitgeist I never quite got into. As such, SEGA's mythology doesn't really manage to entice me, and NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) unfortunately stumbles into this pitfall. Don't misunderstand me: I enthusiastically acknowledge the qualities of the title. Returning to an arcade approach when the 3D platformer craze was in full swing, the title blended a colourful aesthetic with a gameplay that emphasised the fast-paced frenzy fans have long enjoyed in Sonic games. Getting rid of the ground to focus on aerial movements works well and gives the title an effervescent quality, one that is commonly found in Formula 1 racing.
Nonetheless, no nostalgia really connects me to the game, unlike many people, who may remember hours of their childhood playing it, especially around Christmas, when SEGA titles took on new colours to celebrate the winter festivities. NiGHTS into Dreams is one such game, donning its white and red coat for the period, swapping rings for bells, hoops for holly wreaths. To justify its holiday version, the game contextualises the short adventure by the hunt for the Christmas star, which is to adorn the big tree of Twin Seeds. The gameplay is identical to the original game, but it is only possible to explore Spring Valley, before fighting Gillwing.
As welcome as the game is in the Christmas season, the game trades its unique aesthetic for a fairly formulaic representation of wintertime. The music is also limited to rather uninspired renditions of Jingle Bells. A lovely acapella version of 'Dreams Dreams' is included, however, whose warm accents can only charm when the cold wind blows outside. Besides, the magic of Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams undoubtedly lies in the nostalgia it is able to invoke, inviting the forgotten images of childhood carols, a solace in today's times. This version easily represents an important period of life for so many people, while preserving many artworks and other game modes (the most interesting one being perhaps 'Sonic the Hedgehog into Dreams'), unlocked by collecting presents. This is remarkable enough and very meaningful.
Neither the US nor Sonic the Hedgehog have ever held any attraction over me, to the point where I must confess to my bewilderment at the community's elation upon the release of Sonic Frontiers (2022). Perhaps it's all part of a zeitgeist I never quite got into. As such, SEGA's mythology doesn't really manage to entice me, and NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) unfortunately stumbles into this pitfall. Don't misunderstand me: I enthusiastically acknowledge the qualities of the title. Returning to an arcade approach when the 3D platformer craze was in full swing, the title blended a colourful aesthetic with a gameplay that emphasised the fast-paced frenzy fans have long enjoyed in Sonic games. Getting rid of the ground to focus on aerial movements works well and gives the title an effervescent quality, one that is commonly found in Formula 1 racing.
Nonetheless, no nostalgia really connects me to the game, unlike many people, who may remember hours of their childhood playing it, especially around Christmas, when SEGA titles took on new colours to celebrate the winter festivities. NiGHTS into Dreams is one such game, donning its white and red coat for the period, swapping rings for bells, hoops for holly wreaths. To justify its holiday version, the game contextualises the short adventure by the hunt for the Christmas star, which is to adorn the big tree of Twin Seeds. The gameplay is identical to the original game, but it is only possible to explore Spring Valley, before fighting Gillwing.
As welcome as the game is in the Christmas season, the game trades its unique aesthetic for a fairly formulaic representation of wintertime. The music is also limited to rather uninspired renditions of Jingle Bells. A lovely acapella version of 'Dreams Dreams' is included, however, whose warm accents can only charm when the cold wind blows outside. Besides, the magic of Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams undoubtedly lies in the nostalgia it is able to invoke, inviting the forgotten images of childhood carols, a solace in today's times. This version easily represents an important period of life for so many people, while preserving many artworks and other game modes (the most interesting one being perhaps 'Sonic the Hedgehog into Dreams'), unlocked by collecting presents. This is remarkable enough and very meaningful.