matthewbennion

paramountcell

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Tell you what: I'll define "scrub" as soon as you present clear, concise, relevant evidence that backs up your ridiculous "split playerbase" theory you presented a while back.

Given your track record thus far, scrub, I'm not holding my breath. Though if you somehow manage to post something worth my while, I'll grace you with my glorious replies once more.

@RonJeremy4Pres: You're aware that you can--and, in fact, should--go read the original reviews that this so-called "Frankenreview" is drawing from, yes?

Langis

RonJeremy4Pres

Belain

ese

x999x

I also like the fact that NiGHTS has returned, even if they added crap that NO ONE likes! Which leads this to me writing this for the people at Sonic Team (Which I am sure, someone at SEGA reads this... I mean, they must.. Right?)

Anywho...

Dear Sega,

I like the fact that you brought NiGHTS back from it's decade (or so) for fans everywhere, but I must ask this question:

Why do you let yourselves take a good idea and mess up elements that keep it from being enjoyable by everyone? cutscenes that are unnecessary... Walking around unnecessarilly... Giving NiGHTS an awkward accent... MESSING WITH THE GAMEPLAY MECHANICS... Though some people like the current orchestral selections for the BGM, I kinda missed the old soundtrack in the way it sounded... Yuji Naka's Sonic Team had a certain signature sound that is lacking in the modern Sonic Team selections. The control scheme just cries for the gamer to bitch-slap Sega and the WHOLE Sonic Team, and say "GIMME BACK MY OLD FRICKIN' CONTROLS, YOU ASSHOLES!"

Alas, a good game, that is stained by some idiot's idea to add stuff that didn't need added to the game! What do the NEW Sonic Team think? That they need to add on crap to the original Sonic Team's mechanics on gameplay? Do they feel compelled that they have to prove that they are different from the original Sonic Team?

Here's hoping that SEGA wakes up and realizes this. One of the things that I feel SEGA does wrong is keep itself in a stupor of an identity crisis. Gamers tell them what they like, yet seem deaf to us. They might have a game planner or two that keep insisting that their ways are great, and it keeps disappointing it's audiences. Add what must be Sammy's compelling need to churn out mediocre media and crapware, and you have a well...

SEGA...less....SEGA?

The only thing that could make SEGA in any worse shape is if

1. They continue their current course and model.
AND
2. If they hired Howard Stringer (or similar) to head SEGA Corporation.

Ah well... at least I have a second NiGHTS game, so that has to be progress, right?

Soldier_CLE scratches himself, seems pleased.

Ashurahori

You're right, I should just play Lego Star Wars. I just hate games that punish players and are unforgiving; that's why I loved Ninja Gaiden Black. That game doesn't punish me at all for even the slightest mistake.

But, hey, what would Kotaku be without the rabid fanboys that foam at the mouth the instant you criticize a single aspect of their treasured game?

iamnotdryad

D:

Haven't even finished super paper mario yet, nor started on MP:3, MARIO FOOTBALL CHARGED, Resident Evil:Umbrella Cronicles, Rsident Evil 4!! SO MUCH TO PLLLAAAAAAYY, so little time...... (;_; )

Onizuka-GTO

TheCleaningGuy

EDGE

You'd probably enjoy Lego Star Wars.

There are a myriad of other examples of games that "send you back to the start of a level" when you lose. Whether it's a positive or negative trait is entirely dependent on the type of game. In NiGHTS' case, it's a perfect fit because the entire point of the game is to perfect the earlier levels and increase your score.

The people who didn't enjoy the original title or found it "boring" were generally the ones who either gave up on the game part-way through or only stumbled through it once. And if that's all you want out of a game, then I can understand why you wouldn't see the appeal.

The beauty of NiGHTS only makes itself known when you get back in the water... when you start replaying levels and racking up huge links and combos. Because NiGHTS was NEVER Sega's answer to Mario 64, nor was it meant to be. It's more like an old-school arcade game - like Crazy Taxi. Unlike most games, which are rarely worth picking up again once you've completed them, NiGHTS only got better and better the more you played it.

And that's what makes NiGHTS work. If all it was was a competant platformer, why in God's name would anyone play it after playing Mario Galaxy?

Still, the less people who buy the game, the better my chances of getting all the high scores on the online leaderboards. So by all means, DON'T BUY THIS GAME.

V1L3

Last I heard they wouldn't be releasing to the US, but after a horrible initial week in Japan they might change their minds to recoup costs. :3

Mongoosekun

Also, this is what happens when you resurrect the wrong franchise. Where's Shenmue? At least that game has a cult following of more than 12 people.

DukeDavis

JayrodT

TearsandScreams

No, it is bad design. Period. I don't care how old school it is. It was stupid when older games made you retry an entire level because of one death and it's still stupid now.

if I screw up on something in a game, I want to take another shot at what I screwed up on; not having to redo everything *including the parts I beat*. It just sounds like a poor attempt on Sega's part to lengthen a game that has been criticized by some as being short. IGN says the game's single player only takes a few hours to beat. At $50 there is absolutely no excuse for a game to be that short.

Better luck next time, NiGHTS fans.

iamnotdryad

NoBullet

*holds onto Saturn*

drbrownt0wn

sxp151, the happy-headed nose

Stringbird

Billkwando

I enjoy the online I don't know but did I play against you last night WiNG. I just wish they had a score attack mode in addition to the races, racking up big combos in the original Nights was fun I could see that as a vs mode. I dont know if the online is super populated yet though I had to wait a few minutes and even losing 3 of 4 it looked like I was ranked at 169 but hey maybe I misread it, I bet most people are still playing the story mode though.

Konchu

Langis

Torusan

there is a reason Nintendo games sell well: they are fun, and polished. Nintendo delays games, but they ultimately turn out good (ex: Metroid Prime 3).

glaeven

Anyway, it sound like they really handled all the mandatory fields well, flying gameplay is supposed to be great, visuals are supposed to be nice with fantastic art direction, and it sounds like the music and the 'Myth' (used loosly incase of repurrcussion)sounds to be insired or at least passionately created.

Im in.

theALLseeingEYE

firesign

MidnightScott17

El Cernex

cernex

ca$h

@red:

Seriously though, calm yourself dude. It's not like he said "cult Gamecube classic Shenmoo IV" or anything. Geez.

Anyway, I will be picking this up for the missus even if I have to bang grannies' heads together to get the ducats.

Billkwando

xpnet

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Just another example of Sega's inability to polish a game.

iamnotdryad

iamnotdryad

Jordan Lund

That would be true, but if the game soft locked like that, music and animations would still be able to play. If the game hard locked, everything would be broken...Not just player input.

I really can't to play my copy, but I was wondering if this game was inspired by Peter Pan, without the pirates...I remember thinking that on the original also :-p...Some what.

TWEEDLEDEEDEEZ

WiNG

Schu

iamnotdryad

Did I read up there that they have NiGHTS talking in this game? That figures doesn't it.

Madeira

Plastique

In any case, it is very sad to see Sega in the condition it is in today. I really wish someone like Nintendo would buy up the company and it's IPs and do something of value with them. So many great characters and series that will be destroyed by rush job cash-ins. At least if they were in the hands of Nintendo the games would get the time they need to be great and would have to get Nintendo's approval to even hit the shelf. Oh well, I guess I just have accept that Sega is only a shell of what they once were :(.

nintend0nick

WalletMan

the idea is these people are qualified - more qualified than you or i - to be writing here, yet they dont know or care about a piece of gaming history like that (nights was very famous at the time) - the obvious reason being because they werent involved at the time.

so what, exactly, are those of us who DO know and were there doing coming here to supposedly drink at the fount of their knowledge and experience?

red

This new title may not be as good as the original was, but for Sega to get a 70-80s score for any game they make is quite an accomplishment these days. I think I will be picking this one up.

OK, who remembers BUG!?

cybereality

Cons (bad news first, right?):
1) Control scheme with the Wiimote all by its lonesome is damn near impossible to play without some serious 'getting-used-to-it' time. The "light" that NiGHTS follows around the screen from the Wiimote is very touchy, but the character's in-flight movement is limited to a certain range. You can't just whip the Wiimote straight back, then forward again 180 degrees and expect NiGHTS to match her (his?) actions to what you're doing.

2) Control scheme with the Wiimote+Nunchuck is pointless if you have the classic controller. It's nowhere near as irritating as the odd hyper-responsive/sluggish combo that is mentioned in con #1 above, but it kind of pales in comparison to the classic controller.

3) The classic controller scheme is probably the best way to go, but since you're supposed to have completely free movement on the X/Y plane, the notches in the movement control stick's plastic housing (look at the 'ball' portion of the stick and you'll see what I'm talking about; it's the same on the nunchuck) like to keep you moving in one of eight directions: the cardinal directions, plus their 45 degree meeting points (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW). It's still the best control scheme of the three, but it takes less time getting used to it.

4) A few levels put you directly behind NiGHTS and the controls switch a bit, taking away the obvious ability to do loops in the z-axis. This, in and of itself, isn't a bad play mechanic. However, you also lose the ability to keep track of NiGHTS due to the amount of particles, enemies, bluechips, loops and other random bits flying around the screen. The camera just flies too close, and it becomes nerve wracking since you're unable to keep track of what you're supposed to be controlling.
5) Voice acting isn't the best, but it certainly isn't horrible. I think I liked the NiGHTS character as a silent-but-silly type better than one with an english accent. She (he?) is not the issue I have though. Every screen where your guide, Owl, prints text and you have to advance it by clicking 'A' starts with Owl saying one of three things: "Hmm", "Well", "Yes". It gets pretty annoying.

Pros (yes, there are some!)

1) The game is pretty. I daresay beautiful in some parts. I think you really need to have your component cables plugged in and running at 480p (which I don't) to get the true feel of the elements in each frame. Even with some jaggies, the game evokes that old-school feel, and is infinitely reminiscent of the original Sega Saturn game.

2) Bright colors, baby...BRIGHT COLORS. Okay, that's not really a fair "pro #2...we'll call it #1.5 in hindsight.

2) Once you get used to the control scheme of your choice, the game moves smoothly, and you really start to 'feel' that ethereal sensation of flight. You'll notice your head bobbing around a bit here and there, and that's what playing a NiGHTS should be all about in my opinion.

3) The music! How could I get through a comment/review without mentioning the music. It's orchestral, and sounds very well produced. It fits. Perfectly.

4) There is an added section of gameplay where you have to 'bounce' this balloon-like person up to the top of what can be closely compared to a Pachinko board with the pins removed. You have to force the balloon up, crashing through blocks as he goes. He doesn't always go the way you want, but that's part of the challenge, and it's certainly a nice change of pace.

I venture to say that those of you who got through this entire thing should probably go buy the game. You're likely a fan of the original. If you made it all the way to the end of this and you're not a fan, well, you're a very thorough reader, and I congratulate you! Now, go rent NiGHTS and figure the thing out for yourself.

djgeki

Cbajd5

KaneTaker

WalletMan

SEGA... I just don't know what to say to you anymore.

PlayingKarrde

-Graphics are great, the worlds are vibrant and magical. 9/10
-Cutscenes are awful, poorly written, using the game engine, which is fine for action but bad for facial animation, etc. 4/10
-Sound is great, most effects from the original, the music is a mix of old and new, but is all around great! 10/10
-Controls are mediocre. The Wiimote only controls are horrible, and the other options are better BUT the Wii/GCN's octogonal analog stick shape kills precision flying. I don't know what genius designed these but it's not useful. 5/10
-The missions that are flying are great. The missions in "vehicles" or walking are horrible. Overall it's fun but why did they add this crap? Oh right, it's SEGA. 7/10
-Online is fun, you can easily find random opponents or your friend list, and there's no lag, with great online interface for races. Only downside? Friend codes. 9/10

Overall the game is good but is clearly rushed, with no excuse considering they had 10 years to make this game. You're better off playing the original on Saturn, PS2 or Gametap (coming soon, according to NJD website). This game was not a waste but it's another example of SEGA rushing a project and ruining a great franchise.

WiNG

JimmyHACK

At this point, Sonic Team needs to be disbanded and Clover needs to be reinstated.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

CarbonatedWater

FeendRendor

Witzbold

jayntampa

I do have the original and while it was fun for about 10 minutes, I never thought it was good enough to bother getting good enough with the high difficulty level.

Obviously, YMMV. The game no doubt does have some genuine fans. But the adulation heaped on it by the masses these days is undeserved. It's a niche title and always has been. It's the Space Channel 5 of its day - Sega had high hopes for it, a lot of people remember it fondly now whether they played it or not, but at the time of its release, everybody just kinda went "huh?"

badasscat

LuppyLuptonium

WHAT A SURPRISE for a Sonic Team game.

Still, it got better ratings than I expected. But why can't I shake the feeling that if Nintendo developed it, or, hell, any dev studio not named Sonic Team, it would have fared much better?

Langis

Aesteval

fallingdove

If we don't keep pointing out that it was on the Saturn, we don't get Nerd-Cred points!

Keep pointing it out, everybody!

MR. FAP☆FAP!

DanFilth

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Witzbold

God damnit, Sega. Would have killed you to have delayed this to at least January?
Now it's gonna flop because you guys rushed it out a week before Christmas...which means we'll never get another NiGHTS!

MERRY FUCKIN' CHRISTMAS! You've apparently made only a decent game instead of what should've been a great game.
Le sigh.

Sincerely,

The Fap

MR. FAP☆FAP!

Jandlecack

Also, yes it was on Saturn, but it's been said plenty enough now. There's no need to keep repeating it.

Heliophage

Saint Anima

Witzbold

Jandlecack

It's the SATURN.

Green-clad Gamer Dude

mizzle

I remember this game being pretty cool, especially the new analog control pad that shipped with it, but I never finished the game. I was never able to get that into it and quite honestly, don't see the appeal. I'm not knocking it though, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

To each his own.

Dracula Feet

Raian1

KevinSetzer

The tragedy is Sega used to be one of the greatest developers in the world bar none. Sega's portfolio of IPs were as diverse and relevant to gaming as Nintendo's if not more so in some respects. How the mighty have fallen.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

Jandlecack

nintend0nick

Oh wait, typo. Dammit.

swirldude

Kenoji

Tonx

Atsumi

hidoi

KeFkA666

Dimipapa

Witzbold

sxp151, the happy-headed nose