NiGHTS (Wii)
The Internet is a funny place sometimes, peoples opinion can quickly become fact and vice versa. One case in particular is the new NiGHTS game for the Wii. Much talk has been made of the control system, how unwieldy it is and how it ruins the game.
I can only presume those having said such things were at the end of a long day, didn't bother to read the manual and were already on their third Stella of the evening, because in my experience, the control system is fine. The Wiimote on its own is certainly usable, though perhaps not quite as precise as you might like. Add the nunchuk and all is well; NiGHTs being perfectly controllable with the analogue stick, allowing you the freedom to enjoy the world that Segas Sonic team have created for you.
That's not to say getting to grips with how NiGHTs flies is easy; it takes a certain amount of practice to fully master the tricks at your disposal, but rather then being a frustrating attack of control frustration, the finesse is in there for you to find ...
This is a game full of imagination and life, almost Disney like in its wonder. But enough of me waxing lyrical about the experience, you'll probably want to know more fundamentals about how it plays.
You start in a 3D world, walking about and exploring the dreamscape. Upon finding NiGHTs you merge with him/her/it (the whole gender thing is confusing, best not to think about it) and your world becomes one in which you travel in two dimensions on a 3D rail. For those of you new to NiGHTs and wondering why you can't fly everywhere you want, just trust me on this. It's a far better experience this way and flying in three dimensions isn't necessarily as fun as it sounds.
You're on a course when in flying mode, the idea being to complete the course as fast as possible. When completing a run, usually you unlock the next, then final run, and then a boss fight. The formula is simple, but as with the best Sonic Team creations, the more you put into this game the more you get out of it. The more comfortable you get with flying as NiGHTS, the simpler it becomes to perform long chains of 'links' and the more the game asks you to be artful, to enjoy the experience of it and get sucked into the world.
As adventure games go (sorry I'm not about to class this one a platformer) it's a fine example of the breed, perhaps not in the Mario Galaxy section but certainly a worthwhile addition if you're looking to spend some time with a new story, to experience a new world and let yourself enjoy a new experience.
And that after all, is what gaming's about, isn't it?
4 / 5 -- Mat Owen
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