Nights Into Dreams...

released on Jul 05, 1996

The story follows the teenagers Elliot Edwards and Claris Sinclair, who enter Nightopia, a dream world where all dreams take place. With the help of Nights, an exiled "Nightmaren", they begin a journey to stop the evil ruler Wizeman from destroying Nightopia and consequently the real world. Players control Nights flying through Elliot and Claris's dreams to gather enough energy to defeat Wizeman and save Nightopia. The game is presented in 3D and imposes time limits on every level, in which the player must accumulate points to proceed.


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This review contains spoilers

Played on the 360, but I was in Sega Saturn mode, so I'm logging it under here. Was feeling a little down and I thought this may be a good pick-me-up. After a few minutes of not understanding what the hell to do, I started to get the hang of it... and it started working it's magic on me. The music, the colors, the game just being SO SATISFYING to control, I was swept up in the experience I also did not realize how short it was (seven levels!) but it still felt so complete.

Despite it being just an incredibly creative and fun ride, I was NOT expecting the final twist of this game. I wish I could re-live the feeling I had seeing Claris/Elliot jump off the stage, and then gaining the ability to fly. It sounds so silly, but it felt so profound to me and almost symbolic of living up to their dream, which made me smile so hard. After the final boss, I was also not expecting to actually have final cutscenes of each respective character actually ACHIEVING their dreams!

As those credits rolled, I couldn't help but tear up a little. That song, paired with me just witnessing Claris crush that audition was too heartwarming. The whole experience was just so sweet and uplifting, and truly special. A dream-world styled game about playing inside these dreams, and them then taking YOUR victory to propel them to achieve their dreams-- all of which is never explicitly explained but is left up to interpretation (this is mine).

This is everything I love about Sega-- The colorful aesthetic, incredible music, incredibly unique and impactful. Hell, even MIYAMOTO said he wished he made this game. I don't think there's any higher praise than that. I really do think this is the original Sonic team at their peak.

It's called nights into dreams because I went to sleep immediately after starting it

This is Sonic Team at its best. The only word to describe Nights into dreams is "gorgeous". The concept, the aesthetics, the music, the design, everything is gorgeous. It´s just one of the most charming games I have ever come across. Still, I don't think it's a game for everyone... at least not immediately. The gameplay is probably the hardest thing to digest but once you embrace it, the game reveals all its wonders. Despite being quite short and having bosses of dubious quality, this is one of SEGA's creative peaks. Too bad it's another abandoned and mistreated franchise .

As Dreams Dreams was about to kick in for the game's credits I was about to gleefully smile, before hearing childrent sing. Good to know the legends of "cuz I didn't get A ranks so I heard children sang" are the truth.

For whatever reason I hadn't gotten around to beating it back in Middle School, so now I have, and man did I not even try to improve then. I must admit, when thinking of NiGHTS, the thing that'd never come to my mind is Las Vesgas, Casinos, and Slotlights.. And I say all this because it is apart of her character and the game's gameplay. Whereas Sonic advocates for speed and getting it done quick, NiGHTS is about getting the essential 20 blue orbs first into a basket, then racking up as much coin and points as you can before cashing out right before the time runs out. I won't even lie, I get on the edge when that timers running out more than I ever did for Sonic drowning due to some bullshit in the Genesis games.

Story wise it is actually very sweet. I don't know why people have not brought it up, but NiGHTS is like Cat in the Hat. She comes in and sees these two poor kids that lack confidence in themselves and gives them the boost they need to be the best they can be. And by the time she's gone, they have changed their outlook remarkably. They have became better. And the both of their final levels reflect this too. Won't spoil what happens though.

Technically wise, a gem on the Saturn that proves it's a beast capable of much more than great 2d visuals. And compared to SA1&2, is better on it's original console as the PC port of the stinky 08 remaster, may have some mods here and there, but there's just not enough to overhaul the port to be the best way to experience the game, like SA1&2 have in their case.

And as the Saturn 3D Controller's Creator, definitely puts it to fair damn use. Even if the analogue of the triggers not so much. Do recommend putting the mid of your thumb to hold rather than the traditional tip.

Nights into Dreams really is a wonderful game. Not even remotely underrated (that'd go to Burning Rangers), and deserves the following and attention for sure. Is it my favorite Sega game ever of all time? Not necessarily but it is indeed a (not hidden) gem that I enjoy, and makes a great showcase of Sega's game design philosophy for sure. It was wonderful to have finally beaten a classic I had known for some time now. My favorite level was Soft Museum.

This game could have easily been a 3 and half for me but theres a certain feeling that you get when playing this that i cant describe but ik its a good feeling. Music slaps btw.