Something I really liked about Sega during their Saturn and Dreamcast eras was how they celebrated Christmas (and other holidays) in some of their games. A couple well known examples of this were Phantasy Star Online and Sonic Adventure's Christmas events, which were accessible through the Dreamcast's online services. However, the most well-known case is perhaps Christmas NiGHTS Into Dreams, which released on a standalone sampler disc in '97.
Christmas NiGHTS tells its own little story about Elliot and Claris trying to find a star to place atop Twin Seeds Tower, which is dressed up like a Christmas tree. Also, this story is a dream and doesn't actually happen. Nothing matters, there is no point to waking up and existence is pain. While it is barely a story at all, I think the cutscenes are very well drawn and the more contained nature of it lends itself well to actually having a voiced narration, contrary to my unhinged tirade about voiced characters in Journey of Dreams.
You're only given two levels to play, which are dressed up for the holiday. Wreaths in place of rings, Christmas bells to collect for Links, and NiGHTS all in their red and white outfit. It's cute, and the Jingle Bells theme that plays is a great touch too. You can also unlock extras through a match two minigame, and some of these "presents" are actually pretty nice. They include trade show videos promoting NiGHTS into Dreams, a closer look at character models and promotional images, and even a short bonus mode where you can play as Sonic the Hedgehog. Unfortunately, this also highlights the weakest part of Christmas NiGHTS: the fact that you have to grind two levels over and over again if you want all the presents. It gets dull pretty fast. The game does use a clock feature that unlocks additional seasonal bonuses and modes depending on when you play it, like playing as Raela on April 1st, or a New Years theme which is added between January 1st and 15th, which helps pad out the amount of content you get even if it means screwing with the Saturn's clock or trying to remember to play NiGHTS at set times throughout the year.
However, it's still NiGHTS into Dreams, and all my complaints about that game stick here, too. Be that as it may, I still keep coming back to it every year. I suppose it's just because it oozes so much holiday charm. Its short length can be a detriment in some ways, but it also makes it a very easy game to commit to on Christmas Eve, so it has that going for it too.
Christmas NiGHTS tells its own little story about Elliot and Claris trying to find a star to place atop Twin Seeds Tower, which is dressed up like a Christmas tree. Also, this story is a dream and doesn't actually happen. Nothing matters, there is no point to waking up and existence is pain. While it is barely a story at all, I think the cutscenes are very well drawn and the more contained nature of it lends itself well to actually having a voiced narration, contrary to my unhinged tirade about voiced characters in Journey of Dreams.
You're only given two levels to play, which are dressed up for the holiday. Wreaths in place of rings, Christmas bells to collect for Links, and NiGHTS all in their red and white outfit. It's cute, and the Jingle Bells theme that plays is a great touch too. You can also unlock extras through a match two minigame, and some of these "presents" are actually pretty nice. They include trade show videos promoting NiGHTS into Dreams, a closer look at character models and promotional images, and even a short bonus mode where you can play as Sonic the Hedgehog. Unfortunately, this also highlights the weakest part of Christmas NiGHTS: the fact that you have to grind two levels over and over again if you want all the presents. It gets dull pretty fast. The game does use a clock feature that unlocks additional seasonal bonuses and modes depending on when you play it, like playing as Raela on April 1st, or a New Years theme which is added between January 1st and 15th, which helps pad out the amount of content you get even if it means screwing with the Saturn's clock or trying to remember to play NiGHTS at set times throughout the year.
However, it's still NiGHTS into Dreams, and all my complaints about that game stick here, too. Be that as it may, I still keep coming back to it every year. I suppose it's just because it oozes so much holiday charm. Its short length can be a detriment in some ways, but it also makes it a very easy game to commit to on Christmas Eve, so it has that going for it too.
Weatherby
1 year ago