racketboy.com

I've been somewhat surprised to read in several hands-on impressions that Nights JoD is only looking so-so. While most of the previews don't have at lot of bad things to say, they aren't saying many great things, either. I think it's really strange that the main control input is the analog stick on the nunchuck, not Wiimote motion controls.

The guy who wrote the IGN preview is a big fan of the original (so he says) and his write up is mixed. I just think it's kind of weird. Like it could be a missed opportunity for Sega.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/821/821514p1.html

The lack of motion controls has me seriously baffled. I thought Sega was working on a motion controller for the Saturn?? It seems so natural that you would use the Wii's motion sensing capabilities in order to control Nights. If the final product relies only on the analog stick this title will go from a must buy to a will rent...



yay first post evar! glad to be here

yay first post evar! glad to be here

Welcome aboard, Cool name.

I'm not surprised that the critics are calling it an average game. What I am surprised about is that Sega was able to craft up a sequel that's true to it's predecessor, which was an average game, itself. Oh yes, I went there.

I'd rather have it without the motion controls as an easier transition from playing the saturn version.

Mozgus wrote:I'm not surprised that the critics are calling it an average game. What I am surprised about is that Sega was able to craft up a sequel that's true to it's predecessor, which was an average game, itself. Oh yes, I went there.

I kinda agree with you. And I have personally been quite happy with what I'm seeing. For the first new installment, I really wanted them to stick true to the original, and it looks like they really are.

The footage I'm seeing looks very much like the original game in terms of perspective, controls, and gameplay. Even the bosses look very similar.

And yes, at it's core, Mozgus, the original is a bit "average", but the game's theme and design is what makes it special. (You could say the same thing about games like Rez, Space Channel 5, or Jet Grind Radio) Maybe ten years later, it doesn't stand out quite as much, but I'm quite pleased so far.

As for the Wii controls, I'm glad they aren't doing full motion controls. Seeing some of the Wii games out there, I'm not liking how some developers just kinda through the motion sensing stuff in there just because it's there. I don't want to play your standard platformer type game by waving my arm around all the time. If you have some new little trick that uses it every now and then, that's fine, but don't make it the primary method of control if there is no advantage to it.

Here's my take on motion controls. Wii is only cool if you use its controller. Everything else about it is kinda meh. I imagined "Nights 2" would be be high definition and at the edge of graphics technology. I can deal with it being on Wii, but no motion controls makes me wonder why? This game would be better on PS3 or 360 if it comes with no motion controls.

gradualmeltdown wrote:Here's my take on motion controls. Wii is only cool if you use its controller. Everything else about it is kinda meh. I imagined "Nights 2" would be be high definition and at the edge of graphics technology. I can deal with it being on Wii, but no motion controls makes me wonder why? This game would be better on PS3 or 360 if it comes with no motion controls.

The Wii has the better target audience.
I could see Sega bringing it to the 360 possibly if it's successful.

Or the PS2 ...

If it comes to either of those platforms I'll definitely check it out. Never played the first one.

Droid party wrote:Welcome aboard, Cool name.

Thanks!

I was thinking the same thing about why they didn't just bring it to 360 and PS3. Maybe it's because the Wii demographic is more 'kiddie'.
While I would love to stick with the Saturn control scheme, it seems like something will be lost in translation about how 'revolutionary' the first Nights was (using one of the first analog stick controllers!) I do still have my Saturn and Nights so I don't know why I need a graphical update when I only care about gameplay, and furthermore the unique features of the Wii will be wasted if no motion control is used. Sega might as well make the graphics really sweet and basically do a remake, that seems like more what they are aiming for than a true sequel.

A few things I would like to see motion controlled in the game:
Do a quick downward waggle to kill enemies
Twist the Wiimote to toggle Nights acrobatic skills (mind you if its similar to the first game there could be endless variations)
Some kind of snappy motion in order to destroy the domes where you store orbs
... in reality they could do almost anything, but these few examples would be just enough to make Nights great.

Another word on motion controls; I believe Sega did an OK job on the motion controls for Sonic and the Secret Rings, if they use a similar type of motion control I could see it working as long as they tested and tested and tested to attempt to remove the bugs. Of course we're talking about Sega here and they have had some notorious problems in the past...

In sum, Nights is a great game (definitely above average!) and should have a sequel (as Racketboy has been calling for) yet it seems as if Sega may just be resurrecting the franchise in order to make a financial gain. Nights was (and still may be) my second most anticipated title this year right after Super Mario Galaxy, Sega needs to do this right and I hope they do.