(I searched through 18 pages to make sure, and this game wasn't mentioned once?? O_o Anyway:)

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams was recently released in Europe, and I picked myself up a copy. I'm enjoying it so far, but haven't played through that much of it yet (I bought Advance Wars: DC/DoR at the same time; 'nuff said really). To be honest it feels like it could be so much better, but what is in the game is executed well. Perhaps it helps that I never played the original NiGHTS so I'm going into this with an open mind.

Many complaints have been made concerning the awkward control schemes, so to avoid that I played the game with the Classic Controller for the old-skool NiGHTS feel, and it works very well so far, although the controls are a little sensitive - it reminds me of how I had to master the controls in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle: they work, but you have to get used to it. This isn't a game you can pick up and be competent at from the outset, and this is reflected in the score-attack nature of the game.

One other point: I adore the hammy voice acting and NiGHTS' self-mocking (and female O_o) voice, and for the most part I find the voice acting has been handled well, though they obviously didn't bother to master the sound levels properly; a few of the lines are almost inaudible. The faux British accents also crack a couple of times which I always find funny; yes, all the voices have British accents - it makes a change!

In short: the good points are great, and the bad points are "so bad they're good". Ultimately I don't regret this purchase, but I doubt I'll be putting it on my "Best Games Ever" list anytime soon.

Your thoughts?

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I rented this game last night.

It's definitely... unique.

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