NGamer exclusive - NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams interview

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Our big NiGHTS: Journey Of Dreams exclusive in NGamer issue 10 isn't the end of our coverage of Sega's stunning-looking update of its Saturn classic -- oh no. Here, for your pleasure, is a new and exclusive interview with the man behind the game, Takeshi Iizuka -- with the odd tidbit he didn't mention during our separate interview in the magazine itself. Enjoy!

First of all, just to relax the diehard fans, will the Wii version of NiGHTS be following the fundamental game mechanics of the original?
Takeshi Iizuka: For those loyal fans that have waiting 11 years for NiGHTS to return, I felt the need to keep the game concept fundamentally the same as the original so that it would be a reminiscent return to their past NiGHTS experience. This way, I could extend my thanks and appreciation for all those fans that waiting all this time for the sequel. To them, I want to say "Thank You" for without their support this project would not be possible. Additionally, we are planning expand on the original to include a variety of new gameplay mechanics that I hope fans new and old will enjoy.

NGamer issue 10, out Wed 25th April

Can we expect any radical gameplay departures from the original?
Takeshi Iizuka: We found that original NiGHTS game was not "user-friendly" as it was often difficult for the player to figure out what to do or where to go next. The sequel is built around a dramatic storyline that will engage the player and guide them intuitively through the adventure.

Will the music in NiGHTS still change based on the mood of the Nightopians?
Takeshi Iizuka: We are very fortunate to have Mr. Hataya, the original music composer from the first NiGHTS game aboard creating the new soundtrack. Since the game structure is completely revamped as we added a lot more game volume, we realistically didn't expect to do the same things we did in the original NiGHTS. We like the mood-enhancing soundtrack feature very much and want to do something very special collaborating with Mr. Hataya. We promised that there will be a lot of new and exciting ideas for "Journey of Dreams".

Will the original's wide range of moves be making a return - and will they rely on motion-sensing controls?
Takeshi Iizuka: Originally, NiGHTS (for Sega Saturn) was released with a very special 3D controller that intensified the flight experience. With the Nintendo Wii, I thought it would be a perfect chance to attempt to recreate that innovative flight experience once again. We're currently designing the game to be played with two control configurations. Our main focus is to design the game to be played with the Wii remote but for those gamers that are more comfortable using a more "traditional-style" controller configuration, they will able to plug the nunchuk into the Wii remote as well.

Grabbing enemies and throwing them around was often the solution to some of the original's more intense battles. Will we still be grabbing foes in the Wii version and if so how will the remote let us throw them around?
Takeshi Iizuka: Unlike other action games - like Sonic for example - where you run around, then stop and encounter enemies to progress through each level, NiGHTS attack schema is designed differently. We originally designed the gameplay around the joy and freedom of flight system which has made NiGHTS a unique gaming experience. The game rule has been expressively created so that touching the enemies is inherit in the design as it doesn't interfere with the natural feeling of NiGHTS' flight system. By "touching" the enemies, NiGHTS can encounter enemies utilizes his special abilities like Touch Dash or Touch Loop. The sequel will utilize the Wii remote to make these actions very intuitive so that the player can easily execute a wide variety of game actions.

Will you be bringing back the 'A-Life' system?
Takeshi Iizuka: The A-life system was a very popular feature of the original NiGHTS game that we've love to include, but we're currently investigating all options.

Christmas NiGHTS cleverly employed the Saturn's internal clock to alter the game world, particularly the weather conditions. Any chance of the Wii Weather Channel being used for some similar effects?
Takeshi Iizuka: What's exciting about the Wii is that it has a lot of great functions that we would like to take advantage of...we have some really special surprises for all!

And what about using Miis?
Takeshi Iizuka: The sequel is being designed around real human struggles. The story is about self-discovery and the belief in oneself. So, we're designing the game around human characters that interact with NiGHTS in the dreamworld of Nightopia.

Does the game use the game engine from Sonic and the Secret Rings?
Takeshi Iizuka: Journey of Dreams is being created from the ground-up and is running on a completely new engine engineered specifically for the Wii. We're finding that there are some very interesting graphical effects and processes that are being merged into our engine. We excited to see how far we can push the hardware this time.

Sonic and the Secret Rings seemed to take a few pages out of NiGHTS' book - putting Sonic 'on rails' for example - and did very well as a result of it. To reverse the situation, are you taking any inspiration from Secret Rings?
Takeshi Iizuka: The inspiration that drives us to make the sequel is appeasing the loyal fan base that has wanted to play a sequel to the original NiGHTS game. We want to make the best game possible so that not only our loyal fans will enjoy it but that we can introduce NiGHTS to a whole new generation of gamers that we hope will fall in love with it like so many have.

We particularly enjoyed facing off against the vicious cat boss Clawz in the original; will there be any giant cats in the sequel?
Takeshi Iizuka: We may not have big cats in particular in our sequel, but we are creating some really fantastic world of Nightmare and fascinating Nightmarens that I am sure you will all enjoy very much. I can't give you any real details, just that there will be a variety of gameplay to entertain you all.

We'd love to have been able to race through levels against friends in the original NiGHTS. Any chance of some multiplayer swooping in the Wii version?
Takeshi Iizuka: We don't have any real details about multiplayer functionality right now, but we are planning many new special features for the sequel.

The character NiGHTS has appeared in just about every Sonic Team game since the game's original release in 1996. There's clearly a lot of affection for the character within Sonic Team, so why the big wait in releasing a sequel?
Takeshi Iizuka: Ever since NiGHTS was released 11 years ago, I've always dreamt of making the sequel , and now I am able to deliver to those you how have patiently waiting so long, a new NiGHTS game! Over the years of my involvement of creating past Sonic titles, neither the market nor platforms seemed right in recreating the sequel...that is until Nintendo released the Wii. So now, it is my chance of saying thank you for all your loyalty and trust. I hope you will love "Journey of Dreams" as much we do making it!

NGamer Staff