Why 2D will never die

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Flat gameplay shines on, even on next-gen machines

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii)

Sega's comeback kid is heading for Wii in NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, but although we still don't know exactly how the eponymous lead is going to be controlled, we have been given a clue. The game's producer, Takashi Iizuka, has mentioned there will be twodifferent control methods - one with a single Wii-mote and another, fan-pleasing traditional style with the Wii-mote and Nunchuk combined. This would suggest that at least some sections will play like the original, which used a 2D track through 3D environments.

The two children, Claris and Elliot, could roam freely on the ground if you wanted to explore (as seen at the start of the YouTube video below), although this was rather crude and rumored to have only been implemented late-on in the game's development cycle as Sega looked to offer a rival to Nintendo's Super Mario 64. However, the core NiGHTS-flying gameplay was side-on and 2D at heart.The playermay have beenmaking a 3D lap around the environment, but it was more likeSonic 's 'hold right and enjoy the ride' gameplay of old.

Giving the player too much control would have made chaining links together within the strict one-second intervals extremely difficult. Restricting gameplay to an essentially flat 2D course through the 3D level made it easier to negotiate the score-building hoops. It also made the game more visually impressive too, as Sonic Team could ensure the camera was always pointed at the best-looking features in the environment as NiGHTS soared through the skies.

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.