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I first encountered this game as a free disc in Official Saturn Magazine, back in 1996. I had no idea what to expect and was pretty blown away by what happened when I put the disc into my Saturn...
The game was the epitome of the Christmas experience. First of all the music... the first thing you hear as the disc boots up, are festive bells chiming out the classic 250 year old Christmas carol, 'Joy To The World', followed immediately by a serene and mysterious voice proclaiming: 'The city is covered with Christmas decorations...'
As the voice begins to tell the tale breathily, pausing regularly for effect... so does a beautifully illustrated story... These rich and intriguing illustrations, laid out in sequence, look like they have been hand drawn with coloured pencils- the colours, pastel shades of festive reds, golds and greens. They provide a seasonal glow to the slightly 'manga-like' illustrations, which look as if they have been plucked from a Japanese children's book... The story continues:
'"And people are looking for presents for their loved ones... among them are Eliot and Claris... they all look rushed... that gentleman, that lady, that old man... Why do they have to walk so fast?
In the crowd they feel something important is missing... the streets look so beautiful... this is the most cheerful time of the year... but, it seems that no one is paying any attention to something important... walking down the street, they find themselves in the middle of Twin Seeds City, facing the mammoth Twin Seeds Tower... It is decorated beautifully, and the tower appears as one huge Christmas tree...
However, they realise what is missing from the Christmas Spirit... the one thing nobody seems to notice... there is no shining star atop the giant Christmas tree... without it, the tree is incomplete..."
Wow! What a beginning to a Christmas themed gaming experience! The game 'Christmas NiGHTs' is of course a seasonal spin off from the game ' NiGHTS', developed by Sega's Sonic Team, under the guiding hands of Sonic The Hedgehog creator, Yuji Naka. It's part 'time attack' racer/part platformer. I'm not going to explain what the game is about... Plenty of gamers before me have written articles about it, or done YouTube videos which will explain the nuts and bolts of the 'NiGHTs' experience. You can find out everything you need to know about it, right here and here if you want to know more...
What I want to concentrate on today, is what has gripped me at this time in 2017 as I find myself playing it again and again. Why do I find myself so currently consumed by this 20 year old disc to the point that I'm slightly concerned with the fact I can't leave it alone?
Firstly, it's seasonal! I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year... And if you're in the mood , then the game constantly presents the senses with a visual and aural feast of Christmas images and sounds: candy canes, holly wreaths, cherubim, baubles, Christmas trees, along with carols, Christmas songs, sleigh bells and church bells...
The story (which is less complicated than the main game's story -of sub-conscious fears of failure, overcoming anxiety and battling through nightmares to achieve one's goals) is a simple tale of finding the true meaning of Christmas, rather than the commercial hustle and bustle of today... Playing it makes you feel hugely Christmassy! It makes for a mood enhancing Christmas alternative to watching 'Home Alone' again.
Secondly... It's short... You can play it in quick bursts, without having to set aside long periods of gaming time - perfect for the Christmas period, where your Christmas can be ruined by such distractions as 'dinner' or 'family'. The length of the entire game is very brief. It can be completed in as little as fifteen minutes or so, but can be stretched out to about 45 minutes. There is only one level split into four sub-levels, followed by a boss battle. There are slightly different routes through the sub-levels, depending on your chosen character.
There are only two characters to play as, Eliot (a boy) or Claris (a girl). It's one of those games where the restriction of the roster facilitates a simplicity. This simplicity in turn, enhances it's appeal rather than restricts it. The game is quick to deliver it's action with the minimum of fuss.
Thrirdly... The characters, environments and settings, are much more appealing in their Christmas glory! The whole game makes it's non-seasonal counterpart look somewhat dull (which it absolutely isn't...) I remember thinking that the non-Christmas 'NiGHTS' looked less interesting and was something of an anti-climax after playing 'Christmas NiGHTS'. That's not to put the main game down- it's one of the best looking games on the Saturn... It's just a testament to how great 'Christmas NIGHTS' is!
Fourthly... The "Present" system where you can unlock still images, movies, concept art, game modes, character models and even Sonic The Hedgehog (in his first 3D outing), has kept me thoroughly motivated to play through the game repeatedly this Christmas season. The 'Present' system and the 'score attack' element of the game keep one coming back again and again...
Fifth - It's proved a hugely popular as a challenge on the Junkyard Facebook page, motivating people to post pictures of their score. As I write, the top score is held by the 'Dreamcast Junkyard's Ross O'Reilly. The game has been demonstrated with hints and tips given out by Sega Saturn Shiro correspondent David Lee. You can watch it here!
Sixth - There is my wonderful bespoke box and manual, as made by the truly amazing Ben Boyd! You can see that here! The fact that every time I see this beautiful creation each time I go to play the game, gives me a repeated thrill with every play-through! All these factors, plus my current obsession with playing and collecting exclusively for the Saturn at the moment, have combined to create this present addiction. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got you know what to play... May I take this opportunity to wish all the staff and readers of the Saturn Junkyard, all the Saturn Junkies (shout going out to Supahype!) all the mods and admins in the Facebook group, our colleagues and friends the Sanshiro Boys (and anyone else), a very peaceful and blessed Christmas and a very Happy and Saturn filled New Year 2018!
2 comments:
I never get involved in the FB group chzllenges, I dont play games to socialise or compete with others, but this game has me posting scores, and shring my improvements to the page as well. I cant think of another game that has this effect on me. In fact as I type this i am 120 miles sway from my home and my saturn and my xmas nights. and I miss it like mad.
As I mentioned on the 1.5 podcast, Christmas Nights was the very first Saturn game I've played, on the console that I got as a christmas gift. I can't think of the Saturn or Christmas without thinking of it too
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