I just realized, Elliot being new to his anxiety could be seen as why his levels are generally more difficult and have more obstructions going on than Claris' as this is new unknown mental territory
Would that also explain why Elliot’s levels are much more drastically different thematic-wise compared to Claris’?. Claris’ stages all have a slight nature or grassy motif (Spring Valley, Mystic Forest, and the outside of Soft Museum) While Elliot goes from a beach, to a snowy hillside, to a mechanical canyon. While each level has a reason behind it, like how Spring Valley and Splash Garden are apparently based on their parents, Elliot’s worlds are changing constantly, while Claris’ seem very connected and constant.
@@MagillanicaLouM If we go by the idea that Elliot isn’t used to feeling insecurities like this, his mind is racing a lot more. Compared to Claris, who is probably used to these anxieties, and thus could possibly have an easier time building herself back up. Hence the nature and manmade elements slowly coming together. From the randomly placed signs and cars in Mystic Forest, to the more complex, but defined Soft Museum.
@@vincentshadetree I actually thought of one more thing to add to the idea that Elliot’s levels are more erratic and changing. And it’s that NiGHTS tends to change forms only in Elliot’s stages. From the dolphin form in Splash Garden to the sleigh in Frozen Bell. NiGHTS changes to help Elliot be more comfortable with the equal change in environment.
This is actually extremely relevant to me right now. I’m going through my own anxiety slump at the moment, so I understand where Elliot and Claris are coming from. It’s hard to handle having control taken from you, and can be so physically and mentally taxing.
Same! I completely understand. This year has been ridiculous and toxic. I have been dealing with anxiety and I've never had to deal with it before like Elliot. I've developed health issues because of it and all of these things are new to me and it's been difficult. It's been several months now and most of the health issues have subsided thankfully, but one or two things still show up but not as intense as it did before.
“Bad dreams are the ghosts of our fears and worries haunting us while we sleep” - Anon “Sometimes you have to walk through your nightmares to reach your dreams.” - Anon “I have had dreams and I have had nightmares... but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.” - Jonas Salk This video analysis is absolutely brilliant!!! I would absolutely love to know your thoughts on the sequel Nights: Journey Of Dreams which has very similar themes about similarly broken people but has a freshly different spin on it as their trauma comes from family problems, the boy protagonist from feeling depression and abandonment regarding his father being overwhelmed by work and the girl protagonist from feeling guilt and self-hatred about not being there enough for her mother. Is there any chance that you’re going to do a follow up analysis at some point in the future regarding the sequel?
I would like to hear that as well. Despite the fact that NiD is a better game than JoD, JoD has nuggets of good stuff like the realistic family situations.
@@jesusp.g.1833 Definitely. Plus, Journey Of Dreams was my introduction into the Nights franchise. So it'd be nice to hear more people talking about it.
@@jesusp.g.1833 I'll second this. JoD is a disaster of a game and even worse as a followup to the original, but the thematic (and to a lesser extent narrative) concepts underlying it are well worth diving into.
As a personal addendum, I often feel like this sort of story is presented as a "coming of age" thing, that you experience these feelings of anxiety while young, and overcoming them is the test to reach adulthood. Well, I'm 33 now, and I can say definitively that I still very much relate to both Claris and Elliot. I still thrive in my bubble of control and all but collapse when thrown out of it; I've been humiliated multiple times at work by coworkers, in particular one who frequently bullied me. I often feel like some of the things I love were torn away from me by those moments of humiliation. These trials are a lifetime journey. I don't know if I'll ever be 100% comfortable outside the bubbles I make for myself, and I'm certain I'll be humiliated again in future social or work settings. The important thing is that we seek help when necessary, while continuing to develop skills to manage our various conditions, whatever they may be. Thanks for this video, Digi. Absolutely brilliant insights.
I feel you there. Claris’ story of isolation really stands out for me. I’m heavily introverted, so I feel at my perfect element in those moments of pure isolation, but then again, I realize that it also puts me so deep in this disconnected, withdrawn state that my bubble becomes like a barrier and keeps me from perceiving what is real and what’s not, and I feel like I have little control over myself when I do step out into the light to “perform“. I’m just a year younger than you, and I can attest that the anxiety, especially childhood anxiety, never really disappears completely; but the best way to beat it and change for the better is to have awareness of your anxiety, practice facing it, and give it all time to sink in. We all grow and evolve, whether we want to or not, but the more you want to change, all the more drastically you will. Best of luck to you; I hope you will find your place and best your anxieties!
NiGHTS is more than a game. NiGHTS is an experience, an art that connects thousands of dreamers across the world, and a message from nightopia to embrace your sweetest feelings, whether in the real world or in a peaceful slumber.
"Show, don't tell" is advice I was told in creative writing class as the number 1 rule of storytelling. And this is a brilliant way to show without telling
I had moments tearing up from this. I forget the games message and deep meanings. I sorted of drifted away from the fandom and not being apart of it for a while only checking in every so often but it's likely being burnt out from being in fandoms to begin with. Besides that thank you for reminding me of why I like this game I now remember why NiGHTS, was so important to me in the first place. You explain about the game in such a detail and in a beautiful way, even bringing up little details that I didn't even notice before. Also well done for Sonic Team for doing such a unique game like that. This is why this game was always my favourite in the first place, because of the hidden message behind the game. It's also why I became really into finding out the meaning behind dreams, and how the brain processes it all when said person is asleep I just became fascinated by the whole thing. NiGHTS inspired me a lot as a artist and writer even as far to make my own stories and characters inspired by series, as its stories and characters meant a lot to me. As someone that has aspergers and anxiety the whole thing felt very comforting to hear and reminded me of how important NiGHTS was to me back when I needed someone like them to look up to and have hope during senior school. Actions speak louder than words so they did a amazing way for doing that. Even with Journey of Dreams having voice acting in it which likely because of the of consoles being more advanced to add that in. I still feel like they also dealt with important issue like how it focus on a lot of family problems with Helen and Will and still had also its quiet moments too. It kinda explains why Balan Wonderworld exists as it was probably the game that Naka and Oshima wanted to make for a long while with NiGHTS, maybe wanted to have in the previous NiGHTS games and maybe in its cancelled versions of the games that were surpose to come out. With mental health being very important right now people need to give this game a go and take there own experience from it in however they see it. So again thank you for making this detail inside on NiGHTS it makes me wanna go back and return to the game again after leaving it for so long. It's a game I love very much.💜 Thank you for reading this very long comment I typed out I had a lot to say about this whole thing. xD
I like to think that the NiGHTS and Balan universes are connected, and Balan just keeps yoinking Visitors so that he can put on a play. NiGHTS refers to him as "That hat-headed theater nerd".
You know, every once in a while. I need to be reminded of the subtleties that drew me into this game. Even though this topic has been covered in games a lot more as of late, NiGHTS does it so simplistic and effectively, it sticks with you almost subconsciously. 😭
NiGHTS will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the child like fantasy of meeting and flying with NiGHTS in your dreams. Now I totally see how it represents anxiety. This game has such deep symbolism, I love it so much.
I have to be honest, I teared up watching this. I'm having a very stressful day today because of work. I even felt some symptoms of an anxiety crisis and then I ordered some food to take my break for the day. All this, on top of the situation of the world and you can imagine how fast my mental state was circling the drain. And yet, this video reminded me of what NiGHTS taught me back in my teenage years about being brave but also remembering to take care of myself. NiGHTS came to me in a time of crisis and now, so did your video
I literally started tearing up when I learned the genius that was incorporated into this game. That may also explained why I was so drawn to it as a child. My brother may call the games I played "kiddie games." But there is more depth to many games other than appealing to certain age groups. SEGA definitely does what nintendon't during that time. I will see myself out. 😅 *Jumps out the window*
Yeah but he is the reason why Psychology exist. He is the Father of Psychology. The reason why is because his fellow students and colleagues criticizing his work. So yes he is a messed up Paps but we do have to recognize him because without him, Psychology won't exist.
@@ikagura Psychoanalysis is almost always pseudoscience, with varying degree of bullshit (Jungian psychoanalysis is less outrageously unscientific than, lets say , Lacanian psychoanalysis), but neurology isn't the "real psychology". What we usually refer to psychology, as in, the scientific study of the human psyche with an aim of helping and healing people, isn't so much neurology than behavioral psychology and clinical psychology (aka psychiatry). There has been a lot of interest for neurology and it's findings since the 90's and how it could potentially explain the human psyche, but so far the many findings of neurologists haven't really brought any effective change to how psychologists and psychiatrists diagnose and treat their patients. Basing psychological treatments on neuroscience didn't brought better results than the established methods psychiatrists and psychologists were previously using. The scientific discoveries of neurology do exist and are interesting, but so far they aren't as useful to psychology as many initially expected.
This is why SEGA and Capcom were known for their amazing visual storytelling back then. Such a powerful video. Thank you DiGi I will forever love your work. I've known anxiety too much, I completely connect with this analysis.
Hey, I'm not on Twitter, so it took me a while to see your last tweet. I'm sorry for your loss, and I think we should understand that this has already been a rough year for you. Take your time for you. We love you, buddy.
Man this is a very nice and in depth look at the psychology of characters we never hear speak. There was always something about Claris and Elliot's portrayals that i felt there was a deeper layer despite the simple presentation. Thanks for putting it into words. Also if you want another game exploring human psychology (that also came out in 1996) i highly recommend the first Persona game if you can find access to it. There was a psp remaster in 2009 that might be easier to find too
I can't put into words just how much I love and appreciate everything you just said. Just like how I sometimes can't put into words just how much NiGHTS has meant to me, over the years. Thank you for wording everything so brilliantly and encapsulating exactly what it is about this franchise that resonates with so many people. Seriously. Thank you.
There’s another game called Psychonauts which released in 2005 that deals with mental issues but takes itself a LOT less seriously. I think there should be more video games that delve into topics like this.
Fantastic video! Been a fan for years but this is my first time commenting. As someone who has had to deal with social anxiety for years this game seems incredibly relatable. I never grew up owning a Sega Saturn and while I knew this game was a big deal at the time of release, I've never seen a video talking about the mental health aspect of it. This has sold me more on the game than anything else I've seen discussed about it. When you mentioned how "Words just don't work for us" I couldn't stop nodding. As someone who used to do performing arts in High School I find Claris's backstory hitting closer to home more than Elliot but even then I've definitely felt both of those feelings even right down to everything else feeling suffocating & miserable in the moment and just wishing I could just escape it all to relax and find my center again. I really want to play this game now in the future. Thank you for discussing one of your favorite games once again. I finally understand why it's so special!
This is an absolutely brilliant analysis. Thank you for opening my eyes to the core theme of NiGHTS. I've been playing this for years, including during high school when my mental health was arguably at its worst, but still never really caught onto this. It makes so much sense.
That "things are just fine inside your bubble, but when the environment is hostile, everything goes downhill" interpretation of Claris' mental state... speaks to me. It totally does. In the end, you cry but do things anyway, and keep going. I think I had no idea about any of this when I first played the game. And that makes me think if people playing the game actually get that message without having the previous self-knowledge that sometimes only psychological therapy can give us.
Came back to this old video with a new found appreciation for how this little game I played before I was a teenager, understood some of the deep mental issues even children endure. I didn't suffer from anxiety much in my childhood but as I grew up, learning more about myself has changed my perception of my past in a much more clarifying way. It's nice that such a game can be so subtle about it and still nail it to the core.
Stellar analysis as expected, DiGi. Thank you for bringing this topic to the attention of the broader UA-cam community and giving us such a clear and complete explanation.
Thank you DiGi Valentine for making this video! A lot of the things you mentioned is something I can deeply relate to, as my own anxiety has been with me for a long time. Losing complete control of yourself to your own anxious thoughts is really scary. For me in particular, it's the idea that I might faint when my anxiety attack becomes too much for me to handle. I had an anxiety episode a couple of weeks ago where it got so bad, that I temporarily lost my field of sight (everything getting all dark and blurry) while my body turning all burning hot in an instant. Honestly, it is indescribable how horrible it can feel. Though I have learned to takle my anxiety much better now, it still remains an unwanted guest in my life. But techniques like deep breathing (like you mentioned) has helped me a lot through the years, so I am managing. Again thank you so much for posting this video DiGi Valentine! And lastly to all my fellow anxiety fighters out there; No matter how hard it gets, don't give up fighting!!! You are not alone!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on NiGHTS and anxiety! I found it really moving and helpful for me as I related to these feelings and experiences a lot. You're right that the depiction is simple, but powerful. I also think your interpretation and perspective helped bring it out for me even more, so I appreciate you and the work you did to create this video!
I think that's one of the main reasons I couldn't get into the story side of Journey if Dreams. Still loved the games, but I felt things were very spelled out for us. I hope Balan is the same as the original in that regard. Thanks for the video
I just had a dream that deals with anxiety in a way. It was about my house (but it was bigger and extended) and there were shadows in some of the corners of different rooms. They looked like normal shadows, but they did not behave like normal shadows in nature. They slowly crept forward towards the rest of the room they were in and once a room was completely filled with this shadow, light of any kind is rendered useless (the light in the room, flashlights, and sunlight trying to come in through the windows). If anyone touched any part of those specific shadows, it was as if something or multiple things were within them not visible. It would feel as if something dark and malevolent was trying to pull you into the shadow itself and I experienced it in the dream as I walked to one of the corners of one room, I was terrified and quickly moved away. There were some friends of mine there with me and we moved from room to room as each room was taken over by the shadows. After a while, I figured out that if you concentrate and believed that they couldn't affect you, the shadows themselves are rendered null and lights worked.
I’ve always returned to this series yearly, just to calm myself when things get hectic in my lif- oh would ya look at that it’s tear, no wait there’s another one...and another...and another... I miss NiGHTS and as someone with Anxiety I’ve always found solace in it...I need a hug
This is such a good video. I honestly really enjoy that these elements are even represented through gameplay. Freeing ideyas from their cages, taking the leap of faith, wandering through dark forests or unfinished construction sites, it's wonderful how layered this game is. There is so much left unsaid by Sonic Team about its design, how Nightmarens represent Jungian archetypes and how they look more and more humanoid in thier hierarchies until you reach NiGHTS and Reala... it makes you want to look into Jung and Freud's studies to understand the messages Sonic Team left. So it's not just an incredibly replayable game through its gameplay, but also through its symbolism. What a wonderful game... I really miss how Sonic Team had the courage and will to make their games always have something more to them. NiGHTS will always be their masterpiece for me, and one of my favorite games of all time.
As a person on Anxiety of medication, I wish this game was available when I developed Anxiety at the start of college, but I was born after the game came out, so it is almost unfindable now!
you are one of the few who remembers nights on the internet. my many thanks from brazil! that in the future a decent sequence of nights is not just a dream ...
Thus this explains me putting amethyst instead of diamonds on my nights jewelry I feel like amethyst and rubi quartz were exactly what I need to keep a calm spirit,thank you again for explaining this,we all had video games we were attached to,me having alot of anxiety growing and becoming attached to this making nights my most favored game/character
Man, this was one brilliant video! I’ve often been told by my friends how a lot of video games were not only fun but helped them get through their own personal struggles. So it’s nice to have a game that specifically sets out to entertain you while also attempting to help you understand and overcome issues that virtually everyone has/eventually experiences in their lifetime. Also one to two hours?! For real?! 😳
Yesterday, incredibly after 25 years I finished the game for the first time, I'm in love with the song Dreams Dreams. Back when I had another Saturn in childhood, I didn't know there was an ending to the game. I thought it was an arcade with 3 levels for each child and that's it. Without a doubt still my favorite game and today I realized the reason, I was going through the same feelings as Elliot and Claris. Nights brought me a peace and happiness that helped immerse me in this world of challenges. How wonderful it is to have this experience only now as an adult and a father. Video games can transform lives. This review can put into words what I understood perfectly even without the game using words for it. Thank you so much for that! Kind regards
It’s surprising that there weren’t too many pieces of media at the time that treated anxiety in such a careful way, and I feel that’s one of the big reasons why NiGHTS Into Dreams is so special. What a great watch this is!
This is beautifully laid out. As someone who loves psychology, and just recently been exposed to NiGHTS due to fans discussing the franchise with the current Balan Wonderworld game, I cannot help but have an influx of nostalgia that I never had-it is odd since I never played the game but heard of it. This made me love NiGHTS as a character, and somewhat an inner role model for us who have aged, but never old to forget-because that is something to cherish and pass on to the younger generations.
Definitely would recommend listening to DiGi's video as though it were a podcast; footage doesn't add much of anything aside from context, and the same clips tend to loop often. That aside, having sat through his dissection, this is a fantastic stab at an underappreciated franchise's overlooked strength. Wonderful work.
damn, what a phenomenal analysis! I've never seen anyone put so much educated thought into the psychology of fictional characters (and the video itself is so well written, I understood everything you meant!), I'm so happy to see it now. great work!
This make so much since why this game really touched my heart. I was only 6 years old when I would watch my brothers play it. The story was so perfect and easy to understand. What sends chills down my back is that my hometown has the same architecture style as Twin Seeds. Palm trees, Art Deco and unintentional Vapor Wave. I'm living the dream.
i went through a traumatic event in 1996. and it caused me to have anxiety for decades. nights was the game that helped me out early on. my cousin owned it.
I don't know if I've ever commented on one of your vids, but you do an amazing job in the breakdowns you do. And Night's is a childhood favorite of mine
Thank you for this beautiful analysis. From what I've seen of average 90's games and game ads, it seems like this was a time where being cool, macho, edgy, etc was all the rage. I think NiGHTS had an unusually empathetic and reflective story for the time, which perhaps was a reason why it never blew up like the cool blue hedgehog did. Even if that's true, I wouldn't have it any other way. It is a hidden treasure. Here's wishing that a sequel as thoughtful as NiGHTs into Dreams lies in the future.
Sooo I haven't played nights, just once journey of dreams and I want to try the original on steam, but I read some things that I think are kinda interesting about the character. Like I read nights is the representation of a shadow, the part of you that you want to hide and I think it fits for nights to be a nightmare as nightmares scare us and a shadow could be seen as somewhat of a nightmare. Then the part where their powers are stronger when they dualize is about accepting your shadow to become stronger and that's the point of the whole journey, to understand their shadow and finally beat their fears by accepting who they are and kinda destroying the shadow, but is because the shadow is now just part of them.
So this is quite like Balan Wonderworld! I hadn't known much about Nights when I played Balan, but I can now see the big similarities! Have you got any opinions regarding the similarities? I'd love to see a vid like that about the two games :D
This is a fantastic video. I only manage to get the promotional Christmas Nights disc and never played the main game. I feel that if I had owned it it would have been a game I would have bonded deeply with. The presentation of anxiety in this game seems really interesting. I believe the game was released on Steam. It might be worth looking into after all these years.
This franchise needs a new entry, and many more entries as well. There are so many potential dreams and real life issues in regards to anxiety that can manifest in dreams, and it would be really interesting to explore. Heck, crossovers with other franchises will also be interesting, as it would interesting to explore known characters' psyche through their dreams. Just imagine getting into, say, Queen Elsa's own psyche, and explore her trauma on a more personal level.
Absolutely GREAT STUFF Digi!!! I always love your stuff, especially your videos on NiGHTS. Hope to see some more content very soon from ya brethren! Stay safe my dude.
Absolutely fucking aces video, lad 🤘 It’s always a pleasure hearing you talk about NiGHTS, but this topic in particular is both super interesting and personally relevant. I’d absolutely be down for further in depth vid essays on NiGHTS- or, indeed, any other game that you’ve got an interest in~
Ngl i sure miss the Saturn era as i grew up with the system and it’ll have a special place in my heart. This game is a gem, fun, and addicting. That Sega helped the 3D Controller to have the stick we know as PS1 original run didn’t have it till later on.
Wow. This was really well done; while we're on the topic of mental health, can you do a video on "Coffee Run" from the Blender Animation Studio? The lead artist had dealt a great deal with intrusive thoughts, and let that bleed into the short.
I think another thing that helps with selling the message of this is the gameplay itself. The game being something very new for its time (heck, it still is since almost no ones recreated outside of sonic fan games) meant that it was very tricky for people to play it well and for a first playthrough or two you'll often just find yourself stumbling through the levels and not keeping the kind of flow that the game so desperately wants you to build. This is further emphasized by the ranking system which will tell you if you've played badly or not. Obviously, if you either don't care about rankings or just don't care about getting better at a game this will mean nothing but for people who want to get better at the game itself, going for those higher rankings or improving your flow through the levels to the point where you can rocket past them near flawlessly, it can be like breaking past your own (admittedly superficial) anxiety of not being good enough at the game because you'll see just how much progress you've made by the way you play. Might be a bit of a stretch but I feel like it works well with the story the games trying to present.
I'm hope you make video not known characters like Honey, Mighty, Ray and others from Sonic games. I'm impressed that you found a lot information about each character from each games. Even Klonoa what I was interested.
I think I should consider myself lucky. I've been anxious before, I think, but not any more than whatever other given emotion I'm feeling at the time...I haven't suffered from any real anxiety. I can't relate so easily, and with all these people who enjoy NiGHTS so much, I feel like my own love of the series is...superficial. I can't say I wish that I relate, though, because of what that would entail; but if I ever find myself feeling that way...I think it's good to know NiGHTS will be there for me.
Revelations Persona also came out in 1996, from Atlus, a company SEGA would eventually own, and it too is a game that focuses on similar concepts. 乁(ツ)ㄏ
Honestly man. I just think it's neat that a game touched on anxiety at all. It's a very annoying and unglamorous condition to deal with, can't be dramatised elegantly, there's often no good "excuse" for it. Obviously NiGHTS didn't get that deep into it, but still. Even though online spaces are often safe these days, out in the real world (locally at least) mental health issues are still stigmatised to the point that you're expected to just never speak of it. One of my favourite childhood games being a supportive escape will always feel very special to me.
![NiGHTS - Who Dat? [Character Review]](/img/n.gif)
I just realized, Elliot being new to his anxiety could be seen as why his levels are generally more difficult and have more obstructions going on than Claris' as this is new unknown mental territory
Would that also explain why Elliot’s levels are much more drastically different thematic-wise compared to Claris’?.
Claris’ stages all have a slight nature or grassy motif (Spring Valley, Mystic Forest, and the outside of Soft Museum)
While Elliot goes from a beach, to a snowy hillside, to a mechanical canyon.
While each level has a reason behind it, like how Spring Valley and Splash Garden are apparently based on their parents, Elliot’s worlds are changing constantly, while Claris’ seem very connected and constant.
@@jeanpersico9839 yeah, another cool observation
@@MagillanicaLouM If we go by the idea that Elliot isn’t used to feeling insecurities like this, his mind is racing a lot more.
Compared to Claris, who is probably used to these anxieties, and thus could possibly have an easier time building herself back up. Hence the nature and manmade elements slowly coming together. From the randomly placed signs and cars in Mystic Forest, to the more complex, but defined Soft Museum.
Oh wow, that's another layer of depth I never thought of, nice one! 😎
@@vincentshadetree I actually thought of one more thing to add to the idea that Elliot’s levels are more erratic and changing. And it’s that NiGHTS tends to change forms only in Elliot’s stages. From the dolphin form in Splash Garden to the sleigh in Frozen Bell.
NiGHTS changes to help Elliot be more comfortable with the equal change in environment.
Bro you made me tear up a bit, never realised why I was so attached to Elliot and Claire until now
This is actually extremely relevant to me right now. I’m going through my own anxiety slump at the moment, so I understand where Elliot and Claris are coming from. It’s hard to handle having control taken from you, and can be so physically and mentally taxing.
Same! I completely understand. This year has been ridiculous and toxic. I have been dealing with anxiety and I've never had to deal with it before like Elliot. I've developed health issues because of it and all of these things are new to me and it's been difficult. It's been several months now and most of the health issues have subsided thankfully, but one or two things still show up but not as intense as it did before.
“Bad dreams are the ghosts of our fears and worries haunting us while we sleep”
- Anon
“Sometimes you have to walk through your nightmares to reach your dreams.”
- Anon
“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares... but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.”
- Jonas Salk
This video analysis is absolutely brilliant!!! I would absolutely love to know your thoughts on the sequel Nights: Journey Of Dreams which has very similar themes about similarly broken people but has a freshly different spin on it as their trauma comes from family problems, the boy protagonist from feeling depression and abandonment regarding his father being overwhelmed by work and the girl protagonist from feeling guilt and self-hatred about not being there enough for her mother. Is there any chance that you’re going to do a follow up analysis at some point in the future regarding the sequel?
I would like to hear that as well. Despite the fact that NiD is a better game than JoD, JoD has nuggets of good stuff like the realistic family situations.
@@jesusp.g.1833 Definitely. Plus, Journey Of Dreams was my introduction into the Nights franchise. So it'd be nice to hear more people talking about it.
@@jesusp.g.1833 I'll second this. JoD is a disaster of a game and even worse as a followup to the original, but the thematic (and to a lesser extent narrative) concepts underlying it are well worth diving into.
Shiny Neko same here! i played on the wii cause at the time i couldnt get a hold of a saturn. Thank god for the game being ported to xbox and pc
qloktheinvincible right! theres even a segment where NiGHTs compares wizeman to a father figure
As a personal addendum, I often feel like this sort of story is presented as a "coming of age" thing, that you experience these feelings of anxiety while young, and overcoming them is the test to reach adulthood. Well, I'm 33 now, and I can say definitively that I still very much relate to both Claris and Elliot. I still thrive in my bubble of control and all but collapse when thrown out of it; I've been humiliated multiple times at work by coworkers, in particular one who frequently bullied me. I often feel like some of the things I love were torn away from me by those moments of humiliation.
These trials are a lifetime journey. I don't know if I'll ever be 100% comfortable outside the bubbles I make for myself, and I'm certain I'll be humiliated again in future social or work settings. The important thing is that we seek help when necessary, while continuing to develop skills to manage our various conditions, whatever they may be.
Thanks for this video, Digi. Absolutely brilliant insights.
I feel you there. Claris’ story of isolation really stands out for me. I’m heavily introverted, so I feel at my perfect element in those moments of pure isolation, but then again, I realize that it also puts me so deep in this disconnected, withdrawn state that my bubble becomes like a barrier and keeps me from perceiving what is real and what’s not, and I feel like I have little control over myself when I do step out into the light to “perform“.
I’m just a year younger than you, and I can attest that the anxiety, especially childhood anxiety, never really disappears completely; but the best way to beat it and change for the better is to have awareness of your anxiety, practice facing it, and give it all time to sink in. We all grow and evolve, whether we want to or not, but the more you want to change, all the more drastically you will. Best of luck to you; I hope you will find your place and best your anxieties!
Yet another reason to miss the old sonic team.
They aren’t even allowed to be creative anymore
NiGHTS is more than a game. NiGHTS is an experience, an art that connects thousands of dreamers across the world, and a message from nightopia to embrace your sweetest feelings, whether in the real world or in a peaceful slumber.
"Show, don't tell" is advice I was told in creative writing class as the number 1 rule of storytelling. And this is a brilliant way to show without telling
Wish we could have a NiGHT's sequel. We need more fun things in the world right now.
There was for the wii
Balan Wonderworld is coming up as well, from the same creators!
@@SegaSaturnSubs doesn't look as fun as nights though
@@prettyflippingaverage1268 Doesn’t look anything like Nights other than artstyle
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is fantastic :)
As someone who suffers from mental illness, I want to thank you so much for making this video filled with understanding and empathy.
I had moments tearing up from this. I forget the games message and deep meanings. I sorted of drifted away from the fandom and not being apart of it for a while only checking in every so often but it's likely being burnt out from being in fandoms to begin with.
Besides that thank you for reminding me of why I like this game I now remember why NiGHTS, was so important to me in the first place. You explain about the game in such a detail and in a beautiful way, even bringing up little details that I didn't even notice before.
Also well done for Sonic Team for doing such a unique game like that. This is why this game was always my favourite in the first place, because of the hidden message behind the game. It's also why I became really into finding out the meaning behind dreams, and how the brain processes it all when said person is asleep I just became fascinated by the whole thing. NiGHTS inspired me a lot as a artist and writer even as far to make my own stories and characters inspired by series, as its stories and characters meant a lot to me.
As someone that has aspergers and anxiety the whole thing felt very comforting to hear and reminded me of how important NiGHTS was to me back when I needed someone like them to look up to and have hope during senior school.
Actions speak louder than words so they did a amazing way for doing that. Even with Journey of Dreams having voice acting in it which likely because of the of consoles being more advanced to add that in. I still feel like they also dealt with important issue like how it focus on a lot of family problems with Helen and Will and still had also its quiet moments too.
It kinda explains why Balan Wonderworld exists as it was probably the game that Naka and Oshima wanted to make for a long while with NiGHTS, maybe wanted to have in the previous NiGHTS games and maybe in its cancelled versions of the games that were surpose to come out. With mental health being very important right now people need to give this game a go and take there own experience from it in however they see it.
So again thank you for making this detail inside on NiGHTS it makes me wanna go back and return to the game again after leaving it for so long. It's a game I love very much.💜
Thank you for reading this very long comment I typed out I had a lot to say about this whole thing. xD
With something like NiGHTS, and now new comer Balan, these are things that people do need
@@Thedragonlover95 Pretty much, this year has been unfortunate for a lot of people so in times like these, we need some form of hope.
@@mc.gemstone Yeah which i'm glad that we will be seeing these types of games. They are what people need
I like to think that the NiGHTS and Balan universes are connected, and Balan just keeps yoinking Visitors so that he can put on a play. NiGHTS refers to him as "That hat-headed theater nerd".
You know, every once in a while. I need to be reminded of the subtleties that drew me into this game. Even though this topic has been covered in games a lot more as of late, NiGHTS does it so simplistic and effectively, it sticks with you almost subconsciously. 😭
gotta love how amazing the old sonic team was
It's cool to see people devote so much time and effort to spread their love about a niche series.
Well, noone else is gonna do it 😅
NiGHTS will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the child like fantasy of meeting and flying with NiGHTS in your dreams. Now I totally see how it represents anxiety. This game has such deep symbolism, I love it so much.
I have to be honest, I teared up watching this. I'm having a very stressful day today because of work. I even felt some symptoms of an anxiety crisis and then I ordered some food to take my break for the day. All this, on top of the situation of the world and you can imagine how fast my mental state was circling the drain. And yet, this video reminded me of what NiGHTS taught me back in my teenage years about being brave but also remembering to take care of myself. NiGHTS came to me in a time of crisis and now, so did your video
I literally started tearing up when I learned the genius that was incorporated into this game. That may also explained why I was so drawn to it as a child.
My brother may call the games I played "kiddie games." But there is more depth to many games other than appealing to certain age groups.
SEGA definitely does what nintendon't during that time.
I will see myself out. 😅
*Jumps out the window*
me: [hears Sigmund Freud]
me: oh no
Isn't he a hack anyway? He's not even a real psychologist
Yeah but he is the reason why Psychology exist. He is the Father of Psychology. The reason why is because his fellow students and colleagues criticizing his work. So yes he is a messed up Paps but we do have to recognize him because without him, Psychology won't exist.
@@mysticadriana He's the founder of Psychoanalysis tho (which I still think it's a pseudoscience and a scam) while neurology is a real one.
@@ikagura Psychoanalysis is almost always pseudoscience, with varying degree of bullshit (Jungian psychoanalysis is less outrageously unscientific than, lets say , Lacanian psychoanalysis), but neurology isn't the "real psychology".
What we usually refer to psychology, as in, the scientific study of the human psyche with an aim of helping and healing people, isn't so much neurology than behavioral psychology and clinical psychology (aka psychiatry).
There has been a lot of interest for neurology and it's findings since the 90's and how it could potentially explain the human psyche, but so far the many findings of neurologists haven't really brought any effective change to how psychologists and psychiatrists diagnose and treat their patients. Basing psychological treatments on neuroscience didn't brought better results than the established methods psychiatrists and psychologists were previously using. The scientific discoveries of neurology do exist and are interesting, but so far they aren't as useful to psychology as many initially expected.
This is why SEGA and Capcom were known for their amazing visual storytelling back then. Such a powerful video. Thank you DiGi I will forever love your work. I've known anxiety too much, I completely connect with this analysis.
Hey, I'm not on Twitter, so it took me a while to see your last tweet. I'm sorry for your loss, and I think we should understand that this has already been a rough year for you. Take your time for you. We love you, buddy.
Man this is a very nice and in depth look at the psychology of characters we never hear speak. There was always something about Claris and Elliot's portrayals that i felt there was a deeper layer despite the simple presentation. Thanks for putting it into words.
Also if you want another game exploring human psychology (that also came out in 1996) i highly recommend the first Persona game if you can find access to it. There was a psp remaster in 2009 that might be easier to find too
I can't put into words just how much I love and appreciate everything you just said. Just like how I sometimes can't put into words just how much NiGHTS has meant to me, over the years. Thank you for wording everything so brilliantly and encapsulating exactly what it is about this franchise that resonates with so many people. Seriously. Thank you.
that was insightful man. Thanks and know that you have entertained and inspired people like me
There’s another game called Psychonauts which released in 2005 that deals with mental issues but takes itself a LOT less seriously. I think there should be more video games that delve into topics like this.
Fantastic video! Been a fan for years but this is my first time commenting. As someone who has had to deal with social anxiety for years this game seems incredibly relatable. I never grew up owning a Sega Saturn and while I knew this game was a big deal at the time of release, I've never seen a video talking about the mental health aspect of it. This has sold me more on the game than anything else I've seen discussed about it. When you mentioned how "Words just don't work for us" I couldn't stop nodding. As someone who used to do performing arts in High School I find Claris's backstory hitting closer to home more than Elliot but even then I've definitely felt both of those feelings even right down to everything else feeling suffocating & miserable in the moment and just wishing I could just escape it all to relax and find my center again. I really want to play this game now in the future. Thank you for discussing one of your favorite games once again. I finally understand why it's so special!
This is an absolutely brilliant analysis. Thank you for opening my eyes to the core theme of NiGHTS. I've been playing this for years, including during high school when my mental health was arguably at its worst, but still never really caught onto this. It makes so much sense.
That "things are just fine inside your bubble, but when the environment is hostile, everything goes downhill" interpretation of Claris' mental state... speaks to me. It totally does. In the end, you cry but do things anyway, and keep going. I think I had no idea about any of this when I first played the game. And that makes me think if people playing the game actually get that message without having the previous self-knowledge that sometimes only psychological therapy can give us.
Came back to this old video with a new found appreciation for how this little game I played before I was a teenager, understood some of the deep mental issues even children endure. I didn't suffer from anxiety much in my childhood but as I grew up, learning more about myself has changed my perception of my past in a much more clarifying way. It's nice that such a game can be so subtle about it and still nail it to the core.
studio ghibli should make a movie adaptation of the Nights games
Very intellectual. Cheers to the superb presentation for this lost diamond. 🙏
Stellar analysis as expected, DiGi. Thank you for bringing this topic to the attention of the broader UA-cam community and giving us such a clear and complete explanation.
Thank you DiGi Valentine for making this video! A lot of the things you mentioned is something I can deeply relate to, as my own anxiety has been with me for a long time. Losing complete control of yourself to your own anxious thoughts is really scary.
For me in particular, it's the idea that I might faint when my anxiety attack becomes too much for me to handle. I had an anxiety episode a couple of weeks ago where it got so bad, that I temporarily lost my field of sight (everything getting all dark and blurry) while my body turning all burning hot in an instant. Honestly, it is indescribable how horrible it can feel.
Though I have learned to takle my anxiety much better now, it still remains an unwanted guest in my life. But techniques like deep breathing (like you mentioned) has helped me a lot through the years, so I am managing.
Again thank you so much for posting this video DiGi Valentine!
And lastly to all my fellow anxiety fighters out there; No matter how hard it gets, don't give up fighting!!! You are not alone!!!!
Its honestly crazy how much depth and creativity are put into segas games, I pray one day they’ll focus more on there other ips.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on NiGHTS and anxiety! I found it really moving and helpful for me as I related to these feelings and experiences a lot. You're right that the depiction is simple, but powerful. I also think your interpretation and perspective helped bring it out for me even more, so I appreciate you and the work you did to create this video!
happy 25th anniversary nights into dreams!!! :3
I think that's one of the main reasons I couldn't get into the story side of Journey if Dreams. Still loved the games, but I felt things were very spelled out for us.
I hope Balan is the same as the original in that regard. Thanks for the video
Sadly Balan seems made for kids under 5 SOLELY.
I just had a dream that deals with anxiety in a way.
It was about my house (but it was bigger and extended) and there were shadows in some of the corners of different rooms. They looked like normal shadows, but they did not behave like normal shadows in nature. They slowly crept forward towards the rest of the room they were in and once a room was completely filled with this shadow, light of any kind is rendered useless (the light in the room, flashlights, and sunlight trying to come in through the windows). If anyone touched any part of those specific shadows, it was as if something or multiple things were within them not visible. It would feel as if something dark and malevolent was trying to pull you into the shadow itself and I experienced it in the dream as I walked to one of the corners of one room, I was terrified and quickly moved away. There were some friends of mine there with me and we moved from room to room as each room was taken over by the shadows. After a while, I figured out that if you concentrate and believed that they couldn't affect you, the shadows themselves are rendered null and lights worked.
I’ve always returned to this series yearly, just to calm myself when things get hectic in my lif- oh would ya look at that it’s tear, no wait there’s another one...and another...and another...
I miss NiGHTS and as someone with Anxiety I’ve always found solace in it...I need a hug
This is such a good video.
I honestly really enjoy that these elements are even represented through gameplay. Freeing ideyas from their cages, taking the leap of faith, wandering through dark forests or unfinished construction sites, it's wonderful how layered this game is. There is so much left unsaid by Sonic Team about its design, how Nightmarens represent Jungian archetypes and how they look more and more humanoid in thier hierarchies until you reach NiGHTS and Reala... it makes you want to look into Jung and Freud's studies to understand the messages Sonic Team left.
So it's not just an incredibly replayable game through its gameplay, but also through its symbolism.
What a wonderful game... I really miss how Sonic Team had the courage and will to make their games always have something more to them. NiGHTS will always be their masterpiece for me, and one of my favorite games of all time.
As a person on Anxiety of medication, I wish this game was available when I developed Anxiety at the start of college, but I was born after the game came out, so it is almost unfindable now!
Aw that sucks :(, but hey! You could always emulate it
Soda Pop true!
u can buy it on steam
Wow great analysis on anxiety. I think you're really hitting on something with this theme.
Great explanation of this matter. Finally, a channel that I can go to to get great Nights content.
you are one of the few who remembers nights on the internet. my many thanks from brazil! that in the future a decent sequence of nights is not just a dream ...
Thus this explains me putting amethyst instead of diamonds on my nights jewelry I feel like amethyst and rubi quartz were exactly what I need to keep a calm spirit,thank you again for explaining this,we all had video games we were attached to,me having alot of anxiety growing and becoming attached to this making nights my most favored game/character
We all need a NiGHTS journey
Man, this was one brilliant video! I’ve often been told by my friends how a lot of video games were not only fun but helped them get through their own personal struggles. So it’s nice to have a game that specifically sets out to entertain you while also attempting to help you understand and overcome issues that virtually everyone has/eventually experiences in their lifetime.
Also one to two hours?! For real?! 😳
Yesterday, incredibly after 25 years I finished the game for the first time, I'm in love with the song Dreams Dreams. Back when I had another Saturn in childhood, I didn't know there was an ending to the game. I thought it was an arcade with 3 levels for each child and that's it. Without a doubt still my favorite game and today I realized the reason, I was going through the same feelings as Elliot and Claris. Nights brought me a peace and happiness that helped immerse me in this world of challenges. How wonderful it is to have this experience only now as an adult and a father. Video games can transform lives. This review can put into words what I understood perfectly even without the game using words for it. Thank you so much for that! Kind regards
It’s surprising that there weren’t too many pieces of media at the time that treated anxiety in such a careful way, and I feel that’s one of the big reasons why NiGHTS Into Dreams is so special. What a great watch this is!
This is beautifully laid out.
As someone who loves psychology, and just recently been exposed to NiGHTS due to fans discussing the franchise with the current Balan Wonderworld game, I cannot help but have an influx of nostalgia that I never had-it is odd since I never played the game but heard of it.
This made me love NiGHTS as a character, and somewhat an inner role model for us who have aged, but never old to forget-because that is something to cherish and pass on to the younger generations.
My favourite game of all time, and you’ve just made me love it even more. Thank you.
I wish KNiGHTS was real, especially during my childhood.
Definitely would recommend listening to DiGi's video as though it were a podcast; footage doesn't add much of anything aside from context, and the same clips tend to loop often.
That aside, having sat through his dissection, this is a fantastic stab at an underappreciated franchise's overlooked strength. Wonderful work.
This is such a good video. One thing that got me drawn to this game was the lack of dialogue and how it wasn't needed to tell the story.
damn, what a phenomenal analysis! I've never seen anyone put so much educated thought into the psychology of fictional characters (and the video itself is so well written, I understood everything you meant!), I'm so happy to see it now. great work!
This make so much since why this game really touched my heart. I was only 6 years old when I would watch my brothers play it. The story was so perfect and easy to understand. What sends chills down my back is that my hometown has the same architecture style as Twin Seeds. Palm trees, Art Deco and unintentional Vapor Wave. I'm living the dream.
Damn, Elliot is just like me fr.
This video alone makes me want to play this game now.
i went through a traumatic event in 1996. and it caused me to have anxiety for decades. nights was the game that helped me out early on. my cousin owned it.
I don't know if I've ever commented on one of your vids, but you do an amazing job in the breakdowns you do. And Night's is a childhood favorite of mine
This is needed. This is very much needed.
Thank you for this beautiful analysis. From what I've seen of average 90's games and game ads, it seems like this was a time where being cool, macho, edgy, etc was all the rage. I think NiGHTS had an unusually empathetic and reflective story for the time, which perhaps was a reason why it never blew up like the cool blue hedgehog did. Even if that's true, I wouldn't have it any other way. It is a hidden treasure. Here's wishing that a sequel as thoughtful as NiGHTs into Dreams lies in the future.
is there a chance we can get a breakdown on "Journey of Dreams" if it has something compelling like this? I really enjoyed this video
Thank you so much for this video. ♥
Sooo I haven't played nights, just once journey of dreams and I want to try the original on steam, but I read some things that I think are kinda interesting about the character. Like I read nights is the representation of a shadow, the part of you that you want to hide and I think it fits for nights to be a nightmare as nightmares scare us and a shadow could be seen as somewhat of a nightmare. Then the part where their powers are stronger when they dualize is about accepting your shadow to become stronger and that's the point of the whole journey, to understand their shadow and finally beat their fears by accepting who they are and kinda destroying the shadow, but is because the shadow is now just part of them.
So this is quite like Balan Wonderworld! I hadn't known much about Nights when I played Balan, but I can now see the big similarities! Have you got any opinions regarding the similarities? I'd love to see a vid like that about the two games :D
God-damn, I miss the old Sonic Team.
This is a fantastic video. I only manage to get the promotional Christmas Nights disc and never played the main game. I feel that if I had owned it it would have been a game I would have bonded deeply with. The presentation of anxiety in this game seems really interesting. I believe the game was released on Steam. It might be worth looking into after all these years.
This franchise needs a new entry, and many more entries as well. There are so many potential dreams and real life issues in regards to anxiety that can manifest in dreams, and it would be really interesting to explore. Heck, crossovers with other franchises will also be interesting, as it would interesting to explore known characters' psyche through their dreams. Just imagine getting into, say, Queen Elsa's own psyche, and explore her trauma on a more personal level.
Absolutely GREAT STUFF Digi!!! I always love your stuff, especially your videos on NiGHTS. Hope to see some more content very soon from ya brethren! Stay safe my dude.
nights has to run laps around dreams and nightmares to overcome enemies
Absolutely fucking aces video, lad 🤘 It’s always a pleasure hearing you talk about NiGHTS, but this topic in particular is both super interesting and personally relevant. I’d absolutely be down for further in depth vid essays on NiGHTS- or, indeed, any other game that you’ve got an interest in~
Ngl i sure miss the Saturn era as i grew up with the system and it’ll have a special place in my heart. This game is a gem, fun, and addicting. That Sega helped the 3D Controller to have the stick we know as PS1 original run didn’t have it till later on.
Wow. This was really well done; while we're on the topic of mental health, can you do a video on "Coffee Run" from the Blender Animation Studio? The lead artist had dealt a great deal with intrusive thoughts, and let that bleed into the short.
I love this video wish you eventually make new videos.
I JUST WANT NiGHTS INTO DREAMS SOMEWHERE IN OR AROUND MY MOUTH ALL OF THE TIMES.
Beautiful video!
I think another thing that helps with selling the message of this is the gameplay itself. The game being something very new for its time (heck, it still is since almost no ones recreated outside of sonic fan games) meant that it was very tricky for people to play it well and for a first playthrough or two you'll often just find yourself stumbling through the levels and not keeping the kind of flow that the game so desperately wants you to build. This is further emphasized by the ranking system which will tell you if you've played badly or not. Obviously, if you either don't care about rankings or just don't care about getting better at a game this will mean nothing but for people who want to get better at the game itself, going for those higher rankings or improving your flow through the levels to the point where you can rocket past them near flawlessly, it can be like breaking past your own (admittedly superficial) anxiety of not being good enough at the game because you'll see just how much progress you've made by the way you play.
Might be a bit of a stretch but I feel like it works well with the story the games trying to present.
I'm hope you make video not known characters like Honey, Mighty, Ray and others from Sonic games. I'm impressed that you found a lot information about each character from each games. Even Klonoa what I was interested.
I think I should consider myself lucky. I've been anxious before, I think, but not any more than whatever other given emotion I'm feeling at the time...I haven't suffered from any real anxiety. I can't relate so easily, and with all these people who enjoy NiGHTS so much, I feel like my own love of the series is...superficial. I can't say I wish that I relate, though, because of what that would entail; but if I ever find myself feeling that way...I think it's good to know NiGHTS will be there for me.
Bruv, I truly miss the old Sonic Team. Ever since I was introduced to NiGHTS, I felt a tad bit more confident in myself
Quite the impressive video, DiGi!
I love this game so much. it's awesome. wish we got more.
Nice video!
I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Ib4 we get a video for explaining boss/level symbolism.
i crown you the cybershell of NiGHTS
HE'S BACK
imaged that's nights is a theraptist for the kids
okay but am I the only one freaked about how Nights looks, something about them is uncanny valley to me
Yo DiGi! I still love you baby!
Im a nights fan so i like this game
nice analysis!
Thank you for this
Could please you do another one like this for Journey of Dreams? I love what your going for here!
Ima just cheer 🥳
I've never given this game's cutscenes and story enough credit.
Revelations Persona also came out in 1996, from Atlus, a company SEGA would eventually own, and it too is a game that focuses on similar concepts. 乁(ツ)ㄏ
"finishing" the game is relative, as to me it means working on getting "A" on every level. It takes a lot more than 2 hours.
Honestly man. I just think it's neat that a game touched on anxiety at all. It's a very annoying and unglamorous condition to deal with, can't be dramatised elegantly, there's often no good "excuse" for it. Obviously NiGHTS didn't get that deep into it, but still. Even though online spaces are often safe these days, out in the real world (locally at least) mental health issues are still stigmatised to the point that you're expected to just never speak of it. One of my favourite childhood games being a supportive escape will always feel very special to me.
good video and I'm sure this goes without saying but man do I miss the old sonic team.