Semidome made a splash with their artsy debut Last Voyage ($3.99). It was an artsy yet eclectic experience, as its ten chapters ran the gamut of gameplay styles to convey its abstract story. Semidome isn’t done conveying this abstract digital atmosphere in their second title Nightgate ($3.99). It positions itself as a more singular experience, but one that succeeds in creating a fascinating landscape for players to experience for just a little while.
Nightgate gives you a single basic task of having to survive levels full of hazards to progress to the next one, flying around like an arena-survival game. You advance by activating nodes, with different kinds that pop up, like ones that have to be linked without any enemies or hazards contacting the links. There are some different switches that pop up too, but in general, it’s all about the nodes.
That’s not to say the game is monotonous at all – the level design and hazards you have to deal with are varied enough and spread out well. You’ll see some repetition of particular challenges throughout the 50 levels, but they’re spread out well enough that it doesn’t feel annoying, it’s just that you’ll recognize them. The enemies that offer relentless pursuit add a tricky wrinkle. In general, Nightagte is a title that you can complete through perseverance, as there aren’t any excessively difficult timing puzzles or mazes to navigate through. Lesser-skilled players can still have fun with this and complete the game. Nightgate doesn’t overstay its welcome – each gate only takes a few minutes to complete, though with 50 of them, you can sit down with this one for some time, even in a stop and start way as I did.
Semidome are certified experts at minimalist style. They know just how to use simple geometry and turn it into something bigger and more expansive. The game is overwhelmingly displayed as simple geometric shapes, just used in complex patterns and arrangements. When something breaks from this abstraction, you know it’s a big deal. While the theme of computer links and nodes means that Nightgate has license to be geometric and vaguely digital, Semidome has still managed to create gorgeous visual experience. Liberal use of parallax effects help to create an environment that feels angled and three-dimensional. This and Last Voyage both were exceptional in their ability to build a world and create an exceptional atmosphere from simple raw material, and the soundtrack is part of that. The music is less specific to various levels and more for creating a general atmosphere, but it still makes this game worthy of wearing headphones.
The game tries to guide players along with a helper spirit of sorts that guides the player to the next objective, but this little helper can be a bit annoying due to its pathfinding. Sometimes, it will lead you straight through danger, or perhaps just taking a route that is far too circuitous. Still, this is a minor complaint, and in general, the game does a great job at providing this feeling that you know where you need to go, that it’s a sense and not just because you’re being guided to that point.
The controls for the game fit well, with the ability to swipe in different directions to move. Your movement is not about smooth tranistions, but about turning that feels like you’re making a sharp cut. The turns are sharp enough that you notice them, but they feel like part of the game’s style. Think of something like Tron light cycles, where you can make sharp turns, and consider that you’re in a computer network, and then it all kind of makes sense. And it makes sense for mobile, where it’s tough to be accurate. So while the movement trades off some smoothness, the gains in thematic appropriateness and accuracy are well worth it. While you have a bit more room to make swipes on the iPad, the game feels pretty good no matter how you play it. If you want something that feels smoother to control, play the Apple TV version with the Siri Remote.
iCloud support is in tow, and I’m proud to say Nightgate works seamlessly between all versions of the game. I’m happy Semidome took care to make the Apple TV version fit in with the iOS versions, including iCloud. I’ve played too many games that I’d want to play on the TV, but was discouraged from doing so because my progress would be locked in to the TV or to mobile. Even Swapperoo ($2.99) which has iCloud support doesn’t have it on the TV version despite being a universal app! I didn’t get into mobile gaming to be locked down to the TV, and I’m glad Semidome made sure that Nightgate is not locked done.
While I’m certainly not asking that Semidome makes a whole new half of this game the way that they did with Last Voyage, it’s easy to think that there are things they could be doing with Nightgate to expand the concept. Levels that are more maze-like, and not just about nodes, could be cool. Even some different game modes, like an endless survival mode, would be interesting to explore. Perhaps non-narrative challenge levels that focus still on node collection, but taken to the game’s extremes. Like, forming chains from dozens and dozens of nodes, that kind of difficult puzzle. I like that Nightgate is mostly an accessible game that can be completed with a bit of perseverance and elbow grease, but I’d love to see the concepts taken to their extremes in some future content, if any is coming.
But regardless if Semidome updates Nightgate, I’m rather curious to see what Semidome has up their sleeves next. With two straight games, they’ve established themselves as excellent purveyors of stylistic, intriguing experiences. And whatever they do, I’m intrigued to play it.
This just might be the console for the busy parents, workers, and other professionals who stopped having the time for a full console when life priorities shifted. I love the idea and I just want my 3DS virtual console purchases to crossover!
That's the weird tear in the fabric of this convergence... games that might not crossover or might disappear into oblivion because they're old. Having already seen that happen on the App Store, it really is disappointing. I hope when we reach a certain level of convergence, we'll figure out how to effectively create the ability to access old games on any device.
I was all about convergence until some great simply vanished into the oblivion or wouldn't work with a minor OS update.
I think we are distant from it yet, sadly.
I agree with Carter, I am looking forward to this and think that the "convergence" of the different forms of gaming we have will be a cool thing. I understand fears of it only be quick play style games, but agree that it doesn't have to be so and that really it won't. I have already seen both areas of game bleeding into each other, there are games I enjoy on my ps4 that are clearly in some ways influenced by mobile, and tons of games I love on my iPhone that are something you would sit and play on a console. It would be nice to have these experiences mesh more like netflix does, where I can access it just about anywhere. How awesome would it be to see game companies make games that mesh the experience. Imagine using your switch hooked up to your tv to play the games in your Madden season, but on the go being able to make changes to your roster and different things. Just one example but many games could have the sit down and play experience with things to do on the go as well. I think the switch itself would have benefited me more when I was younger and in school to pack around with you, but I can see how I could have a lot of fun with it and my kids. Thanks for the article!
Must buy ❤️❤️❤️
Yeah. Great concept. But the obvious questions (beyond price) are whether it has a touch screen, easily accessible third-party apps, web-browsing, camera, etc... Basically, all those things besides gaming that cause us to be so committed to carrying our mobile devices with us everywhere.
I'm all for the convergence. This is what I've wanted since I was 8 years old. I eventually had a Gameboy, NES, a Sharp electronic pocket organizer, and eventually a graphing calculator and portable CD player. I wanted to have all of this and a TV in one device, and it happened with the smartphone and tablets. And many of my favorite games of all time are now playable on many different platforms.
But I do hope all these companies work towards this convergence, with Nintendo showing how to do it with gaming. I'd finally invest in an Apple TV if it could allow me to play a game that I was playing on my device, but without my device streaming it. However, I'm already enjoying going back and forth between iPhone and iPad on many console experience, and it's so close.
I doubt I'll end up getting a Switch because I don't have enough free time to even play all of the games I currently own and I already have an iPad that does everything I need. But, I do hope it does well and encourages Appel, Microsoft, and Google to step up their game that much more.
I think we can't look into Apple as an example of convergence, sadly. At least not yet.
Same here. And I am curious and carefully watching, what Apple will do. Google play grow every year and eventually surpass itunes/appstore in many ways. Now Nintendo Switch is interesting add in mobile gaming. So much is happening.
Looks good. (I hope a VR component comes along! Any rumors?)
I was hoping the same thing! Would have been cool if the screen was slightly smaller and fit into a headset. With the detachable controllers this would have been great. Though I think I read the screen resolution would not be great for vr... could be wrong.
Zelda and Mario VR would really be interesting.
It's all about the specs.
No, it's all about 3rd party support.
Combining the two (mobile and home) makes a lot of sense on paper when it comes to the flexibility, convenience and mobility of 21st century technology many of us have come to expect, especially now that we all own a good example of that in our smartphones, but ultimately it will come down to the games like always. It's been 5 years since I last owned a Nintendo system and I'm definitely ready to give Nintendo another chance based on what I'm seeing now.
It will be third party compatible - gamestream
Certainly an optimistic view, but we'll have to wait until March to see. I was gung ho about mobile gaming once, but I think it's just a flash in the pan now, and let's face it, Nintendo hasn't been relevent since the fist couple years following the Wii's launch. I'm curious but pessimistic about Switch.
What it runs Android and has Nvidia game streaming? I had the shield portable and the main thing missing was AAA support. Nvidia shield with Nintendo exclusives shoulda pretty great to me. There will also have to be a kids version as no parent will be handing the tablet to their child.
Flash in the pan? Really? Have you seen how much money Clash of Clans and Game of War are still making? I want to see Nintendo do well, and hope the Switch is a hit, but even if their wildest projections they're not going to rival Apple. Lots of people like Nintendo; but everybody has a smartphone. You might leave your Switch at home; you never forget to take your phone with you. That's a customer base that can't be ignored. I kind of get your disappointment with mobile, but I also don't think it's going away.
I fully understand all these positive reactions on Switch. Dunno, if Switch will be successful or not. Still don't know, what to think about it by myself. We still don't have enough information. Just a few things before some diggin' deeper.
I believe that Switch will run custom OS, not Android.
Probably unix based or even some custom linux/android. Biggest question here is. If so, will it support google play? Probably not. Almost everyone in business tried to do big thing by yourself. OK, another closed system.
I believe, Nintendo Switch will be sort of multipurpose tablet.
We know it is gaming device. We know it is partially portable. It will be probably based on sort of Nintendo services. We can expect touchscreen, browser and all this basic necessary things I suppose. Imagine Nvidia Shield and you are home.
I believe, partnering with interesting names in business is good thing.
Obviously biggest selling point here is Nintendo and their games. But what somewhat surprised me in good way was Atlus and From Software. What is also interesting is partnering with Epic Games (Unreal) and Unity. Good. And. Autodesk?
Problem here is, who needs another portable device. Is it really sweet spot between console gaming and "crappy" mobile gaming? Or will this end exactly like nvidia shield? Isn't a bit late for such a device, when mobile phones are slowly bringing virtual reality to masses, or even augmented reality? New way of entertainment. Can Nintendo live little longer out of their fan base?
There are certain things (closed system, battery life, pricey 7" tablet and games, slow hardware etc.) which can easily mean "LOSE" for Nintendo.
On the other hand, classic gamers like me would welcome this device.
But last thing I want is "just another dedicated" device...
We will see, what Nintendo bring around March. And I will decide which devices leave and which one stays.
Fingers crossed for long battery life and strong third party software support.
Nintendo should also take a hit on the price of the hardware to ensure it sells boatloads.
A strong launch lineup of games will ensure success. Give me Mario and Skyrim HD at launch and I will be first in line.