So, I decided I would update on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBacngGL_BM
This is a 'test trailer' on sidescrolling in Nightmare. All details should be in the video.
About the applications, I'm not planning on using it all the time, nor close; this is one such case, an enemy base, where I think you'll like the exploration part.
Double update, sorry; felt like the previous video was still incomplete.