• Review: Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)

    by
    Beatboxtaun
    Published on 11-19-2011 11:57 PM
    2 Comments Comments


    Sonic Generations

    Developer: Sonic Team
    Publisher: SEGA
    Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS
    Genre: Action-Platforming
    Rating: Everyone
    Release Date: November 1, 2011

    Rolling around at the speed of sound, Sonic is back in a brand new adventure. This time he is bringing our old friend, Classic Sonic, along for the ride. The classic Sonic that we know and love and the Modern Sonic are both playable in Sonic's new venture in Sonic Generations. Gotta go fast!

    Presentation
    Sonic is celebrating his birthday, as his friends throw him a surprise birthday party in the park. The party is interrupted by an enemy called Time Eater, who can erase time and space. Time Eater crashes the party by creating 'time holes' that take Sonic, and his friends, back in time. His intent is to own the world when he is "finished with Sonic," he claims. Time Eater wants to destroy both Sonics...forever.

    Sonic is now trying to find his friends. In the process, he encounters many familiar faces, that fans will remember from previous Sonic titles, from Sonic's past. Sonic runs into his classic self and Classic Tails. Modern and Classic Sonic and Tails attempt to restore the time that Time Eater is destroying and save their friends, all the while.

    Graphics
    Sonic Generations brings classic side scrolling 2D tracks back with enhanced graphics to give depth and updated visuals. 3D tracks are also offered while playing as Modern Sonic. This offers the player the option to play with a retro classic feel or take the modern route, depending on the Sonic they choose to play as.

    Not only are the stages stunning, it is amazing to see it from the Classic Sonic to the Modern Sonic. It adds a fun-factor and builds excitement to see how a classic mode will turn 3D, and vice versa.

    Playing Sonic Generations in 3D brings the gameplay to an entirely different level. The stereoscopic 3D is a pleasant compliment to the already gorgeous colorful graphics. In other words, you do not need to play the game in 3D to be pleased with the graphics, but if you do play Sonic Generations in 3D, be prepared for a realistic Sonic experience. The interface remains in the foreground and the visuals just pop out at you, as you feel the depth of the levels, rather than just seeing them. Sonic Generations in 3D is a roller coaster of fun and excitement.

    Sound/Music
    Sonic Generations would not give that nostalgic feel without grabbing the Sonic tunes, from some of the older games, that we know and lov,e and remixed them. SEGA truly delivered some fan service by bringing Crush 40 back for the soundtrack. Each stage has its original signature track. The game allows the player to select their favorite track and play them on any stage. For example, if you unlock the song, "Chemical Plant Zone", you can play it on the stage Green Hill Zone, and so on.

    What is quite enjoyable are the sound effects that we remember from the retro Sonic games. From the homing attacks to the coins and the dashes, they all take the player on a trip down memory lane. When Sonic goes underwater, it is a really neat addition. It creates a sound that one would imagine what the game would sound like, under water.

    Gameplay
    Sonic Generations offers the player, for the first time ever, the ability to play as both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic in one game. Many iconic environments are revisited and have been hand-selected for the player from three eras of Sonic, which is 20 years into Sonic's history.

    Each track offers up some 2D platforming fun, to switch up the feel throughout the stage. As Sonic furiously makes his way across the stage, players will make use of Classic Sonic's jumping and spin-dashing moves. Modern Sonic takes advantage of more "age-appropriate" moves, such as turbo boosts and homing jumps to take out enemies.

    When playing as Classic Sonic, the player will notice that he runs faster than Modern Sonic. Whether you are playing as Modern or Classic Sonic, both are enjoyable to play as. Although, playing as Classic Sonic, you are able to enjoy additional features such as Speed-Up, extra rings, invincibility, and so on, that are not available to Modern Sonic.

    With previous Sonic titles, it was quite challenging to collect all seven Chaos Emeralds. In Sonic Generations, as long you complete the stage, you will automatically obtain all of the Chaos Emeralds. For those players new to the Sonic franchise, Chaos Emeralds allow Sonic to obtain powers to turn into his super form, Super Sonic, which makes him stronger and faster.

    For all the Sonic fans out there, this game covers, not to spoil a whole bit, the stages that cover a span of Sonic classics from Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Unleashed, and Sonic Colors.

    Lasting Appeal
    Sonic Generations offers the player lasting appeal with some challenges. Race against yourself to beat your time for some personal satisfaction, or for bragging rights. You can also race an enemy to complete some challenges. The game offers up some unlockables, including art work, music, and skills. To name one of the skills, the player can be Super Sonic in any stage, once that skill is earned by game completion. The player can also earn in-game money and unlock the Genesis version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog game


    Conclusion
    All I have to say, ladies and gentlemen, is that Sonic is back and he is hitting your screens full-force in the Sonic game that fans have been waiting for. Sonic Generations has offered the fans what they were expecting to see in a Sonic game. However, it did not exceed these expectations with new elements. This is the game that should've been given to us years ago and should have evolved. Although it is a fantastic game, what would have pushed it over the top, is if it offered up some new stages, innovative concepts, and ideas to help celebrate Sonic's evolution over the years.

    Whether you are a fan of the fastest thing alive or if you are new to Sonic, anyone can pick up the game and love it! The game gives in to fan-service allowing us to take a blast to the past and live up Classic Sonic stages in enhanced graphics and gameplay. Players can also mix it up and play as Modern Sonic, as well. Sonic Generations definitely gets my seal of approval.

    What a way to celebrate The Blue Blur's 20th anniversary, than with a title like Sonic Generations!

    Score:
    8.5/10
    Comments 2 Comments
    1. Scott "mountain_duwe " Duwe's Avatar
      Scott "mountain_duwe " Duwe - 11-20-2011
      I need this game.
    1. Gusto's Avatar
      Gusto - 11-20-2011
      This is the best Sonic game hands down! Gotta go fast!

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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