Sonic Generations Review: Stick With Your Memories

 
  The "Blue Blur" has always been a favorite character of mine.  Ever since the days of the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog has captured all of our hearts and attention. Since Sonic has evolved from a two-dimensional sprite to a three-dimensional, high definition blue ball of speed, there seems to be no limit to what he can do.  That is, until now.


  Sonic Generations is not your average Sonic game, nor is it your classic Sonic game.  SEGA attempted to bring the best of both worlds into the new generation, allowing them to switch between classic Sonic and new Sonic.  This has its successes and drawbacks, though.

The reason why we shouldn't time travel.

  It starts to become a hassle every now and then to switch between Sonics.  You can have the side-scroller Sonic, reminiscent of the Genesis version.  This Sonic has the speed but can only do certain moves he used to.  Then, you can play the SAME EXACT LEVEL, only as the older, faster Sonic.  By faster I mean "so fast you can barely even control him or see what's coming" Sonic.  Try switching from one to the other and remembering the separate controls.  I'll wait for you to get pissed with yourself.

  The controls are the same as I'd expect of a Sonic game, but the characters were something else.  It starts out showing you almost every character under the sun.  Oh, and you have to save them (except Big the Cat, thank God!)  This is an ordeal in and of itself and makes you want to bash the controller into your head.

  You beat Act I and Act II for each level with each Sonic, and then move on to the boss level.  Before you get the keys you need to go do 15, yes 15, different "challenges" to unlock the boss keys.  I think they call these challenges because they challenge your patience.  This is just a filler to make the game longer I think, and that's a shame, SEGA.  It really isn't fun playing the same level OVER and OVER and OVER again.

  Graphics-wise, it's a great-looking game.  I'm most of the levels were borrowed from older games, but at least they made them look nicer.  The levels were like living environments and they "ramped up" the City Escape level's truck, which makes less and less sense as the level goes on. I'll put it this way:  it drives on the side of a building.  That is all.

  The entire game is pretty simple in itself and anyone with thumbs should have no problem.  If you have a brain and a problem with constantly doing mind-numbingly repetitious tasks, then you should stay far away.  The "grinding" is what your teeth will be doing while you're trying to get to a boss fight.  I'd play it every now and then, but those challenges really damper the experience of the game.

Here's the breakdown:

Artistic Style:  It's classic Sonic and classic Sonic levels, but with redone graphics.  It looks nice, but it's nothing entirely new.


Gameplay:  It plays just like Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, with horrible grinding!


Soundtrack:  The best part of the game; redone songs from the games.  Some are auto-tuned and some have violins! Check out the "City Escape" song to get a feel for it.


Innovation:  Not much here.  Old Sonic games and levels, some new graphics, and switching between 2D and 3D is about what it amounts to.  Oh, and did we mention grinding?


Replay Value:  Average.  I'd play it again, but only after a week or so of taking a break.


Overall Game Quality Score:  5.1







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