Sonic Generations Preview: A Hedgehog’s Redemption
Sonic Generations Preview: A Hedgehog’s Redemption
Written by Rev. Robert A. Vinciguerra Sunday, 12 June 2011 00:50
Sonic is one of the most widely recognized gaming icons in history, sandwiched between Mario and Pacman in terms of fame and notoriety. Over the past decade, however, he’s become something of a joke. No matter how hard they tried, reboot after reboot, Sega couldn’t make a good Sonic game. Even 2010’s Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which saw the long awaited return of the series to its 2D roots, was an incoherent mess.
Going into E3 2011 I had no faith that Sonic Generations could be good; not given Sega’s recent track record of ruining the reputation of their iconic mascot. However, as a lifelong Sonic fan, I was pleasantly surprised by what they’ve accomplished.
POLL: Are you looking forward to Sonic Generations?
The Game
Sonic Generations is really two games in one. The first is a 3D successor to every Sonic title since 1999’s Dreamcast hit Sonic Adventure. The second is what Sonic 4 was meant to be; the spiritual sequel to Sonic & Knuckles, the last true classic side scrolling 2D Sonic platformer. Sega refers to the former as “modern Sonic” and the latter as “classic Sonic,” although fans refer to them as “skinny Sonic and “chubby Sonic,” respectively.
Modern
Modern Sonic is tall and thin, and represents everything that was good about Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Unleashed. The levels are a joyful mix of blisteringly fast 3D action from both behind Sonic, and from a side view. The camera is, for once, on target and never fails to keep the character in the center of the screen. The controls are responsive and tight.
Blasting through familiar green hills is nostalgic and fun, and it conveys the same sense of epic scope as the originals
Recent Sonic games often face the criticism that they’re “automatic”; that the game plays itself. That is perhaps less true in Generations than in any other 3D Sonic title.
As in the classics, levels here are tiered. Only through skill and quick reactions can players reach the more rewarding areas in the levels. Having multiple paths also provides incentive to complete each level again, and again, adding to the replay value.
Classic
Classic Sonic is short and stout; he appears exactly as he did in 1991. The first level is a re-imagined Green Hill Zone, complete with the classic music. It even begins exactly the same, before breaking off into something totally new. It’s like Sega is saying, “Hey, we know what you like, now let us show you that we’ve still got it.”
All of the fatal flaws of the dismal Sonic 4 have been mercifully deleted. There is no targeting system. Players have to attack enemies by relying only on their skill. The “hold right to win” style of game play won’t be found here.
Sonic air controls similar to how he did during his Genesis appearances, allowing for multiple enemy kills by bouncing from one badnick to the other. When launching into the air Sonic remains protected in a spinning ball so that he’s not vulnerable to enemies, and more importantly, can take them out.
Historically, Sonic fits into a genre of gaming known as platforming. The name comes from having to control the character while jumping from platform to platform. However, recent 2D Sonic games might fit more into the “action” category, with all of the games emphasis being on little more than speed.
That is not so any longer. For the first time in this century here we have a Sonic game where there is an emphasis on precision platforming that forces the player to slow down and pay attention. It’s reaching for the perfect balance of speed and skill.
Oh, and this game is fast. Very fast. In 3D mode, the PS3 seemed like it was having a hard time keeping up. The Xbox 360 version felt much faster. So fast that the monitors Sega were using at E3 couldn’t keep up with the game’s performance.
Sonic Generations on 3DS
Unlike the superb games that the home consoles are getting, the Nintendo 3DS version that was on display is pure trash.
The graphics are duller than the 8-bit Sega Master System games of the 1990s and game play feels just as slow. It has the same fatal error of Sonic 4 where Sonic unfurls his body when he launches into the air, exposing him to all enemies; plus Sonic doesn’t air control properly, making simple platforming a chore.
In its defense I did speak with the lead QA representative for the Sonic Generations team who assured me that they know the 3DS version “sucks,” and are planning to correct these specific issues before the game’s release later this year. Still, I doubt the splendor of the console versions can be replicated on a handheld.
A Whole New Hedgehog
Many who will play Generations won’t be old enough to have played a “good” Sonic game. Others may never be convinced that Sonic can be good again. Some believe that he never was. But if you’re a fan, if you want to believe that Sega can reach back and restore the blue blur to his former 16-bit glory, then do give this game a chance. I think you’ll be as surprised as I was.