Sonic Generations Review

Sonic Generations Review

"Follow me, set me free, trust in me and we'll escape from the city."

Game: Sonic Generations
Developer: Sega
Platforms: PS3 / Xbox 360
M.S.R.P: 29.99

Everyone's favorite blue hedgehog is back, but unless you've been under a rock it is a well known fact that recent Sonic games have, well, sucked. Sega is aware of this and has made its final attempt to give Sonic is old glory with Sonic Generations,  a game that combines the best of the new games with the best of the old school ones. Has Sonic finally reached his old glory or is this a game you should skip.

Story:

This sonic tale begins with a shadowy creature appearing before sonic and his friends at a party. The creature sucks up all of sonic's friends into a time vortex and sonic chases after him. However, this happens twice. The first time it is with new sonic, and all the new obnoxious friends he has made over the years and the second time occurs with good ol' sega genesis sonic when it was just him and tails. Sonic..or Sonics discover that this creature has altered both space and time and that they must go through memories from their past to rescue their friends.

While the plot is cheesy it serves its purpose in terms of a framing device. The point of the game is to highlight the best of Sonic over the years and in so the levels are all fan favorite levels from Sonic's past. The dialogue is cheesy and cutscenes are few, well few for sonic games. The game is Sonic at his bare minimum and it shows, and to be honest I'm not complaining.

Grade: C+

Gameplay:

The point of having two Sonics is that the game is played in two perspectives. One type of gameplay is new age sonic in which you run around at blazing fast a.d.h.d level speeds to reach the end of the level. The other is the strategic running around, classic sonic gameplay. The levels as aforementioned are based off of fan favorites and because there are two sonics one can play their favorite sonic levels in ways they have never seen before.

The game itself essentially works as a linear mission hub. You are in a huge white space with the levels hanging as backdrops in the background. You can then choose as which Sonic to play as for each level, and after completing a level as both sonics, little challenge missions open up. Completing most of these are optional but it unlocks concept art and alternate songs for levels if you do.

It is a fun and new way to do the series and I appreciated it.

Grade: B

Graphics and Sound:

Graphically its a very childish looking, colorful game. The game looks cool enough and it is kind of cool to see levels I grew up with, redone in glorious hd. The music is entirely based off of old favorites in the series, remixed / remastered. And I will say right now the tunes are as catchy now as they were then.

Grade: B+

Verdict:

I'm glad the Sonic series is finally getting good again. I actually really enjoyed playing this game though, it can seem a bit bland at times with its layout. But to be honest, when I reflect on the most recently released games it actually isn't too far from what has been put out before. If you havent picked up sonic since his sega genesis days I recommend giving this one a try, and if you love Sonic in general then this is a must have for your collection.

Final Grade: B

Is it worth your money: I'd wait for the price to drop a bit more, I would honestly pay 20.00 for this game.