20 Year Old Student, who watches too many movies, plays too many games, and listens to mostly rock ...
20 Year Old Student, who watches too many movies, plays too many games, and listens to mostly rock music.
Apart from that I’m a top reviewer with 600 reviews on Epinions (same alias) will be transferring my reviews across bit by bit
Member since:16.11.2005
Reviews:49
Members who trust:10
I'm sure that by now we all know the story of Sonic the Hedgehog. Created to help boost the popularity of the newly released Sega Genesis/Megadrive, The Hedgehog went beyond being just a great game, and has ended up as Sega's mascot to this day, his only real rival for the role was Alex Kidd, and the fact there hasn't been an Alex Kidd game since Sonic hit should tell you something.
In 1991, all platform games were pretty slow affairs. Sure there were some excellent ones, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, but there was no speed involved, Sega put a change to that with the release of Sonic.
The story for the game is very simple. An evil Scientist named Dr.Ivo Robotnik has captured all of the animals in Sonic's world and imprisoned them in his Badnik Robots. Sonic isn't happy about this one bit, so sets out to free the animals and put an end to Robotnik's nefarious plans.
The game on paper sounds like your average platform title. The idea is to get from one end of the stage to the other, and on occasion taking on a Boss character. To do this you will have to defeat or outrun enemies and make leaps over deadly holes in the ground.
Sonic did have slightly more to it than that though. First of all, there
are the rings. Like Mario's coins, collecting 100 rings gives Sonic an extra life, but that isn't where their involvement ends, oh no, if you are hit while carrying rings, you lose your rings, but stay alive. If you are hit with no rings then you lose a life. Having 50 rings (and some quick wits) at the end of a stage allows you into the bonus game, where you can collect one of the famous Chaos Emeralds if you are lucky.
There are a variety of enemies you will face in the game, most of which can be disposed of by jumping on top of, but you can also take them out by rolling into them. Various items contained in Television style boxes are also there to help Sonic in his quest, there are Ring bonuses, shields and even Speed-enhanced trainers amongst the miriad of power-ups.
In terms of gameplay, Sonic is just damn good, end of story. While it may be simplistic, and the difficulty level not all that high, I defy anyone to tell me they have played the game and haven't at some point enjoyed themselves playing it. Sega have just used the whole speed gimmick and done wonders with it. Sonic can run upside down he is so fast, stuff like this just hadn't been seen before, and it was an awesome sight. The only downside to the gameplay apart from the low difficulty is that I've become so accustommed to later Sonic games that I occasionally feel a bit lost without the Spin Dash move. granted this wasn't really a fault of the Team making the game, seeing as they hadn't invented it yet, but it can be tough going back to if you are used to Sonic 2 or 3.
The bonus stages in Sonic are got to by having 50 rings and jumping into a giant ring at the end of stages. The bonus levels themselves are weird, you are in a sort of maze thing permanently falling in curled up-mode, and the idea is to find the Chaos Emerald, which is surrounded by crystals that can be destroyed if you hit them enough.Collecting a Chaos emerald grants you a continue, and if you collect all 6 you are granted something that could actually be classed as an ending if you beat the game.
Graphically, I have only nice things to say about the game. The character sprites may not be highly animated all over, but they are sufficiently animated, and often highly detailed. Sonic looks awesome, especially when you build up some speed, and his legs turn to what looks like a blurred circle, and his hair even slicks back to simulate how fast he goes.
The stages are very nice, full of details including lovely backgrounds and scenery. The entire game uses very bright colours, and this adds a nice feeling to the game. Sega weren't going for realism, its supposed to be like a cartoon, and I feel they accomplish this very well.
The sound in the game, contrary to what anyone says, is great. The theme tunes are all very catchy and superbly done, and the sound effects are classics, I'm convinced Sega still use some of them to this day in Sonic games. I challenge you not to be humming at least one song from the game after a lengthy play session.
The controls in the game are simplicity simplified. The D-Pad controls you and A,B or C is jump. that is it. If you run in a straight line long enough you start to gain speed, when you do this you can press Down on the D-Pad and Sonic curls into a deadly ball that smashes through most opponents and any Power-Up boxes in his way.
When a game is so based around the character's speed, Spot-On controls are required, or playing the game is just going to be stressful. Thankfully Sega got it Spot-On, and your controls respond exactly when you press them, and let's be honest, it ain't like they are difficult to learn.
On the whole, Sonic the Hedgehog is just generally one of the most complete and playable games of all time. While I wouldn't go as far as saying it was the best platform game for the console, or even in the series, but what it is is a very enjoyable game, that while not all that difficult, is still immensely fun for those looking for a simple platform game to waste some time on. If you are familiar with Sonic 2 or 3 and are interested in picking up the original, I would go for it, but be warned that you will find it initially very odd not having the Spin-Dash at your disposal.
When it comes down to it, I think Sonic will have to be content with 4 stars. Not because it is at all a bad game, and had this been 1991, Im sure I would have handed it full marks, but it is 2005, and I have not only played, but grew up with the Sonic sequels as well, so while this is undoubtedly a very good game, Sonic 2 improves on it in a lot of ways, so I can't really give it full marks. But still, if you own a Genesis/Megadrive and don't own this, you really should be asking yourself "why not?"
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: It is fast, fun, addictive, and challenging. Beautiful levels and innovative bosses, too! Disadvantages: No save facility, some levels a bit too hard for younger gamers. Last boss is too easy.
Advantages: Colourful and bright graphics, smooth framerate, and unique sounds/music Disadvantages: No mode to save game, nothing is randomised, and easy bosses
Dec 5th, 2005
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (87%):
helpful by (3%):
