Sonic screens
PREVIEW
Are you sitting comfortably children? Right then, we can begin. Once upon a time there was a hero named Sonic. But he was no ordinary hero, he was a hedgehog. But he was no ordinary hedgehog; he was bright blue with red sneakers and Mickey Mouse gloves. Trust us, he was much cooler than he sounds. Anyway, one day Sonic found himself…
That’s the beauty of Sega’s speedy hero, you could pretty much end the above sentence any way you choose and no-one would bat an eyelid. One of gaming’s most unlikely heroes, Sonic is equally at home in an apocalyptic industrial landscape as he is in a colorful fantasy world. And that’s exactly what Sega’s Wii-exclusive spin-off series of Story Book Adventures is all about. It worked wonders with Sonic and the Secret Rings, a migraine inducingly colorful reimagining of the Arabian Nights stories with an added lick of speed.
Sonic and the Black Knight is the second game in the series, plucking its themes from an equally rich and well loved story by plonking our hero into the court of King Arthur. Yep, Sonic’s been summoned to a reimagined Camelot to do battle with the evil Black Knight. To do so he’ll be using his trademark speed, but the only way to really defeat a medieval ne’er-do-well is with a hefty blade. Thus for the first time in his 17-year-history Sonic will wield a weapon.
Unlike in The Secret Rings, Sonic’s movement is now controlled with the Nunchuk, leaving the remote free for sword-swinging duties. The game plays an awful lot like Sonic Unleashed with a focus on speedily traversing pretty landscapes with a mix of 3D and 2D platforming. The difference is, of course, the sword. Frequently Sonic has to slow down and slash his way through errant knights and obstacles. Better yet the blade can also be used to scale and descend sheer walls with style. There’s also an emphasis on collecting items and impressing townsfolk. Doing this will unlock hidden content and gain Sir Sonic followers. The more followers he gains the more effective a knight he’ll become, which in turn allows him to level up and access new abilities – much as he did in The Secret Rings.
There are issues we’d like to see addressed, mind. For instance, constantly curbing your speed to hack through enemies could make the pace feel a bit stuttery. Why not give Sonic a running attack to keep things moving? Also the old criticism of it being too on-rails applies – though this has been admirably sidestepped in Sonic Unleashed.
Still in its early stages, Sonic and the Black Knight is shaping up to be a thrilling tale of swashbuckling adventure powered by a jet engine. It’s another clever sidestepping of the traditional formula that adds something refreshingly different. Aside from the gorgeous Zelda-like visuals it looks to be fast, varied and, with emphasis on simple mission-based play, rewarding and fun. Following The Secret Rings was always going to be tough, but it looks like Sega might pull it off. With the Arabian Nights and Camelot taken care of, we’re already starting to wonder where the Story Book series will take Sonic next. Sonic in Wonderland, perhaps. Or Sonic and the Beanstalk even. How about Sonic in space? Now there’s a thought…
Sword-Slashing-video
Intro-and-tutorial-video
Famitsu review 7/7/6/6
Gadget-review
Sonic never fails to deliver his trade mark “speed,” as you collect sources of magic throughout the game which help to run, heal and help against the evil King Arthur.
The other characters that you’re used to, like Knuckles and Shadow - and the rest of the clan - are knights of the round table. These are playable characters, but are optional. Also, be sure to see your old pal Tails.
The best bit about the game is the use of a nunchuk. Throw your arms out effortlessly, trying to defeat your enemy. It’s a great way to delve into the game.
The Gaj-It Verdict:
Design 7/10
Usability: 7/10
Features: 8/10
Value: 8/10
We Say:
A great game, but nothing that is too strenuous for you. Be sure to pick it up if you have had enough of those brain staking puzzles.
So anyway the reason I dont take stock in Cassamasinas review is that he's been trashing Sonic for well over a year and even on podcasts makes it abundantly clear that he hates it and wants him to die. His review is the lowest yet, by far. And he
5.5-ed Red Steel when the UK side of the site 8.0-ed it.
Anyway I was interested in the engine:
"The graphics engine is dazzling at points, easily outputting detailed, varied environments blanketed in effects. As Sonic blazes through mountainous terrain, you'll be able to see individual blades of grass swaying in the wind. As he runs across rocky, magma-filled caves, a heat distortion effect will warp the screen. When he clashes swords with King Arthur, the screen will ignite in an awesome explosion of particle sparks. It's a good looking game through and through, even if the framerate occasionally dips in high-action sequences."
Good job SEGA.
Huh? I think there's a hole in your theory. Matt also reviewed Sonic Unleashed Wii last November, and gave it a 7.2. If he wanted Sonic to die, wouldn't he have low-balled that score too?
In the podcasts he is always saying that he wants Sonic to die.
I don't take their podcasts seriously.
"I dont want any game to do badly. Except Sonic. I want Sonic to die. Seriously I hate sonic."
Etc etc
Just like X-Play.
Yet they'll LOVE the DS games. As everyone should.
FAMITSU REVIEW
Sonic and the Black Knight (7/6/7/6, 26 points): This is about as low a score a Sonic game can get in Famitsu, really -- they're usually much kinder to the big-name brands. There is some faint praise here ("The idea of combining Sonic with sword action is certainly fresh," and "the graphics, music and story bits are all nicely done when taken on their own"), but the overall picture just isn't that rosy.
The main complaints were twofold from Famitsu: The Wiimote controls (which one reviewer called "pretty floaty") and the core gameplay concept, which has you attacking and blocking with your weapons. "The fact you need to stop fully to block some attacks puts a damper on the feeling of speed that Sonic is all about," one said. Another concurred: "Since you're stopped by enemies and villagers all the time, you'll be disappointed if you're expecting the speed of Secret Rings."
I'm not sure about this, I liked exploring in the old Sonic adventure games, I like talking to people and doing good will tasks and stuff. I dont want sonic to be an on-rails speed fest. Still I would not likely pick this up either way.
That sounds like a joke to me, GG. It actually sounds like something I'd say.
Watch his video review of Sonic Unleashed. He doesn't sound like a Sonic hater to me.