| Platform | OVERALL |
|---|---|
| PC | 8.80 |
| Overall | 8.80 |
|
Over the years we have had many indie versions of old time classics. Those games don't get made anymore so all these indie devs have been filling in the gaps. Well there wasn't a sonic like game until now. And what a game it is! This is the closest anyone has come to capturing the magic of the genesis Sonic games including Sega and their average Sonic 4. Freedom Planet is every great Genesis sonic mechanic all rolled into one. But its not just a clone, the main heroine Lilac can rocket in any direction when her boost is filled allowing her to launch up ramps or drill through enemies. Its a neat distinction which allows this game to have its own play style while still feeling like a Sonic game. The key to Genesis sonic games were the incredible level design with branching paths and fast paced gameplay. Freedom Planet nails that perfectly. There are loops, the hanging bar stuff that raises you up, tubes that launch you around a level, teleporters, zero g wheels, all the cool stuff from Sonic games are here. And just like those games you can explore and play them like a platformer, a great one, or focus on speed and try to master the fastest way through them. These levels are massive and all very creative. There are 10 in all and they can take 20-30 minutes each, way longer than any sonic world. This felt like all three sonic games rolled into one giant game. There are multiple playable characters each with their own skills and like lilac they don't just mimic sonic characters, they have their own mechanics. The different styles allow for some great replayability. The main campaign has loads of cutscenes (which are totally optional, you can play a classic storyless mode that takes you from level to level just like a sonic game would). I can tell this was made by really crazy Sonic fans because this story is a furries dream game. These little animal creatures deal with all sorts of complex issues including death. Its so over dramatic and the voice acting is super Japanese anime on purpose. All in all I appreciate the effort put into the story but its a bit much for me, its a little too serious. One thing this game for sure has Sonic beat are the incredible boss battles. These things feel like they are out of a Metroid game. Giant screen filling robots that have you flying all over the huge boss area dodging attacks and dishing out your own. Its fast paced, intense and way more complex than robotnick flying around in some contraption. The only real negative thing I guess is that it is a very particular kind of game. If you don't like Sonic games chances are this game will do nothing for you. Its not a traditional platformer, and you wont really find any unique hook that old 16-bit platformers haven't done before. This is a fantastic homage to a lost kind of 16-bit game and that is it. I was shocked at the quality of this game from top to bottom. Everything from the graphics, the music and the controls just nails that era perfectly. This is one of the best indie old school games I have played the best old school sonic since 1994. |
|
Posted by Dvader Thu, 07 Apr 2016 23:59:05
Recently Spotted:
travo (2m)
Punk it is magnificent but at this point in my life there is only so much enjoyment an old school sonic can give me.