| Platform | OVERALL |
|---|---|
| Wii | 9.10 |
| Overall | 9.10 |
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Normally when I write a review for a Sonic game I must point out that non fans will probably not enjoy the game. Usually I need to point out that to enjoy the Sonic gameplay the player must put up with loads of crap. Finally I can write a Sonic review and be confident that it is a great game for all platforming fans. Sonic Colors removes all the clutter, all the crappy friends and all adventure elements to deliver a pure platforming experience. The world map is reminiscent of a Super Mario game, a simple map with levels you choose. Sonic is the only character and more importantly it is all classic Sonic gameplay. For most games this wouldn't be a big deal, but its been about 16 years since we had a major Sonic console game that is just Sonic platforming, thank you Sega for finally getting it right. Colors takes some of the gameplay ideas introduced in Unleashed an expands on it with powerups called wisps. The core Sonic controls are close to Unleashed, he has a boost meter which allows for momentary bursts of speed, unlike Unleashed it's much harder to fill the bar. In Colors you must use your boost far more strategically. A major issue of 3D Sonic's is that controlling a fast character in 3D is hard to do, many times it leads to Sonic falling down a pit of death or simply flying off a level. Colors reduces the 3D gameplay to its most basic elements to reduce the frustration of what turns into trial and error gameplay. In fact the majority of the game is in 2D and that is where all the real skill based platforming takes place. Sonic feels a tad bit loose when compared to a game like Mario. In 3D it feels like he is sliding rather than running, but the game locks you into a path and makes it impossible to fly off a level. In 2D Sonic jumps feel a bit floaty but it's a jump you can learn to master. After a few levels I had the timing of Sonic jumps and if you make an error this game has a double jump which allows for that extra precision. In no time I was hoping across small moving platforms at high speeds with precision this series has not had since the Genesis days. The major gameplay addition are the wisps which completely change the way you approach levels and it is what I believe makes Colors a great platformer. There are a variety of wisps that grant Sonic special powers for a limited amount of time. Powers range from turning into a drill, to a floating green ball that can ring dash, or to a rocket that sends you flying into the air. Each power up opens up new routes, many which lead to entire new areas you may have missed in your first playthrough. The game locks wisps at first, you will play levels where you see where a wisp would be if you unlocked it. Your first playthrough a level will usually a basic run missing most of the paths that lead to hidden coins and more opportunity for points. As you unlock wisps the game encourages you to replay older levels and with the new wisp powers that level usually becomes something else entirely. It is essential to replay levels in this game, do not play this if you just want to rush through it. What surprised me the most is the level design, there are some truly inspired levels that feel like a platformer. There are levels that are designed around a certain wisp, like a vertical level where you must float upward using the green wisps. Each level usually has its own small hook, some new mechanic or platforming moment to keep things interesting. They all have 5 hidden coins to discover many you can only find with the proper wisp. Exploration is a major part of the level design, it is something I missed from the Genesis days, I am so glad to see it return. Not all levels are created equal though, many levels are small levels taking less than a minute to complete. There is no set pattern to which levels you will get, sometimes its a large full level, other times its a small level that feel almost like a bonus stage. The entire scoring system is based around using wisps as well as finishing with the most possible rings and time. It is a departure from the usual scoring system which was always about finishing as fast as possible. There are elements of the old system I missed but I found this new system that encourages exploration and use of power ups to be very interesting. I will say that it is easier to S-rank all levels of this game than any of the recent Sonic games, at the same time it is more fun to S-rank them. Most everything about this game is an improvement when compared to all 3D Sonic's. I will say that none of the levels ever match Unleashed's full levels in terms of pure adrenaline pumping skill based gameplay. I wish there was a mix of levels like those with these more traditional platforming levels, but hey this is a major step in the right direction. The game even has great extras, there are over 20 bonus levels to unlock. These levels are meant for 2 players but don't bother, its terrible for two players, just play it alone. Some of these levels are homages to classic Sonic 1 levels, I had such a huge grin on my face while playing them. When you complete them all you get one hell of a bonus, something missing since the Genesis days. If you are worried about content don't, there is plenty to do here just make sure you will play all the levels more than once. Probably the weakest aspect of Colors are the boss fights which shouldn't that big of a deal, since when were Sonic boss fights that great anyway. Some are very simple and worst they begin to repeat. Other than that I have to say that Sonic Colors is one great experience from start to finish. Even the story is decent because it went back to the basics of Sonic and Tails foiling a dumb Robotnik plot. That's it, no alien races, trans-dimensional beings or time travel. It is one of the better looking Wii games graphically, not Galaxy level but the next tier down. The music is one of the best Sonic soundtracks to come out in years and probably one of the best soundtracks of the year. It finally happened, a Sonic game that I not only enjoy for the gameplay but one I can be proud of for simply being a well made game. No crazy glitches, no terrible gameplay segments intercut with Sonic levels. It's a great Sonic game with all the elements that make for a quality platformer and something I can fully recommend to all platforming fans. It feels great to say that. |
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Posted by Dvader Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:25:36
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robio (4m)
You really have to replay levels to get the most out of it. I am going for A ranks on all levels. Really surprised at how the powerups unlock whole new parts of a level that you didn't even know existed before.