With the Sonic the Hedgehog series degrading in quality year by year, Sega had to do something in order to save its iconic mascot. While their attempt at reviving the Genesis-era 2D platforming version of the Blue Blur was a largely failed effort, Sega and Sonic Team did find success through a game that reached a restricted audience due to it being exclusive to Nintendo platforms, Sonic Colors. The title utilized some gimmicks to aid in level design, but the real draw a was a strong foundation in great platforming; something that has escaped the Sonic franchise for over a decade now.

Would you like some franchise revival with your birthday cake?

With the 20th birthday of the Sonic series occurring this past July, Sega took it upon themselves to do what many musical artists decide on when a landmark happens: release a greatest hits album. Rather than another Sonic Mega Collection, or even a prettied up version of Dreamcast-era games, Sega and Sonic Team decided to take some favorite levels from the past, re-imagine them, and offer them up in one nostalgia-packed game featuring both classic 2D gameplay and modern, 3D platforming.

Sonic Generations‘ first nod to the devoted fan base is the acknowledgement of how the Sonic the Hedgehog character has changed over the years. During the 2D segments (Act I of each zone), players will control “Classic Sonic,” who features the black eyes, a muted cartoon-y demeanor, and, of course, the small gut from the Genesis days. When Act II rolls around, control will shift to the long-legged, green eyed, talkative Sonic that has appeared starting with 1999′s Sonic Adventure, with a 3D plane to run on. Based on performance in each act, points will be rewarded, which can be traded in for skills that can be added into custom skill sets, adding a very RPG-lite feel to the story mode.

[Video Review by Jason Evangelho]

Sit back and enjoy the nostalgia

Rather than being devoid of story, the narrative explains the two different Sonics through a final boss that is able to rip apart the flow of time, causing both of them to exist in the same time-frame. Sure, the story is a definite stretch and borderline silly, but is minimal in the overall scheme of the game. For the most part, the cutscenes are brief and occur infrequently. The voice acting is the best we’ve seen in the series to date, and the dialog is full of the witty quips we saw in Colors, as well a hint of self-deprecating humor pointed at the common opinion of the current state of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. While the story may be a bit farfetched, it succeeds where it counts: tickling the nostalgia bone of devoted Sonic fans.

Really, nostalgia is what this game is all about. The small references here and there in the dialog are exceptional for those that have followed the series to this point. Just the simple fact that Classic Sonic ends each level by running past the famous spinning sign, while Modern Sonic runs into the giant rotating ring, shows that Sonic Team wanted to instill the appropriate feeling for each version of Sonic. There’s even a side-mission that requires players to, as Classic Sonic, keep the spinning sign up in the air for as long as possible (as was popular to do in Sonic the Hedgehog 3). There are so many other small nods to the fan base that are worthy of mentioning, but really, that’s much of the fun: players experiencing it for themselves.

The beautification of memory lane

The presentation is also worth noting, as it is not only the most gorgeous Sonic game to date, as it features all of the zones we know and love in glorious high definition, but also, the soundtrack is one of the best we’ve seen in any game this year. Each zone features remixed versions of the songs that originally appeared the first time the zone was playable. That means that fans will hear everything from the famous Green Hill Zone theme from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, to Crush 40′s popular rock tracks in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. Players will also collect sound clips, concept art, and other goodies to enjoy as the game progresses.

The main adventure will have players racing through a 2D version, followed by a 3D version of each zone. The 2D platforming is back to the level of quality that was experienced in the series’ heyday, and, after over a decade of trying, Sonic Team has finally nailed down the best 3D platforming in the series. There are still occasional problems with the 3D platforming, such as the physics engine stuttering if Sonic is hit while he’s on a part that is supposed to be scripted (like running around a loop), or depth-perception issues where a spring might end up sending Sonic to his death, rather than to the platform it was meant to lead to. Still, this is as close to 3D platforming perfection that the series has ever seen, and Sonic Team deserves to be commended for getting it right.

Sonic’s friends crash the party, but he keeps them mostly quiet

After three zones are “restored” from being beaten, players will be asked to complete side missions in each zone in order to unlock the next boss fight. The missions range from racing your doppelganger through one of the previously completed zones, to venturing in with one of Sonic’s friends in order to complete a specialized mission. Unfortunately, the side missions feel more like a chore than a bonus for beating the levels. They also feel like a futile effort to make this rather short game a tad longer. Either way, you only are forced to complete one side quest per zone, which makes them a very small part of the main experience.

Before each boss fight, players are also able to engage is rival battles, which consist of both race and combat components. Each of the three rivalry battles is completely different and adds a special flavor from the era the rivalry originated.  Whether it’s the music or a reenactment of a memorable cutscene, it adds yet another layer of nostalgia and authenticity.

Nothing like a glimpse of the past to see the sad state of the present

Once the three side missions are completed, players can unlock and take on a classic boss from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The boss fights also receive the update treatment and, as a result, they are more meaningful and longer than their source material. The only complaint in the boss department is the fact there aren’t more memorable bosses recreated using the opportunity. Sonic Generations is all about nostalgia, and one huge chunk of the Sonic formula has always been fighting memorable bosses.

The level design has been an area that has rapidly declined since the early days of the Sonic series. The level design here is inspired; each features multiple paths to the goal and unless done so intentionally, it’s unlikely that players will take the same path twice. Unfortunately, not all of the levels are as impeccably designed as the classics. Most notably Crisis City, which is from the black mark of the franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), is still a mess. The entire zone is full of poor choices and instant death pits. It’s almost as if Sonic Team wanted to further acknowledge what a mess that entire game was by including such a disaster of a level in the game. Later levels, such as Planet Wisp from Sonic Colors actually do nothing more than show how outlandish the series had gotten in attempts to revitalize the series, as the Wisp gimmick feels entirely out of place in the context of Sonic Generations.

He’s the fastest thing alive!!! And his game is pretty quick too…

The biggest concern of Sonic Generations is by far its length. The main story can be completed in one lengthy sitting. Sonic Team did add two leaderboard-driven online modes so that players can compete with friends or strangers, but the modes do little to add to the overall experience. While Sega does allow the amazing option for players to utilize Super Sonic in any stage after completing the game, the real way Sega can capitalize upon this success is to release a lot of downloadable content, as they did with Sonic Unleashed.

The Bottom Line

Without question, Sonic Generations is worth checking out. With strong level design, familiar environments, and an inspired focus, Generations proves to be the most enjoyable Sonic game in over a decade. With only a few glitches present it’s also the most polished. The only real question is in regards to the choices of which levels to include. Why did Sonic Team include a level from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), but neglected Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic CD, aside from the Metal Sonic battle? Luckily, the potential exists for Sega to release several packs of downloadable zones from each game; the question remains their level of commitment to doing so.

If you’ve lost your faith in Sonic, Sonic Generations will work to win back most of it. Unfortunately, a few missteps stop it from being a true “return to the glory days.” True fans will definitely want to buy Sonic Generations, but for everyone else, a rental period should be enough to see everything the game has to offer.

Review Statement: This review was based on a retail copy purchased by the author. Footage captured with Hauppauge PVR Gaming Edition

Video Review: Sonic Generations (PC, Console), 4.5 out of 5 based on 2 ratings

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