It’s been over a decade since players got a taste of a classic and true Sonic game on the Sega Genesis. Since then, a lot of Sonic games have been released but none have them have truly captured the magic of the old games with the exception of maybe Sonic 4. Now Sonic Colors graces the Nintendo DS and promises to bring the series back to its 90s roots.
How is Sonic Colors similar to the Sonic games on Sega Genesis and Sonic 4? Should Sonic fans pick this game up this holiday season? Let’s take a look in the HOTs and NOTs of Sonic Colors.
HOT
Fast Fast Fast
The first impression the players will have once the game starts is that it emulates the look and plays similarly to the Sonic games that graced the Sega Genesis. The level structure and the objective of the game is a lot like the classic games that fans have been accustomed to. Sonic Colors has fast-paced platforming and you can expect to run through each level in under two minutes. The main objective is pretty much the same as Sonic will have to go and collect rings and go through the fast environment of the game to get to the finish line. While the objective of the game may sound repetitive, Sega made sure that players will not get bored as the levels all have a unique designs and numerous paths that you can take.
Help the Wisps
Sonic Colors will welcome gamers to Dr. Eggman’s Amusement Park as both Sonic and Tails get an invitation for its opening event. As always, Dr. Eggman has a sinister plan and it’s only a matter of time for both Sonic and Tails to foil his evil plan. An alien race called “Wisps” gives Sonic different powers such as transforming him into a laser, rockets, and more equipped with colors are being kidnapped by Dr. Eggman for his “sinister” plan. It’s up to Sonic and Tails to do the job and save the Wisps from Dr. Eggman.
Tons of Replayability
Every time Sonic obtains the power of the Wisps, it opens more paths for Sonic in the levels he has just cleared. Players can go back to the levels they’ve completed and discover different paths by using the newly acquired power. With new paths to discover, it adds replayability to the game. In addition to new areas to discover with new powers, players can also take objective missions. The majority of optional missions will require players to save Wisps at a certain time limit. Think of it as a “collect” mission, except there are a lot of paths to take while saving these Wisps. Oh, and don’t forget that there’s also a multiplayer!
Easy Boss Battles
Upon completion of all acts in the world-level, a boss battle will commence. The boss battles are very easy to beat. While this game is aimed for not only to hardcore fans, but to kids as well, it makes Sonic Colors a more user-friendly game when compared to Sonic 4. Watching the pattern on how the bosses attack will help players in figuring out how to finish them without any lingering doubts of getting killed all the time.
NOT
Short Game
Sonic Colors is indeed fun but the game is very short. Each of the levels in the game has only two acts and a boss fight. It is not impossible to finish the game in an hour but thanks to the tons of replayability the game has to offer, it makes up the short gameplay. Please take note that it takes two to three minutes to finish an act and an approximate of eight minutes for each world.
Dislike Racing?
If the player is a type of gamer who doesn’t like games that involves blazing through it, Sonic Colors won’t be that appealing. While Sonic Colors lives up to the expectation of veteran Sonic fans, new players to the franchise may dislike the fast paced style of gameplay.
VERDICT
For a handheld game, Sonic Colors is indeed one of the best Sonic games that Sega released since the Sega Genesis version. The game manages to live up to the roots of the series and with added features like the “Wisp” powers, it makes Sonic Colors a must buy for any hardcore Sonic fan. Don’t get disappointed for the short playthrough as there will be a lot of things to do in the game.
[Editor’s Note: Sonic Colors was reviewed on the Nintendo DS platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
