Sonic the Hedgehog is famous for starting the video game mascot race in the ’90s
And in the 2000s, sega genesisA hipper, edgier answer to Nintendo’s ideas Dump but iconic plumber.from the release of Sonic the hedgehog All the way back in 1991 sonic adventure 2 A decade later, the blue blur has become synonymous with an experience that foregrounds speed, skill, and adrenaline. But after decades of competing with Nintendo for supremacy, Sega lost its lead with the Dreamcast. failed spectacularly As a result, the company completely withdrew from the console wars.
Despite these setbacks, the speedster still had power. In 2004 sonic heroesAccording to a 2004 document, Sega aimed to create “an entirely new Sonic series, rather than just an adventure sequel.” nintendo power Interview with director and lead designer Takashi Iizuka.
Sonic creator Yuji Naka (recently indicted) insider trading) Said eurogamer In 2003 “sonic heroes It’s a new style game. ” This is also the first multi-platform support for the mascot, with the team learning the latest game engine, EA’s Renderware, while developing versions for all three of his major consoles: GameCube, PS2, and Xbox. needed to be created. And thanks to all these factors, there are definitely some rough spots in the final product.
20 years after its release, sonic heroes One of the most divisive titles in the series. Some see it as endearingly simple, while others see it as the tipping point from speed bumps to junky mess with a confusing story. Reviews at the time were not positive. eurogamer “The characters are basic and cringe-worthy, the combat is boring, and the platforming and puzzles are too basic.”
In most games so far, Sonic’s gameplay loop revolved around speed and crossing the finish line as quickly as possible. Momentum was the key. sonic heroes We have introduced a unique gimmick that allows players to control three characters at the same time. Each role has its own strengths and attributes. Speed His character can move by dashing around rings, power users can break through blocks and glide, and fliers can use wind attacks to ascend. During play, he must constantly switch between the three to advance, adding more strategy than “just going fast.”
There are four trios to choose from, each with their own campaign and skill level. There’s the regular Sonic and his friends, a goofy side character that provides an easy time, a hard-working bad guy, and a money-hungry bounty hunter. Feel free to skip it (unless you’re looking for collectibles). Each campaign is interwoven with the others, allowing players with enough time and patience to discover the full scope of robot-wielding Dr. Eggman’s sinister machinations.
As a junior high school student, this was my first experience with the Sonic series, and my first time completing a non-Pokémon game, so I remember it through rose-colored glasses. Listening to each group’s jokes helped me build a connection with the group. speedster eating chili dog It continues to this day. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles looked like real friends. Even as they jumped over endless obstacles and robots, they still had time to joke.
The platforming was also fairly approachable for beginners, as Tails acts as a backup to get through the stage when a jump fails. It’s true that the camera is annoying and it’s easy to fall off the stage, but sonic heroes It inspired my generous tolerance for, if not necessarily love for, this series’ junky quirks.
rear sonic heroesSega’s Speedster just got even weirder. Shadow the Hedgehog use a gun, sonic unleashed turn him into a werewolf sonic ’06 It’s still considered one of the most broken games of all time. Sonic hasn’t quite regained the same level of polish and popularity as it did in its early days, but those like me still hold out hope that the best is yet to come.