Sonic Colors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 63.3.7.1 (talk) at 02:37, 14 November 2010. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sonic Colors
File:Sonic Colors Nontemp.png
North American cover art
Developer(s)Sonic Team (Wii & DS)
Dimps (DS)[5]
Publisher(s)Sega
Producer(s)Takashi Iizuka
Designer(s)Morio Kishimoto (director/lead game designer)
Composer(s)Kenichi Tokoi (sound producer)
Tomoya Ohtani
Fumie Kumatani
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)Wii, Nintendo DS
Genre(s)Platformer
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Sonic Colors or Sonic Colours (see spelling differences) (ソニック カラーズ, Sonikku Karāzu)[6][7][8] is a platform game and the 13th installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Wii and Nintendo DS. It was first announced on May 26, 2010 in a press release by Sega for Italy, and it included a teaser trailer. The game was released on November 11, 2010 in Australia and November 12, 2010 in Europe,[2] and is set to be released on November 16, 2010 in North America[3] and November 18, 2010 in Japan.[4]

Plot

After apparently developing a sense of remorse for his past indiscretions, Dr. Eggman opens "Dr. Eggman's Interstellar Amusement Park" up in space, made up of several planet sized attractions. Suspicious, Sonic, accompanied by Tails, goes to check it out and comes across Yacker, who comes from a species of aliens known as Wisps. After managing to communicate with him, they learn that the other Wisps have been kidnapped by Dr. Eggman, who plans to harness their "Hyper-Go-on" life energy for his nefarious schemes. Allying himself with Wisps and using their special powers, Sonic goes to investigate, and soon learns that Dr. Eggman is transforming the Wisps into Nega-Wisps as fuel for a mind control beam. He visits each planet, liberating the Wisps and shutting down the generators linking them to the amusement park. When Dr. Eggman tries to fire the mind control cannon onto Sonic's home world, a piece of wreckage from an earlier boss fight causes it to malfunction. As the place prepares to explode, Sonic sends Tails back down the space elevator whilst he faces off against Dr. Eggman as he uses the Nega-Wisps for his final contraption. With the help of the Wisps, Sonic manages to defeat Dr. Eggman and return safely to dry land. [9][10] In the DS version, they learn that the Mother Wisp had been infected by the negative energy, so Sonic becomes Super Sonic in order to defeat and purify her.[11]

Gameplay

File:Sonic Colors 3D.jpg
3D gameplay (Wii version).

Sonic Colors sees players playing as Sonic the Hedgehog, using a similar moveset to that featured in Sonic Unleashed, as he traverses each planet to rescue the Wisps from Dr. Eggman. The Wii version of Sonic Colors will use a mixture of 2D and 3D perspectives, akin to the day stages from Sonic Unleashed, while the Nintendo DS version will take advantage of the dual screens of the handheld, similar to the Sonic Rush series.[9]

The Wii version can be played with the Wii Remote, Wii Remote and Nunchuck, Wii Classic Controller, and Nintendo GameCube Controller. The DS version is primarily controlled by the d-pad and buttons, but in some parts the player can use the touch screen.

During the game, players can use the power of the colored energy obtained from Wisps, which are unlocked as the game progresses, in order to traverse the environments and explore new areas. There are a total of 8 Wisps in the Wii version and 6 in the DS version, with some Wisps being exclusive to each version.

The Wii version features a 'Sonic Simulator' mode, in which players control 'Sonic-bots' through a series of challenges, either alone to earn Chaos Emeralds, or with competitive or co-operative multiplayer, with two Sonic-bots (or a player's Mii) able to combine Wisp powers.[12] These levels are accessed by collectiong Special Rings hidden throughout each act. Collecting all the emeralds allows Sonic to transform into Super Sonic after collecting 50 rings during any level, for the first time in the 3D Sonic series.[13] The DS version features Special Stages, similar to Sonic Rush, which require players to collect spheres of a certain color, as well as Missions, Time Attack and competitive multiplayer modes.[10][14] The game will also feature online leaderboards for both versions of the game.[15]

Wisps

  • White Boost – Allows Sonic to boost at any time.
  • Cyan Laser – Turns Sonic into a laser which can bounce off surfaces and travel through power lines.
  • Yellow Drill – Lets Sonic drill through soft ground and water. Sonic loses a life if he is still underground when the power-up runs out.[16]
  • Orange Rocket – Blasts Sonic upward to tremendous heights, followed by a sky dive back to solid ground.
Wii version exclusive
  • Pink Spikes – Turns Sonic into a pink spike ball which sticks to walls and ceilings. He is also able to "spindash" to gain more velocity with this wisp.[17]
  • Green Hover – Sonic can hover and perform dashes across lines of rings.[18]
  • Blue Cube – Sonic is able to switch blue blocks and blue rings, opening new routes. When using it and landing on ground, nearby enemies can be destroyed.[19]
  • Purple Frenzy – Turns Sonic into a berserker that chomps through anything in its path, increasing in size at it continues to eat.[20]
DS version exclusive
  • Red Burst – Turns Sonic into a fireball and allows him to burst in midair. Can activate certain objects such as a hot air balloon.
  • Violet Void – Gives Sonic the ability to float and suck up enemies into a black hole.[21]
Others
  • Chaos Emeralds  – Allows Sonic to transform into Super Sonic in normal levels. (Requires 50 rings)

Development

Sonic Team examined criticism of previous Sonic titles from some critics and hardcore fans and tailored the game to match. Changes made included an amalgamation of 2.5D and 3D level designs and graphics, powerup-driven gameplay, and omission of "gimmick" themes such as the sword in Sonic and the Black Knight.[22][23] One of the first developments made was the decision that the setting should be an amusement park; Sonic Team then realized that "any sort of terrestrial amusement park would be too small to contain Sonic's adventures." From this spun the idea of an interplanetary park, which would allow for less realism in the game. The music was then written to "expand beyond the usual 'cool' Sonic sound and focus on making fun, up-tempo music that will really get players' blood pumping."[22] Takashi Iizuka has said that Sonic Colors will be aimed at children, stating that the game is intended to be "...played by children of probably between six and twelve years-old to make sure that everyone can play it and have fun with it," [24] while Iizuka had previously admitted that it's nearly impossible to please all Sonic gamers.[25] This statement had alienated some critics and core gamers who enjoyed the game over Sonic the Hedgehog 4 during its appearances at conventions,[26] with Sega of America later assuring that the game is intended for everyone, aiming to make it accessible for both younger gamers and core fans.[27] Iizuka later explained his comment, stating the game is a proper mainstream platforming title for the Wii and DS, intending to expand on the audience gained from the Mario & Sonic series.[28]

The script for Sonic Colors was written by MadWorld and Happy Tree Friends writers, Ken Pontac & Warren Graff.[29] The game, along with Sonic Free Riders, will also be the first in the series to feature the new voice actors. Jean Paul Makhlouf from the American band Cash Cash will be performing the game's theme song, "Reach For The Stars". A three-CD soundtrack, titled Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack: Vivid Sounds x Hybrid Colors (ソニックカラーズ オリジナルサウンドトラック ヴィヴィッド・サウンド × ハイブリッド・カラーズ), featuring music from the game will be released in Japan on December 22, 2010.[30]

People who pre-order the Japanese version of the game will receive a special card compatible with the arcade game Rekishi Taisen Gettenka, allowing Sonic to appear in the game.[31] North American gamers who pre-order the game through Gamestop receive a Sonic shaped hat.[32] Figures of Sonic and the Wisps will be included in a special edition sold in Europe,[33] as well as pre-orders of the game via Argos in the United Kingdom and EB Games in Australia.[34] A manga adaptation of Sonic Colors has also been released in Japan[35] whilst Archie Comics will also be producing a comic book adaptation.[36]

Reception

Pre-release reception for Sonic Colors was very positive. Sonic Colors was nominated for Best Platformer Game at GameTrailers E3 2010 awards. GameTrailers also commented that it "is looking even better than the retro-inspired Sonic 4".[37] Sonic Colors was also nominated by IGN for Best Wii game, Best DS game and Best Platformer for their E3 2010 awards.[38] Arther Gies for IGN said that after playing both Sonic 4 and Sonic Colors, he was "surprised to find I'm more interested in Sonic Colors".[39]

Reviews for the game so far have been generally positive with a current Metacritic ranking of 79 for the Wii version and 83 for the DS version,[40][41] and a GameRankings score of 80.11% for the Wii version and 81% for the DS version. IGN gave both versions a score of 8.5 and an Editor's Choice Award, calling it "the best Sonic game in 18 years," praising its gameplay and level design, whilst criticising some difficulty spikes later in the game, as well as the two player co-op, stating "One screen isn't enough for two hedgehogs".[42][43] Famitsu gave the Wii version 34/40 whilst the DS version scored 32/40.[44] NGamer gave the Wii game 86%, praising its gameplay and soundtrack, though criticises some easy bosses.[45][46] Nintendo Power gave the Wii version of Sonic Colors 9 out of 10, praising the game as "an unequivocal success", and gave the DS version 7.5 out of 10, criticising the game's short length.[47] Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game 86% for the Wii version and 85% for the DS version.[48] WiiMagazin, a German gaming magazine, gave the Wii version a 92% and the DS version a 90% rating praising a remark saying "There is a God, and he's a Sonic-fan" and is currently the highest in the media to date.[49] Joystiq gave the game 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Sonic Colors succeeds where so, so many other Sonic games have failed."[50] Eurogamer gave the Wii version 8/10, calling it "stupefyingly fast and utterly thrilling."[51] Gamespot gave the Wii version an 8 out of 10 praising the game's level design, sense of speed, and graphics. [52]

GameTrailers was more critical of the game, citing unreponsive controls and underused Wisp powers, giving the Wii version a 6.4,[53] preferring the DS version which scored 7.9.[54] GamesRadar gave the Wii version 7/10, praising the games replayability whilst criticising some 'horribly cheap deaths'.[55] Game Informer gave the Wii version a 7.0 score, criticising floaty physics and inconsistent difficulty,[56] though they did award the DS version a score of 8.5, saying "(Dimps) continues its run of entertaining titles with Sonic Colors."[57] Destructoid "Try Hard" reviewer Jim Sterling gave the Wii version a negative review with a score of 4.5/10, claiming it was "terribly designed...putting the focus on cheap pitfall deaths instead of real challenges." This was later proven to be because Jim Sterling was possessed by Satan at the time.[58]

References

  1. ^ Australian Sonic Colours release date confirmed
  2. ^ a b SEGA Europe Blog | Sonic fills November with Colours
  3. ^ a b Sonic Colors Gameplay Excites, But That Theme Song Has To Go
  4. ^ a b 『ソニック カラーズ』発売日決定！
  5. ^ "Sonic Colours Update - Okay AAUK, Who Is Doing It?".
  6. ^ "Introducing Sonic Colors".
  7. ^ "SEGA". {{cite web}}: Text "SONIC COLORS" ignored (help)
  8. ^ "SEGA :: GAMES :: Sonic Colours".
  9. ^ a b "SEGA annuncia Sonic Colours". 2010-05-26.
  10. ^ a b Nintendo Power’s 2nd Sonic Colors Preview | tssz|news
  11. ^ http://www.tssznews.com/2010/11/12/new-video-inside-sonic-colorss-secret-boss/
  12. ^ New Video: Sonic Colors’s “Sonic Simulator” | tssz|news
  13. ^ http://www.tssznews.com/2010/11/10/super-sonic-confirmed-playable-in-sonic-colors-stages/
  14. ^ Gamescom Video: Sonic Colors DS | tssz|news
  15. ^ Sonic Colours - Q&A Feature
  16. ^ Sonic City Blognik | Sonic Colours – Manic Monday Update IV – 7 Things... Pt 3
  17. ^ SEGA America Blog | Roll out with the pink wisp – new info on Sonic Colors!
  18. ^ Sonic City Blognik | Sonic Colours: Go Green With The Green Wisp In Sonic Colours!
  19. ^ SEGA America Blog | Blue Cube Wisp for Sonic Colors
  20. ^ http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/10/21/new-trailer-for-sonic-colors-2/#more-6488
  21. ^ http://www.sonicstadium.org/news/2010/10/new-sonic-colours-screenshot-violet-void-wisp-revealed
  22. ^ a b Thomason, Steve (July 2010). "Fresh Canvas". Nintendo Power (256): p. 50–57. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help)
  23. ^ News: Sonic Colours 'not for core gamers' - Iizuka - ComputerAndVideoGames.com
  24. ^ Nintendo News: Sonic Colours 'is for kids' - Iizuka - Official Nintendo Magazine
  25. ^ Wii News: Sega: 'Nearly impossible' to please all Sonic fans - ComputerAndVideoGames.com
  26. ^ Sonic Colors designer tells you to stop being excited - Destructoid.com
  27. ^ Sega: Sonic Colors is for everyone! - Destructoid.com
  28. ^ Sonic Colours Producer, Takashi Iizuka - Interview
  29. ^ E3 2010: Sonic Colors Wii
  30. ^ "New Details on Sonic Colors Official Soundtrack".
  31. ^ Sonic Colors Date Set (andriasang.com, 08.23.2010)
  32. ^ Sliwinski, Alexander (July 13 2010). "Sonic Colors pre-order GameStop bonus is this Sonic hat". Joystiq. Retrieved November 6, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Euro Sonic Colours Special Edition Is Filled With Toys
  34. ^ Free Figurine With Sonic Colours Pre-orders At Argos.co.uk « The Sonic Stadium
  35. ^ First Look At Orbot’s New Counterpart « The Sonic Stadium
  36. ^ http://www.sonicstadium.org/articles/interviews/2010/11/sonic-colors-adaption-interview-sonic-writer-ian-flynn/
  37. ^ Best Of E3 2010 Awards Video Game, Best Platformer | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
  38. ^ E3 2010: Best of E3 Awards - Games Feature at IGN
  39. ^ E3 2010: Sonic Colors Preview - Wii Preview at IGN
  40. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/sonic-colors
  41. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/sonic-colors
  42. ^ http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/113/1132902p1.html
  43. ^ http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/113/1132901p1.html
  44. ^ http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=141927
  45. ^ "NGamer Reviews Sonic Colours Wii, Supports Miis".
  46. ^ http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=274630?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS
  47. ^ "Nintendo Power Gives Sonic Colours 9/10".
  48. ^ http://www.tssznews.com/2010/10/28/onm-86-for-sonic-colors-wii-85-for-ds/
  49. ^ "WiiMagazin gives Sonic Colors 92%".
  50. ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/sonic-colors-review/
  51. ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-11-sonic-colours-review?page=1
  52. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/soniccolours/review.html
  53. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-sonic-colors/706920
  54. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-pod-sonic-colors/707260
  55. ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/sonic-colours/review/sonic-colors-review/a-2010110816153062049/g-201005269481674075
  56. ^ http://gameinformer.com/games/sonic_colors/b/wii/archive/2010/11/09/sonic-colors-ds-review.aspx
  57. ^ http://gameinformer.com/games/sonic_colors/b/nintendo_ds/archive/2010/11/09/sonic-colors-ds-review.aspx
  58. ^ http://www.destructoid.com/review-sonic-colors-187691.phtml


External links

{{{inline}}}

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sonic_Colors&oldid=396628893"