Sonic Colors

Sonic Colors
File:Sonic Colors Nontemp.png North American cover art
Developer(s)	Sonic Team (Wii & DS) Dimps (DS)
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
Series	Sonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)	Wii, Nintendo DS
Genre(s)	Platformer
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Sonic Colors (ソニック カラーズ, Sonikku Karāzu, titled Sonic Colours in some markets) is a platform game and the 13th installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. 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 for the Wii and Nintendo DS on November 11, 2010 in Australia, November 12, 2010 in Europe, November 16, 2010 in North America and November 18, 2010 in Japan.

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 and Tails check it out and meet 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" energy for his nefarious schemes. Allying with the Wisps and using their special powers, Sonic investigates, 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 them and shutting down the generators linking them to the amusement park. When Dr. Eggman tries to fire the mind-control cannon onto Sonic's world, a piece of wreckage from an earlier boss fight causes a 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 defeats Dr. Eggman and returns safely to dry land.

In the DS version, they learn that the Mother Wisp had been infected by the negative energy, so Sonic transforms into his Super form in order to defeat and purify her.

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 uses a mixture of 2D and 3D perspectives, akin to the day stages from Unleashed, while the Nintendo DS version takes advantage of the dual screens of the handheld, similar to the Sonic Rush series. The Wii version can be played with the Wii Remote, Wii Remote and Nunchuck, Wii Classic Controller, and Nintendo GameCube Controller, whilst the DS version uses the button controls, with stylus control during Special Stages.

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; some Wisps are 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. These levels are accessed by collecting Special Rings hidden throughout each act. Collecting all the emeralds allows Sonic to transform into Super Sonic after collecting 50 rings during any level, a first for 3D Sonic games. It also features a Challenge mode in which players can play all levels continuously and upload their total score to online leaderboards. The DS version features Special Stages, similar to Sonic Rush, that require that players collect spheres of a specific color. Collecting all the emeralds in this version unlocks an extra stage exclusive to the DS version. The DS version also features Missions, Time Attack and competitive multiplayer modes, as well as various concept art unlocked by collecting Special Rings. Both versions of the game feature online leaderboards.

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.
• 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 that can also "spin dash" to gain more velocity with this wisp.
• Green Hover – Sonic can hover and perform dashes across lines of rings.
• Blue Cube – Sonic is able to turn blue blocks into blue rings, and vice versa, opening new routes. When using it and landing on ground, nearby enemies can be destroyed.
• Purple Frenzy – Turns Sonic into a berserker that chomps through anything in its path, increasing in size as it continues to eat.

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.

History

Gameplay Development

Sonic Team examined criticism of previous Sonic titles from critics and 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. 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 came the idea of an interplanetary park, which would allow for more creativity and variance 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." Takashi Iizuka said that Sonic Colors was 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," , while Iizuka had previously admitted that it's nearly impossible to please all Sonic gamers. This statement alienated some critics and core gamers who enjoyed the game over Sonic the Hedgehog 4 during its appearances at conventions. Sega of America later assured that the game is intended for everyone, aiming to make it accessible for both younger gamers and core fans. 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.

Story and Music Development

The script for Sonic Colors was written by MadWorld and Happy Tree Friends writers, Ken Pontac & Warren Graff. The game, along with Sonic Free Riders, is also one of the first in the series to feature the new voice actors. Jean Paul Makhlouf from the American band Cash Cash perform the game's opening and ending theme songs, "Reach For The Stars" and "Speak with your Heart". A three-CD soundtrack, titled Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack: Vivid Sounds × 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.

Preorder Gifts

People who pre-ordered the Japanese version of the game received a special card compatible with the arcade game Rekishi Taisen Gettenka, allowing Sonic to appear in the game. North American gamers who pre-ordered the game through Gamestop received a Sonic shaped hat. Figures of Sonic and the Wisps were included in a special edition sold in Europe, as well as pre-orders of the game via Argos in the United Kingdom (although there have been reports of customers not receiving the figurine with their orders) and EB Games in Australia. A manga adaptation of Sonic Colors has also been released in Japan whilst a five-page comic adaptation will feature in issue #219 of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	80.60% (Wii) 77.44% (DS)
Metacritic	78/100 (Wii) 81/100 (DS)

Review scores

Publication	Score
1Up.com	B+ (Wii)
Eurogamer	8/10 (Wii)
Famitsu	34/40 (Wii) 32/40 (DS)
Game Informer	7/10 (Wii) 8.5/10 (DS)
GamesRadar+	7/10 (Wii)
GameTrailers	6.4/10 (Wii) 7.9/10 (DS)
IGN	8.5/10 (Wii) 8.5/10 (DS)
Nintendo Power	9/10 (Wii) 7.5/10 (DS)
Official Nintendo Magazine	86% (Wii) 85% (DS)
X-Play	3/5 (Wii)

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

Reviews for the game were mostly positive, with a current Metacritic ranking of 78 for the Wii version and 81 for the DS version, and a GameRankings score of 80.60% for the Wii version and 77.44% 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." Famitsu gave the Wii version 34/40 whilst the DS version scored 32/40. NGamer gave the Wii game 86%, praising its gameplay and soundtrack, though criticizing some easy and "rehashed" bosses. 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. Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game 86% for the Wii version and 85% for the DS version. 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". Joystiq gave the game 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Sonic Colors succeeds where so, so many other Sonic games have failed." Eurogamer gave the Wii version 8/10, calling it "stupefyingly fast and utterly thrilling." GameSpot gave the Wii version an 8 out of 10 praising the game's level design, sense of speed, and graphics. CNET reviews gave the game 4 stars, praising that the game offers a mix of 3D action and classic Sonic side-scrolling with dazzling visuals and exhilarating platforming. 1UP.com gave the Wii version a B+ rank, calling it "the best 3D Sonic in ages." Wired gave the Wii version a 7/10, praising its "Excellent music, colorful graphics" and "fun and varied level design" while criticising its "somewhat twitchy jumping controls" and the fact that later levels "are filled with cheap deaths." Spong gave the Wii version a 93%, the highest score to date, saying that it is the best the Sonic title of the decade.

GameTrailers was more critical of the game, citing unreponsive controls and underused Wisp powers, giving the Wii version a 6.4, preferring the DS version, which scored a 7.9. GamesRadar gave the Wii version 7/10, praising the game's replayability whilst criticizing some 'horribly cheap deaths'. PixlBit.com was also critical, awarding the Wii version a 2.5/5, mentioning a lack of enemy diversity, in addition to criticisms of cutscenes, stage design, and the uneven difficulty resulting from the poor stage design. Game Informer gave the Wii version a 7.0 score, criticizing floaty physics and inconsistent difficulty, though it did award the DS version a score of 8.5, saying "[Dimps] continues its run of entertaining titles with Sonic Colors." Destructoid reviewer Jim Sterling gave the Wii version a score of 4.5/10, claiming it was "...terribly designed...putting the focus on cheap pitfall deaths instead of real challenges", but he did give the DS version with a score of 8.5/10, calling it "the best Sonic game released this year."

External links

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• Sonic Colors: Official SEGA Website
• Sonic Colors: Official Japanese SEGA Website