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Sonic Generations

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Sonic Generations
File:Sonic Generations Logo.jpg
Official cover
Developer(s)Sonic Team (Xbox 360, PS3)
Devil's Details (PC)[4]
Dimps (3DS)[5]
Publisher(s)Sega
Producer(s)Takashi Iizuka
Designer(s)Hiroshi Miyamoto (director)
Composer(s)Jun Senoue (sound director)
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
EngineHedgehog Engine (graphics)[6]
Havok (physics)
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo 3DS
Release
November 1, 2011
  • PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
    • NA: November 1, 2011[1]
    • AU: November 3, 2011
    • EU: November 4, 2011[2]
    • JP: December 1, 2011[3]
    Microsoft Windows
    • NA: November 3, 2011 (Steam)
    • EU: November 4, 2011 (Steam)
    • EU: November 25, 2011 (Retail)
    • AU: November 25, 2011 (Retail)
    Nintendo 3DS
    • NA: November 22, 2011
    • AU: November 24, 2011
    • EU: November 25, 2011
    • JP: December 1, 2011
Genre(s)Platformer, Action Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Sonic Generations (ソニック ジェネレーションズ, Sonikku Jenerēshonzu) is a 2011 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, produced by Sonic Team for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows[7] and Nintendo 3DS. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original Sonic the Hedgehog game and was released by Sega in North America on November 1, 2011, in North America on November 4, 2011 for PC Download, November 4, 2011 in Europe, and in Japan on December 1, 2011.[8][9]

In Japan, the two versions are given subtitles: the PS3/Xbox 360/PC version of the game is given Shiro no Jikū (白の時空, lit. "White Spacetime") while the 3DS version is given Ao no Bōken (青の冒険, lit. "Blue Adventure").

Plot

As Sonic celebrates his birthday with his friends, a mysterious being known as Time Eater suddenly appears, destroying the party and sucking everyone through various "time holes", scattering them across different places in history. Sonic tries to stop him, but the monster easily knocks him out. After regaining consciousness, Sonic finds himself in a strange dimension known as 'White Space', a realm where time and space ends up after it has been 'erased' by being drained of color and life. As Sonic searches for his friends, he encounters his younger self, Classic Sonic, along with a younger Classic Tails. As the two Tails determine that Time Eater's actions are damaging time and space itself, both Modern and Classic race through their history, restoring time to normal and rescuing their friends. After restoring the worlds and collecting all the Chaos Emeralds, they discover that the mastermind behind the now perfected Time Eater is none other than Dr. Eggman, who has joined forces with his past, Classic, self to complete the Time Eater robot and erase his past defeats from history. Although the Time Eater manages to overwhelm the two Sonics, the support of their friends and the power of the Chaos Emeralds allow them to transform into their Super forms and defeat the two Eggmen. With the Time Eater destroyed, the group returns to the present and finally finishes celebrating Sonic's birthday while, after attempting to learn one of Modern Sonic's moves, Classic Sonic and Classic Tails travel back to their time as everyone says their farewells. In a post-credits scene, the two Eggmen find themselves stuck in White Space after the Time Eater's defeat, with seemingly no way out.[10]

Gameplay

Classic Sonic explores Chemical Plant, a stage originally found in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

The game features levels derived from 20 years of Sonic history, spreading across three eras: Classic, Dreamcast and Modern, which are played as either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic.[11] Classic Sonic's levels are strictly two dimensional side scrolling stages, using classic moves like the Spin Attack and Spin Dash, while Modern Sonic's levels follow the 2D/3D style gameplay of Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, featuring techniques such as boosting and homing attacks.[5][9] As well as classic power-ups such as Invincibility and Speed Shoes, certain levels have unique power-ups, such as skateboards in City Escape and Wisp powers in Planet Wisp.[12] Each zone consists of a main act for each Sonic, as well as 10 challenges such as beating an opponent to the goal or finishing a stage with limited rings. A Skill Shop allows players to use points earned from high scores to unlock upgrades such as abilities, shields, and even the original Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis game. Completing challenges, as well as finding Red Star Rings hidden in each of the main Acts, unlocks additional skills, as well as bonus concept artwork and music. The music can then be played in any stage, challenge, or boss fight.[13] There are also online leaderboards for two modes: Ranking Attack, which challenges players to obtain the best time and score on each level, and 30 Second Trial, which challenges players to see how far they can get through a level in 30 seconds.

Modern Sonic explores Chemical Plant from a 3D perspective.

The 3DS version follows similar gameplay to the Sonic Rush series for Modern Sonic, and features a different set of levels to the console and PC versions, some of which directly recreate the layouts of classic Mega Drive levels. As opposed to the Skill Shop in the console version, abilities are unlocked as the game progresses, with Classic Sonic learning a Homing Attack and Modern Sonic learning a stomp. Exclusive to the 3DS version are Special Stages, similar to those of Sonic Heroes, in which players must collect balls in order to gain boost to chase after a Chaos Emerald.[14] The game features 100 mission stages which are unlocked either by progressing through the game, meeting other players on Streetpass, or spending Play Coins, as well as both wireless and online multiplayer modes, in which two players can race against each other.[15]

Stages

Other than the original Green Hill Zone, both the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Windows version and 3DS versions of the games feature their own list of stages, taken from the games of the main series. The classic versions of the first three 3DS stages are faithful recreations of the original Genesis levels. The game contains the following stages:

Xbox 360/PS3/PC 3DS
Stage Original Game Stage Original Game
Green Hill Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Sonic the Hedgehog
Chemical Plant[16] Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Casino Night[17] Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sky Sanctuary[18] Sonic & Knuckles Mushroom Hill[16] Sonic & Knuckles
Speed Highway[19] Sonic Adventure Emerald Coast[17] Sonic Adventure
City Escape[20] Sonic Adventure 2 Radical Highway[21] Sonic Adventure 2
Seaside Hill[16] Sonic Heroes Water Palace[22] Sonic Rush
Crisis City[12] Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) Tropical Resort[23] Sonic Colors
Rooftop Run[16] Sonic Unleashed
Planet Wisp[1] Sonic Colors

Bosses

Xbox 360/PS3/PC 3DS
Boss Stage Original Game Boss Stage Original Game
Metal Sonic Stardust Speedway (Bad Future) Sonic the Hedgehog CD Metal Sonic Casino Night Sonic the Hedgehog CD
Death Egg Robot Death Egg Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Big Arm Launch Base Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Shadow the Hedgehog Final Rush Sonic Adventure 2 Shadow the Hedgehog Radical Highway Sonic Adventure 2
Perfect Chaos Station Square Sonic Adventure Biolizard Cannon's Core Sonic Adventure 2
Silver the Hedgehog Crisis City Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) Silver the Hedgehog Tropical Resort Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
Egg Dragoon Eggmanland Sonic Unleashed Egg Emperor Final Fortress Sonic Heroes
Time Eater Center of Time Sonic Generations Time Eater Center of Time Sonic Generations

Development

File:Sonic Generations 3DS.jpg
Modern Sonic explores Radical Highway, a stage originally from Sonic Adventure 2 not found in the console version.

The game was first revealed on April 7, 2011, when Sega posted a teaser trailer on their Facebook page.[24] The teaser depicted both modern and classic interpretations of Sonic the Hedgehog running alongside each other. The game was officially unveiled as Sonic Generations on April 18, 2011, along with the first gameplay trailer.[25] The game's plot was penned by Ken Pontac and Warren Graff, who previously worked on Sonic Colors.[26] Sega's Community Manager Aaron Webber revealed that Classic Sonic will be mute. Both Classic and Modern Sonic have their own sets of physics, the former of which Webber claims is "closer to the classics than anything since, including Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1."[27] Producer Takashi Iizuka confirmed that although other characters will be part of the story, only the two Sonics shall be playable. Iizuka also confirmed that each returning level shall feel familiar but will also feature a new visual element like the caves seen in the Green Hill stages.[28] Iizuka stressed that the return of Classic Sonic would be a one off for this game.[29] The game also features boss battles against foes from past Sonic titles, including Metal Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog, Perfect Chaos, and Silver the Hedgehog, among others.[30][31] Fans who attended a "Sonic Boom" event in Los Angeles on June 8, 2011 were able to record a birthday message which appears at the end of the game.[32]

A financial earnings report posted by Sega Sammy Holdings listed versions of the game for Nintendo 3DS and PC,[33] though a revised version of the report no longer listed either version.[34] The game was eventually confirmed in Nintendo Power to be coming to the Nintendo 3DS, being co-developed by Dimps.[35] Other than Green Hill Zone, the console and 3DS versions of the game feature completely different sets of levels. Sega officially announced a PC version of the game on October 11, 2011, which was released digitally on November 4th 2011, with a retail version released in Europe shortly afterwards.[36][37] All versions of the game will support stereoscopic 3D.[38] A downloadable minigame based on Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone was available for the console versions as a pre-order bonus from GameStop in the USA and from Game in the United Kingdom; the content will soon be released for PC via Steam.

A Collector's Edition was announced for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, containing the game and manual with limited lenticular box art in a steelbook case, special booklet containing never before seen pictures, a documentary disc about Sonic's history with never before seen footage, a music album containing many tracks specially picked by Sonic Team, a limited and individually numbered gold ring, a voucher for downloadable content, and a figurine of both classic and modern Sonic striking a pose on a ring. The Collector's Edition was only made available in Europe and Australia.[39] The original Sonic the Hedgehog game can be unlocked in the console versions of the game.[40] Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles and Sonic 3D were also offered as free bonuses for people who preordered the PC version on Steam.[41]

A time-limited playable demo of the game containing Classic Sonic's Green Hill Zone was released on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network between June 23, 2011, and July 12, 2011, when downloaded copies were disabled. A second demo for PSN and Xbox Live, which also contains Modern Sonic's Green Hill Zone, was released on October 18th and the 19th for Xbox Live Gold members and the European PSN respectively. The demo was also released on the North American PSN on the 25th.[42]

Reception

Sonic Generations has received mostly positive reviews. On Metacritic, Sonic Generations scored a 77 on the PS3,[44] and a 78 for the Xbox 360.[45] IGN gave the game a score 8.5 out of 10 and an Editor's Choice award, praising the overall gameplay and the level design, while criticising some occasional control issues and limited boss battles.[52] Computer and Video Games gave it a 7.5/10, praising the balanced design but criticising the framerate of the graphics.[62] 1UP.com gave the game a "B" score, praising its variety, fun-to-play levels and interesting set-pieces, while criticising some on-rails sections and occasional frustration.[46]

PlayStation Official Magazine gave it an 8/10, calling it "a masterpiece of platform game design."[63] GameTrailers gave the game a score of 8.1, calling it "the best Sonic game in over a decade."[56] GamesRadar gave the console version 8/10, calling it "the best Sonic game since Sonic 2,"[60] while they gave the 3DS version 7/10, praising its level design and optional missions but criticising its short length as well as the fact that modern Sonic is restricted to a 2D plane of movement.[61] Eurogamer, however, was less enthusiastic, writing that "Sonic Generations still doesn't do much to dissuade us that the hedgehog's best days are distant memories, but at least it is a worthy tribute to them."[49] The most positive review on Metacritic is a 9.5/10 from PALGN, which argues that the game is significantly better than Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, and Sonic the Hedgehog 4.[59] Game Informer's Tim Turi was more critical of the game, criticizing Sega for "...shoehorning recent Sonic games, no matter how awful, into the 20-year timeline." He felt that such stages served "...only to remind you of how far the series has fallen from its original form."[54] Famitsu praised the speed and addictiveness of the gameplay as well as the bonus material, while emphasising that "you do need a certain amount of ability to play it the way it was meant."[47] Official Nintendo Magazine gave the 3DS version a score of 85%, calling the game "hugely rewarding" for "high-score chasers" and "an essential purchase for Sonic fans."[64]

References

  1. ^ a b Sterling, Jim. "New Sonic Generations out November 1, gets new screens". Destructoid.
  2. ^ Martin, Liam (1 July 2011). "Sonic Generations Release". Digitalspy.
  3. ^ Cullen, Johnny (3 October 2011). "Sonic Generations Japanese release pushed up a week". VG247. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Sonic Generations on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  5. ^ a b Nintendo Power, ed. (2011). Sonic Generation 3DS Preview. Nintendo. p. 47. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Viktor Eriksson. "Sonic Generations - Gamereactor UK". Gamereactor.eu. Retrieved 2011-12-15. {{cite web}}: Text "Gamereactor Sweden" ignored (help)
  7. ^ Sterling, Jim. "Sonic Generations confirmed for PC". Destructoid.
  8. ^ Robinson, Martin. "Sonic Generations is The Best of Sonic". IGN.
  9. ^ a b Comments RSS. "SEGA Blog | Nintendo 3DS, Two Sonics, One Epic Adventure!". Blogs.sega.com. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  10. ^ Daniel, Andy. "Sonic Generations Preview".
  11. ^ Totilo, Stephen. "Sonic Generations Is Like A Dream Sonic Game, Except It's Real". Kotaku.
  12. ^ a b "Sonic Generations Modern Era Trailer Posted". Anime News Network.
  13. ^ Oliver, Tristan. "New Video: CNet Sonic Generations Preview". TSSZ News. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  14. ^ Kietzmann, Ludwig. "All Sonic Generations 3DS levels to be platform-exclusive (save for Green Hill Zone)". Joystiq.
  15. ^ "Sonic Generations Street Pass Support Detailed". Andriasang.com. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  16. ^ a b c d Comments RSS (2011-08-17). "SEGA Blog | #segagc New Screens & Trailer for Sonic Generations". Blogs.sega.com. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
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  19. ^ "Sonic Generations - Avance PlayStation 3 en MERISTATION". Meristation.com. 2011-11-04. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
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  21. ^ Oliver, Tristan. "Classic Homing Attack Confirmed in Sonic Generations 3DS". TSSZ News. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  22. ^ Oliver, Tristan (2011-11-16). "Water Palace, Not Apotos, Last Revealed Sonic Generations 3DS Stage". TSSZ News. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  23. ^ "Nintendo Power Reveals Tropical Resort in Sonic Generations 3DS". The Sonic Stadium. 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  24. ^ Schreier, Jason (7 April 2011). "Nostalgic Trailer Teases New Sonic the Hedgehog". Wired. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  25. ^ Oliver, Tristan. "Sega Officially Unveils "Sonic Generations"". TSSZ.
  26. ^ Oliver, Tristan. "Report: Sonic Colors Writers a Part of Sonic Generations". TSSZ.
  27. ^ Oliver, Tristan. "Webber Dishes on Sonic Generations's Classic Sonic". TSSZ.
  28. ^ George (2011-05-11). "OXM reveals how Sonic Team picked levels for Sonic Generation". SEGAbits. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  29. ^ Pellett, Matthew (9 June 2011). "E3 2011: Classic Sonic gone forever". Official Xbox Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
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  31. ^ "NYCC 11: Death Egg Robot Boss Walkthrough". GameTrailers. 21 October 2011.
  32. ^ Comments RSS. "SEGA Blog | #SegaE3 Sonic Boom Was a Blast!". Blogs.sega.com. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
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  40. ^ Condit, Jessica. "Sonic Generations will include the original Sonic The Hedgehog (if you can unlock it)". Joystiq.
  41. ^ Mallory, Jordan. "Pre-order Sonic Generations on Steam, receive classic Sonic games free". Joystiq.
  42. ^ Jackson, Mike (17 October 2011). "Sonic Generations gets a second demo". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  43. ^ "Reviews and News Articles (Sonic Generations)". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
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  49. ^ a b Bramwell, Tom (2 November 2011). "Sonic Generations Review - Blue in the Face". Eurogamer.
  50. ^ Steiner, Dustin (3 November 2011). "Sonic Generations Review". GameZone. GameZone Online.
  51. ^ D'Aprile, Jason (10 November 2011). "Sonic Generations Review - Xbox 360". G4. NBCUniversal.
  52. ^ a b "Sonic Generations Review - Two Sonics. Two reviewers. One awesome game". IGN. 28 Octover 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ DeVries, Jack (6 December 2011). "Sonic Generations Review - For the first time in a decade, the handheld Sonic is not the best". IGN.
  54. ^ a b Turi, Tim (31 October 2011). "Sonic Generations - A Suffering Hedgehog's Life Flashes Before His Eyes". Game Informer. GameStop Corporation.
  55. ^ Meunier, Nathan (11 November 2011). "Sonic Generations Review - Sonic Generations proves that two Sonics are way better than one". GameSpot UK.
  56. ^ a b "Sonic Generations - Review HD". GameTrailers. 31 October 2011.
  57. ^ "Sonic Generations review". GamesTM. Imagine Publishing. 31 October 2011.
  58. ^ Haske, Steve (8 November 2011). "Sega Sonic Generations Game Review". GamePro. IDG.
  59. ^ a b Khan, Jahanzeb (1 November 2011). "Sonic Generations Review". PALGN.
  60. ^ a b Towell, Justin (31 October 2011). "Sonic Generations review - To be this good takes ages. 20 years, to be precise". GamesRadar.
  61. ^ a b Towell, Justin (18 November 2011). "Sonic Generations review (3DS) - The first and only review you'll need". GamesRadar.
  62. ^ "Sonic Generations Review - Spiny blue". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. 21 October 2011.
  63. ^ Iwaniuk, Phil. "Sonic Generations Review." PlayStation Official Magazine. October 31, 2011.
  64. ^ Scullion, Chris. "Sonic Generations Review." ONM. November 24, 2011. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/32614/sonic-generations-3ds-review/

External links

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