Mini Review – Sonic Colours

Platformer

To release a good Sonic game took AGES.

Grizzly

Sonic has not been successful recently, but you know that don’t you? Whenever a new game featuring Sonic gets announced its met with the usual internet flamers and well travelled picture of the crushing disappointment that comes with being a Sonic fan.

So what chance does a game featuring the blue mascot on the cover and the word “Colours” in big bold bright lettering above him have of skirting this trend? Well whether or not you like the guy, Sonic finally has a good 3D title to his name.

You'd run too if that thing was chasing you.

Focussing on the half decent Sonic Unleashed, Sega have taken all of the niggles out and replaced them with some good tender loving in almost every department. The Werehog is gone and in its place is the new “colour” powers which are also known as Wisps. These Wisps grant Sonic certain abilities which can pave ways to new areas or just plough through enemies with ease. Rather than being a hatefully introduced gimmick which breaks the game like so many have done before. No these are mere power ups which actually add to the game in interesting ways. As you collect and use the wisp powers you can then retrace your steps in earlier levels and discover whole new routes which were previously unreachable with your standard abilities. The levels themselves have a lot to return to, whether it be for reaching new areas, collecting shit or just to play it all again. And why not? They are actually fun and imaginative. Ranging from the beautiful greenery of the planet Wisp to the downright outrageous zones like Sweet mountain. The collectables are worthwhile too, they come in the form of red rings which you can use to unlock bonus stages for a zone called the Sonic simulator, which is an 8-Bit inspired pure platforming experience which you can share with with a partner or go alone to collect emeralds or race for the best time.

Good news to the people who dislike cut scenes and speech in Sonic games. It is all very ignorable with a handy press of the start button. Though you can do this I would recommend actually giving the scenes a try, Colours really gives off the Saturday morning cartoon vibe with no brooding antagonist in sight and to its credit is genuinely funny at times. The real plus point being the random moments where Robotnik talks over the amusement parks PA system as you run through.

While I can fawn over the game til the cows come home there are still some niggles to keep in mind. The game is short, that is if you cant be bothered to go back and find everything. The main story can last anywhere between 3 or 5 hours and while this is fairly good innings for a sonic game it may be less favourable to some people putting down a £40 investment. Some level length ratio is strange as well ranging from a maximum of 6 minutes to a meaasly 30 seconds of game play. While the presentation is above the par of most Wii games, the menu certain moments in the game can borderline on the ugly at times. Although this is minor it does detract from what is an absolutely brilliant Sonic experience.

Its very difficult and near on impossible to recommend a good Sonic game these days. It seems that people have already made up their mind that the hedgehog is well past his hey day and should be put to rest. Sonic Colours proves that this sentiment has no merit whatsoever. Sega have nailed it for the first time in well over a decade. Sonic Colours is the game we have been waiting for a long time and above all it really deserves to be played.

9/10