Techtite Game Reviews ---

Sonic & The Secret Rings

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To say that any new Sonic game is better than Sonic the Hedgehog on the X-Box 360, is like saying a barrel with a dinner roll in it is better than one with a small crumb in it. While I tolerated Sonic the Hedgehog on the 360 (which is the same game that was released for the PS3 recently), suffice to say it was pretty annoying, with its idiotic load times, slow-as-molasses pace, and frankly, really idiotic quasi-romance between a hedgehog and a human "princess." Add to that a whole lot of instant deaths that led to more load times, and you have what some game critics labeled the Worst Video Game Of 2007. Ouch!

That said; it seems like a small compliment when I say that Sonic and the Secret Rings is better than its predecessor, on "those other systems." Yet let me tell all Sonic fans; this is as close to a Sonic game that I've seen in years. It may be a little flawed at parts, though it's superior to that "other" recent Sonic game by leaps and bounds.

The story might've been better though, and here's why: around 99.9% of all cut scenes are done in el cheapo "storybook" format. Why? The idea is that Sonic has been thrown into a book and must save the people from the pages from being "burned," as it were, by the Erazor Jinn. Yeah, I know; it's a pretty lame story, and it's clear the game designers were trying to find a way to cut costs and have all cutscenes be 2D rubbish, and someone thought, hey, why not have Sonic stuck in a magical storybook? It sounds like a brilliant plan, except; if he was really stuck, why is he seen in "storybook form," before even entering the storybook, hmm? ...and why does the action suddenly turn into computer graphics for one cutscene, while Sonic is still in the book? This "storybook" format was to cut corners, and if you ask me, it's the biggest smear on an otherwise flawless game.

Yet that last paragraph is (nearly) the only gripe you'll hear from this critic about Sonic and the Secret Rings. It is, simply put, the finest sample of what next generation gaming will look like, when new games are made "native" to the Wii. There are no really extensive movements needed of the Wii remote, and yet movement of Sonic is so fluid, it's like you're actually controlling Sonic for the first time ever. Speeding down a level all by himself, you use the Wii remote to casually move Sonic quickly to the left and right by tilting the remote. Press "1" for the "brakes," as it were; press "2" to jump. It's an intuitive control scheme that, like all good games, is easy to get started, yet enjoyably challenging to master.

The real sales pitch here for me, is how just about every gripe a Sonic fan had with the 360 Sonic game, is not seen here. For one thing there are no "lives" per se. Since Sonic is in a storybook, he cannot logically "die," so every defeat simply zaps you back to the last checkpoint of the level. Load times are also far smoother, and while some cynics would say that's because less needs to be loaded, due to less graphics quality; perhaps, though it's still faster load times. Yet the real fun of this game is how fast Sonic gets to move in this game. Sure, sometimes he's going at seemingly 100 miles per hour straight into a giant spiked ball, though that's the whole fun of Sonic, right? Sonic was and always will be a game about speed and quick reflexes. This game has that covered.

Of course, quick speed and quick reflexes have a caveat; quick controls. I'd never blame the Wii remote directly for such sluggish controls in Secret Rings, so let's just blame the game designers when I say; controls can be, on rare occasions, annoyingly sluggish. Example; the idea is to tilt the Wii remote backwards to get Sonic to go in reverse. The idea sounds okay in print though not in execution. Several times I'd have to practically turn the Wii remote upside down to get Sonic to move backwards, while other times I'd just accidentally tilt it a little back, and suddenly he's going in reverse. Of course; when going forward, all you really have to do is make sure the control is tilted forward, or is perfectly flat, and there is no problem. It can also be argued that Sonic is not the sort of game where you want to quickly back step, unless you missed something and in that case; you should be grateful for a reverse control scheme at all. Let's just say that this is one little aspect of Sonic's movements that needs to be updated for any future Sonic Wii title.

As you progress in the game, you get additional powers and skills. These are unlike that 360 game's "get enough rings and you can learn a skill Sonic should've known to begin with." These are actual skills that can help you in unique ways throughout the game. One skill allows you to slow time to a crawl, a la the Prince of Persia game series. Another skill has you go at Super Speed, which makes it impossible to jump at such a speed, yet makes you pretty invulnerable otherwise, as you zip past a whole army of enemies! Not all skills are available at once, however, so you'll have to choose which skills to take with you into each level.

Level design is pretty good, though rather disappointing in scope. I get the feeling this game had either a low budget, or low hopes for success, after the abysmal failure that was Sonic on the 360 and PS3. So at their very core, there are actually only half a dozen different levels. Additional "levels" are in fact return trips to a strikingly similar level map, with different parameters. You might, for instance, be asked to return to the most dangerous part of a level, only this time, you cannot die once. Another challenge is to find 99 rings; yet another, to not defeat one enemy and still make it to the end of the level. These challenges are enjoyable to a point, though actual new levels would've been even cooler.

As you progress in the game, you get freebies galore. A "Special book" holds various artwork, video clips, and other extras you unlock, depending mostly on the medals you win in each mission (a "gold" medal earns the best extras; multiple "silver" and "bronze" medals unlock artwork or similar photos). There are also "fire rings" which when collected unlock more games in the so-called "party mode." Earn enough rings and you can even unlock four new characters to play.

Party mode depends all on your mood. Suffice to say it's another Mario Party clone, though a nice one, albeit a very easy one. This is strictly a Sonic mode for the kids, or, quite literally, parties, with friends. There is no real challenge required as you either hit a ball to make a home run a la Wii Sports, or shoot at a target a la Rayman Raving Rabbids. What can I say; my nephews and niece can't get enough of party mode. As for me; I just keep playing story mode, trying to unlock every possible extra...though admittedly, I'm more interested in fire rings, if just to unlock more mini games for the kids.

In the end this may be a very "kiddie" sonic title, though what did one expect on the Wii? Maybe some rough edges need to be smoothened out in time for the next Sonic Wii game, though when that game comes, I'm more than certain to buy it. That's all that really matters.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. One of the best Sonic games in years could've been even better if they had rethought the whole "cutscenes look like they're from a book" thing.
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Techtite's Wii Reviews

Sonic & The Secret Rings

A Techtite Review