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Games of the Decade: Expansion Pass #29/Blog a Day #2

Hello everyone how are you?

I love 3D platformers a lot. My favorites are Mario and Banjo and hope we get a Kirby one at some point. Then there's Sonic. I feel like Sonic made the jump to 3D well for the most part. Sonic Adventure 1&2 were fun games and they were well received. Sure they had their flaws but they were fun. It's the 3D games that came after those two that have had mixed to negative reactions. Everything seemed to go downhill since Sonic Heroes and it just got worse from there. For the later half of that decade Sonic rolled around at the speed of sound into some of if not the worst games in the franchise. However they decided to go and look at what made Sonic work and thanks to that we got Sonic Colors.

 

                      Yes I know it says Colours, just listen to the music okay?

The game starts off with Sonic and Tails heading to Dr. Eggman's new Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park in an attempt to make up for all the bad stuff he has done in the past. Our blue hero is really suspicious since he knows better, hence why both of them are investigating this amusement park in space. Sonic and Tails befriend Yacker, an alien from an alien race called Wisps, who tells them that Eggman has enslaved all the other Wisps. So it's up to Sonic to save the day once more. But after being burned out of so many bad Sonic games, how is it?

Sonic Colors is a game that takes the series back to basics with a mix of both 2D and 3D platforming and gameplay. There is no catch this time. Sonic doesn't move on his own, he doesn't turn into a werehog (whatever that is), or use a sword with unresponsive motion controls. I wish I was joking on all of those since they all happened.

One of the new key elements in the game are the Wisps which come in different colors, shapes and sizes and each one of them grant Sonic a new power. Essentially, power-ups like in Mario and I guess you could call them the gimmick of this game. Each one grants Sonic a temporary power like one of them allows him to drill underground and another one makes him zoom at high speeds like a laser. Some are good and some are pretty situational.

                                       Sonic is channeling his inner Dig Dug

Since the game takes place in space, the worlds are naturally planets, or at least space themed. The levels are based on the theme of planet like one has you go through a field of asteroids which is really neat. Another has you going through Rainbow Road basically which zooming past what is a parade or fleet of ships. Then there's everyone's favorite levels in Sonic games, water levels! Yes they make a return but at least you can resurface here if you boost. My favorite one has always been Sweet Mountain since that one looks really out of place but it is really unique.

The game also features a co-op mode called Eggman's Sonic Simulator which allows you to tag along with a friend and you play as robots that look like Sonic. No not Metal Sonic but I can see the comparison. Here you can play with a friend and complete levels in order to earn Chaos Emeralds. You can also solo the mode if you want but I appreciate that there is a 2-player mode.

"But Captain N, where can I play this game?" You can play it on the Wii or the Wii U since the latter plays Wii games. The game is still fairly affordable. The most I've seen a new copy is around $35 but it is much cheaper if you don't mind a used copy. The game had an online leaderoard but I assume it no longer works since Nintendo shut down all online serices ages ago. There is also a DS version as well, I have never had a chance to try it out but it plays like the Sonic Rush games and is even made by the same developers too and I have played those so you know it's good.  

                                  The graphics are some of the best on the Wii

Final Thoughts: Sonic Colors isn't the best 3D Sonic game out there, it may or may not be a return to form but I think it was a small but good step in the right direction.The game plays welll even thought the physics can feel floaty. Whether this is because Sonic is in space or not I'm not sure. The graphics and the environments look really great for a Wii game are among some of the best looking for the system. The voice acting is good, if cheesy at times. Roger Craig Smith took the role of Sonic in this game and I have loved his take on Sonic, but it's sad to see him step down from that role. Kinda interesting that that news popped up as I was writing this post. They better not replace Mike Pollock as Eggman though.

I feel like this was a smaller project for Sonic Team. The game is good but it does lack some polish in certain areas. The game unfortunately has cheap deaths as the difficulty tends to spike later on in the game, which could potentially put off the younger fans. The bosses for instance, they reuse the bosses a number of times which is really disappointing. I suppose it makes sense since I imagine they weren't sure if people were going to like it but they definitely could of used a bit more polish.

2010 was an amazing year for games in general and it did have the unfortunate timing of releasing the same year as Super Mario Galaxy 2. Both games have the space theme going on and after many years of failed attempts I imagine people were cautious with Colors. I've yet to play a bad Mario game whereas I've played some bad Sonic games. Naturally I would recommend SMG2 since it's the obvious pick but I still say give Sonic Colors a try.

I wonder why SEGA has never partnered up with Sonic Drive-In since it's a perfect fit

There are times when we've had it so rough in our lives that we wonder when things will turn out better. I know it gets tiring of hearing this but it gets better eventually. Don't give up, your best days are still ahead.

That's all for this one. For the next one we'll be on fire when we come on and slam, and welcome to the jam. Thanks for reading and...