Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most endearing characters of the console-platform generation. He has a long storied past; starting back in the 16-bit days of the Genesis platform; but the question was would our intrepid blue hero be able to handle the graphical pressures of the modern gaming-platform world.

Sonic Heroes is the answer to that very question.

Sega and Sonic Team have combined forces to bring us Sonic Heroes, a three-dimensional team-based action romp through an imaginative world. While the game play is predictable, and the storyline tired, the game sparkles with terrific eye candy. This is one of the very definitions of “lush” in relationship to the look of a game.

If there are any drawbacks, they lay in a control scheme that steps apart from typical arcade platformers and a lack of imagination in power-ups and general gameplay.

“Let’s blast through with Sonic Speed.”

As far as the storyline is concerned, Eggman has developed an ultimate weapon and has essentially challenged the Sonic Heroes to stop him in his plan to conquer the world. Of course our heroes take this all in stride.

Sonic: “Time to crack that Eggman wide open! Yeah, let’s party!”

The game has four groups of three Sonic-world based heroes who act as a team to stop Eggman’s nefarious schemes. There is Team Sonic, Team Dark, Team Rose and Team Chaotix. Each team has three essential attributes – speed, flight and power. Each character on the team represents one of those. The tone or overall attribute of the team is based on which character is leading the team. For example: if you want ground speed, you want the blue character to lead. Red will give you fighting power and yellow will allow you to fly, as long as the power bar has anything in it, that is.  Each obstacle you meet can easily be overcome if you have the right leader in place.

Want to switch leaders? Hit the O button or go through a gate.

The game has an assortment of rings to snag, and other power-ups to aid you. Each team leader can engineer special attacks, so understanding which does what is important.

One nice element is that the game has different paths for navigating through levels. This certainly will extend game replayability.

You can level up your characters in a number of ways, and having the right leader, and switching off has its advantages. Hitting a checkpoint increases the level of the leader at the time.

The control elements of this title are a little strange, and break away from the norm for this style of game. It will take a bit to get comfortable with, in spite of the fact that this is an extremely simplistic game. While the buttons tend to be a little dependent on the O and start button, other elements do have some familiarity. The team is controlled by the left thumbstick and the right thumbstick and allows you to freely look around the environment.

Graphically the game is superb. The environments define the term ‘lush,’ and the animations and effects are terrific. The audio features some tired musical tracks, and while the vocal animations are solid, this is rather average.

Sonic Heroes is a solid arcade title that features absolutely wonderful graphical elements. Don’t expect to be overwhelmed with originality here. That said, if you are a fan of Sonic and his buddies, and don’t mind repetitive game play ripe with eye candy, then pick this one up.
 

Gameplay: 7

Somewhat predictable, this game retreads familiar territory.

Graphics: 8.9

This game looks amazing. The environments are bursting with rich colors and the animation is fun and entertaining.

Sound: 7.2

Bright musical overtures that gets very old very fast. This is disco lounge music that repeats over and over. Add the customary “Hi-ya!” combat sounds, and a few peripheral effects and you have an audio track that is average at best.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

The puzzles are not overly complex and this is a button-mashing battle romp.

Concept: 7.1

It’s too bad that the control elements are a bit backwards, though still simplistic, and that the general story is from the house of “been there, done that – many, many times.”

Multiplayer: 7.5

This title allows two- and four-person split screen battles that are enjoyable but not exceptional.

Overall: 7.3

The control elements are mixed and players may find themselves trying to move the game along through stabbing at the wrong keys. However, get past that and you will find a game that moves along nicely, but won’t offer anything new or markedly different. While this game is a long ways from Sonic’s days on the Genesis, and the worlds are bright and colorful, this title is an arcade romp that really offers nothing truly unique to a host of other titles out there. Still, Sonic Heroes terrific three-dimensional look, rich graphics and simple game play will certainly entertain. Just do not expect to remain enthralled for hours on end.