Sonic Generations (2011)

I’ll probably get flack for this, but ultimately I think Sonic Generations is a little clunky and really not more enjoyable than some of the more derided entries in the series. It’s far from a bad game, but I think I’m increasingly not a fan of boost sonic and don’t actually enjoy the homing attack, especially when it fails as much as it does in this game. The number of times I see the greet target icon, click to home in on the target and Sonic fails to attack is pretty surprising. I also don’t love the feel when transitioning mid level between forward moving Sonic and side scrolling sonic. I think later 3D Sonic games handle this better. In Generations I find that sidescrolling movement feels much better when controlled with the dpad but forward movement is much better with the analogue stick. Switching between the two on the fly feels clunky and probably wasn’t intended, but every time Sonic switched to a side perspective I find the analogue stick to be a poor and inaccurate control method. This isn’t a problem with retro 2D Sonic who can effectively be controlled at all times with the dpad. Lastly Generations also suffers from some pretty terrible bottomless pits that I find to be one of the hallmark problems with the less enjoyable Sonic entries. Like with Sonic Forces there are both some serious highs and lows to this game.

Starting to understand why people love Sonic Mania as much as they do.

I think I like the 2D levels more than I do the 3D, even if some of the 3D ones can be pretty fun.

I don’t really enjoy a lot of the side content/challenges. I’m sure this part is a lot of core Sonic fans’ favourite parts but I’m glad I don’t have to complete all of them to unlock bosses and progress. Some of them are just down right unenjoyable. Actually I mostly prefer the 2D challenges.

I hate Shadow’s chaos emerald challenge. Mechanically it’s tedious damaging Shadow leans on the dash attack mechanic that I find is a bit sloppy in this game. Actually, on that topic I find that some of the biggest lows I experienced in Sonic Forces, like input failure when trying to trigger quick actions, are also present in this game which further leads me to believe that Forces really isn’t the big bad and awful game it’s made out to be in comparison. Although I think Generations has more novel ideas (skateboarding and go-kart elements in levels are two that come to mind), Sonic Forces really isn’t that significantly different in terms of failings.

I see why people like this as much as they do. It has a very simple yet effective idea and implemented it well.

That said gameplay is really the same as Sonic Colors and Sonic Forces, albeit with what feels like tighter level design than either of those. It does leave me wondering why people hate Forces as much as they do. I admit I had my lows with that game, but it really isn’t a departure from the series’ bread and butter.

This is why I’m excited to see if Sonic Frontiers can really shake things up.

P.S. it is really super pretty on Series X, likely the same on Series S.

Ok people, once I am done Sonic Colors Ultimate, I think I am going to jump into Sonic Generations and maybe even Sonic Unleashed. I just finished watching the first part of the following video from Digital Foundry and I'm convinced I need to play these games.

I'm also interested in replaying Sonic Forces. I originally played it on Switch, and I now wonder how many of my frustrations with the game are due to poorer performance and the fact that it simply doesn't play as smoothly on Switch as it does on other consoles.

So it looks like it's going to be the Summer of Sonic in my household.

This game will be my final game to add for my personal Sonic 2020 marathon. I intentionally held this game for the end as I knew this game would be a trip down memory lane for many of the previous games I've played. I'll do a replay of Sonic Mania with Modern Sonic mods for the lulz as the absolute last Sonic playthrough before I move on to other games.

PC Version playthroughs: June 29 2020, Dec 9 2020

• Fully complete story
• Beat all Rivals
• Played all the optional "partner" stages

Final thoughts: After playing the rest of the franchise, Sonic Generations still remains as the objectively best Sonic game in my opinion, even though I feel the classic stages are surpassed by Sonic Mania and the Modern stages are surpassed by Sonic Unleashed Day Time stages. I do also think this is one of the easiest Sonic games too, which at least makes this the best entry point into the franchise if you ask me. The ending does take a nosedive in quality with both Planet Wisp being the least fun to play for being too reliant on 2D pace-breaking sections, and the final boss being... disappointing.

In the end, Sonic Generations it's a short and punctual nostalgia joyride throughout. Asides from what I've pointed out, it does about everything else right, from the visuals, level designs, and DEFINITELY all the music! If I ever have the Sonic itch in the future, I'll most likely be coming back to this game and the Project Unleashed mod.

3DS Version playthroughs: June 30 2020, Dec 8 2020

• Fully complete story

Final thoughts: Replaying the 3DS version has actually made me view this game more critically. I felt the level design for this game was average to poor, with the common complaints being what DIMPS is known to do in their Sonic games: Bottomless pits and Unreactable obstacles. Radical Highway is the worst offender for the difficulty spike, and the first 3 Classic Sonic stages are 1 to 1 replicas of the Genesis original stages. I also disliked the Rival battles. They felt as disruptive as Sonic Rivals (another Sonic game I disliked), and the rivals would often rubber-band past you. It took me like 10 trys to beat Shadow and even so it felt like pure luck.

That being said, I do think the 3DS versions have good boss battles (I still have PTSD from Sonic Heroes TAKE THIS TAKE THIS) and a mechanically much better final boss. While this game also doesn't have as many new music arrangemments, I enjoyed the new takes on Casino Night, Tropical Resort, both versions of Emerald Coast, and Sonic Heroe's Special Stage.

Side Note: 3DS version plays like a 2/5 stars to me overall, but the good boss fights and music boost it to a 3/5 stars

I played this on PS3 and it's a great game, I really love the look and playing as both 3d Sonic and 2D Sonic.

Now it's not an amazing game but it does what it does and it does it well, plus this game kept me smiling :).

The only thing that was disappointing was the Final Boss, the boss battle at least for me did just not flow well.

Anyways I really think you will like this game if you're a Sonic fan!