- With all due respects, probably the most confusing, shocking, and fundamentally broken games from a big name IP I have ever played. Yet I find it all to be wildly fascinating and even a bit charming.
- The game’s mere existence is a fucking mystery, as with every other mainline game in the series I can draw a direct link from how a previous game ties into it (Sonic 3 -> Sonic Adventure, Adventure 1 -> Adventure 2, Adventure 2 -> Shadow even, etc.). Yet with this game, I can barely draw up any links as it’s so drastically unique
- The best comparison I can draw up is with Adventure 1, as this game definitely takes many beats from that game in how it tried to serve as a new big budget franchise revitalization, had a grand RPG-like story, 9 different playable characters spanning across different stories/perspectives (3 this time instead of 6), large open world that serves as a hub for levels, a more realistic aesthetic with human characters/NPCs, etc.
- And it’s funny to think how this tried to serve as a true evolution to the Adventure formula, and even the Sonic franchise as a whole, yet almost completely killed Sonic, and (as of early 2021) practically killed off Adventure-styled gameplay for Sonic entirely
- This is super interesting because for a decently long period in my life, I thought this game was great (from about 2007ish to 2011 or 12 maybe). Sure, a lot of that comes from the undeveloped child’s brain just seeing Sonic with realistic humans and thinking “AWESOME”, but even after the years upon years of understanding and even indulging in the collective dogpiling that this game received, I always felt a weird nostalgic comfort with it.
- And this comfort was something that had been brewing ever since I played it when I was younger, and even moreso when I hadn’t touched it for years leading up to my most recent playthrough. It’s so palpable that booting up the game for the first time in a while truly brought me back to a simpler time, when I saw this game displayed at a Best Buy kiosk while mindlessly chomping at some pretzels from the nearby Auntie Anne’s. I weirdly felt at home.
- But then I started playing it, and everything hit me at once. I fucking love/hate Sonic ‘06.
- It’s hard to explain just what kind of conflicting feelings I have for the game especially when it truly plays like garbage
- Sonic has a similar move set to what was in the Adventure games, yet all the momentum is sapped. It’s so jarring going from those to this cuz nearly every move stops you in place and carries out an attack, when all of his moves in Adventure 1 and 2 flowed into each other nearly flawlessly. Plus the Mach speed and Elise levels blow chunks.
- Shadow is interesting cuz he basically is a slower sonic with a focus on combat and vehicle segments, which automatically makes him less fun. Though I do appreciate the attempt at differentiating him in some way. Plus utilizing his Chaos powers is always pleasant.
- Silver is by far the most interesting one as I believe he was initially conceptualized for a completely different game, which explains why his style is so antithetical to traditional sonic gameplay.
- Yes he’s slow. But the worst part I believe is just how clunky his psychokinesis is, only becoming bearable after upgrading it a ton.
- Everyone here plays pretty clumsily, but both remedied and hurt by just how unconventionally the levels are designed.
- Very often does it feel like the game values creating grounded, atmospheric, and structurally cohesive areas than creating tight, fun platforming challenges. Which is fine cuz that can lead to very interesting environments that open up a bit more, allowing for the characters some forgiveness (for the most part)
- Though this also makes traversal just not that fun in general. And whenever the game tries to throw tight platforming at you falls so flat on its fucking face it’s painful.
- The game also really could’ve done without the gimmicks: Mach speed, Elise, vehicles, the aquatic base water ball, and the pool ball segments are all absolute garbage and only make the game worse.
- With all that said though, I still find some fun in beating levels. Or at least a slight bit of catharsis. I honestly can’t defend myself here, but I will say despite the awkward controls and Mach speed segment, crisis city might be one of my favorite sonic levels out there. At least in concept.
- While the gameplay is arguably garbage in almost every regard, I think the reason this game has stuck through time is it’s writing, cuz dear God if this isn’t one of the most tone deaf, overly serious, and utterly laughable pieces of media ever put to page.
- There’s too many issues to mention: the weird semi-realistic fantasy setting, the extremely one note characterization for pretty much everyone except maybe Sonic, the sickeningly sweet and off-putting romance between Sonic and Elise, the non-stop exposition dialogue that’s hurt by some of the worst voice acting in the series, time travel, the cop-out ending, or really just anything. I can’t defend it. But God if it isn’t entertaining to watch with others.
- If I was being charitable, I’d say that Shadow had the closest to a good narrative since I think his work as GUN agent is pretty neat, and Mephiles is a legitimately cool villain in some regards. Plus his line about always fighting while taking off his inhibitor rings is unironically one of the coolest things in any sonic game.
- Silver also has some decent moments. Like when Amy saves Sonic from him. That’s it really.
- Forgot to mention that the bosses all suck ass. Most of the time you can’t see shit and have to clumsily find your way around a large fucker that attacks you from one of your blind spots. Plus they all take way too long. Solaris is pretty fun tho.
- Speaking of Solaris, his music is a top 15 or maybe even top ten track in the series no lie. In fact this may just be my favorite ost in the series, cuz I swear there is not a single mid track in this entire game. Beat after beat its non-stop bangers.
- There’s a lot of amazing high-speed tracks of course (Crisis City being the best of them), but what I love is it’s implementation of more atmospheric tracks as well. Some of which being extremely beautiful and fitting, in that regard I feel it’s closest to Sonic 1.
- Sadly though the game is visually disgusting, even if it’s sonically gorgeous. Everyone is too plastic-y and the realistic direction does not hold up 15 years down the line.
- Above all else, at least some of the CG is good, and that final shot remains untouchable.
- Oh right, I forgot something…
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- LOADING SCREEN
- LOADING SCREEN
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- I still have a soft spot for this game, even if it’s garbage and I really don’t enjoy playing it. I’m glad it exists.
- Crisis City > Radical Train > Kingdom Valley > Wave Ocean > Flame Core > Tropical Jungle > Dusty Desert > Aquatic Base >>>>> End of the World
- The game’s mere existence is a fucking mystery, as with every other mainline game in the series I can draw a direct link from how a previous game ties into it (Sonic 3 -> Sonic Adventure, Adventure 1 -> Adventure 2, Adventure 2 -> Shadow even, etc.). Yet with this game, I can barely draw up any links as it’s so drastically unique
- The best comparison I can draw up is with Adventure 1, as this game definitely takes many beats from that game in how it tried to serve as a new big budget franchise revitalization, had a grand RPG-like story, 9 different playable characters spanning across different stories/perspectives (3 this time instead of 6), large open world that serves as a hub for levels, a more realistic aesthetic with human characters/NPCs, etc.
- And it’s funny to think how this tried to serve as a true evolution to the Adventure formula, and even the Sonic franchise as a whole, yet almost completely killed Sonic, and (as of early 2021) practically killed off Adventure-styled gameplay for Sonic entirely
- This is super interesting because for a decently long period in my life, I thought this game was great (from about 2007ish to 2011 or 12 maybe). Sure, a lot of that comes from the undeveloped child’s brain just seeing Sonic with realistic humans and thinking “AWESOME”, but even after the years upon years of understanding and even indulging in the collective dogpiling that this game received, I always felt a weird nostalgic comfort with it.
- And this comfort was something that had been brewing ever since I played it when I was younger, and even moreso when I hadn’t touched it for years leading up to my most recent playthrough. It’s so palpable that booting up the game for the first time in a while truly brought me back to a simpler time, when I saw this game displayed at a Best Buy kiosk while mindlessly chomping at some pretzels from the nearby Auntie Anne’s. I weirdly felt at home.
- But then I started playing it, and everything hit me at once. I fucking love/hate Sonic ‘06.
- It’s hard to explain just what kind of conflicting feelings I have for the game especially when it truly plays like garbage
- Sonic has a similar move set to what was in the Adventure games, yet all the momentum is sapped. It’s so jarring going from those to this cuz nearly every move stops you in place and carries out an attack, when all of his moves in Adventure 1 and 2 flowed into each other nearly flawlessly. Plus the Mach speed and Elise levels blow chunks.
- Shadow is interesting cuz he basically is a slower sonic with a focus on combat and vehicle segments, which automatically makes him less fun. Though I do appreciate the attempt at differentiating him in some way. Plus utilizing his Chaos powers is always pleasant.
- Silver is by far the most interesting one as I believe he was initially conceptualized for a completely different game, which explains why his style is so antithetical to traditional sonic gameplay.
- Yes he’s slow. But the worst part I believe is just how clunky his psychokinesis is, only becoming bearable after upgrading it a ton.
- Everyone here plays pretty clumsily, but both remedied and hurt by just how unconventionally the levels are designed.
- Very often does it feel like the game values creating grounded, atmospheric, and structurally cohesive areas than creating tight, fun platforming challenges. Which is fine cuz that can lead to very interesting environments that open up a bit more, allowing for the characters some forgiveness (for the most part)
- Though this also makes traversal just not that fun in general. And whenever the game tries to throw tight platforming at you falls so flat on its fucking face it’s painful.
- The game also really could’ve done without the gimmicks: Mach speed, Elise, vehicles, the aquatic base water ball, and the pool ball segments are all absolute garbage and only make the game worse.
- With all that said though, I still find some fun in beating levels. Or at least a slight bit of catharsis. I honestly can’t defend myself here, but I will say despite the awkward controls and Mach speed segment, crisis city might be one of my favorite sonic levels out there. At least in concept.
- While the gameplay is arguably garbage in almost every regard, I think the reason this game has stuck through time is it’s writing, cuz dear God if this isn’t one of the most tone deaf, overly serious, and utterly laughable pieces of media ever put to page.
- There’s too many issues to mention: the weird semi-realistic fantasy setting, the extremely one note characterization for pretty much everyone except maybe Sonic, the sickeningly sweet and off-putting romance between Sonic and Elise, the non-stop exposition dialogue that’s hurt by some of the worst voice acting in the series, time travel, the cop-out ending, or really just anything. I can’t defend it. But God if it isn’t entertaining to watch with others.
- If I was being charitable, I’d say that Shadow had the closest to a good narrative since I think his work as GUN agent is pretty neat, and Mephiles is a legitimately cool villain in some regards. Plus his line about always fighting while taking off his inhibitor rings is unironically one of the coolest things in any sonic game.
- Silver also has some decent moments. Like when Amy saves Sonic from him. That’s it really.
- Forgot to mention that the bosses all suck ass. Most of the time you can’t see shit and have to clumsily find your way around a large fucker that attacks you from one of your blind spots. Plus they all take way too long. Solaris is pretty fun tho.
- Speaking of Solaris, his music is a top 15 or maybe even top ten track in the series no lie. In fact this may just be my favorite ost in the series, cuz I swear there is not a single mid track in this entire game. Beat after beat its non-stop bangers.
- There’s a lot of amazing high-speed tracks of course (Crisis City being the best of them), but what I love is it’s implementation of more atmospheric tracks as well. Some of which being extremely beautiful and fitting, in that regard I feel it’s closest to Sonic 1.
- Sadly though the game is visually disgusting, even if it’s sonically gorgeous. Everyone is too plastic-y and the realistic direction does not hold up 15 years down the line.
- Above all else, at least some of the CG is good, and that final shot remains untouchable.
- Oh right, I forgot something…
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- LOADING SCREEN
- LOADING SCREEN
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- GLITCHES
- I still have a soft spot for this game, even if it’s garbage and I really don’t enjoy playing it. I’m glad it exists.
- Crisis City > Radical Train > Kingdom Valley > Wave Ocean > Flame Core > Tropical Jungle > Dusty Desert > Aquatic Base >>>>> End of the World