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Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)
- Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)
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Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)
BurningBlaze > 08-16-2024, 12:40 PM
So I've been playing some Sonic Generations to get ready for the Sonic X Shadow remaster. Believe it or not, this is only the second time that I've played it, not counting the 3DS version. Between the classic and modern stages, I like the classic ones more. Maybe because they remind me more of 2D Sonic. There's a lot of auto running and moments where you just sit back and sort of watch as Modern Sonic blazes through the stage.
One thing that I'm curious if other people feel the same way is Sonic's jumps seem pitifully short, like to the point where I have trouble reaching platforms that are right above Sonic's head. Also, precise platforming feels very slippery, like you really got to be careful when jumping from moving platform to platform.
All in all though, it's still a lot of fun. It's kind of weird how I've only played this twice when I've played games like Sonic Unleashed more and I actually like Generations more than most of the other 3D Sonic games. The challenges are pretty fun for the most part too. I like the ones where you have to race against a clone of Sonic or make it to the end of a level in a set amount of time. Other challenges I'm not too fond of is the one where you have to guide Knuckles through the level and get him to dig up medals. That one felt kind of weird to me. I'd rather just play as Knuckles in those types of stages.
Anyway, good game! Curious to hear the forum's thoughts. -
RE: Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)
Tominique > 08-16-2024, 03:48 PM
Sonic Generations has to be one of my top 5 Sonic games ever, no doubt. And I only rank other games above it due to personal taste, but objectively speaking I do see Generations as the most complete and polished Sonic game out there with very little flaws that are irreleventized due to the game's sheer quality.
The game has a very clear focus in it's main loop, which is constant experimentation and improvement in levels for the fastest time, said levels being so well designed for that in both acts 1 and 2 letting you take some crazy shortcuts if you're clever enough. Getting the S-ranks is a bit too generous but at the very least this means getting 100% completion isn't a total pain if you aren't as experienced.
Speaking of 100%, I think this game has the best collectibles as well with the Red Star Rings. They're less hidden around the levels so much as they're laid out in such a way you'll have to explore the whole level to get them, so you get to see different routes you'd maybe never find if it weren't for the Red Rings. (Plus, getting music and concept art from the older Sonic games rocks!)
For the gameplay styles itself, I'll just go ahead and say, I'm very impartial when it comes to Sonic games, if a game is the way it is then that's that and thus I will enjoy it for what it is. That is to say, I don't have a preference for the two gameplay styles in Generations, but even then I think both Classic and Modern Sonic control so well and have such fun levels that they're both really fun despite you preferring one over the other.
Side note on Modern Sonic's jump height, since that was asked about. I can see why it can feel very weak compared to the super floaty jumps of the Adventures games, but really, it never bothered me.
The bosses on a purely gameplay standpoint aren't too much to write home about, but I can't deny they're a spectacle and good fanservice. They're easy to do, even the hard versions, but they're fun to come back to once in a while. Except the Time Eater.
And to top it off, the extra Challenge Acts that you get to do as a distraction from the main acts, they're not too bad as well. The game forces you to do at least one of them per act, but you can just do the Time-Attack challenge which requires you to just play the super fun levels normally again. But the rest of them are great fun as well, lots of interesting gimmicks that don't take too much of your time like the elemental shields from Sonic 3. It's a bummer you don't get to just play as the characters you've saved because "Sonic's Stupid Friends" and all that, but even then I'd say they're implemented very well for what they are. Except the Vector one.
The best way I could describe how I feel about Sonic Generations is that, it's not good just for a Sonic game, but it's a good friggin' game in general. If I were to recommend just one game to someone who has no experience with the Sonic franchise, it would be Generations. And it's amazing even for Sonic fans due to all the throwbacks and little extras you can get related to the older Sonic games, it is and anniversary game after all.
Overall, it's what I've said at the start. I very much prefer other Sonic games, but Generations is still one I'm happy to go back to every time for it's consistent quality all the way through. Genuinely believe to be objectively the best Sonic game to ever come out.
Well, maybe until Sonic X Shadow Generations finally drops, but let's not forget to stay cautiously optimistic with this one.
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RE: Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)
BurningBlaze > 08-16-2024, 07:41 PM
(08-16-2024, 03:48 PM)Tominique Wrote: Speaking of 100%, I think this game has the best collectibles as well with the Red Star Rings. They're less hidden around the levels so much as they're laid out in such a way you'll have to explore the whole level to get them, so you get to see different routes you'd maybe never find if it weren't for the Red Rings. (Plus, getting music and concept art from the older Sonic games rocks!)
I also like the red star rings for precisely what you said, they make you explore the level and find all kinds of shortcuts and hidden paths which is very reminiscent of the 2D Sonic games. It reminds me of playing the old 2D Sonic games on the Genesis for the first time and saying to myself "oh that's cool" when I found a hidden path that usually had some kind of reward like an extra life or checkpoint.
Side note on Modern Sonic's jump height, since that was asked about. I can see why it can feel very weak compared to the super floaty jumps of the Adventures games, but really, it never bothered me.
I think you might be on to something about Sonic's jump height in this game. As someone who has played the Adventure games to death and have only dabbled in the other 3D games from time to time, I think I'm just super used to Adventure's mechanics, and you're right, the jumps in those games are super floaty which is interesting because I've seen some people complain about that and I was always under the impression that they worked fine as is. Different strokes for different folks.
And I love unlocking music and being able to listen to Palmtree Panic in any level I want!
