Sonic and the Black Knight Review

The Sonic series on the next generation consoles really has not hit off, to say the least. The games have been slated time and time again by game reviewers saying that the games are nothing like the originals and have lost the spirit of the retro Sonic titles. Although this may be true, game developers need to be creating new ideas continue to advance the industry. In my eyes, they should only be doing this if the games are actually worth playing. So what do I think of Sonic and the Black Knight? The same as all reviewers before me.

It wasn't too long ago that Sonic Team last brought out their last major Sonic title; Sonic: Unleashed. I have the game and have to say that it isn't too bad. The fast paced levels that you encounter throughout the game feel good to play. They bring back the essence of what Sonic is, racing around a level and reaching the goal as soon as possible. The thing that makes the game only "not too bad" are the Were-hog levels. They take out the fast paced action of Sonic and flip it on its head. This being the case, you would think they could change their ways and bring out a lightning quick game to suit all Sonic fans. Prepare to be disappointed.

As well as this strange twist, there is a couple more. To make sure this game wasn't 'Sonicy' enough for you, the makers had to have each of the series' characters a member of the legend's characters. For example, Amy is the Lady of the Lake and Knuckles is Sir Gawain. Following this theme, you wouldn't think anyone else would be King Arthur but Dr. Eggman. This isn't the case; King Arthur is King Arthur, that's it. I was dumbfounded when I found this out.

Poor movement is something that bugs this game throughout. When running at speed, you can move about across the map quite freely from left to right etc., but once you tap back the slightest bit you grind to a stop having to re-build up your speed once again, which takes a long time as Sonic walks for a while before starting to run. Another thing I found rather strange was the fact that Sonic will not face the camera. After stopping, and wanting to walk back and grab a couple coins, you simply just walk backwards until you reach the desired point. When you have stopped and are trying to walk into some coins or boxes that have potential coins within it takes forever. I can't exaggerate how poor these controls are. If you want to strafe into a box or coin, it's like having to push a boulder along with you just to reach the side where the coin is.

The only likeable part of this game is the music. Although repetitive at times, the music is well made and very cool to listen to. You can unlock and check out some other tracks in the gallery and they are all rather good. This is something that Sonic has never got wrong, how good the soundtracks are, but sadly, it seems this is the only thing they didn't get wrong on this attempt.

I started off playing this game with a clear mind. I emptied all the thoughts I had of all the previous next gen Sonic games and went on to play this. Although I did all this, it was a waste of time. This game should not have been made and with it being only a couple months since Sonic last game, this could only be seen as a rush to be released for no reason whatsoever. Maybe, one day Sonic Team and Sega will get things right, but they certainly haven't done here.