Sonic isn't back. Contrary to what all the other review sites tell you, we won't pity your knowledge of the blue blur by 'welcoming' him back. To those with a keen eye on everything Sega he never really went away.
Last year was the start of the Sonic comeback with the brilliant Sonic 4 and excellent Wii exclusive Sonic Colours. This year though Sega have gone one better by giving the world Sonic's best game since Sonic Adventure 2 on the Dreamcast back in 2002.
Generations sees the inclusion of not one but two Sonics. Some crazy time eater monster has decided to mess with time and space in Sonic's world and this mad plot twist has seen both the rounder and cuter classic Sonic and the more modern slimline Sonic appear in the same game.
All nine levels are split up into two acts, the first one is for Classic Sonic and features 2D gameplay that all fans of the Genesis/Mega Drive era will love and remember fondly. While Act 2 see's Modern Sonic take the lead roll in all his homing attack, break neck pace loving self.
Both versions play brilliantly and could so easily have made two separate games. At first switching between the two Sonic's is kind of awkward, I initially kept attempting homing attacks and boosts with Classic Sonic but after a while of adjustment it seamlessly fits together.
But it's not the notion of having two Sonic's that steals the show here but the level design themselves. Every stage is based off one from a previous Sonic game. All main Sonic titles are represented by one level except Sonic 3. This gives us nine stages but it does feel a little short. I'm well aware that one Sonic level takes an age to create due to the speed you go through it but it only took me just over four hours to complete the story. I would have liked at least another three stages. We might see some extra as DLC but I am a bit miffed at the lack of Lava Reef and Ice Cap from Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
All the levels are fantastic, the only bad one of the bunch would have to be Planet Wisp but even that level looks wonderful and has some interesting all be it frustrating ideas at times. One of my personal favourites would have to be the 2D Crisis City. To run to the goal post and actually see it fly away from me was a real eye opener.
Apart from the usual nine stages Sonic Generations gives so much more, it really is a Sonic fans wet dream. After collecting hidden red rings in the normal stages and completing some of the 100 challenges on offer you'll unlock a whole treasure trove of stuff. Artwork, music, videos and even character trophies it's a wonderful nod to Sonic's worldwide fan base.
Is this the greatest Sonic game of all time? No it's not, that title still belongs to Sonic 3 in my opinion and I don't think it's even the best of modern times with both Dreamcast iterations fighting for that title. But it is the best Sonic game since 2002, not that there's been too much competition.
Even if you have a passing interest in Sonic it's well worth picking up and if you look hard enough you can easily find 20 plus hours of gameplay trying to better your own times over and over again. Now to get my Green Hill Act 1 time to under a minute for that damn trophy.
8.5/10
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