The most underrated Sonic game changed the series forever

Sonic the Hedgehog launched the video game mascot race in the 1990s

and 2000s, Sega GenesisA more modern and modern answer to Nintendo A dark but creative plumber. of release Sonic the Hedgehog All the way back in 1991 to Sonic Adventure 2 A decade later, blue became synonymous with experiences that emphasized speed, skill and adrenaline. But after fighting Nintendo for supremacy for decades, Sega floundered for the lead with the Dreamcast, which… Failed spectacularly It took the company out of the console war entirely.

Despite these setbacks, the speedster still has some juice in him. With 2004 Sonic heroesSega aimed to create “an entirely new series for Sonic, rather than simply creating a sequel to the adventure,” according to a 2004 report. Nintendo Power Interview with director and lead designer Takashi Iizuka.

Yuji Naka, the creator of Sonic (who was recently accused of… Insider trading) Tell Eurogamer In 2003 that “Sonic heroes It's a new style of game.” It was also the mascot's first multi-platform outing, and the team had to create versions for all three major consoles – GameCube, PS2 and Xbox – while learning a completely new game engine, EA's Renderware. Thanks to all these factors, there are definitely some raw qualities About the final product.

20 years after its release… Sonic heroes It remains one of the most divisive titles in the franchise. Some find it endearingly simple, while others find it a pivot away from fast-paced games and annoying chaos with confusing stories. The reviews at the time were not kind. Eurogamer “The characters are basic and frustrating, the combat is boring, and the platforming and puzzles are very basic,” he said.

In most previous matches, Sonic's gameplay is all about speed and crossing the finish line as quickly as possible. Momentum was key. Sonic heroes It introduced a unique gimmick that allows players to control three characters at the same time. Each role has its own unique strengths and attributes: speed characters can dash and move through rings, power users can break through blocks and slide, and pilots can ascend using wind attacks. As you play, you'll need to constantly switch between the three to progress, adding a sense of strategy beyond “just moving fast.”

There are four trios to choose from, each with its own campaign and skill level: there's regular Sonic and his friends, goofy side characters who have an easier time, hard-working villains, and money-hungry bounty hunters. It's a good idea to skip it (unless you're looking for a pool). Each campaign weaves together the others, giving players enough time and patience to fully see through Dr. Eggman's evil robot-wielding plot.

As a middle schooler, this was my first experience with the Sonic series and the first non-Pokémon game I'd ever beat, so I remember it through rose-colored glasses. Listening to each group's banter allowed me to build a connection with the group Dog eating hot pepper fast Which remains to this day. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles seem to be real friends. Even as they made their way through endless obstacles and robots, they still had time to snicker.

The platforming was also easy to use for a newcomer, since Tails acts as a backup for getting through stages when your jumps fail. Sure, the camera is annoying and it's very easy to fall off the stages, but Sonic heroes It inspired me with a generous tolerance — if not necessarily love — for the franchise's strange quirks.

after Sonic heroesthe Sega Express just got weirder. Shadow the hedgehog uses weapons, Sonic go Turns him into a werewolf, and Sonic '06 It is still considered one of the most broken games of all time. Sonic hasn't quite regained the same level of polish and popularity that he enjoyed during his early days, though people like me still hold out hope that the best is yet to come.