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32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much packed into a $30 game!!, February 3, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sonic and the Secret Rings (Video Game)
In reading reviews to avoid repeating the same sentiments -- I was befuddled by the negative reviews. This game is so much fun and is always building on itself, that I anticipate it to continue to be my favorite game for some time. Why spend $50 on a game that can be broken in one weekend? The only thing I can figure is the negative reviews are from hard-core gamers, which I certainly am not. I got the Wii for Xmas 07 and previously had only had the Atari 2600 in the 80's. (clue as to why the reviews of the hair band sound track doesn't bother me)
People should post what level they have gotten to and how much time they have given to a game. I've had it for a month and have gotten the 3rd Dinosaur level unlocked. I didn't play for about a week and had to revisit some of the Prologue to get back in the groove. Which I think is awesome. The game is still fresh. I think it's amazing how much they've packed into one disk. So many levels, so many skills.
Why does anyone care about the quality of the story? Buy a novel if you want a good read. And the graphics...I'm too concentrated on the skills to reach the goal, making medal level time, and finding fire souls to notice how many pixels are used to build the fires.
I recommend reading C. Alfaro "Teo" 's review for an in depth review of the game.
And if that wasn't enough for $30, you get bonus party games that are a like getting a whole other disk. Way more variety than "Carnival". And contrary to another reviewer, yes you can choose the games you prefer in the "library". More party games are unlocked as you beat more levels in the main game.
Yes, the Prologue is mandatory, but it has a purpose. You have to learn how to use the remote to make the future games enjoyable. And the games there are still fun. I've returned back to beat the clock and earn a medal. (The table of contents keeps track of medals won, fire souls found). So if you rent first -- you should give it a fair chance. (In comparison, I found the mandatory start up in Boogie and Play to be far more annoying).
I recommend disconnecting the wrist strap for comfort (yes, shame on me, but your not going to fling the remote it's used more like a game pad [party games however do use more of the Wii movement, so put the wrist strap back on]). The + will get you past the story book. Yes, jumping is on the release of 2, that is because the length of depressing 2 determines the strength of the jump (read the CD insert). You need to press the directional up to last longer while fighting multiple enemies. Equip your ring with as many possible skill points as you earn them. Read the skills -- several reviewers mention slowness, but there is a skill to get a burst of speed when the count down is at one. You will eventually earn the skill to resume speed after losing it to rugged terrain. The directional up gives Sonic his burst of speed. Later on when you earn skills like faster breaking and smoother grinding, you can return to previous beaten screens for faster times or more points.
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50 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
How Sonic got most of his groove back., February 26, 2007
Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sonic and the Secret Rings (Video Game)
Call me crazy, call me a fan of deep gameplay, but I've just never understood this whole Sonic the Hedgehog hullaballoo. Back when Sonic made his console debut in the early 90s he immediately separated himself from his biggest competitor, a chubby plumber, and in doing so, set himself apart as the "cool" console mascot. And cool he was. While Mario was busy breaking bricks and lollygagging his way through pipes, Sonic was flying through worlds with ease, doing all sorts of cool tricks in the process. However, what Mario lacked in "coolness" he always made up for with deep, addictive gameplay. Sonic was cool, yeah, but when it came down to the quality of the gaming experience, he just never could gain ground on that chubby guy.
This flaw of Sonic followed him into the 3D era as well. The arrival of the Sega Dreamcast brought Sonic fans the Sonic Adventure series, which often slowed down the speedy hedgehog in favor of more traditional 3D platforming. In a way, it worked. But this was Sonic, and you can't very well have Sonic and not have speed! So Sonic the Hedgehog has been in sort of a drought over the better part of a decade, trying his best to keep up in his old age. Often plagued by poor camera control and even poorer character control, Sega's mascot is no longer the poster child for "cool" gaming, but the perfect example of what a video game shouldn't be.
The light at the end of the tunnel for Sonic was supposed to be his latest adventure, Sonic and the Secret Rings, and at first look, it seems like a pretty solid idea. Bring Sonic back to his roots, make him fast, recreate the 2D Sonic experience in 3D. So the folks over at Sega have Sonic constantly moving in this game along a set path, the player steers him left and right by tilting the Wii remote accordingly. To jump, simply hit the 2 button. Shove the remote forward mid-air to perform a homing attack (a gesture that really feels quite solid).
So far so good. Sonic is once again running through worlds, collecting rings and other valuables while blasting into enemies. But then the core flaw of Sonic the Hedgehog once again becomes apparant. The gameplay is still pretty shallow. Sega has tried to paint over this problem by allowing Sonic to gain experience points throughout his adventure, making him faster, stronger, and more cocky. Still, this is 2007. Running fast and collecting rings may have been compelling, or jaw dropping in 1991, but we've come to expect more from our games nowadays, especially when they're platformers. Sadly, Sonic and the Secret Rings does not recreate the excitement and experience of the traditional Sonic game, nor does it create a new experience to get excited about. It's simply disappointing.
However, from a visual standpoint, Sonic and the Secret Rings does not disappoint. You won't find the benefits of high definition gaming as you would Sonic's other current-generation endeavors. But what Sonic and the Secret Rings lacks in polish and shine, it makes up for in beauty and detail. The worlds that Sonic speeds through are beautifully and meticulously created, often giving players something to gawk at when the game slows its pace occasionally. Having played Sonic the Hedgehog on Xbox 360, I can safely say that Sonic and the Secret Rings is a much more satisfying game where both visuals and gameplay are concerned.
In the end, the gamers will decide if Sonic and the Secret Rings is a hit or a miss. Sonic fans of old may enjoy the new twist on the old gameplay, but fans who never really latched on to the series will most likely be disappointed again. Is it the best 3D Sonic game? It really depends on what you're looking for. As a traditional 3D platformer it fails, but in recreating the 2D world of Sonic in 3D it at least comes close. Sonic may not be as cool as he used to be, but at least he's trying.
6.0 Presentation
Menus and cutscenes are artistically created, and work in setting the environment of the world of the Arabian Nights. But the story is a little silly, and largely unnecessary.
8.9 Graphics
Some of the best graphics available on the Wii, and the level design is often meticulously crafted to enhance the experience.
4.9 Sound
The music in the game is worse than Excite Truck, but unfortunately the game does not offer the custom sountrack option. As always, Sonic is better when he's not talking, but he still won't shut up.
4.5 Gameplay
Going fast is fun for a while, but then it wears off. The game suffers from the same follies of the original Sonic games, with the added problem of going backwards which is neither intuitive nor fun.
6.0 Lasting Appeal
RPG fans may find some saving grace in the experience points, but the tacked-on party games are just lame and poorly presented.
6.2 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
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14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Sonic in a while, February 24, 2007
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sonic and the Secret Rings (Video Game)
I would give this an overall rating of 4.5, but since they don't have it, I will round up. That being said, if you have a WII and like Sonic, this is a great game to get. I bought it the day it came out and have played for about 4 or 5 hours so far. At first, I was a little disappointed; it seemed slow and the controls a bit "wonky", but after getting the multiple power ups I really liked the idea of building up your character and the gameplay became smoother. The camera does pull you somewhat and I felt as if I wanted to have more control... But when I look at it and say, is this s fun game? the answer is a resounding yes! And that is what the WII is so good at doing; taking a simplistic approach and making it fun as hell.
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