I think Sega's finally found the right gameplay formula for modern day Sonic games with Sonic Colors
Sonic Colors is the 2nd game in the Sonic franchise to use the gameplay styles introduced with Sonic Unleashed (the day stages of Unleashed that is). This style is trademarked by very fast, and relatively narrow 3D sections with some basic platforming with seamless transitions into a 2D perspective heralding back to Sonic's roots on the Genesis. While Unleashed pioneered this gameplay formula, Sonic Colors truly refines it while adding new twists as well.
The game has a simple plot: Dr. Eggman has captured aliens called Wisps to use their energy to create a mind-controlling weapon, and he's disguised his plot with his "interstellar amusement park." Sonic discovers his plot and of course has to foil it. The wisps add to the gameplay in a variety of ways, for each of the 7 or 8 different colors of wisps offers Sonic a unique power-up.
Gameplay Analysis:
Like I said, Colors refines the formula that Unleashed introduced. There is more platforming in both 3D and 2D sections, there are a LOT of 2D sections, and Sonic's controls are in general more precise and accurate. The game is VERY fun, and really breathes new life into the Sonic franchise. Also, the gameplay is the main important part of this game, since the story is very simple, and not all that crucial to even understand. Like Sonic's Genesis outings, the main focus is the gameplay itself.
While the gameplay is overall very good, there are a few minor issues I had that kept Sonic Colors from getting a 10:
- The level design in the 2D sections often doesn't seem very "Sonic" like. It is very often very blocky, and resembles more of a Mario style platformer than a Sonic style platformer. I went back and played some old Genesis levels to make sure I wasn't imagining things, and I wasn't. The levels are often very blocky in colors, instead of being smooth with lots of ramps, curves, and other things. Granted, Colors has these things, they just aren't as well utilized, and the game instead has way more blocky platforms than it needs. This issue causes a lot of the levels to look very similar.
- The 3D sections are often very simple, and could use still some more platforming involved.
- Some wisps I found did not control well. In particular, the pink "spikes!!" wisp allows Sonic to stick to walls in a ball form, and move along the walls and ceilings. You can also spindash along the walls with this power-up. The issue is that it is VERY difficult and inconsistent to change directions with this power up.
Again though, overall the gameplay is incredibly solid, and much fun to play.
Graphics and visual appeal:
For a Wii game, this game is gorgeous. The backgrounds are a delight to look at, and the graphics are top notch for the tech. However, Sonic Colors loses some visual appeal in the level design. I mentioned it can get very blocky, and this takes away not only from the gameplay, but also the visual appeal. Levels can look incredibly similar even if you're in a very different section of the amusement park simply because the foregrounds are often very basic and routine. Sonic has always been trademarked by interesting and unique visual designs for each level. But again, this is a relatively small issue that simply kept this game from getting a higher score.
Story:
The story is simple, but that's fine with me. It was fitting, humorous, and fit in well with the gameplay, so that's solid by my expectations.
Sound:
Voice acting is great for a Sonic game. The music is pretty good, but not absolutely spectacular. Only one or two songs are memorable to me.
Overall:
Sonic Colors takes Sonic to a new height. Sega needs to take the refinements made with Colors and implement them to the next HD Sonic outing. Make the level design more interesting and less blocky, keep the foregrounds as visually appealing as the backgrounds, and add some platforming in the 3D sections, and we might just have the perfect Sonic game. Also, it was a very nice touch to throw in Super Sonic as an unlockable. Colors is a solid gaming experience for both Sonic fans and platforming fans alike. If you own a Wii, this is a great game to get.