Positives:
- Did I think I needed a Sonic visual novel? No, but I'm damn glad I got it.
- Beautiful visual design that almost feels like a comic book.
- Writing actually has a lot of heart and can be really damn funny.
- Characters are every bit as charming and wonderful as they've always been.
- The music is pretty low-key but extremely lovely.
- Gameplay is simple and accessible for a title like this.
- DreamGear segments are a great way to throw in some references to the classic "Sonic" gameplay.
- Never tell me "Sonic" lore isn't deep after playing something like this.
- Did I mention that it's free?
Negatives:
- I don’t know if it's my laptop or what, but the frame rate drops into the pits during the DreamGear segments, and that's the one time I actually need it to be good.
Consensus: I don't know how we got here. Sega decided to go full meme around April Fools' Day and put out a genuine, unironic "Sonic the Hedgehog" visual novel. Playing on the whole "release a fake game trailer to fool people into thinking it's a real thing" idea that most publishers go for, Sega just said "screw it" and *actually* turned their April Fools' prank into a game. And honestly, this is the happiest I've ever been to have an April Fools' prank pulled on me (and the happiest I'll ever be about it). "The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog" is honestly precious, and it's amazing to see just how creative and off-the-wall they can get with Sonic and his friends beyond the main games. I honestly kinda hope Sega embraces this and just gets weird with Sonic; do some wild genre crossovers that no one would expect. A Sonic rhythm game! Make it happen! Okay, maybe I'm getting too ambitious too early but nevertheless, even if this is the weirdest Sega gets...I'm glad we got here.
Final rating: 9 out of 10 "Awesome"