Sonic Generations

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,521 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Sonic Generations Game Cover
Probably the best Sonic game ever made, and the perfect celebration of everything Hedgehog for any type of fan. Happy Birthday, Sonic!
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"Sonic Generations" is a video game that celebrates the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. The game offers a definitive experience for fans, new and old, with a mix of classic and modern gameplay. It can be played in 3D on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and 3DS, using a pair of 3D glasses for the console versions, with stereoscopic 3D technology that involves two screens in one.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,521 reviews
gameplay759 positive mentions
stability224 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,957 mentions

    The gameplay in "Sonic Generations" is widely praised for its blend of classic 2D platforming and modern 3D speed mechanics, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for players. The game features two distinct styles: classic Sonic, which emulates the original Genesis gameplay, and modern Sonic, which utilizes the boost mechanics introduced in "Sonic Unleashed." While the level design and controls are generally well-received, some players note issues with the physics and occasional bugs, but overall, the gameplay is considered engaging and fun, making it a standout title in the Sonic franchise.

    • “Smooth controls, stunning visuals, fantastic level design, and amazing gameplay - players will want to come back and replay the game over and over again.”
    • “Incredible gameplay, really good blend between classic and modern sonic gameplay, amazing OST, and great graphics for its time, Sonic Generations is a certified sonic classic and is a great entry point for new fans as well as longtime enjoyers.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic with many splitting paths and fast-paced movement.”
    • “The gameplay revolves around modern sonic (modern 3d gameplay) and classic sonic (classic 2d platforming), and while 3d sonic holds up just as well as something like sonic unleashed or sonic colors, classic sonic is almost unplayable.”
    • “In addition to that, the devs felt the need to constantly 'break check' the action by placing solid objects and enemies in sonic's running path, which at fast speeds you'll never see coming, which makes gameplay feel cheap at times.”
    • “The gameplay is fine but middling.”
  • story1,763 mentions

    The story of "Sonic Generations" is generally regarded as simplistic and lacking depth, serving primarily as a vehicle to connect various nostalgic levels from Sonic's past. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and straightforward narrative, many criticize it for being underwhelming and forgettable, with minimal character development and a reliance on familiar tropes. Overall, the gameplay and level design are praised, often overshadowing the story's shortcomings, making it a fun experience for fans despite its narrative flaws.

    • “The story is creative, and the gameplay is actually fun.”
    • “The story is not bad at all considering that they had to create an excuse for those different acts, although the final boss battle is really chaotic the first time you get to it.”
    • “I loved the gameplay but the story... eh, it could be better.”
    • “The story is garbage, as per the period this released in (if you know, you know).”
    • “The story is basically nothing, which annoys me because they could've done so much great story stuff with the concept but just don't do much.”
    • “The story is bland and the dialogue is really cringe.”
  • music1,482 mentions

    The music in "Sonic Generations" is widely praised for its fantastic remixes of classic tracks from the franchise, creating a nostalgic experience for long-time fans. Players appreciate the ability to customize the soundtrack for each level, enhancing the gameplay with a mix of upbeat and emotional tunes that perfectly complement the fast-paced action. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its appeal and replayability.

    • “The music is fantastic with great remixes all around and the ability to change music in each stage is a very welcomed feature.”
    • “The culmination of iconic music and levels combined with amazing gameplay for all demographics of the franchise.”
    • “The soundtrack is a mixture between fast-paced and exhilarating to relaxing and calming, both of which types are perfected.”
    • “But even the music has issues: it's often shutting off randomly, switching to another track with no fade, or randomly restarting from the beginning.”
    • “The only things that carry this game are the music, level design, and graphics, which are basically unchanged from the PS3 version.”
    • “The music is also hit or miss, with some tracks either elevating or butchering already near perfect compositions.”
  • graphics1,065 mentions

    The graphics of "Sonic Generations" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and colorful presentation, effectively blending classic and modern aesthetics. Released in 2011, the visuals still hold up well today, showcasing impressive detail and smooth animations, although some users noted minor graphical glitches and limited configuration options. Overall, the game's art style and graphical fidelity are considered among the best in the Sonic franchise, making it a visually appealing experience for both new players and long-time fans.

    • “The graphics are crisp, vibrant, and bursting with life, breathing new energy into classic levels while introducing a fresh twist.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the team did a great job with remastering the old levels.”
    • “The graphics, gameplay, and music are fantastic and it’s definitely one of my favorites in the series.”
    • “Something that baffles me is that changing the resolution breaks the game, and it requires you to delete the graphics config file to fix this... very annoying.”
    • “The graphics look like crap.”
    • “The only downside is I do not recommend the game to people with a low-end PC due to bad frame-rate, although you can download a low graphics mod for it.”
  • replayability356 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its well-designed levels, multiple pathways, and a plethora of collectibles and challenges. Players appreciate the extensive modding community that enhances the experience further, making it a favorite among Sonic fans for both nostalgic and new content. Despite its relatively short main story, the game's engaging gameplay and variety of side missions ensure that players return for more.

    • “The levels and movement are great, and the red star rings give the levels a lot of replayability.”
    • “Amazing level design, extremely replayable; you should play this game.”
    • “The game is incredibly replayable; I find myself still going back to the levels several times after I've already beaten the game.”
    • “The biggest downside is that outside of the missions, there's almost no replayability.”
    • “The game is incredibly replayable; I find myself still going back to the levels several times after I've already beaten the game before.”
    • “The main story is sadly rather short but there is a lot of replay value since stages offer alternative routes and encourage replays by finding the best route and locating hidden items.”
  • stability238 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a significant number of bugs and glitches, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking issues. While some users found the game enjoyable despite these problems, others criticized it for being poorly optimized, particularly on PC, leading to crashes and controller malfunctions. Overall, while the game offers fun gameplay and nostalgia, its stability issues detract from the experience for many players.

    • “The game isn’t glitchy, runs great on my fairly modern hardware and holds up well visually for a game that was released in 2010.”
    • “The game both looks and runs great for a game now 11 years old and allows for infinite possibilities with the PC edition supporting mods.”
    • “Awesome visuals, runs great, and is a ton of fun to play.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that can range from mildly annoying to completely game-breaking.”
    • “Sonic Generations is a buggy mess of a game, but at least it can be fun, even if there are a lot of flaws that I think could have been worked out with a little more testing and feedback from long-term fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.”
    • “This port of Sonic Generations is buggy, but overall, if you've got the money, pick this game up.”
  • optimization136 mentions

    The optimization of the PC port of Sonic Generations has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users citing severe performance issues, frequent stuttering, and inconsistent controls. While some players have managed to improve their experience through mods, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for modern hardware, making it difficult to run smoothly without significant tweaks. Despite its enjoyable gameplay, the lack of proper optimization detracts from the overall experience, especially for those on lower-end systems.

    • “Visuals still hold up, keeping great performance throughout.”
    • “The modding scene is also incredible, as this game is not only well optimized, but extremely easy to pick up and play.”
    • “The game runs at a constant 60fps with fast load times; it's pretty safe to say the game's performance is outstanding.”
    • “This is one of the most unoptimized, buggy pieces of crap I've ever played.”
    • “The game isn't optimized that well either, so my game would randomly start lagging and when my controller would work there would be an input delay and sometimes Sonic wouldn't jump, air dash, or anything properly.”
    • “Sonic Generations is a botched port that is riddled with bugs, glitches, frequent crashing (in online mode mainly), inconsistent inputs that are tied to framerate, the controller will randomly stop working mid-game, you'll clip through walls and get soft locked, and worst of all, it's horribly optimized and unstable.”
  • humor111 mentions

    The humor in this game is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the playful banter and funny moments between characters, while others find some jokes fall flat or feel outdated. The game's charm often shines through its nostalgic references and humorous cutscenes, particularly for long-time Sonic fans, though some critiques mention a lack of depth in the humor compared to earlier titles. Overall, the humor contributes to a lighthearted experience, enhanced by mod support that adds additional comedic elements.

    • “The charming interactions and playful banter between the characters add a touch of humor and warmth, making you feel like you're a part of Sonic's world.”
    • “I had a hilarious time playing it and I wish I could play it more but recently I had a technical issue where the game decided to stop working.”
    • “The nostalgia will leave a massive grin on your face, as will the humorous chats (and reactions) the characters have as you unlock them like Amy and Sonic.”
    • “I was so mad, bro, it's not funny.”
  • grinding88 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain tasks and challenges tedious and repetitive, particularly in the classic levels and boss fights. While some enjoy the nostalgia and the satisfaction of completing grind-heavy tasks, others feel that the experience can be frustrating and overly long, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun and grind, appealing to completionists but potentially alienating those who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “This game had no grinding halts, no overly complicated story with the shittiest dialogue imaginable, and no clunky controls.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The final boss is tedious as all hell especially for that 'can't touch this!' achievement.”
    • “This version is buggy and tedious, and it's on my nerves; it's like it gets worse as it goes.”
    • “The challenges are meh to bad but you can generally avoid the worst ones; the races are meh to really bad and you can't avoid Shadow or Silver, who I found really tedious.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and heartwarming memories of their childhood experiences with the Sonic franchise. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to elicit strong feelings, from joy and camaraderie to moments of heartbreak, particularly through its soundtrack and tribute elements. Overall, it is seen as a touching homage that captures the essence of what made Sonic special, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay and story depth.

    • “Ending almost made me cry because I remember how beautiful this game was for me and a bunch of people, and it has a bunch of replayability to do after you finish the main story mode of the game.”
    • “From the upbeat melodies that accompany your high-speed runs to the emotional tunes that tug at your heartstrings, the soundtrack adds an extra layer of immersion, ensuring that every moment is unforgettable.”
    • “Extremely nostalgic and heartwarming for anyone who lived a childhood playing Sonic games in the 90s; Sega crafted a real masterpiece here, and by playing the first 2 minutes of the game, you already know it is.”
    • “It's really a boring story, not worth being judged.”
    • “Fun game, boring story, but mods save it.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its fun, cheerful, and immersive qualities, enhanced by brilliant level design and a memorable soundtrack. Players appreciate the attention to detail that captures the essence of the Sonic experience, making the environments feel vibrant and engaging. Overall, the combination of unique challenges and nostalgic elements contributes to a captivating atmosphere that encourages replayability.

    • “The level design is brilliant and the atmosphere really captures the sonic experience, and certain levels like Rooftop Run or Escape from the City take it a step further.”
    • “I absolutely love the environment and the atmosphere in the game.”
    • “The music, the level design, the atmosphere, everything breathes old-school Super Sonic.”
    • “The storyline was simple and kept its pace, but the atmospheres draw you in and make you want to play it again.”
    • “The challenges are plentiful, the levels are interesting and unique, but the atmosphere of the game leaves much to be desired.”
    • “While the game has its moments, the overall atmosphere feels lacking and fails to immerse the player.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably lacking, with reviewers expressing disappointment over the absence of meaningful growth or depth for the characters. While the character designs are praised, the overall focus seems to be more on visuals and gameplay mechanics rather than on developing the characters themselves.

    • “Character designs are well done.”
    • “There are many more things I could've commented on like level variety, level design, character development, humor, etc., but this review is already long enough.”
    • “While short, Sonic Generations has a ton of replay value, rankings/leaderboards, collectibles, mini-games, etc., and with a healthy mod community, it's easy and fun to add new levels, change character designs, and otherwise play around with custom modifications.”
    • “But if you were hoping for some character development along the way, well that's too bad.”
    • “There are many more things I could've commented on like level variety, level design, character development, humor, etc. but this review is already long enough.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally positive, as it avoids loot boxes and forced advertising, focusing instead on delivering a nostalgic experience with classic Sonic. However, some players feel that while Sonic is a key draw, he only represents half of the game, which may detract from the overall value.

    • “The game’s whole advertising is the fact that classic Sonic returns and he’s brilliant and all, but he’s only 50% of the game and the inferior half at that.”
    • “There are no loot boxes or any type of forced advertising.”
    • “While the game is purposefully advertising as a history of Sonic, it delivers.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
38hAverage play time
4-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 49 analyzed playthroughs

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