Sonic Generations

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 classic platformer game that features both classic and modern versions of Sonic the Hedgehog. The game celebrates Sonic's 20th anniversary by including iconic levels and enemies from previous games. Players can switch between the two Sonics, using their unique abilities to speed through levels and defeat enemies in this nostalgic adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,097 reviews

gameplay570 positive mentions

stability163 negative mentions

gameplay
1,408 mentions
40 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sonic Generations" is widely praised for its blend of classic 2D platforming and modern 3D boost mechanics, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for players. While the modern gameplay is noted for its speed and fluidity, the classic sections evoke fond memories of the original titles, though some players find the controls less responsive than desired. Overall, the game is celebrated for its engaging level design, vibrant graphics, and a strong soundtrack, making it a standout title in the Sonic franchise despite some criticisms regarding its story and occasional technical issues.
- “The gameplay is fantastic with many splitting paths and fast-paced movement.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and the levels provide enough variety to make them interesting.”
- “The gameplay is a blast but the story is nonexistent.”
- “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 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.”
- “The control mechanics, dynamics, and responsiveness are complete crap.”
story
1,342 mentions
24 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The story in "Sonic Generations" is generally regarded as simplistic and lacking depth, serving primarily as a vehicle to connect nostalgic levels from previous games. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and straightforward narrative, many criticize it for being bland and underdeveloped, with a few noting that it feels more like an excuse to revisit classic stages rather than a compelling plot. Overall, the gameplay and level design are praised, often overshadowing the story's shortcomings.
- “The story is creative, and the gameplay is actually fun.”
- “Despite a lackluster story, the gameplay is the best Sonic's ever played in 3D, the music is top-notch, and the graphics still hold up, over 13 years later.”
- “The story is a standard Sonic story, but it is still fun to see the characters progress.”
- “The story is awful, no two ways about it.”
- “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 so bad that it makes an otherwise 10/10 game straight down to an 8/10.”
music
1,102 mentions
53 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Sonic Generations" is widely praised for its exceptional quality, featuring a mix of remixed classic tracks and new compositions that resonate with both nostalgia and modern sensibilities. Players appreciate the ability to unlock and customize the soundtrack for each level, enhancing the overall experience. The soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its appeal among both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
- “The collection of past music of the franchise and remixed versions of music is just *chef's kiss*.”
- “The music is fantastic as well with new remixes of old sonic songs.”
- “The soundtrack is a mixture between fast-paced and exhilarating to relaxing and calming, both of which types are perfected.”
- “The music is a nostalgic whirlwind, the stage design is excellent, and the gameplay is the smoothest and most refined yet.”
- “The music is simply sublime, all of the remixes of older music is incredible and is worth listening to alone at your own leisure.”
- “The music is awful, after 5 hours of gameplay I decided I wanted to mute the volume.”
graphics
783 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Sonic Generations" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and colorful presentation, effectively blending modern 3D visuals with nostalgic elements from classic Sonic games. Many reviewers noted that, despite being released in 2011, the graphics still hold up well today, showcasing impressive detail and artistic design that enhances the overall gameplay experience. However, some users pointed out issues with optimization and limited graphical settings, which can affect performance on lower-end systems.
- “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.”
- “Comparing the visuals, the graphics of the chaos7 boss made in 1998 look several times better on the Sega Dreamcast than this game.”
- “The graphics are a downgrade from the previous hedgehog engine game, Sonic Unleashed.”
- “The graphics look like crap.”
replayability
281 mentions
53 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its excellent level design, multiple pathways, and engaging gameplay mechanics that encourage speedrunning and exploration. Players appreciate the extensive modding community, which further enhances replay value by adding new content and challenges. Despite its relatively short main story, the abundance of collectibles, side missions, and the thrill of mastering levels ensure that players return for more.
- “Amazing level design, extremely replayable; you should play this game.”
- “The replayability is right up there with classic Sonic games, and runs on basically anything without any tweaks.”
- “The levels are all incredibly fun and replayable, and classic Sonic is also a welcome addition.”
- “The biggest downside is that outside of the missions, there's almost no replayability.”
- “This game can be beaten rather quickly (under 10 hours unless you’re really bad at this game), so let’s talk about replayability.”
- “Although the story is short and the final boss is tedious, the replay value in this game is astounding.”
stability
172 mentions
4 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The stability of Sonic Generations on PC has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a plethora of glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players find enjoyment through modding and appreciate the nostalgic elements, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and riddled with technical issues, making it a frustrating experience for many. Despite its fun gameplay and appealing soundtrack, the numerous bugs and inconsistent performance detract from its potential as a solid title.
- “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.”
- “Runs great on my 1070.”
- “I haven't experienced any of the issues others are having on PC; it runs great for me.”
- “This is a terrible port and an even worse game: crashes, bad story, freezes, lag spikes, and more.”
- “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.”
- “It's poorly optimized, buggy as hell, and lacking in most graphic options.”
optimization
86 mentions
19 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, dropped inputs, and frequent crashes. While some players have found that using mods can improve performance, the vanilla PC port is often described as poorly optimized and buggy, making it difficult to run smoothly on various hardware configurations. Overall, players recommend using external fixes to enhance the experience, as the game struggles to perform well even on capable systems.
- “Classic stages are nice too, the game is also surprisingly well optimized; my computer is a potato and the game runs smooth enough to be playable with slight bits of lag here and there.”
- “I love how many different paths and optimizations you can take to decrease your time or find secrets; it adds lots of replay value and makes getting those S ranks incredibly satisfying on both the 3D and 2D levels.”
- “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.”
- “I'm pretty sure anything they add in the remaster aside from seizures and sub-7th gen console performance will be or is already a mod for this version.”
- “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.”
humor
86 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the playful banter and quirky character interactions, particularly with Sonic's iconic "blue hedgehog" persona. While some appreciate the nostalgic references and lighthearted moments, others criticize the attempts at humor as falling flat or relying too heavily on memes. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining and funny, especially with the addition of mods that enhance the comedic experience.
- “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 was giggling and laughing like a crazy person as pure, undiluted joy ran through my veins.”
- “Long time fans of the games will appreciate the throwbacks and humorous charm (which this game has in spades), and the remixed versions of old Sonic soundtracks were a definite treat.”
- “I was so mad, bro, it's not funny.”
grinding
66 mentions
5 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to achieve completionist goals. While some enjoy the nostalgic and challenging elements of grinding for collectibles and achievements, others criticize the repetitive and frustrating nature of certain tasks, particularly in specific levels and boss fights. Overall, the experience can vary greatly depending on individual preferences for grinding and challenge.
- “This game had no grinding halts, no overly complicated story with the shittiest dialogue imaginable, and no clunky controls.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The final boss is tedious as all hell especially for that 'can't touch this!' achievement.”
- “My only gripe with the game was Planet Wisp, the last level, which was very long and tedious.”
- “It's boring, it's tedious and most of all, it's not fast, not fluid.”
emotional
19 mentions
84 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic and heartwarming elements, evoking strong feelings of joy and sadness among players, particularly those with fond memories of the Sonic franchise. The soundtrack enhances the experience, with melodies that resonate deeply, while the ending leaves a lasting impact, celebrating the connection between Sonic and his fans. Overall, the game serves as a touching tribute that rekindles childhood memories and evokes a sense of camaraderie and emotional fulfillment.
- “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.”
- “heart-wrenching/tear jerkingly good”
- “touching”
- “It's a really boring story not worth being judged.”
atmosphere
9 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its fun, endearing quality, enhanced by brilliant level design and a memorable soundtrack that evokes a sense of adventure and celebration. Players appreciate how the vibrant environments and engaging challenges create an immersive experience, reminiscent of classic platformers. Overall, the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's replayability and enjoyment.
- “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 atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- “Despite the interesting challenges, the overall atmosphere fails to engage, making the experience feel hollow.”
- “The environments are repetitive and do not contribute to a compelling atmosphere, leaving players disconnected.”
character development
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably lacking, with reviewers expressing disappointment over the absence of depth in character arcs despite praising the visuals and character designs. While the game offers engaging gameplay and replay value through various features, it fails to deliver a satisfying narrative or character growth.
- “+ Character designs are well done.”
- “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.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game effectively markets itself with the return of classic Sonic, though he only represents half of the experience, which some players find disappointing. However, there are no loot boxes or forced advertisements, allowing for a more straightforward gaming experience. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as fair and not intrusive.
- “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.”