Sonic The Hedgehog
- October 26, 2010
- SEGA
Get on SteamIn "Sonic the Hedgehog," players control the speedy blue hedgehog, Sonic, as he races through vibrant levels to stop the evil Dr. Eggman from taking over the world. By collecting rings and defeating enemies, Sonic can gain powers and reach new speeds. This classic platformer features exciting gameplay and challenging levels that will keep players engaged.
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Reviews
- Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic platformer that revolutionized the genre and set a high standard for level design and gameplay mechanics.
- The graphics and music are impressive for their time, providing a colorful and engaging experience that evokes nostalgia.
- The game features a unique ring health system that adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to take hits without dying as long as they have rings.
- The absence of the spin-dash mechanic makes the gameplay feel slower and less satisfying compared to later Sonic titles.
- The level design can be frustrating, with some stages feeling repetitive and lacking the variety found in subsequent games.
- Boss battles are often seen as weak and predictable, detracting from the overall challenge and excitement of the game.
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with praise for its high-quality CD soundtracks and innovative remixes that enhance replayability, particularly in comparison to Nintendo's approach. While most zones feature enjoyable tracks, some users express disappointment with the music in the Marble Garden and final zones. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its experimental qualities and rock influences, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“Sega definitely beat Nintendo at shifting from chiptune music to higher bitrate CD-quality soundtracks with voices and stuff for Sonic CD (especially the weird, quirky kind with the Japanese soundtrack). Even though Nintendo beat them to the adaptive soundtrack race, I feel that for replay listens, Sega's approach for overhauling the zone themes with contextual remixes was better than adding a bongo track onto Mario soundtracks when you sit on Yoshi.”
“The soundtrack is still one of my favorites, with Marble Zone, Labyrinth, Scrap Brain, and Final Zone being the ones that I enjoy the most.”
“The beeps and boops of the Genesis sound more like rock music compared to the SNES's softer but heavier music.”
“Even though 1 and 2 are pop music, 3 is pop-rock; CD is the most experimental with its 90s SFX mash-ups.”
“Anyways, hope next time you give us something related to the game itself, like its soundtrack, a demo, a special feature, and not an old 2 dollar game.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their excellence, particularly for the 1991 era, providing a visually appealing experience at high speeds. However, the transition to platforming elements reveals flaws in game design that detract from the overall enjoyment, suggesting that the graphics alone cannot compensate for gameplay shortcomings.
“When you’re holding down right and pounding along at 300 km/h, it’s lovely, with the admittedly excellent Mega Drive graphics dashing by at mach speed.”
“And yep, graphics and music are really great, especially for 1991.”
“It's not just retrospectively awful game design; in 1991, Sonic was still a steaming pile of garbage and now, stripped of the value that its aesthetics gave it then, it stands as a monument to just how far you could get on graphics alone in an era before they existed on this scale.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for lacking the spin-dash mechanic, which many players feel is essential, leading to a slower overall experience focused on building momentum rather than instant gratification. While players can choose between fast-paced or cautious approaches, the absence of familiar mechanics detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“The gameplay offers a balance between fast-paced action and a more cautious approach, allowing players to choose their own style.”
“You can tackle challenges quickly or take your time to avoid losing a life, which adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
“The flexibility in gameplay encourages different strategies, making each playthrough feel unique.”
“It really does show its irrelevancy in that sense, especially with the lack of the spin-dash, which was disappointing for me since I played Sonic 2, Mania, and Generations before this. At many times, the game felt like it was lacking a crucial mechanic. Its focus was on building up momentum instead of providing the instant gratification that comes with spin-dashes, making everything feel slower overall.”
“The gameplay is okay; you can choose to do things the fast way or take a cautious approach, running slowly out of fear of losing a life.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game experiences several glitches, particularly with the simple launcher, indicating stability issues that may affect gameplay.
“However, the simple launcher has its fair share of glitches as well.”
“The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant lag and disconnections during gameplay.”
