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 1 is a classic that set the standard for platformers and introduced innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the ring health system.
- The graphics and music are impressive for their time, providing a colorful and melodic experience that enhances the gameplay.
- The level design is engaging, with multiple routes and secrets, making it fun to explore and replay.
- The game feels dated and lacks modern conveniences like a save feature, making it frustrating for new players.
- Many levels are slow and repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience and can lead to boredom.
- Boss battles are weak and predictable, lacking the creativity and challenge found in later Sonic titles.
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with particular praise for the high-quality, CD-quality soundtracks that Sega implemented, especially in Sonic CD, which features quirky and experimental tracks. While some zones like Marble Garden and the final zone received mixed reviews, the overall sentiment favors Sega's innovative approach to remixes and contextual themes over Nintendo's simpler adaptations. The Genesis sound is noted for its rock-like quality, contrasting with the softer tones of the SNES, making the soundtrack a standout feature 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 beeps and boops of the Genesis sound more like rock music compared to the SNES's softer but heavier music.”
“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 sound effects 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
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their excellence, particularly for the 1991 era, providing a visually appealing experience as players speed through levels. 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.”
“Graphics and music are really great, especially for 1991.”
“The graphics are stunning and truly capture the essence of the game, making every moment visually engaging.”
“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
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for lacking the spin-dash mechanic, which many players feel is essential for a satisfying experience, leading to a slower overall pace. While it offers options for fast or cautious play, the absence of instant gratification detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“The gameplay is enjoyable, allowing players to choose between a fast-paced approach or a more cautious strategy to avoid losing lives.”
“Gameplay offers a balance between speed and caution, letting players decide how they want to tackle challenges.”
“The gameplay mechanics are flexible, enabling players to either rush through levels or take their time to ensure survival.”
“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, but you can either play the fast way or take the slow approach out of fear of losing a life.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game experiences several glitches, particularly with the simple launcher, which affects overall stability.
“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 instability during gameplay, which ruined the experience.”
