Sonny
- April 17, 2017
- Armor Games Studios
- 9h median play time
"Sonny" is a free, minimal ad-supported turn-based RPG, where strategy and mastery of skills are crucial for survival. After rising from the dead, Sonny and his allies embark on a journey to save the world from rampaging mutant zombies and monstrous techno-beasts, with challenging combat and stunning artwork. Compatible with various devices including iPhone 5, multiple iPad models, and iPod Touch 6.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and a well-composed soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The combat system is strategic, allowing for various builds and skill combinations, which adds depth to gameplay.
- The storyline is engaging and provides a fresh take on the original Sonny narrative, with new characters and twists.
- The game lacks animations for attacks and character equipment, making battles feel static and less immersive.
- Voice acting is minimal, with only a few words voiced, which detracts from the storytelling experience compared to the original games.
- The AI companions are less controllable, leading to frustrating moments where they do not act as needed during battles.
- story248 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a reimagining of the original "Sonny" series, featuring a more coherent plot and new characters, but it has received mixed reviews from fans of the originals. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and improved storytelling, others feel it lacks the depth and charm of the earlier games, with criticisms aimed at its pacing and reliance on grinding. Overall, the narrative is seen as satisfactory but not as engaging as the original, leaving some players hoping for a more fulfilling continuation in future installments.
“The storytelling of this game, the way it immerses you into the story, is absolutely stunning.”
“The story is satisfactory, giving me what I wanted out of the mystery surrounding the main character and setting.”
“I couldn't wait to relive the story in a new light and with a fresh polish.”
“By the 5th zone, you just run out of steam because you get owned a few times, train for like an hour, do one more story level, and then get owned on the next one by something dumb which either demands a total respec or more grinding.”
“The game has gone from being a groundbreaking flash RPG that had some parts where you needed to grind a little to a 'remake' where you feel like you have to spend more time doing training than playing the story for poor experience points.”
“I love story-driven games, but I couldn't get into this one. It leans heavily on the previous two games, and while it was nice to see some old characters make their return in the reboot, they simply add to the fact that this reboot basically ripped off the old games in a desperate effort to create a halfway decent reboot.”
- gameplay192 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the latest installment in the Sonny series has received mixed reviews, with some praising its innovative mechanics and tactical depth, while others criticize the removal of beloved features from earlier games, leading to a feeling of simplification. The new evolution and focus mechanics are seen as interesting but poorly executed, often resulting in a reliance on speed-based strategies that diminish build diversity. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and nostalgic elements, many players feel it lacks the rich, strategic gameplay that defined its predecessors.
“So far it has been an amazing experience with gameplay, graphics, and enhanced gameplay mechanics.”
“Gameplay is fun.”
“The gameplay is simple, solid, and very challenging towards the later half of the game.”
“The biggest problem that I have with this game isn't its complete lack of animations for gear or attacks, or even the poor/non-existent voice work, but in the very gameplay.”
“They ruin the gameplay and sap the fun right out of the game entirely.”
“There are so many breaks between actions that it disrupts the flow of the gameplay experience.”
- graphics166 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the new artwork and comic book aesthetic as visually appealing, while others lament the lack of animation and the absence of equipment visibility on character models. Some players feel that the updated graphics, though polished, detract from the nostalgic charm of the original flash games, leading to a sense of disappointment regarding the overall visual experience. Overall, while the art style is appreciated, it is often criticized for not fully delivering on the expectations set by its predecessors.
“The artwork and overall aesthetic is put together very well.”
“Graphics - the game has great drawn graphics.”
“Badass graphics, beautiful music, and awesome gameplay, as well as excellent, comic-book like storytelling make up this game!”
“Initially gave this a bad review - the flash games were better, and the game's far from polished: stripped down combat system, lazy 'retro' graphics, barely any voice acting.”
“One of the biggest problems I had with this game was that when you equip new items to your party, the visuals don't update when you play as them.”
“Nothing like the old flash games, no voice acting just some sound effects and the weapons and armor you equip doesn't even show on the character like in the old flash games; the new graphics aren't even that special either, wouldn't recommend.”
- music82 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the return of composer David Orr and the remastered tracks from the original games, which evoke nostalgia and enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players feel that the soundtrack lacks variety, leading to repetitive listening, and miss the depth of the older titles. Overall, while the music is generally considered a highlight, it is noted that it could benefit from more diverse content.
“The soundtrack is amazing and all that it is lacking is end game content.”
“Composer David Orr makes a comeback for this game as well, with songs like 'Heroic Confrontation' and 'Outnumbered' being back and remastered, which is awesome in my opinion.”
“Badass graphics, beautiful music, and awesome gameplay, as well as excellent, comic-book-like storytelling make up this game!”
“Unfortunately, the music pieces are few, and eventually you’ll be gauntleting through the same pieces over, and over, and over again by the end of the tutorial level.”
“Sound effects are meaty and 'accurate' if that makes sense, and they're well worth the first 5/10, but the music is negligible.”
“And the music... I didn't enjoy the OST in this game; it more so frustrated me. The OST by David Orr of the old game makes the player feel like he's on a journey with the game characters, especially the song 'Aftermath'.”
- grinding66 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unfun, especially in later zones where the difficulty spikes significantly. While some appreciate the rewards from grinding and consider it a necessary part of the gameplay, others feel that it detracts from the overall experience, making battles repetitive and progress frustratingly slow. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant hurdle that may deter players, particularly those familiar with the more enjoyable mechanics of the original games.
“Grinds are long and hard and unfun, and every area starts with grinding to get anywhere.”
“You may well not finish the game, however, as the last region is horribly overtuned and requires an absurd amount of grinding to avoid being one-shot by many of the attacks, even with max defense gear.”
“This coupled with the fact that grinding for XP is mind-numbingly boring makes it so you will never be changing around your party.”
- replayability32 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while the skill tree and class combinations offer some potential for varied playthroughs, many players feel the lack of a new-game plus mode and challenging content significantly diminish its overall replay value. Some enjoy experimenting with different strain combinations and leveling options, but the repetitive nature of starting from scratch each time detracts from the experience. Overall, while there are elements that could enhance replayability, the game's design leaves much to be desired in this aspect.
“The skill tree and classes gave the game some amazing replay value.”
“With the ability to pick a combination of classes, replayability is pretty nice.”
“The leveling up system is very fun to use, dozens of options and also provides a lot of replayability.”
“The game's biggest flaw by far is its lack of replayability; there is no new game plus or arena, all you can really do is replay the campaign, starting from scratch every time.”
“What kills me for the Sonny reboot is its utter lack of replayability.”
“The problem is that you have to play through quite a chunk of the game first, reducing replayability and increasing the 'starting grind', as I like to call it.”
- humor14 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the witty dialogue and comic-style cutscenes that enhance the RPG experience. However, some critics feel that the humor has been "dumbed-down" compared to previous installments, leading to a loss of charm and depth in certain areas. Overall, while the humor remains a highlight for many, there are mixed feelings about its evolution and consistency throughout the game.
“As for the good points, well it's an RPG with a lot of possibilities, great music, comic-like cutscenes, and humor in the dialogues.”
“I also enjoyed the storyline... both humorous and actually overall believable.”
“Besides the new take on the same story, double skill tree, and somewhat improved humor.”
“No, I'm not talking about that unfunny and boring one; I'm talking about the great and mighty baron!”
- stability12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs reported by users. Players have experienced issues such as skipping turns due to rapid clicking, leading to frustration and a lack of overall enjoyment. Many reviewers rate the game poorly, citing its instability as a significant factor in their dissatisfaction.
“I had to alt+F4 because the game just freezes.”
“Didn't talk about the freezes, crashes, and other bugs either, like if you click too fast you might sometimes skip your turn... but the ability you were speeding to click is put on cooldown... but you didn't use it.”
“Overall, I'd rate this game a solid 3/10 because of how buggy it is, how much it lacks quality content, how cheap the battles are, and how much they definitely didn't put their heart and soul into this game like they did the original ones.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism, particularly for the mobile version, which is perceived as overly reliant on ads, interrupting gameplay with frequent 20-second ads that cannot be skipped. While the PC version offers a paid experience without ads, the mobile free-to-play model feels like a cash grab to some users, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“On the Android version, the game is also full of ads. I can understand watching ads after getting more money or experience, but not 1 out of 3 times after finishing a battle. That's exaggerated and ruins the mood because you have to watch 20-second ads without even the possibility to skip.”
“It would be like paying for a YouTube video so you don't get an advertisement at the start.”
“I don't want to accuse the devs of a cash grab, because they put at least a little work into this, but an updated remake ten years after the original should be better, not worse.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning artwork, which creates a unique and immersive experience, often considered superior to previous installments. While it maintains a darker, intense vibe that enhances gameplay, some users note a shift towards a slightly lighter tone compared to earlier entries, which is generally viewed positively. Overall, the atmosphere effectively balances intensity with artistic flair.
“The artwork is amazing as always; it really creates a unique atmosphere, and in this department, this game is on par, if not far superior, to the previous installations!”
“It's perhaps a little lighter than the darker atmosphere of the first two, but that isn't bad.”
“A dark, grim atmosphere that makes even the easiest of fights intense.”
“The game promised a dark, grim atmosphere that would make even the easiest of fights feel intense, but instead, it feels more like an arcade game.”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been criticized for its lack of depth, with users noting the removal of dynamic features in favor of static designs that lack full voice acting and engaging animations. While the graphics and character designs are praised for their quality, many feel that the overall content does not meet expectations, especially when compared to free flash games. Reviewers express a desire for more substantial development to unlock the game's potential.
“Sadly that feature has likewise been removed in favor of... static, slightly higher quality character designs that aren't fully voiced and barely even have attack animations.”
“You can't expect money for this game if you cannot deliver content at least the same quality as an old flash game. The graphics are new and cool, and I love the comic book styled intro, but it's not enough. Please work more on this game and correct these issues because it has more potential; right now it looks like a shiny silver nugget, but if you work on it, it can be a diamond.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the baron's character, particularly appreciating his nuanced personality change and the depth added by his emotional backstory, which evokes a powerful response and even tears.
“The baron, although his slight personality change was one of those tweaks, I was most excited to see return... and we get his emotional backstory, too.”
“I want to cry!!!”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for mobile platforms has been criticized for sacrificing charm and overall quality, leading to poor execution and low user satisfaction, as reflected in multiple 1/5 ratings.
“Some of the optimizations they made to make this game mobile-friendly take a lot of the charm out of it.”
“1/5: for poor platform optimization and execution”
“1/5: for poor platform optimization and execution”