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| Review by Gamerguy |
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I didn't like Sonic R. For all of it's cool innovations, the game simply didn't "wow" me in any way and I got bored of it really fast. I expected Riders to be that way before I got it, and now that I've completed it, I still don't really know. Sonic Riders is an extremely unique type of racing game that stands for everything Sonic should stand for, but it loses its luster pretty quickly once you figure out the core mechanics.
I can't say that this is a bad game, nor is it really a disappointment. It's just average. The production value is astoundingly high with the beautiful animé intro and CG cutscenes. The storyline is cheesy yet enjoyable for a racing game. The three new characters actually add more than they take away for once, and I'm sure we'll see many Jet fangirls arise as the series continues. The character art direction is really cool and the whole "speed" attitude prevails as the game's biggest trait.
The gameplay is best described as "unique," and you have to decide for yourself if you like it or not. Control-freaks will hate the lack of a gas pedal, but I personally found it very fitting. This is a Sonic game, and it's supposed to be about speed! There are brakes on the gears, but they don't work too well and you'll really only use them when cornering. Control is very, very difficult at first, but as soon as you get a feel for it, they're wonderful. You'll still occasionally find yourself running into a wall, and that can be a problem because there's no way to go backwards and you can easily get stuck for a long time, sending you deep into last place - but if that's the only glitch in this 3D Sonic game, then hell, I'll take it. The three types of riders (speed, fly, power) play very similar to each other except for their special abilities, and these abilities balance out, so it really just comes down to a "which style do you like the most" selection when choosing your character for a strategy.
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Story mode is great and has some very memorable moments (and just as many moments I'd like to forget about) but it's way too short. If anything, I was almost expecting a "last" story after Sonic's track record this generation, but there isn't one. The story feels complete and it's developed enough, but it's still too short. The mission mode doesn't really add anything to the game and it feels like busywork, although you'll have to do it to unlock the other characters. I was especially disappointed that the game's boss engine was only used one time. What a waste! The repetitive missions should have included a couple of those, and maybe some more inspired tasks like doing specific tricks or leveling up. It's not unbearable in its current state, but it's still far from perfect.
The biggest problem is the track selection. There are really only seven core tracks in the game with two course variations on each track. Considering the trouble Sonic Team went through to perfect the engine and create something really unique, it seems like their lack of content here is a result of time constraints. Hopefully we'll see more tracks available in Sonic Riders 2. At least every level is somewhat unique in the gameplay department, and none of them are really that annoying to play. The voice acting isn't nearly as bad as I expected from the 4Kids Sonic X cast, but my complaint is that the scripting isn't much better. Sonic Team listened to the fans and added in an option to turn off the announcer outside of story mode, so that's a huge bonus in my book. The music gets the job done, but there's nothing too special about it. The sound effects all manage to blend in with the songs somehow, allowing the game to keep its pace. Sometimes you'll feel like you're listening to the same song over and over again, though...and sometimes, you are.
Aside from the repetitiveness, Riders has plenty of unlockables to offer and perhaps the best multiplayer experience in Sonic's history. There are four distinct multiplayer modes, all of which are tons of fun. The only problem I can see is that you might get too skilled with the game's learning curve and you'll have an larger-than-usual-unfair advantage over first-time players. "Tag" mode (sharing one airtank for both players) answers this problem but doesn't completely solve it. There is no sign of lag in the multiplayer mode on any of the three consoles, another Sonic Team first.
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Where Sonic Riders falls short, it pulls itself back up and gets mangled along the way. I feel like most fans will either love it or hate it, so it really comes down to whether or not you're willing to accept its faults. It's a much better game than Shadow the Hedgehog or Sonic Heroes, but it simply isn't up to par with some of the other racers in its genre.
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Gameplay
Takes a simple idea and makes it complex. Very fast. |
16 / 20 |
Sound
Clichéd techno, but it fits the game perfectly. Voice acting fits well too. Announcer is optional. |
16 / 20 |
Graphics
Great blur effects hide the dismally pathetic textures and poor draw distance. Character models are impressive. |
15 / 20 |
Controls
Confusing with a high learning curve. Great once you master them. |
10 / 15 |
Replay Value
Story mode is over far to quickly, mission mode is too repetitive. GREAT multiplayer saves it. |
9 / 15 |
Expectations
Better than Kirby Air Ride, but it isn't your Mario Kart. |
8 / 10 |
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FINAL SCORE |
74 / 100 |
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02.21.06
03.13.06
02.23.06
