First Impressions: Mr. Sonic's Wild Ride
The phrase “simplicity is best” most accurately describes Sega’s strategy behind its new Wii title, Sonic and the Secret Rings (formerly Sonic Wild Fire). The reasons for this are clear. Unlike the Mario series, the post 16-bit Sonic titles progressively alienated fans with each entry. While no one can accuse these 3-D Sonic games as being horrible translations (we’ll reserve that “special” honor for the 3-D Contra games), they nevertheless strayed from the simple platforming fun of the side-scrolling Genesis games through unnecessary additions (item hunts, extraneous characters, etc.). In response, Sega plans to get back to the series’ roots and focus on what everyone loves about Sonic, the blue hero’s speed, with Sonic and the Secret Rings (SSR)
SSR’s game play shares more similarities to the forgotten Saturn racer Sonic R than to the free-roaming Dreamcast titles. In SSR, the player controls everyone’s favorite hedgehog at his or her own pace along a predetermined track. This gives the platformer an “on the rails” feel, which closely approximates the linear nature of the Genesis games.
This is not to say the game lacks variety. Each level is huge and features the spirals, loops and other staple obstacles of the series. Released videos show Sonic surfing through caverns and running across the back of a giant dinosaur. One notable video features Sonic outrunning three triceratops that want to go all King Kong on the rodent. Sega states that the game will take roughly 10 hours to complete with 70 missions. Additionally, SSR will feature a number of Mario Party-esque multiplayer mini-games that allow up to four players.
The game’s control is perhaps the simplest of any Wii title to date. The player holds the controller horizontally in the “NES” style. Sonic moves left and right by tipping the Wii controller in the appropriate direction. The results function similarly to a driving game, only in this case the hedgehog is the vehicle, not the victim. Jumping is accomplished with the simple push of the “2” button. Holding the “2” button also charges a super jump akin to Super Mario Bros. 2.
Sonic’s most visually appealing ability is the boost. Fire icons dot the landscape of the game. When the player collects enough, the boost option becomes available. With a simple flick forward with the Wii controller, the boost activates, sending Sonic speeding through the level with incredible velocity and temporary invincibility.
Many fans complained of the unnecessary storyline and annoying voice acting of past Sonic titles. As with the game play, SSR’s storyline is simple. One night, while reading Arabian Nights (as any sentient hedgehog would), a Genie appears before Sonic. The Genie (hopefully sans Robin Williams) reveals that several pages of the book have gone missing. He grants Sonic the ability to go into the book’s world to track down the missing pages.
For the first time since the original game, Sonic is the only playable character. Sega has stated that other characters from Sonic’s “entourage” will make appearances in “a different light.” Those fans that felt the peripheral characters overshadowed Sonic will welcome this. The series was quickly becoming an unholy combination of the JLA and Happy Tree Friends. Never fear Knuckles fans, for Sega states these characters may be playable in the mini-games.
