Alright, my first review in 4 years! I've recently been posting more on Vizzed and have been much more active. Now that I'm back I think it's a good of a time as any to review one my favorite games off all time. Let's get into it.

I remember when Sonic Colors first came out all the way back in 2010. I was 11. It killed me that I didn't have a Wii (Didn't get one until I believe I was 12 or 13) and that I couldn't play it. The trailers and everything looked so good! I had such good times with the likes of Sonic Heores, which was my first Sonic game, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Sonic Advance, Sonic 1, 2, and 3 and Knuckles (hah) that I played on the PS2 and Gamecube with the help of the Sonic Mega Collection. The boost gameplay in Sonic unleashed looked so cool on the PS3 (but I didn't have one at the time) and the PS2 version of that game left me dissapointed. But here's a boost game that has no Werehog! Man, did I ever want to play it. 

The day I did though, instant love for it. I've probably beaten this game over 40 times. On my first original file, I had over 50 hours of clocked in. That's how much I replayed the levels and tried to get that blasted Super Sonic (I was going to make a Shadow joke but don't worry about it). I know this game like the back of my hand (that phrase makes no sense. How do you KNOW your hand? It's a hand). I've got a good amount to say and I'm excited for this. This game really got Sonic back on his feet. Some may question Sonic after Sonic Forces, but with Sonic Mania Adventures, Sonic Mania plus, Team Sonic Racing, (OH YES BABY! THANK YOU SEGA) and just the fact that Forces did sell really well, Sonic ain't going anywhere any time soon. There's also a DS version of this game, and while I have played and beaten it, I'm not going to talk about it since it's a great game in it's own right and deserves it's own review.

So Sonic Colors was released in 2010 on the Wii and DS, and recieved numerous positive reviews from fans and critics alike. It was so nice to see people rooting and being happy for Sonic again. Sonic Colors was the first game since Sonic Heroes, to actually get postive reviews. Sure, Heroes is heavily mixed these days, but if you go back in time (It's fairly easy to do) and look at review scores for when Heroes was first released, you'd see a solid mix of 7's and 8's. However, every other Sonic game that wasn't released on a handheld after that got slammed. I'm not going to go through a list or anything, we've all heard this before and I didn't even mean to go as deep into this as I already have. I just want to talk about a fun, fast, colorful (hah) game that I completely adore. There's something special about this game. Whenever I hear Reach for the Stars play with that fantastic opening CG animation, I just get warped to a simpler time. I really love this game. I'm well aware of it's flaws, It's not perfect, but Sonic Colors is one of the best Sonic games ever made.

GRAPHICS:

Holy crap this game looks amazing. The game has six "worlds", essentially. Most of them have really original themes, with the exception of a couple. You've got a resort, a space world with rollercoasters, a dessert world that also has hamburgers for some reason, and some of the more not original ones like your standard water world. Sonic can swim though! So it actually makes it a cool world. The models for Tails and Sonic are top notch and they're very expressive in cutscenes. The only eyesores are the mouth movements. They're pretty bad and rarely sync up with what's being said, which feels a bit lazy. Texture work is good, and the game looks great up close and from a distance, with some really good backrounds especially in Asteroid Coaster and the water world which I can't remember the name to, for some reason. For a Wii game this game just looks great, and I've never seen the game slow down or have framerate drops. 

SCORE: 10

SOUND:

The game has a great soundtrack (for a Sonic game I know, it's shocking) with a pretty good variety of music. The stand outs are definitely Aquarium Park (the water world I couldn't remember in the graphics section. Think I'm going back to fix it? Nope), Tropical Resort, and Starlight Carnival. Something I really like is that each world has the same music track, it's just remixed among each different act. Something that may sound bad and annoying, but trust me it's all great stuff. The final boss theme is good! Great! Awesome! Outstand-AMAZING! (I hope more than zero of you get that). But seriously, the final boss theme is just absolutely fantastic. It's a full on orchestra mixed with a little bit of rock and it's just a masterpiece. Reach for the Stars, the main theme, is also a really great and catchy song. Although some of the music is forgettable, and I wish there more rock and electric guitar, something Sonic is known for. Although those are just my preferances. I recommend you go listen to the soundtrack on Youtube or something, it's great stuff.

SCORE: 9

ADDICTIVENESS:

Like I said, I had over fifty hours on my very first file. The game just has something special about it. A lot of the levels are very short, which may seem like a bad thing, but unlike Sonic Forces, another Sonic game with very short levels, Colors levels feel balanced and purposfully short, to get the most out of one idea, instead of feeling like it was rushed. It makes it very easy to pick up and play through the game multiple times. Your first time will probably take 6-7 hours. The game has great pacing, and the levels feel very focused and short to the point with what they want to do. I still find myself going back to the game every now and then. It's a great time.

SCORE: 10

STORY:

So this part can be a mixed between fans. I think the story itself is great. Eggman has created an amusement park to basically apologize for everything he's done, which Sonic and Tails obviously don't believe, and set out to stop him... that's pretty it. There are some other plot points I could go over, but I don't want to spoil anything. The lighthearted nature of this game is great, and it perfectly captures that certain side of Sonic. I have no problem when a Sonic game tries to be dark, I think the adventure games did that pretty well. Shadow the Hedhehog and Sonic 06 on the other hand, not so much. However, my problems come from the writing and voice acting mainly. Now, the cast of characters have been greatly reduced. It's just Sonic,Tails, Yacker (I'll get into him more later, althought due to bad writing I actually don't, so I just edited this in), and Eggman. It would have been nice to see Knuckles, but he's probably off guarding the master emerald, so it works out. It's really great to see the plot so focused this time, though I could have done with more cutscenes overall in the game. There's only one before and after a boss fight, and maybe one or two in a couple other places. I think there's maybe 13 cutscenes in the whole game. But again, it's nice that the game isn't really plotheavy, but a little more would have been nice.

Now, the big thing. The voice acting. The new Tails is great, Kate Higgins I think her name is, is the best Tails we've ever had. She's great. Roger Craig Smith on the other hand... here's the thing. Roger is perfect for Boom Sonic, he really is. He captures that version of Sonic so so well. For modern Sonic though... it just feels off. Now, I hated him when I first heard it. I thought it was too deep, too old, and it just didn't sound like Sonic, and I still feel that way to a certain degree. Now, I do think he's gotten much better in recent games, and if it just comes to pure voice acting, he sounds natural and does a good job, he just doesn't sound like Sonic. So while I at first hated him, I've warmed up to him, and I don't hate him, I just don't think he's the best pick, and I'd like him to get replaced. Keep him for Boom Sonic though, he's fantastic there. Mike Pollock is still amazing as Eggman, nothing new. Now, while I think the voice acting is servicable, the writing is soo hit or miss. There are some great lines here, but there are so many cringey ones as well. Jokes that just aren't good no matter what game or context they're used in. When I first played the game, I thought the game was hilarious, being the immature kid I was. But it's really cringey in a lot of places. You most likely know what I'm talking about, it's been talked about several times on the internet. Overall, I'd say the story is average. It's got a good set up, some good lines, and some really, really, really bad ones, so it just kind of falls in the middle. It just feels really awkard at times, especially with the whole Tails thing that lasts for two seconds. Missed potential. 

SCORE: 5

DEPTH:

So, the game has six worlds, with 7 acts a piece. Six levels, and the seventh being a boss fight (I hope the fact I'm being inconsistent with using numbers is bothering you). Now at first the boss fights are good, and then you find out there's only 4 in the whole game, each world has a boss fight, but they're reskinned and reused, which is incredibly lazy and dissapointing. The 4th boss being the final boss, which is a really really good fight. Many of the levels are short, but like I said, it's a good thing, and it all works out.
So new to Sonic Colors are the wisps. These little guys are awesome. Sonic once again has the boost from Unleashed, but instead of rings powering it, wisps do. There are several types of wisps. There's Laser, Drill, Hover, Cube, Rocket, Spike, and Frenzy. All wisps have their own power ups, and that's all they all, power ups. Which is why they're so great, They aren't some over complicated gimmick, nor are they underutilized. Once you unlock a wisp by playing the first level they appear in, you can use them in other levels where you previously couldn't, opening up new pathways and shortcuts. They allow for great shortcuts, secrets, and are usually involved in collecting the red rings. So, the red rings (aren't I pro at segways), there are five to collect in each act, and every time you collect a certain number of them, you unlock an extra level in eggmans game land I think it's called. Little mini levels that can even be played with a friend. Although the multiplayer isn't very good and two Sonic's on one screen (yeah, there's no splitscreen), just doesn't work. No competetive mode either so that's dissapointing. Once you beat a certain number of these, you get a chaos emerald. I don't consider this a spoiler, it's common knowledge, there's Super Sonic in this game, making it the first time you can play as Super Sonic in regular levels in a 3D Sonic game. Although being able to play as him in boss fights would have been nice, but I digress. Super Sonic is awesome.

Now, I say a 3D Sonic game, but this is game is 80% 2D, and when you are in 3D, very rarely do you platform. This is, without a doubt, the biggest flaw I have with this game. I still love the game, but it's really annoying that almost the whole game is in 2D. This is a problem that still persists in Sonic games to this day, but that's another discussion for another day. All you need to know is, it's stupid.The level design, while it has aged, is pretty good in my opinion. Again, the wisps are really great, and allow for multiple pathways. Although it can feel a bit blocky and uninspired sometimes. Sonic Generation's level design is much better and much more organic in this way. Other than the red rings to collect and the extra levels you get for collecting them,  there's not much else you can do in the game. I can beat the game nowadays in under an hour and a half. But again, you're first playthrough should take at least over five hours. The wisps are great, and Super Sonic is awesome. You could always go for every S rank, but that doesn't unlock anything. There's also the Eggman challenge ship thing, but that's just a speedrunning thing, it records your times for each world, that's it. I wish there was a sound test or something, you can't listen to any of the music in game, you can only watch the cutscenes. The DS version does, so what's the deal? Anyways, that's enough for this section, I think you get the point. I do wish there was more to do, but I've squeezed over 100 hours out of this game over the years, and I'm still playing it, so take that for what it's worth.

SCORE: 6

DIFFICULTY:

The game is insanely easy. Extra lives are easy to come by, and I don't think I've EVER seen the game over screen. This isn't a bad thing though. The game is just super fun and lighthearted, and should just be enjoyed. There are some frustrating moments, specifically in Asteroid Coaster and Aquarium Park, but these two very specfifc sections are the only ones that come to mind. Sonic controls brilliantly I think. He has a double jump, and while it does feel a little weird sometimes, its' saved me more times than I can count. Also, the game supports the Gamecube controller, so that's a HUGE plus. The only way I've played the game actually. Sonic also has an air dash, it's really useful for correcting jumps, but because of the limited buttons on the Wii remote, when you have boost in your guage, you air boost instead, since it uses the same button, which can be really frustrating when you try to correct a jump and then go flying across the screen to your death. The game isn't oversaturated with bottemless pits, and the levels are generally pretty forgiving. Those few things are the only reasons that I don't give the games difficulty a one. Overall, the game is super fun, and it's a great pick up and go kind of game. 

SCORE: 2

TO SUM THINGS UP:

Sonic Colors is an amazing game, I'm sure you you've realized I think this by now. One of my favorite games of all time, in my top 2 Sonic games, and one of my favorite Wii games. I know of it's problems. The writing and voice acting isn't so great a lot of the time, there's way way too much 2D, and the level design, while generaly very good, does have some rough spots and has aged a bit. Although, to me, this game has what's pretty the most important thing for a game to have. "Fun." It's just a blast to play. I can easily recommend this to you as one of your first Sonic games if you're just getting into the series. If you were unsure before and just never tried it, I encourage you to do so. Sonic is more than just a meme, this is legit, great platforming game for the Wii. I don't believe it's ever been digitally released anywhere, so you're going to have to get a physical copy, and a Wii or Wii U. But it's worth it. Or ya know, an emulator if that's your thing. The DS version is great too if that's your thing. Go pick this game up, and give it a chance. It's truly a blast from start to finish.



                                                                            OVERALL SCORE: 10/10
                                                                  AMAZING!!! (SHUT UP ANNOUNCED GUY!)


 

Dante0 : You must have played alot of Sonic games to write this review!

Holy long review dante bravo. Well i think this review is fantastic honestly, it covers pretty much everything, Graphics, soundtrack, etc. Could”ve said it better myself good job man. 

Dante0 : When you make a review as long as this, it is important to read it over and spellcheck every sentence and make sure it is correct. I've noticed you spelt "Master Emerald" as "master emerald" in Story, "preferences as "preferances" in Sound, "Sonic Mania Plus" as "Sonic Mania plus", and it goes on. Your grammar, however, is good for a Vizzed review even if it is still flawed.

Also, why is this game so fun? Where's the Gameplay section? You just say it looks awesome, sounds great, is addicting to you and has a lot of depth... yet you don't even explain what the game even is to play. As for the review, as a whole... it's okay, by Vizzed standards. You should add an authentic Gameplay section and fix up your grammar issues. Do all that, and this review will be great like the ones I make.

As for my opinions on this game, I have a thread dedicated to this issue. Here's the link to it; https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=102290