Sonic Rivals - XBOX
Well, first things first, this is a great sonic game which puts you in the high paced shoes of the blue hedgehog. The SONIC THE HEDGEHOG GAME focuses more on racing apart from some other elements. The regular storyline has been twisted to suit the SONIC GAME.
For the plot, we have Dr Eggman inventing a magical camera which can turn people into trading cards. You need to find and beat him, by racing through six worlds in this SONIC GAME. The race element comes in when you find that Shadow, Silver and Knuckles are all competing for reaching Eggman first. It boils down to who reaches first, which proves to be real fun in this SONIC GAME.
The level design is decent, the sonic game is fast and the action retrospective, much to the pleasure of veteran SONIC GAME players. You need to rush through the levels and be the first to pass through the finishing line and stopping your way are various hazards, pits, and fellow rivals who can hamper your run by power ups. The problem arises when you are running swiftly through a level and suddenly get hit by something which you didn't see because of your sheer speed. This happens frequently, much to the frustration of those who are playing the SONIC GAME. Thus, you end up memorizing the positions of hazards and base your game on trial and error. However, there are no lives or continue moments and you can play a race as long as you don't clear it.
The AI of the game is something which really lacks. Mostly, you would find your rivals racing along with you, a little forward or a little behind. Even when you use some power ups, you would slow them down but they end up at the same position in almost no time, that is right behind. Some tweaks in this aspect can really liven up the game by adding more chances and variety.
The boss levels require you to defeat the boss, and the first one who destroys him wins. A point is given to the player whenever he hits the boss, and that person is declared the winner who has most points when the boss falls. Sound easy, it is actually very easy. There is not much depth into the boss levels in this SONIC GAME, the racing levels are a lot more fun in playing.
Since there is no online sonic gameplay, the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG GAME compensates by providing a two way multiplayer which you can use over a dedicated connection. You can race each other or complete challenges in multiplayer mode.
Overall, this sonic game delivers well. To the joy of regular players of SONIC GAME, it lays its foundation on speed and movement. The graphics are decent, the SONIC GAME engine is well designed but the only problem lies in trial and error through the levels, as the hazards and blocks are not clear.