Sonic Heroes

The Good
First of all, I like its "arcade-style" gameplay (in my opinion, it is more enjoyable than "mixed" style of Sonic Adventure 1 & 2). The game is fast, you can quite quick learn how to play and without irritating "demurrages" - enjoy the gameplay! I was afraid a bit, that the same set of levels for every team will make it quite boring, but I was positively surprised - despite quite similar experience in case of Sonic's Team and Dark Team, every time I had different experience and I had the motivation to end all scenarios. It's graphic and animation are really nice, but one of the strongest point is the music - memorable, dynamic, exciting - it's one of the best set in whole Sonic's history. I liked some of the multiplayer modes (like bobsleigh race or action race), they're simple, but enjoyable.

The Bad
First of all - camera & controls. Camera is sometimes really terrible and making some fragments unreasonably hard (harder than they could be in case of properly working camera). If someone prefer to play on game pad, probably he won't have any issues with control, however I like to play on keyboard, and guys from Sega didn't allow us to change control! And the default configuration is rather bad. Fortunately, using combo "keyboard + mouse" is helping to have more comfortable experience (but why I can configure pad and even mouse, but not keyboard?), but still - it's a serious lack. I didn't like more "slippy & clunky" style of controlling characters (especially in case of speed characters), it was made better in SA 1 & 2). Some voices are unfortunately quite weak - Rouge should has more dynamic voice, Knuckles too (I had impression, that they're slowly falling asleep). And there was a couple of fragments, when game suddenly (and in totally unpredictably way) t ended some longer sequence (for example riding on the rail) and I didn't have even time to react/jump/whatever. Some of multiplayer modes are almost totally unplayable (like team battle), I also really regret, that for every mode there are only 3 stages. And since it's PC version - I also regret, that there is only local multiplayer (I really wish that they could add "online" variant too). Getting back to single player scenarios - I didn't like these two "halloween-style" levels - their project was trivial, boring and a bit irritating.

The Bottom Line
Sonic Heroes is really dynamic 3D platformer, this time quite far from the mixed style of two previous games (Sonic Adventure DX and Sonic Adventure 2). And this time plot doesn't have too important role - it's rather an ornament, being some excuse to a couple of cinematics (they're looking quite good, by the way) and "carry on". But it doesn't hurt in any way - the game meant to be dynamic, with rather simple rules, and it's doing it quite good. It has four scenarios - all on the same set of levels, but fortunately with different style, and believe me, you can feel it. It's quite long game in comparison to other Sonic titles, but while you'll probably end all "normal" scenarios, only the most devoted and persistent fans will end all (or at least most of) challenge levels. It also has a couple of multiplayer modes - unfortunately, only local.

The Good
The smooth graphics used in the movies of this game were great because they were fluid and smooth. At most points, the story was interesting and left you wanting more. Many characters (although it is more accurate to say 'groups of characters') and various unlock-ables were good.

The Bad
Although the quality of graphics are good, the detail to which they were used was quite sad. For example, knuckle's hand consisted of an oval sphere with three miniature spikes sticking out. That's something that you would expect to find in the previous gaming generation, but surely not in this one. Also, although the motion was fast and action-packed at some times, it went so quick you simply could not catch up - for example; on most levels you would run up and down massive loops but by the time you realize where you were, you have already been attacked by a group of enemies.

If all this is not enough - the most baddest thing is the lack of variety! Looking back, I only remember there being 4-6 types of enemies without any variation. Wow, such creativity!

The Bottom Line
I really think Sonic and his crew belong in the 2D world. He should stick to consoles like the GameBoy Advance or Nintendo DS, where he is more suited. Sure, Sonic is Sega's biggest mascot, but he just clearly does not belong in 3D until a time when interest in him was been revived. Sonic is Sega's mascot, just like Halo is to X-Box, but it seems that Sonic is no longer wanted - or needed. Sonic was the biggest thing to ever land on Sega's black little box, and that's probably why this game was so disappointing - it simply had to much to live up to. I only advise Sonic fans to buy this game.

The Good
This game is a great game but the Adventure ones for Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo Gamecube had more different game play. The graphics are good, the gameplay is great, Team Chaotix is the best. The sound is great, Crush 40 music is in this game. This has speed, fly and power.

The Bad
The bad thing is that when you finish a team, in the cinema, you can't view the credits, you need to play through Egg Fleet on story mode. Also we need treasure hunting again. Team Chaotix may be similar but it isn't the same.

The Bottom Line
Good graphics, good gameplay, good music. So go and buy it or at least rent it.