Sonic and the Secret Rings

The Good
The inspiration for this Sonic title is that of the Arabian Nights, and this is clear right from the title screen. We are presented with a distinct Middle Eastern flavour for this game, and it's marriage with Sonic and his history might seem dubious to begin with. This game is often referred to as the first in the 'Storybook' series, (the second being 'Sonic and the Black Knight'), and so after diving into the first mission (a tutorial stage), we see that this game is a departure from the hedgehogs typical locales. The faded manuscripts covered in hieroglyphs float about as if Sonic has been thrust into a new, mysterious land.

Actually, he has.

Brimming with colour and imagination, the levels in this game are beautifully constructed and presented. A desert area is the first of the themed levels, and it is a testament that Sonic as a series can be transplanted a reasonable distance from the source material. No fauna have been kidnapped and mechanised, no brightly checkered loops, and no Dr. Robotnik (Dr. Eggman). These icons has been put aside to make way for a more fantastical adventure – regardless of Sonic's existing context. There's a Jurassic-themed world is filled with prehistoric flora and fauna, a seaside world features crumbling docks and sinking pirate frigates covered in sea-spray. Particularly imaginative is the 'Levitating Ruins' world, an ancient, decrepit and floating array of platforms bizarrely held up by giant, bony wings.

The move from side-scrolling to a 3D perspective is no surprise for the series, so the question is not 'why?', but now 'how?'. Does the perspective add to the experience, does Sonic still feel like Sonic as we previously have know him? For this game, the answer is mixed. The camera and control work well most of the time, but you certainly will run into problems, (as well as walls, spikes, flames and holes)... Why? The camera sits fairly cosily behind the blue blur, and we are often asked by the demanding level-designers to react much faster than is reasonable. These moments are amplified by the imperfect camera-tracking, as even the engine has some trouble tracking itself. Thankfully, these moments are uncommon, and it's only the more cluttered and demanding areas that cause severe frustration.

The Bad
“Severe” frustration is the word, for it is not unusual for Sonic to die before we can even register what it is we failed to do. The sense of speed is extreme, but the price of this is that the levels often demand a trial-and-error approach, rather than an on-the-fly play-through. This difference from earlier Sonics may be hinted at by the designers themselves: no longer called 'Acts', this title labels its levels as 'Missions'. This is a far more apt description: achieving the many different goals is in fact no joke, and aiming for bronze, silver or gold can be even less humorous.

Yes, the game is hard, and the terrain unfriendly. Enemies (multi-coloured genie-like apparitions) are usually stationary and waiting for Sonic to 'lock-on' to them, but it is also their habit to (annoyingly!) appear in front of you when at speed. This means that unless you're familiar with the level, you're bound to make a collision and probably cause irreparable damage to whatever mission criteria you happen have set for you. Take no damage, collect 0 rings, collect 0 pearls (like mana in any other game), beat the clock etc. all require virtually flawless performances. Can you make it happen, and happen quick?

Sonic can jump and attack. He flies through the air and smashes into your target until they disappear, leaving a handful of pearls as a reward. These pearls can be used for a super speed-up, or a slow-down. Each technique have their moments in certain areas – moments that may not be too clear for the novice. Can't slip under that rotating razor-sharp fan? Use the time-break; can't achieve that gold medal, or reach that fire soul (the equivalent of Mario's big coins)? Use the speed-break. While these techniques seem fine on paper, they really are for the advanced player, and it wasn't until half-way through the first play-through that I really started to comprehend their use.

Is this the first Sonic game to alter the jump mechanic? Sonic historians may be able to correct me, but I believe this is the first game where Sonic jumps once the button is released – not pressed. Pressing the '2-button' puts him into a crouched slide, releasing the button will launch him onward and upward. This is fine for the most part, but trying to charge a decent jump on a few square-feet of surface is difficult – especially while running at ridiculous speeds. But, Sonic has some assistance here. Equipping rings (a choice of four slots are available) to Sonic will give him user-defined powers. Each power has it's cost, and the ring will only hold as much as Sonic's 'level' will allow. Extra jump distance, speed, slide, braking, steering, homing-distance etc. are all there to choose from. This list of abilities starts out humbly enough, but by the time Sonic reaches level 50, the list is longer than a list of cancelled Dreamcast games. Options are great, but who wants to scour through a list like that before each mission? Who, I ask?!

Sonically (ahem), this title is fairly well done. A rock/metal accompaniment is the choice here, and each world has a single theme. The riffs are pretty heavy and some are really quite catchy. Unfortunately, the main-menu music is depressingly repetitive, and this may be why I refuse to sort through the list of abilities very often – this music is relentless and corny rock filled with apt lyrics concerning the game's plot. Seven secret rings are what we are trying to obtain, and each world holds one after each boss has been defeated.

The Bottom Line
I'm astounded that after the list of complaints above, I still think this game is enjoyable. The speed, the colourful graphics and the many different 'missions' keep me coming back. However, I have noticed that my own play sessions are quite brief with this game. It's as if the idea of the game is great, but it doesn't lend itself to long periods of play – especially if you're trying to achieve a medal or the hidden fire souls or a decent time. This Wii exclusive is worth playing, and I enjoy it far more than say, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on the virtual console. The imagination involved in this title pays off for me, and the detailed, varied areas make Sonic seem a little more advanced than he used to be – even if the classical elements and icons may be absent. While the game isn't quite up to the fanbase's expectations, it surely is the Wii owners' little 'Secret'.