WEM 06 - Sonic 3 and Knuckles
Did I mention that banner got an update?
Well anyway Chapter 9 of Shadow is up, just one more to go probably.
As there is just one more review after this one. My 2nd favourite game of all time and probably the best Sonic ever, Sonic 3 and Knuckles. It was really hard to fault it and squeeze the best of it into 3 positive points.
Tomorrow is the last day of Winter-een-mas and I should reveal my favourite game of all time.
enjoy!
------------------------
When gamers often talk about their favourite Sonic’s there are usually only two names that appear above all else. Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles. While both games are excellent it’s the latter that I would rate as the best Sonic game ever.
Ok so technically its two games but only the most stubborn person who see that as an issue. It’s clear to see that the two games were designed to be played as one, and it’s only when they are locked together that its true potential comes through.
Separately the games are just too short. With only six zones each it feels like a massive step back from the nine/ten in Sonic 2. They also miss a character each, Sonic 3 has no playable Knuckles, Sonic and Knuckles has no Tails. It’s just not the same experience until you merge them together.
Story wise the game continues directly from Sonic 2. The Death Egg has crashed into a Floating Island called Angel Island, long considered to be nothing by a myth. The Island crashes into the ocean but the thought of the Death Egg returning to orbit is enough to get Sonic into action. But to get to the Death Egg he’ll have to get past a new enemy Knuckles.
The locked on version allows you to play as 3 characters, with a co-op option with Sonic and Tails. Each has their own distinct advantages. Sonic can make use of the new shields special functions as well as creating a second long shield. Tails can fly for a short period of time, allowing you to explore levels more carefully. Sonic can also grab hold of Tails as he flies for the first time, giving more to the co-operative experience.
Knuckles can glide until he lands on the floor and climb up walls. Unlike Tails he can climb for as long as he needs to, thus allowing you to get even higher. Also certain walls can be smashed open only be Knuckles, allowing him to access secret routes through the levels.
Sonic Team were well aware they would need to cartridges to do what they wanted to do, and so had these secret routes in Sonic 3 that were only accessible by use of the Debug Cheat. Locking with Sonic and Knuckles allows you to explore them as they were intended to be explored, meaning the Sonic 3 levels can be properly explored without cheating.
Conversely the save function from Sonic 3 was left out of Sonic and Knuckles, and by locking on you can now save through the Sonic and Knuckles levels. As well as allowing you to explore areas in Sonic and Knuckles that only Tails can reach.
But one of its best new features is the extra emeralds. There are now another seven to collect making 14 in total. Blasting through the levels of Sonic 2 as Super Sonic was awesome and now you get to do it as Hyper Sonic, Super or Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails.
Getting the emeralds is worth so much more than a good ending as you’ll have an extra level to fight through as Sonic as well. With all of these reasons for getting the Emeralds you be driven to get them.
There are a couple more minor features like the new shields added to what has been mentioned so far, which all blend nicely with the stylish gameplay Sonic is associated with.
Unlike the later Sonic games Sonic 3 & Knuckles offered both the ability to explore and the ability to just blast through the levels at a top speed. And there is so much more of the game when you lock them together. The zone count becomes twelve, split with two acts each and a boss at the end of each act. Make Sonic 2 feel a little small in comparison.
Visually it’s still the best 2D sonic in my opinion. The sprites look their best and the animations are superb. It looks less cartoony than the advance series and only really the latest game Rush is a challenge to its visuals. Levels like Carnival Night, Launch Base, Sandopolis and Death Egg still look amazing for the 16 bit generation game, and still match the later 2D Sonics on more advanced systems.
The soundtrack and sound effects are classics still loved today. Ice cap (not the PC version) is probably the most remixed videogame track; at least amongst the Sonic game remixes. If this is you first time playing then you’re in for a treat sound wise.
The Versus mode from Sonic 3 is left intact. It even feels like its own little game having its own levels with a sort of time trial mode too. If you want to take a break from the main game or you’re just looking for a new challenge, you could always try beating your times here.
By today’s standards you could say it might’ve benefited from some extra missions, or a ranking system. Though to be honest it doesn’t need them. It’s hard to fault this classic Sonic title, which is probably the reason why it’s loved so much by Sonic fans and gamers alike.
There are general complaints that the latter Sonic’s, particularly the 3D ones, that they’re not as good as they used to be. Though to be fair it’s not exactly easy to top this title, and it’ll be rare to see Sonic Team better this.
A classic that will stand the test of time. Sonic 3 and Knuckles pushes its system to its limits so much so that it needs to come on two cartridges. Its music is still loved today and is quite possibly the best Sonic there ever will be. With a brilliant one player and quite good multiplayer it’ll last you a lifetime as you’ll keep coming back for more.
+ Pushes the system to its limits
+ Loads of levels, bonuses and classic moments with plenty of replay value.
+ An awesome soundtrack
- Technically two games, which at the time was expensive
- The game itself isn’t long, even though you’ll play it again and again
- The save system can make it a little too easy, but then there is a no save option if you really want to test your skill
10 out of 10
Well anyway Chapter 9 of Shadow is up, just one more to go probably.
As there is just one more review after this one. My 2nd favourite game of all time and probably the best Sonic ever, Sonic 3 and Knuckles. It was really hard to fault it and squeeze the best of it into 3 positive points.
Tomorrow is the last day of Winter-een-mas and I should reveal my favourite game of all time.
enjoy!
------------------------
When gamers often talk about their favourite Sonic’s there are usually only two names that appear above all else. Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles. While both games are excellent it’s the latter that I would rate as the best Sonic game ever.
Ok so technically its two games but only the most stubborn person who see that as an issue. It’s clear to see that the two games were designed to be played as one, and it’s only when they are locked together that its true potential comes through.
Separately the games are just too short. With only six zones each it feels like a massive step back from the nine/ten in Sonic 2. They also miss a character each, Sonic 3 has no playable Knuckles, Sonic and Knuckles has no Tails. It’s just not the same experience until you merge them together.
Story wise the game continues directly from Sonic 2. The Death Egg has crashed into a Floating Island called Angel Island, long considered to be nothing by a myth. The Island crashes into the ocean but the thought of the Death Egg returning to orbit is enough to get Sonic into action. But to get to the Death Egg he’ll have to get past a new enemy Knuckles.
The locked on version allows you to play as 3 characters, with a co-op option with Sonic and Tails. Each has their own distinct advantages. Sonic can make use of the new shields special functions as well as creating a second long shield. Tails can fly for a short period of time, allowing you to explore levels more carefully. Sonic can also grab hold of Tails as he flies for the first time, giving more to the co-operative experience.
Knuckles can glide until he lands on the floor and climb up walls. Unlike Tails he can climb for as long as he needs to, thus allowing you to get even higher. Also certain walls can be smashed open only be Knuckles, allowing him to access secret routes through the levels.
Sonic Team were well aware they would need to cartridges to do what they wanted to do, and so had these secret routes in Sonic 3 that were only accessible by use of the Debug Cheat. Locking with Sonic and Knuckles allows you to explore them as they were intended to be explored, meaning the Sonic 3 levels can be properly explored without cheating.
Conversely the save function from Sonic 3 was left out of Sonic and Knuckles, and by locking on you can now save through the Sonic and Knuckles levels. As well as allowing you to explore areas in Sonic and Knuckles that only Tails can reach.
But one of its best new features is the extra emeralds. There are now another seven to collect making 14 in total. Blasting through the levels of Sonic 2 as Super Sonic was awesome and now you get to do it as Hyper Sonic, Super or Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails.
Getting the emeralds is worth so much more than a good ending as you’ll have an extra level to fight through as Sonic as well. With all of these reasons for getting the Emeralds you be driven to get them.
There are a couple more minor features like the new shields added to what has been mentioned so far, which all blend nicely with the stylish gameplay Sonic is associated with.
Unlike the later Sonic games Sonic 3 & Knuckles offered both the ability to explore and the ability to just blast through the levels at a top speed. And there is so much more of the game when you lock them together. The zone count becomes twelve, split with two acts each and a boss at the end of each act. Make Sonic 2 feel a little small in comparison.
Visually it’s still the best 2D sonic in my opinion. The sprites look their best and the animations are superb. It looks less cartoony than the advance series and only really the latest game Rush is a challenge to its visuals. Levels like Carnival Night, Launch Base, Sandopolis and Death Egg still look amazing for the 16 bit generation game, and still match the later 2D Sonics on more advanced systems.
The soundtrack and sound effects are classics still loved today. Ice cap (not the PC version) is probably the most remixed videogame track; at least amongst the Sonic game remixes. If this is you first time playing then you’re in for a treat sound wise.
The Versus mode from Sonic 3 is left intact. It even feels like its own little game having its own levels with a sort of time trial mode too. If you want to take a break from the main game or you’re just looking for a new challenge, you could always try beating your times here.
By today’s standards you could say it might’ve benefited from some extra missions, or a ranking system. Though to be honest it doesn’t need them. It’s hard to fault this classic Sonic title, which is probably the reason why it’s loved so much by Sonic fans and gamers alike.
There are general complaints that the latter Sonic’s, particularly the 3D ones, that they’re not as good as they used to be. Though to be fair it’s not exactly easy to top this title, and it’ll be rare to see Sonic Team better this.
A classic that will stand the test of time. Sonic 3 and Knuckles pushes its system to its limits so much so that it needs to come on two cartridges. Its music is still loved today and is quite possibly the best Sonic there ever will be. With a brilliant one player and quite good multiplayer it’ll last you a lifetime as you’ll keep coming back for more.
+ Pushes the system to its limits
+ Loads of levels, bonuses and classic moments with plenty of replay value.
+ An awesome soundtrack
- Technically two games, which at the time was expensive
- The game itself isn’t long, even though you’ll play it again and again
- The save system can make it a little too easy, but then there is a no save option if you really want to test your skill
10 out of 10
posted by Master hunter at 1:23 am
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