Summary
Considering theSonic the Hedgehoggames are all about racing through a variety of stages as quickly as possible, it means many of the games are pretty short in overall length. However, these platforming and adventure titles are also designed to be replayed since they encourage players to learn more about each stage, such as the multiple pathways and different enemy types, to improve their end time, which will show up on the final rank screen.
That being said, though, there are a fewSonicgames that are much more fun to replay for a few specific reasons, whether this be the stage variety, diversity of playable characters, or even just because of how outlandish they can be. Anyone who’s getting the itch to dive back into theSonicfranchise definitely ought to give these games a go, as they are among the best when it comes to their replay value.
Even more than 10 years after its release, theShadow the Hedgehogstandalone game still feels like some kind of fever dream. At the time of its release, the game received heavy criticism for clearly jumping on theFPSand third-person shooter bandwagon, quickly being ridiculed for its violence, mild swearing, and inclusion of guns, which had only rarely been seen in theSonicfranchise previously.
However, now that the series is in a much better place in terms of fan reception, it’s honestly a blast revisiting Shadow’s bizarre journey. The game dedicates a tremendous amount of time to exploring Shadow’s backstory and even a few of the characters who were introduced inAdventure 2.There are also the branching pathways that all lead to different endings, turning this into a game that needs to be replayed for anyone who wants to get the most out of it.
While it’s always a fun time being able to run through a new game as just the Blue Blur himself, theAdventuregames decided to switch things up by introducing multiple playable characters. When it comes toAdventure 2, all of these characters' stages are vastly different from one another, with Sonic’s areas being a lot more straightforward and easy to navigate, whileKnuckles and Tailsare dropped into much more open areas, which require a little bit more strategy and platforming.
The staggering level of diversity meansAdventure 2never feels boring to play, and that includes on replays. In fact, it can be even more enjoyable when booting up the game a second time due to all the collectibles and secrets that can be uncovered throughout each stage, and that’s not even mentioning the ranks that can be acquired, which can be brutal challenges to take on.
WhenSonic Lost Worldwas released in 2013, the franchise was still going through a rough patch, resulting in the game going under the radar for many people. At a time when many people wantedSonicgames to feel fast again,Lost Worldtook a slower approach to its gameplay, but now that the dust has settled, it’s interesting to return to this entry to see just how experimental Sega decided to get during development.
As the name of the game implies,Sonic Lost Worldtakes place on multiple floating stages that are very reminiscent of the planets seen inMario Galaxy. However, the game still maintains a solid pace thanks to the brand new Run feature, which, while nowhere near as fast as the Boost, is still a neat method for keeping the game exciting, without ruining the slightly more tricky platform sections. TheDeadly Sixare also just a very fun group of villains to interact with, providing a nice breath of fresh air from the usual go-to antagonists who are always making an appearance.
Sonic Heroesis a pretty ambitious entry in terms of its core gameplay, though it’s no secret that the controls are definitely a little clunky. Being able to switch between three characters on the fly opens up so many creative ideas where certain parts of the stages can only be accessed by either breaking open a wall, flying over a gap, or simply running headfirst to avoid enemy fire.
Because the controls are less than ideal, it can make that first playthrough feel a little slow at certain points, at least in the first few areas. When returning toSonic Heroes, though, the gamefeels much fasterand a lot more fun to play, and considering there are four teams to choose from, it means there’s always something new to try when jumping back into this classicSonictitle.
3Sonic The Hedgehog 2
A Classic Entry With A Plentiful Selection Of Fun Zones
While the firstSonicgame managed to take the industry by storm with its lightning-fast pace and unique platforming gameplay, one area that did feel like it still needed some work was the stages. Clearly, this is somethingSEGAhad picked up on, as the sequel features a staggering roster of vibrant and exciting zones which all feel incredibly unique and challenging enough without ever becoming irritating to navigate.
Chemical Plant, Emerald Hill, Casino Night, these are just a few of the now iconic stages that made an appearance inSonic 2, and of course, who can forget the catchy tunes that accompany each of these fantastic levels? Because the game is very light on story, it can be completed in no more than a few hours, making it a title that’s very easy to return to.
As a celebration of the franchise,Sonic Generationsincludes many of the most iconic stages from Sonic’s past, all in one package. Rather than featuring a big and ambitious story,Sonic Generationsis dedicated to getting players in the action as quickly as possible, which makes switching between each stage an absolute breeze. Once players drop into themini hub world, they can then choose between either modern or classic Sonic, depending on what version of the stage they want to play, before then jumping into the level to try and score the best time possible.
The inclusion of items to upgrade Sonic’s abilities makes returning to this game well worth it, especially with the online leaderboards also adding a bit of competition to the gameplay. This isn’t even mentioning the extra stages that are provided in theSonic X Shadow Generationsremaster, which are also all linked to the online leaderboards, encouraging players to play through these areas again and again to try and reach the very top.
WithSonic 2being even better received than the first game, it felt as though SEGA was slowly refining the series to perfection, until eventually, the third game came along and yet again improved on what made its predecessor already so fun to play. SEGA went all out with the stage variety for this game, with many of these areas featuring not only drastically different backgrounds and pathways to uncover, but also fun gimmicks that help to freshen up the core gameplay loop every now and again.
The decision to go for a slightly moreupbeat and experimental soundtrackallows the music to stand out as something unique, with many of the tracks being easy to bob along to while racing through each area. Many of the stages inSonic 3also never feel like they outstay their welcome, meaning they are very easy to learn and play through again and again. There’s also the incredibly charming sprite animations and characters, which are simply timeless, replicating that early late 90s retro aesthetic while also still being full of color and life.
