Rank @ end.
Summary
Not as bad as I remembered...
Plot and Characters
The storybook series, while insanely random, works. Sonic is sent off on an adventure to a new and exciting world. New characters and new versions of characters surface.
Sonic bonds with Shahra, "the Genie of the Ring," who asked for his help. I like their "promise" and how their friendship grows. Near the end, Shahra even reveals her own wish.
Also, I like how Shahra is a nice/kind character but isn't perfect, either. She grows fond of Sonic, but is hiding her past with the Erazor and her feelings for him. She has to decide to do what "is right."
While I tend to look at the Erazor as a B-villain, he does do some good for the story overall, such as attacking Sonic/Shahra with the Flame of Judgment. This, along with the "collector of the rings shall offer his life in sacrifice (SAY WHAT? I'M SUPPOSED TO BE SOME KIND OF SACRIFICE?!)" idea adds tension to the plot and keep things moving forward.
I also like the running-gag of the Erazor calling Sonic a rat; it's hilarious.
The rings are interesting, but I wish they played on the emotions part a bit earlier. Sonic notices it at the start, but doesn't really identify what it is (rage, etc) until halfway or more through the story. The transformations and effects are unique, but otherwise they're kinda' just the Chaos Emeralds.
I consider the scene after gathering the rings one of the best pre-final-boss cutscenes. It is very climatic. I guess it would have been more impactful if Sonic didn't undo what happens with Shahra, but this is a story within a story--might as well give it a happier ending. The final 3-D cutscene is awesome--this game did Sonic's attitude well. The "mountain of handkerchiefs" line was not the best, though. Luckily there is a bonus cutscene mid-credits which is a better goodbye.
Tails and Knuckle are here as Ali Baba and Sinbad ("Sailor of the 7 Seas! Adventurer of Adventurers"). Eggman is also here as King Shahryar. I like Sonic's interactions with them (especially Knuckles), but their roles are rather small/almost pointless compared to those in the Black Knight (more involved). Felt a little awkward with the "king of bones" King Solomon-character.
Graphics/Visuals and Locations
The cruddy graphics have not aged well. 06 probably had better visuals, there. This is most bothersome in the dark lighting of Pirate Storm. Somehow the shinny floors and glass surfaces in Night Palace look really cool, though.
The levels are set in unique settings that the Sonic series has not touched upon, such as the ash-lined Skeleton Dome and the windy Levitated Ruin. Deserts and jungles have been done before, of course, but they have a new twist. Sand Oasis includes water and buildings, while the palms and cacti of Dinosaur Jungle are joined by--yes--dinosaurs. Each seems to have something to offer.
This is the first of the Storybook Series, where most of the cutscenes are 2-D. While not a complete animation like the Sonic Riders Opening, the scenes sort of fade into each other--like an animatic? Regardless, the cutscenes are beautiful and have helped the story age well. The watercolor type of theme really worked. I noticed there are a few "cells" reused, but overall it's expressive and shows the action.
The first 3-D cutscene is not too impressive. Sonic's flame appears/disappears, etc. The ending 3-D cutscene overall looks good for a Wii game, and I like how Sonic is animated to match his personality.
Music and Dialogue/Voice Acting
The music is kinda' infamous for having lyrics in almost every level. It's a unique blend that keeps the energy up, but does seem kind of random. "How it Started" and "It Has Come to This" are pretty catchy. Skeleton Dome, Night Palace, and Levitated Ruin seem to be the best of the bunch overall.
"7 Rings in Hand" is awesome but overused with in the game ("Make-believes rebor-click-Make-believes re-click-etc). "Worth a Chance" is...nice, but not as good (as other closings).
As mentioned, this game did Sonic's attitude well. Both the script and voice acting (Jason Griffith) are a huge improvement of how Sonic was in 06. Shahra's voice during the Lost Prologue instructions sounds a bit off, like the actor (Bella Hudson) was experimenting a bit, but otherwise she did a great job. Overall I think the 4kids/"Sonic X" crew did pretty well with this game, with the exception of maybe Alf Layla Wa Layla--who sounds too distorted or over-the-top to take very seriously ("IT WOULD TAKE A MIRICALE TO AVOID MY ATTACKS").
I already mentioned it, but that "mountain of handkerchiefs" line...
Gameplay, Controls, and Level Layout
People criticize the Wii-based controls, but they are actually fair. It makes use of the Wii's various capabilities--that's what they wanted to do. A little arm movement doesn't hurt. Still it's a little complicated with all the different skills.
It's really the gameplay itself combined with some poor layout choices that make this game a pain. Sonic and the Secret Rings is an auto-run game--the problem? They weren't designing it like one.
There are countless situations where the forward movement is a restriction or a fast way to die. To be fair, this game doesn't have lives and respawns Sonic near where he died. But it makes the various missions, where death is a one-way ticket to "this just isn't my day," a HUGE pain.
Often Sonic will run or slide into a bottomless pit because he could not stop. In other places, there are enemies that will need to be taken out in order to move on that Sonic will run past (and into a wall).
While Levitated Ruin is beautiful visually, it is horrible to play through because of the wind, the spike-rings, and the building-insides. The parts where Sonic has to climb through the various cylinder-type rooms are some of the worst in the game.
Pirate Storm is arguably worse because of the poor lighting. There is a lot of water/bottomless pits that, combined with the oddness of the jump/skills, is a recipe for disaster.
Grinding should have been better explained (a simple till of the Wii remote will result in Sonic jumping to the next rail--necessary in some missions). The Magic Carpet and other gimmicks were okay except for the (slow) Flying Pot.
In general, if more levels were auto-run friendly like Sand Oasis, (most of) Night Palace, and (the outside of) Skeleton Dome, the gameplay would have been smoother.
Time Break and Speed Break are cool but occasionally they hurt more than help (fall off a cliff, etc).
While I like missions when they are optional, the set up in this game where "pointless" ones are required to move the characters forward is fairly annoying. The scoring system also seems pretty harsh.
Final Thoughts
- I tend to think that Shahra cured Sonic's cold for him, but they probably should have mentioned Sonic's cold at some point, even as a joke.
- "This just isn't my day" > "Gotta try harder" (Riders)
- Even though Sonic and Shahra are just friends, I can't help but think that this is how they should have handled Elise (Sonic 06). There's more development in this friendship than there ever was in that...uh, ship.
- It's outrageous how this game demands perfection. Many missions are nearly impossible to beat after one death, and are purposely set up for that death.
- Uhu, the Speed Genie, needs to %$#@!& off
Final Ranking: B
I honestly expected to give this game a C at the most. But returning to it revealed memorable moments and a great balance of humor and emotion.
While it's not the best of the best, it's still worthy of a high average.
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