Cover vs Original: 7 Rings In Hand

"7 Rings in Hand" was the main theme of Sonic and the Secret Rings, appearing in the menu and in the final boss fight. The Crush 40 version was unlocakble after completing the Secret Rings inspired "legend" missions and collecting the World Rings in Sonic and the Black Knight.

Original (Steve Conte)

It's guitar has as significant presence through out. The echo-y intro and vocals allude to the game's situation and setting. The line "7 rings in hand" is repeated often. 

Cover (Crush 40)

Though it bares a resemblance, the lyrics are sung in a new way and the instruments are more akin to that of the Black Knight. In contrast to the first version, there is more of an emphasis on ending words ("Seven Rings in Hand.")

Winner: Tie

I hate to do this again. The original better matches the scenario. Memorable, it immediately catches attention and reinforces the tones of the game. Crush 40's version sounds different, but that is by no means a deal-breaker. The vocals are a bit clearer/easier to understand and the song seems more stable/has better closure. Each guitar solo is epic in their own way.   

If I really had to narrow it down...the original is best for Sonic and the Secret Rings, but the cover is better as a song alone.

Cover vs Original: With Me

"With Me" is generally Merlina's theme--though some parts fit Sonic--and it plays in the fight against the Dark Queen.

With Me (All Ends)

This rock-backed song is notable for two rare reasons: it's a battle song other than the main theme (something that only happened once before, with "What I'm Made Of"), and it has female vocals (which was not as common in the Modern Era). It's lyrics are chillingly fitting and align with Merlina taking over to create her eternal world. 

Cover (Crush 40)

Similar in style, the obvious difference is the vocals, which are male and a bit more "familiar" since it's Crush 40. Differing with a more distorted manor, "Me" is now drawn out and the "with me" changes as it's repeated. The equal determination could just as easily fit Sonic "being the bad guy" and challenging Merlina.

Winner: TIE.

Try as I might to pick between the two, it's proved impossible. Both fit the scenario and lyrics perfectly. Both instrumentals and guitar solos are awesome. The distinct female vocals give the original an edge. However it's cancelled out by the distorted (and catchy) Crush 40 chorus.

I didn't really want to have a "tie." If forced to pick...I'd probably choose the Crush 40 version. However the All Ends version better suits Merlina. 

Cover vs Original: Sonic Boom

Sonic Boom was the notable theme of Sonic CD. Despite the "soundtrack wars," even those who prefer the Japanese soundtrack seem to have a bit of a soft spot for the song.

Sonic Boom/Closing (Pastiche)

Upbeat, the song's rock vibe is aided by encouraging lyrics that narrate the situation. For the closing, everything's a bit slower and more gentle.

Cover (Crush 40/Cash Cash)

Clearly with a more modern vibe, the vocals are backed by a more robot-like tone. The combination of Crush 40's more traditional, natural rock along with Cash Cash's more futuristic, experimental effects is a unique and memorable performance.

Winner: Original

While the remade version is likable, the original is better balanced and inseparable from both "classic" Sonic and Sonic CD. The more recent sound of the cover actually works against it, a bit, though it certainly has its' moments.

I really wish they had made "Sonic Boom" the theme of the Sonic Boom the TV Show. Would have been a lot better than what we got.   

Cover vs Original: Free

Free Riders was a bit different from the Riders series in many ways. Different voice actors. Different cutscene style. Different consoles. Different gameplay. And no "Catch Me if You Can!" Luckily, though, it did have a main theme worthy of the futuristic series.

Free (Chris Madden)

It's distinctive speedy tone along the sung out lines "free" and "in the wind" create and a carefree, content mood. Madden has a smooth and clear tone.

Cover (Crush 40)

This version takes on a bit more of a rock tone alongside Gioeli's rougher voice. There is a lot of energy brought to the new lyrics. Also added is the repeated "Free" and "Breakin' out."

Winner: Cover

The original is good. More relaxed, it matches the tone of the Riders series well. However the Crush 40 one is much more determined and centered more on the challenge of the race. What really pushes it ahead, though, is the added lyrics and the emphasis on "Breakin' out."

A close battle, I'd like to think of Chris Madden's version as the Babylon Rogue's theme since they had none for the game. Ergo the cover would be Sonic/Team Hero's theme.

Cover vs Original: Ungravityfy

Ungravityfy was the theme of Sonic Riders Zero Gravity.

Original (Cashell)

Going back and forth between a fast and slower pace, the song is a perfectly matches the futuristic and intense setting the game takes pace in.

Cover (Crush 40)

This slower version has more rock tones and clearer vocals.

Winner: Original

While I wouldn't call the Crush 40 version bad, the original is king. It fits the game and situation better, and the background providing a stunning effect alongside the lyrics.

Cover vs Original: All Hail Shadow

"All Hail Shadow" was Shadow's True Hero theme in Shadow the Hedgehog. It returned as a cover in Sonic 06. Since then, the song has become Shadow's main theme.

Original (Magna-Fi)

Rough vocals narrate Shadow's situation while the instruments create an air of confidence. Together, they create a theme of finding ones' self and achieving victory.

Crush 40 version

The cover adds in a new portion in the beginning featuring a intense bit from "I am...All of Me." This version seems more focused on determination and Shadow overcoming his past.

Winner: Cover

Adding the that edgy begging was a plus, and generally I think the vocals the are better, too. In the original I like the whispery "all hail Shadow" and think the part "nothing ever fills this hole inside your heart" is amazing. However when compared with Crush 40, Johnny Gioeli's voice combined with Jun Senoue's guitar proves unbeatable.

The original is underrated, but Crush 40 did a better job.

Cover vs Original: His World

His World, the theme of Sonic 06, is unique as there are three versions (actually there are instrumental versions, too, but...). Zebrahead remade the song at a faster pace and "Sonic" band Crush 40 also covered it.

Original Version

The song starts atmospheric and settles into a rap about Sonic. The chorus goes on to describe "his world." The song highlights what makes Sonic unique and leads into an epic guitar solo.

Zebrahead Version

An intense, fast version that combines different genres for an edgy unique sound. It's focus on speed and building momentum from beginning to end is awesome.

Crush 40 version 

Though slower than the other versions, the song is fantastic. The vocals are strong and carry a different feeling than that of the other two, more like an emphasis on Sonic's world and 06 as a whole rather than just Sonic.

Winner: Cover(s) I don't think I could choose between either of the covers. They're too dang good. I guess I'd say the Zebrahead one is better for Sonic, and the Crush 40 one better for the 06/the Sonic series.

While the original was good, it doesn't come close to either of the covers.

Sonic and the Black Knight Reveiw

Rank...at the end.
What good is a review that goes on forever?!

Summary

The second edition to the storybook series had many shockingly good moments.

Characters and Voice Acting

The 4kids group's last appearance would be a spectacular send-off. Jason Griffith's Sonic voice was perfect. Thanks to both script and good acting, the "other versions" of the characters (Lady of the Lake, Lancelot, Percival, etc) are able to sound similar to their normal counterparts but with more nobility or maturity. The new comers (voicing Caliburn, Merlina, etc) also do well.

"King Arthur" was kind of a lame villain, but I was very happy with the later plot-twist. I really like Merlina and how she is relatable despite being in the wrong.

Caliburn seemed strange at first, but I like how unique his character is. No, I'm not talking about the fact that he is a talking sword. He becomes Sonic's mentor, a position that has never really been seen in the games before.

I was glad this game included more "other version" characters than Secret Rings. It's both comical and interesting to see these characters. It was especially nice to see Percival (Blaze) since she's usually side-lined in favor of Silver. Being able to play as these rivals was a welcome surprise.

Sonic himself was on point. He was showing-off making jokes, and suddenly he was serious.  Refusing to give in, Sonic was willing to fight until the end. Plus, he actually proved he has the chivalry of a Knight. This version of Sonic really had what it took to be a hero. 

Plot

The story has elements similar to Sonic and the Secret Rings, but also keeps itself unique. As mentioned, the characters are on point and the dialogue is great.

The beginning cutscene is epic, but the beginning of the game is a bit slow. Time is taken to establish elements, which is good but still "slow" for a Sonic game. The scene with Merlina and the flower was perfect, and introducing Caliburn was humorous.

The rivals help the story pick up a bit, and the false climax with "King Arthur" is similar to the Secret Rings, as expected. Still, it doesn't feel as if everything is resolved...

Because that's not the end! Black Knight is similar, but not equal to the Secret Rings. Merlina takes a stance that sets up the main theme of wanting an "eternal" world and Sonic trying to be "the bad guy" to stop her. The ending is satisfying and handled better than the "mountain of handkerchiefs" line from Sonic and the Secret Rings. The bonus with Sonic telling the story to Amy is also a delight. 

Music

The music matches the setting and takes on an "older" mood while keeping a heroic theme. Though the instrumentals are appropriate, they are generally slower than that of a typical Sonic game.

Meanwhile the vocal tracks are outstanding. Crush 40 created the perfect theme for the game, "Knight of the Wind," as well as the beautiful closing, "Live Life." "With Me" and other songs in the game also fit quite well.

Graphics and Visuals

The graphics for gameplay are barely an improvement over 2007's Sonic and the Secret Rings. Nasty. A shame because the architectural level design is quite nice.

The CG cutscenes are alright but have not aged as well as others from around the same time.

The 2-D cutscenes are beautiful, though. I like the similarity to Sonic and the Secret Rings, but also the contrast like the darker, inkier look. As with the last, it's a brilliant way of tieing in the "Story" and not having uglier, poorer quality scenes. It's reasons like these that make the storybook series missed.

The gallery also has some nice 2-D unlockables.

Gameplay and Controls

It's true, gameplay is not very smooth. Being on the Wii always seems to bring up this problem...The remote as well as the nunchuck must be used, which is a bit of a hassle.

The similarities in style to Sonic and the Secret Rings (in this area) were probably a mistake.

It takes a while to adapt to the different controls, swords, and styles. It takes too long, especially for a new player. Generally the boss fights are easy enough, though, to balance this.

The game is slower than a normal Sonic game but faster than comparable sword-based Wii games like The Force Unleashed.

Generally the missions are less annoying than in Sonic and the Secret Rings. Some of the differences between characters were awesome, but others (like the jump) could be hard to adjust to. There should have been more instructions explaining moves (like Gawain's wall-climb). The many different swords available were a plus.

The combination of typical Sonic speed and the newer, slicing fight element was interesting, but could have used improvement. Still not as bad as critics claim, though.

Final Thoughts

• This story is beautiful. The art is beautiful. The characters are perfect. I doubt anyone who actually played through could hate the game. 
• It's hard to believe Sega finally made Sonic 100% in-character and perfect...only to give the character a massive rude, egotistic, and over-joking personality change.    
• And because of Sega's over-reliance on critic opinion in the 2010s, "Black Knight Sonic" hasn't been seen since 2009 and "Colors Sonic" was permanently rooted into the character. 
• I'd like to see more characters like Merlina, who are relatable but misguided. A combination of Merlina and Mephiles would be very intriguing. 
• Along those lines Eggman's absence was a slight bother story-wise since he's usually always there...
• It would have been cool to see Jet and Silver, too, but I'm glad they stuck with Shadow, Knuckles, and Blaze when they decided to narrow it down.     
• IGN is an outrageous crime. 

Rakning (S is best, E is worst): A

The story is one of the best; the cutscenes were beautiful; the voice acting was great; the new characters were unique. I'd like to give this game an S. But I can only ignore gameplay so far.

It's okay after a while, but it doesn't have the same flow as an S-rank level game, so for being almost perfect (but not quite), Sonic and the Black Knight receives an A.

AS I SIT. AS I STAND. BY THE TABLE I COMMAND...