Sonic the Hedgehog (MD, 1991)
Graphics-8 Sound-8.5 Control-7.5/6.5* Challenge-7.5
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-7.5 Originality-7
Overall Score-7.5
*Bonus stage
+
Quite fast paced overall
varied levels (also features more than one path through most levels with the highest one generally being harder to get to)
introduces the ring system (stay alive as long as you can hold on to one or more rings)
memorable presentation and good art direction (art deco style)
fun to hunt for the chaos emeralds
interesting bonus levels (similar to a ball labyrinth game except it also rotates), hidden items, breakable walls,
+/-
No spin dash leads to having to backtrack to gain momentum for some parts (breakable walls) - added in various hacks
limited continues but fairly easy to gain more
-
Somewhat odd jump mechanics (you need some momentum or Sonic jumps like in Contra)
can't duck into a rolling ball when moving off a ledge or bouncing off springs (leads to cheap hits at times)
somewhat slow acceleration when starting to move
some tedious level design that slows down gameplay (elevators, pushable blocks, boat rides in lava, underwater spike traps, marble zone 3 and labyrinth zone are very long and slow paced) - fixed in my hack
mostly simple bosses
frustrating bonus levels (you can't pause and the controls aren't very responsive; the difficulty is uneven), some trial & error (a few leaps of faith, some bosses), no difficulty options, you can miss the bonus stage if you run past the big ring at the end of a level, minor bugs (get temporarily stuck in walls, drop off small ledges, spike bug in first version of the game where invincibility time doesn't count for spikes), only six emeralds,
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-7.5 Originality-7
Overall Score-7.5
*Bonus stage
+
Quite fast paced overall
varied levels (also features more than one path through most levels with the highest one generally being harder to get to)
introduces the ring system (stay alive as long as you can hold on to one or more rings)
memorable presentation and good art direction (art deco style)
fun to hunt for the chaos emeralds
interesting bonus levels (similar to a ball labyrinth game except it also rotates), hidden items, breakable walls,
+/-
No spin dash leads to having to backtrack to gain momentum for some parts (breakable walls) - added in various hacks
limited continues but fairly easy to gain more
-
Somewhat odd jump mechanics (you need some momentum or Sonic jumps like in Contra)
can't duck into a rolling ball when moving off a ledge or bouncing off springs (leads to cheap hits at times)
somewhat slow acceleration when starting to move
some tedious level design that slows down gameplay (elevators, pushable blocks, boat rides in lava, underwater spike traps, marble zone 3 and labyrinth zone are very long and slow paced) - fixed in my hack
mostly simple bosses
frustrating bonus levels (you can't pause and the controls aren't very responsive; the difficulty is uneven), some trial & error (a few leaps of faith, some bosses), no difficulty options, you can miss the bonus stage if you run past the big ring at the end of a level, minor bugs (get temporarily stuck in walls, drop off small ledges, spike bug in first version of the game where invincibility time doesn't count for spikes), only six emeralds,
