Sonic Riders

Sonic Riders

Sonic Riders teams up Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles and a group of new characters, in a wild new racing game. Dr. Robotnik has challenged racers from across the world to compete in his Worldwide Grand Prix, the prize being a Chaos Emerald. Sonic and his friends must compete get the Chaos Emerald before anyone else does. Multiple visually stunning locations from across the Sonic universe

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Feeling The Rush
It is hard to imagine the thrills that Sonic The Hedgehog has performed for gamers of all ages since his debut 15 years ago. While Sega has truly dominated in the status of Sonic’s career, many companies like Sony and Nintendo have really started to capitalize with the promise of this great clasic character. Yet, most of the games are just truly about his platforming excitement, there have been a few in the wave of racing that tests Sonic and company to see who is the real fastest one around. Sega had that testiment before with Sonic R from its Saturn era. Now, there is another blue speed demon racer with Sonic on it, but is that just as fast & furious.

Sonic Riders for the Xbox is a wild and outrageous racer that goes beyond just running on the feet like Sonic R did. This time around, you’re on air boards that hover in the air, and just more than amazing to Sonic’s speed. The object of the game is that you can compete as Sonic, Tails, as well as newcomers Jet the hawk, Wave the swallow, and Storm, and many others through 16 different unlockable tracks that test your speed, accuracy and agility of speed and power. The testiments come through Story Mode, where you can play as Sonic and his heroes, or the rouges Jet and his crew, in a wild speed chase for the quest of the Babylon Treasure. There is also the mission mode that puts your speed, and control to the test in the thrill of the chase, and the abilities to pass certain requirements.

The graphics and sound are just amazing, and show and deliver the upbeat thrills of Sonic and company with grit and determination. The control is tricky to pull off at first when pulling tricks, and staying on the tracks, but it is easy to get used to. There are just also a lot of great unlockables such as Sega classic characters like Shadow the Hedgehog, Aiai from Super Monkey Ball, and Nights from the Sega Saturn classic, and just some great air boards too.

All in all, Sonic Riders is a fairly good racer, that has just so much to play around with. Nevertheless, I just wish there could’ve been a lot more in the thrill of the chase to play around with. Still, it is a great gamne for Xbox owners, or for anybody who loves the speed of Sonic.

Graphics: B 1/2+

Sound: B

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B 1/2-

3 Stars Not Always a Fun Ride
It’s hard to recommend Sonic Racing games. You’d think that Sonic the Hedgehog would be great for a racing game. The Sonic games have been all about speed. Therefore, Sonic should pratically own the racing genre. However, in the past, Sonic Racing games have not been on the top of many gamer’s list, and unfortunately, Sonic Riders isn’t going to be high on your list either. It’s much better than the previous attempts at a Sonic Racing game, but plenty of small things keep it from being the overall joyful experience you’d want it to be.

First things first, the plot is just about the same as it is in every Sonic game. Sonic and pals are on a hunt for the Chaos Emeralds. This time, however, they’re after the Babylon Rogues to retrieve or something like that. A racing game really shouldn’t have to have a plot other than to race. Not to mention it’s very identical to many other Sonic games in the series. As you begin the game and all, you’ll quickly forget about the storyline. As I said, a racing game doesn’t need one to be good, and in Sonic’s case, it almost hurts the game.

The gameplay is when I’m absolutely left at a standstill. It’s great to be able to pull of some tricks as Sonic and company. They look really cool. It’s easy to get into the gameplay, but just as easily, you’ll soon find yourself frustrated. You race on hoverboards. Throughout each race you’ve got an air meter that you can use to boost yourself. This sounds really great, and it would be if you didn’t have to use it so much. And once you’ve used up all your air meter, your character goes at it on foot. I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but perhaps they should’ve done the air meter to the point where it begins to gradually refill. There are pitstops, but going to them takes the fun out of the race, and ultimately slows you down. This is Sonic, I don’t want to go slow. Speed is what Sonic is all about. To make up for this, however, you can ride off of another player’s turbulence, which will ultimatley give you a boost. The only problem being you lose control, however in some cases it’s not a problem, and it’s rather helpful.

Likewise, some of the track designs are poor. Combine that with a few loose controls and there’s a problem. For one, taking corners is frustrating. Especially because they come so sudden, and sometimes you might be faced with a pit right around a corner. If you’re riding on someone’s turbulance while you round a corner, you lose control and ultimately go off course, and then you’ve got to wait to be reseted. Likewise, I find myself constantly going into walls while taking a corner. Again, this slows you down considerably. I don’t have this problem in most other racers, and with Sonic Riders it’s much harder to learn how to take corners. There’s just no perfect way to do it.

There are also a lot of objects in your way. This is to be expected of any racing game, so I won’t penalize Sonic Riders here. It does take a while to get back on track upon running into these objects and it uniquely adds to the challenge. However, the game isn’t that challenging, really. Most of the computer players race in a fairly predictable manner, and while you’ll end up having to use your boost at the beginning, you’ll get the computers pattern down quickly.

Luckily there’s multiplayer in this. And multiplayer is a very satisfying experience in Sonic Riders. It’s a lot more fun to race against your (most likely) unpredictable friends than it is the predictable computer. The game also gets credit for it’s unlockables. More extreme gear, and some hidden characters. Some of them classic characters that Sonic fans know and love. So the unlockables are kind of cool and worthwhile.

The game also looks good. There are times of slowdown, but that’s no bother (at least in this game). For the most part, it’s colorful, vibrant, and detailed. While some of the courses are frustrating, they’ve definitely got a good look and feel to them.

So to put it simple. Sonic Riders is for the Sonic fan. If you love Sonic, chances are you’ll like this game. It isn’t the best racing game out there, but it is the best Sonic Racing game out there, and so hardcore fans might want to get a hold on to it. There are moments of frustration, but not so much you shouldn’t by the game. If you’re more serious about your racing games, then Sonic Riders probably isn’t for you.

The Good

+Good graphics

+The game is fast

+Plenty of unlockables

The Bad

-Frustrating courses

-Predictable AI

-A racing game doesn’t really need a plot. Here, it doesn’t hurt Sonic, but it definitely doesn’t help the overall game.

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Kengo Legend Of The 9

Kengo Legend Of The 9

In feudal Japan, it was kill or be killed for the samurai! Kengo: Legend of the 9 lets you battle as one of nine famous samurai warriors, each with his/her own storyline, attack techniques and upgradeable attributes (health, stamina, attack power and defense). Four modes of play offer a range of gameplay options, including the storyline advancing Main Mode; Mission Mode which challenges players to complete 10 missions within a specific time frame; Combat Mode that features two-player, head-to-head battles; and Xbox Live Leaderboard where players compete for new equipment and the best ranking against other Xbox Live gamers by pitting AI profiles against each other. Collect and use Spirit Spheres to upgrade your samurai’s attributes including health, stamina, attack power and defense. Earn experience points in battle to unlock new attacks. Three difficulty levels – Easy, Medium or Difficult. Gorgeous high definition, next generation graphics employ light scattering, normal mapping and atmospheric subtleties. Follow your ranking on Xbox Live and become the best in the world. ESRB Rated M for Mature

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Not Bad but Not that great either
Not Bad but Not that great either. Looks like a great game but would have been better if it had free roaming instead of automaticaly fighthing everytime just to get the story done,Altough online was fun fighthing one on one.

4 Stars Very subtle, strategic fighting game.
I’ll admit, when I first put this game in, I was sorely disappointed and frustrated beyond belief. I’ll also admit that I didn’t even glance at the book before I played, so I didn’t know that your health gauge regenerates if you stand still with a full stamina bar. I didn’t know you could lock onto a nearby samurai, instead of running around in circles hacking wildly, trying to stay alive. So… I’ll admit when I first put this game in after months of anticipation, I hated it. Then I read the book, thinking “No one in there right mind would release a game this broken”, and while I tried the game the way it was meant to be played, I noticed a fairly deep and strategic fighter. This game is by no means meant for everyone.It’s a very niche title. You really need to be a fan of Samurai and be sick of “Button Mashing” fighters to enjoy this. Those that enjoyed the first American “kengo” release, will miss the training sessions from “Master of bushido”, but if you do not try to play this like Onimusha you may enjoy it. I would definitely rent it first, even with the low price tag.

1 Star Hrm… yeah….
Kengo Legend of the 9….

For those of you who arent too keen on reading though a whole review to see the overall feel of the game here you go: Its a simple game, rent it, and IF you love it buy it…IF you love it…If you cant find it to rent…dont bother, really dont bother. Even if your very tempted.

Ive played the 1st Kengo years ago when the PS2 was just entering the gaming world. Ah the primitive days of “next gen” Bouncer, Kengo, Twisted Metal Black ect ect. The days of simple, pretty, and moneywasting games. At a quick play through the game one thing is clear- graphics aside this one was obviously meant to be on the ps2.

The Battle system is configurable yet the moves are still simple 123 combos that you interchange. And actually fighting is a dull few moments usually ending in alot of enemies yelping to death. The Majority of them just crowd around you gawking untill theyre quick demise. The controls are slower than wanted and very simple , vert slash, hor slash, scoot slowly, or attempt to grind your sword up to the enemy. The swordgrinding was a good idea but poorly played out. swordgrinding is just push, pull, break away, or try to shove and attack. The “boss” battles are just some slightly more agressive enemies with fancy clothes. One nice feature that it has is a instakill/major damage movement you can take out any enemy with(including a boss..or even yourself).

There are some features that make this game unique compared to the usuall samurai/fighting/hackn slash genre

#1 feature is that you gain experience!!! cool right!? no they ruined it with the fact that whatever experience you dont use is thrown away after each fight. and like it would matter the only thing you can use xp is for “secret” moves that are just simple strikes for your 123 combos. OH WOW I unlocked the Tiger’s Fang Wave technique! oh wait its just a diagonal slash…. Ive found that after 2 or 3 battles worth of xp (usually 2 or 3 new “techniques”) I have enough moves to do what I need.

#2 You play as real famous samurai from the past. This is one of the major things that got me interested in even playing this game. How many samurai games out there blow their horn about loving samurai, yet they dont even have a real one in them? thumbs up for that feature.

#3 Fighting mutiple enemies- a feature I think really makes or breaks a fighting game for me. so many times I play through soul calibur or ( insert fighting game here) Im siiting there stuck chopping up one loser when I could be doing it to 7 at once!

One “feature” about this game I really didnt like was that during the main “story” mode your stuck fighting a bunch of 1 hit kill nobodies who every now and then do get in a lucky shot, and then going straight up against a boss might or might not be able to instakill you. Sucky thing is when they do….bam you have to reload and start the WHOLE fight over. And man seriously, its like re chopping firewood-pointless and boring.

Other than that-

Graphics-are slightly better than ps2

Sound- well its japanese music and japanese voice so depends on the person.

Control- yikes someone was sloppy when they pulled this one together. workable yet very lacking

Replay- yup theres alot of that- different modes, lots of usless moves to get and more characters to use them.

Fun factor- hrmm its ok.. bit dull most of the time.

4 Stars Samurai sword fighting simulator
Pros

- Fans of the original Kengo, a very niche game, will like this game.

- This is not a traditional hack and slash game like Onimusha, Ninja Gaiden, or Way of the Samurai. It is a really more like a fencing simulator. So if you rush in hacking and slashing in combat mode the CPU will kill you over and over. The game will be rather frustrating to play until you have learned how to control your sword clashes, evade, and then counter.

- As you play your character through the main mission the system keeps track of your fighting mannerisms- even the negative ones- like tendencies to hack wildly and missing your opponent most of the time. Then you can take your AI and pit it against others on the Xbox Live National Leaderboard to see the outcome. I think this is rather innovative. Also by being able to watch your AI fight, it gives you a chance to reflect on your fighting style vs others.

- The graphics are definitely better than previous generations of the Kengo games. Shadows are soft, there is light blooming, and costumes are bump mapped.

Cons

- Buggy. It has frozen several times after completing a mission making it impossible to save your progress. So you are left with having to repeat the level.

- Like the previous generation of Kengo games, it is repetitive- but then so is real kendo or iaido practice. As I said this is really more of a simulator than a “game”.

- The dojo skill building mode from the previous Kengo games is lost. Skills are now built by progressing through the main storyline.

- The camera is much worse than previous Kengo games.

One will always try to compare this game with Bushido Blade. If you played the original BB before playing any of the Kengo games, chances are you will never be sated. It all depends on what you are looking for. Kengo’s sword fighting mechanics and sheer number of waza are much more extensive than BB. As someone who practices Kendo, I find BB just too dumbed down to be interesting. Kengo gave me a far more realistic and interesting fighting experience than any of the BB series games ever did.

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