Low Score for SBK in EDGE
UK based ‘Video game Culture’ magazine EDGE finally got around to reviewing Sonic & The Black Knight in this months issue released on news stands yesterday. Their rival Games TM scored the game an 8/10 and were generally impressed with the gameplay saying it takes a true master to keep Sonic at speed while slicing through his foes.
Edge however took a more dim view of the game and scored it a 3/10. Despite Edge’s tendency to use all of the 1-10 scale as opposed to some publications who rarely dare to dip lower than a 5 for a bad game, a three is a very damning score indeed for the magazine.
“What happened to the speed? Sonic offers us one skill and Black Knight refuses to indulge it. The Culprit? A sword in his paw that demands to taste flesh every few seconds – stopping him in his tracks for a bit of Remote fumbling. You can block and swing but the animations are ridged, bearing little relation to your gesticulating hands. There’s not enough depth to the combat to justify sacrificing the Mach speed.”
It’s not all negatives though as Edge cite that the Sonic Team are one of the few third party developers able to eek out some graphical potential from the Wii, they like the story more than Unleashed and the menu screens. Ultimately they criticize the Sonic Team for being a ‘master of packaging’; adding a number of new features to each game but not polishing any of them.
“If it’s to put Sonic back on top it needs to start thinking inside the box.”
This post was originally written by the author for TSSZ News.
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God, I’m getting so sick with having the wrong opinion all the time…
These biased reviewers are starting to piss me SERIOUSLY of. When they think that Sonic is dead, why are they still reviewing his games?
“What happened to the speed?”
Fail.
@Calamitas, You see the problem is here that the reviewers expect a Sonic game to have constant speed and simple (like barely any) storyline. They ALWAYS compare to the classic Genesis/MegaDrive titles.
Which is why I really don’t care about their fricking opinion. I like this game. Sure, it’s average (some missions really got on my darn nerves) but it is NOT bad. You see, my friend, the critics really need to get their act together and learn that just because it’s a certain series doen’t mean they’ll do the same thing every time. It’s just gets boring that way. Do you want to run through beautiful environments at top speed? Or a better question: Is that all you want to do in that 5-10 hour lasting game you just bought? Absolutely not. Sure, you’d expect to have platforming, but the reviewers want to go fast ALL the time. They think just because it’s a Sonic game that it’s supposed to be constantly GO! GO! GO! type game. Sure, that makes it fun, but I’d love something different to contrast from that speed and Werehog did it for me in Unleashed and the sword gameplay in Black Knight was actually unbelievably fast. You see, I’d love for the games to constantly be fast, but not completely focus on that speed. Have the speed just be some wonderful thing Sonic Team thought of doing to speed up the game.
And that’s probably what they want is to have Sonic dead. After all, the games are “SO TERRIBLE (note the sarcasm) that he should die.” No, it’s only awful to them, because they want it to be like the classics.
So then…. it makes you wonder…. What kind of game should Sonic Team make? I have a wonderful idea.
Sonic The Hedgehog: (Insert Title here)
I’m going to focus on gameplay right now…..
Sonic plays like he did in Unleashed , but now there will be a little more focus on actual platforming, and stop from zooming right all the time.
Tails will play like he did in Adventure and there’ll be side missions while he’s in the Tornado. The difference? Sonic Unleashed engine, doodz. Try to actually work in more 3D2D Gameplay and please more old schoolers.
Knuckles? Emerald hunting has to be fixed. That or none of that. Knuckles would play as a beat-em-up smasher. More 2D included.
Plus you’ll play as Eggman. He’ll be in the Egg O’ Matic and the more skill points you earn, the more blueprints you unlock to build badniks. His gameplay will be somewhat like the Tornado, but in the levels Sonic zooms through. He’ll be busy occupying Sonic setting up traps. That or he can just lead his army of robots to different locations. And then, we’ll do something interesting….. How’s about playing as the bosses you’d beat as Sonic? Eggman would still lose, but you would still beat him in battle.
And as a plus for the cartoon fans, I would say to recreate Sonic for the last time, and place the Freedom Fighters in there for cameo appearances or something. I’d go into more detail, but I’m seriously derailing my post so yeah…..
Good to speak my opinions with you though. Just note that the reviews really don;t matter anymore. They’ve become too biased with Sonic that they believe that classic is the only way to go….. To each their own I guess?
Yeah, I hate it when people compare Sonic games to the classics. Like Tristan Oliver said, “Current Sonic isn’t Classic Sonic, and I’m sure he’s not trying to be.” And also, “This game is purely based around a gimmick and while Black Knight and Unleashed may appear like snake oil salesman (or however that expression was), the former is being honest about what is being sold.”
This is an understanding that many people seem to have difficulty with. Especially reviewers (most of them).
Soul Gauge: I agree, ever since Sonic 06, they wanted a Sonic game to back to its roots. Since then, the 3-d games were compared to old Sonic and the games get lower scores than they deserve. SEGA just create a game of 2-d Sonic to appease these assholes so they can stop whining like two-year olds!
And why does everyone stop in Sonic and the Black Knight to fight? I use Cavalier and Knight style for the game. And I use Paladin style for rampage missions. I never stop. They’re just mad they can’t play it.
Every bad review you guys are all the same. “OH SHIT THEIR BIASED! THIS GAME CLEARLY DESERVES NO LESS THEN A 9!” and then when the game gets a good score: “HOLY FUCK BEST REVIEW EVER COULDN’T AGREE MORE WHAT ARE THESE NEGATIVE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT!”
Simple fact folks. It’s called difference of opinion. And honestly when reviewing these games their looking to play a Sonic game, not a fucking waggle fest that just happens to have Sonic in it. There is a difference between a Sonic game and a game that has Sonic in it. Sonic Rush is a Sonic game. half Unleashed is a Sonic game. Regrettably about 2/3 of Sonic 06 is a Sonic game. This is a game that has Sonic in it. It takes a concept not fit for Sonic and gives it to him anyways resulting in stupidity.
If you want to like this game then go ahead but for fucks sake don’t say people who hate the game are biased. Maybe if YOU weren’t all so biased you could see why some people might not think the game is good. Honestly, it’s not that hard to see.
And what’s so wrong about comparing the classics? There are certain elements that should be in each Sonic game. None of them are here (Hence why this is a game that has Sonic in it). And I think it’s less exact game play they’re looking for (Sonic Rush is not like classic Sonic, yet people loved it), but it’s rather the standard of quality which these games achieved, and seeing how shoddily made some of these current games are, it’s no wonder they’re mad. “wtf happened to the good games? Why can’t Sonic be good? Why is it that when I try to press the light dash button I bounce down to my death instead (SA2 and 06)? Why is it that Sonic is given corny dialogue in each game?”
The only recent game that I believe didn’t deserve the scores it got was Sonic Unleashed, and this was justified with better scores in Japan. Everything else the scores are spot on.
Yo Greg! What’s up?
Well, I don’t care about this review, as long as I love the game (which I do), I can care less abut what others say about it.
Still, I do not care. We don’t need more review “news” about black knight. We got some bad and some good. It’s not so intresteing anymore.
Sonic ISN´T about Speed, that´s why I dislike Unleashed! When do reviewers get that into their heads!?
it was the combination of speed and good and easy platforming that made Sonic what he was, not Speed alone, I wouldn´t even say speed, Sonic is just quicker than mario! Sonic games should be slower again and take more fokus on platforming! SU messed it up!
@MayaTemple
Sonic has always been about speed but it has it’s other factors that make it more than just running in a straight line, such as the platforming, badniks, bosses etc. 🙂
A 3 huh? Then again, these guys did give Mario Kart Wii a 6/10.
@ PJMan:
They’re just afraid of change, that’s why they keep comparing it to the classics. Saying there’s a difference between a Sonic Game and a game that has Sonic in it is total BS. Just what makes a Sonic game what it is? That’s like saying Metroid Prime isn’t a Metroid game. Just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it isn’t a game from their respective game. Everyone tries something new once in a while. While I feel you’re first opinion about the fans and reviews are indeed true, I have to respectfully disagree with you with everything else.
Oh my god, they gave the game a low score. They MUST be biased. It couldn’t possibly be because of hideous design or lack of polish.
Look, I know Sonic isn’t all about speed, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to destroy the flow of the action with hordes of enemies.
I know people are tired of critics saying that the Sonic games should go back to their roots, but really, there’s nothing wrong with wanting that after seven solid years of “experimenting” in the 3D titles with game mechanics that feel tacked on and/or don’t work.
I pretty much agree with the score of the review.
The main thing that took me by surprise was how differently two inherently similar magazines reviewed Sonic & The Black Knight. Both had been harsh on Unleashed but Games TM were impressed with SBK while Edge blatantly disliked it. It just goes to show that all this really comes down to is a matter of opinion. No one source is ultimately ‘right’.
Consider this: If Unleashed and SBK both got amazing review scores, SEGA would think they are doing everything right and never fix the ‘problems’.
I for one LOVE both old and new Sonic games, but the new ones still lack some of the old charm. I’d like to see a 3D Sonic with classic sound effects, mini bosses AND regular bosses, special stages, BONUS stages (I miss them) activated via starposts, badniks that actually vary in design and have interesting attacks, the option to play as Sonic AND Tails or Tails/Knuckles alone, MORE platforming, classic Sonic physics (building up momentum), and loops that AREN’T PRE-CODED EVENTS!!!!!!!
We also need more specific in-level gimmicks, e.g. Spinning Tops exclusive to Marble garden, mushroom launchers (MHZ), etc.
I’m not trying to say that the new games are bad, I really enjoy them; but there’s no denying they could be slightly better. (If we add classic elements into the mix).
@Sonikku Master: I couldn’t agree more. Level specific elements, more frequent bosses (Unleashed wins for having some of the best daytime level bosses since ever though. If only there were more than 3 D: ). Everything.
It’s the elements that we need to integrate, not necessarily the gameplay. So much was lost in the 3D transition, and you can’t deny that. Sonic Unleashed was epic but it could have been more epic had it ditched a certain werehog, added Knuckles, and done what was said above.
I miss classic sound effects (This should be an option in modern games, classic or modern) and signposts D:
They need to balance the amount of speed and platforming like they did in the Adventure series, I guess. And this wasn’t a bad game, it felt like a Sonic game, just w/a bigger emphasis on the enemy attacking.
Some think that it’s impossible to make a Sonic game of 3 & Knuckles standard, purely due to the ‘fact’ that you ‘can’t beat the classics.’
I disagree. As I said before, if SEGA/SONICTEAM incorporates the classic Sonic elements along with the amazing new capabilities of next-generation consoles, we may finally see a 3D game as good as the classics. Unleashed was very close to doing this in some aspects. But some things brought it down, (forget about the Werehog for a second) such as Sonic’s moveset (NO SPIN-DASH!???) and the badnik design.
I DON’T want the new games to be ‘classic Sonic clones’ if you will, just incorporate some of the things that made the old games special. Speed is not the only important thing.
I love these reviews, the denial within these comments is some of the best around.
I don’t know why they give this game so low score. If I was reviewer I will give this game 85%. I love this game.
God, these guys fail so hard
“God, these guys fail so hard”
They fail for having opinions?
Edge is the best most respected games magazine for serious hardcore gamers and game makers. They aint some two bit fun for kids, hype fuelled (though it has its moments) lick arse for scopes magazine. This magazine is the real deal for real older serious gamers.
If EGDE aint happy then really in the magazine kingdom what they say goes. Anyway Say what you like about the game its terrible overall but it doesnt stop YOU enjoying it.
So please shut you a-holes up for **** sake and bloody just accept with wasnt a brilliant game already >.<
Most of these reviews aren’t biased. On their on, these games suck. Quit complaining about these reviewers, take off your fanboy goggles, and wake up to reality.
I’ve been a Sonic fan from the beginning, and it sucks to say, but these latest games just, in general, are no where near the quality of fun that they not only once was, but should be. Absolutely unacceptable to be Sonic games.
I don’t have time to read your comments, but I can say what I think about this.
Ok, they are crazy like all other reviewers.
It looks like the fan-base regressed about 20 years.
@Sonikku Master:
Hey buddy! Wazzup?
You read my mind didn’t you? Didn’t you? That’s what I’ve been saying on SEGA the past few weeks, and yet some certain people have been against me do to my oh so terrible desire to call the comics and cartoons canon.
Look here, besides fixing some gamplay issues, fan service like that will really help SEGA out. I mean, some fans got hooked onto Sonic because of the cartoons ang comics. The least SEGA could do is have cameo appearances from the Freedom Fighters.
Reading through the GI review was dreadful though,,,, 5/10. Even calls Sonic rock music corny…..
Blech. I wonder how All hail Shadow can even be comedy gold…
“NO! NOT SHADOW FEVER!”
*Dark Gauge fills up*
“CHAOS… BLAST!”
Why did Eggman even include that in his OWN creation???
@Greg the cat: I never said anything about the comics or cartoons… Huh? 🙂