Sonic and the Black Knight
Everybody knows Sonic, he's one of modern gaming's most recognisable characters, and hero of Segas most popular gaming franchise. The first two or three Sonic games were extremely characterful and well loved, cementing the character as the poster boy for Sega. The jump to 3D presented some problems though, and the time tested formula of Sonic faltered as it tried to adapt to a more ambitious market. Some say the games were overly frenetic, overloading the screen with visuals and gameplay too difficult to follow. The latest Sonic Unleashed game did little to help, and Sega are now pinning hopes on Wii exclusive; Sonic and the Black Knight.
Dispensing with the repetitive storylines of the past, namely dredging up the villain Dr Robotnic again and again, Sonic is now pitted against the titular Black Knight in an alternate reality in which he must rescue damsel in distress Merlina.
Unleashed featured Sonic turning into a hulking 'Werehog' in a gambit which Sega hoped would be the key selling point. Instead, this feature was heavily criticised, as gamers didn't take well to their usually spritely and lightning fast hero being reduced to a slow, cumbersome monster. This time around, Sonic is equipped with a cool looking sword as he goes back to what he does best- running! Combining the hero's tradmark speed with this new weapon makes for a new spin on the old dynamic- offering combat without taking away the fast paced action. As Unleashed was a game that had been ported to the Wii, the motion controls struggled with the system and most gamers simply opted for using a joypad. Being a Wii exclusive, the game was developed with motion sensing in mind, so the controls are much smoother and mastered this time around.
In a couple of weeks Black Knight will be released, and we can only hope Sega make good on their promise and Sonic makes a triumphant return to the top of gaming.