|
|
Post by teddykongcountry on Jul 10, 2017 14:48:49 GMT
What a divisive title! In spite of that, Sonic 3D Blast is a well made action platformer that challenges you to navigate an experimental type of grid * runs for cover * The major issue here is that while it is trying something new with the Sonic franchise, it takes a massive leap from the Sonic formula that people knew and love. For that reason, you could point your finger at this game and blame it for the abominations that the series has amounted to in recent years. I think personally that that's being too harsh and ignoring what a unique look back at history this is. One of the most striking things about the game is that though it feels awkward on first playthrough, you develop a system to better navigate each stage where it doesn't feel so much like you're playing an isometric game and moreso that you're playing an overhead 2D Zelda game with Sonic shoes and no sword/shield. I went from a 2 and a half hour playthrough to a single hour between consecutive attempts. To go along these treks, you have some of the best music in a Sonic game to date (you weren't kidding about those bonus stages Cervantes!). I would totally recommend playing the Saturn version today because you will never see another game like this today and it's one of the few games that makes isometric platforming feel almost natural. 4 Sonic rings out of 5! |
|
Armored Core Raven
Vanguard Ranger
Radio: The test is over. From this moment on, you are a Raven!
Posts: 1,738 
|
Post by Armored Core Raven on Jul 10, 2017 16:18:26 GMT
I love this game, I haven't played it on Saturn but I have it on PC which is a direct port of the Saturn version, and it can be played with a joypad no problem so it's practically the same thing, I've also played the Mega Drive version a lot (it's my favorite version) even though I don't own a copy of it myself, it's rather rare and expensive being such a late Mega Drive title.
|
|
|
|
Post by teddykongcountry on Jul 11, 2017 1:49:16 GMT
That's really awesome! I'm sure it plays just as spectacularly if not better. I'm surprised not only that a. you prefer the Mega Drive version but also that b. the PAL version is considered rare: out here in the states, Sonic 3D Blast might as well share blood with E.T. on the Atari!
What makes you prefer the 16-bit version?
|
|
Armored Core Raven
Vanguard Ranger
Radio: The test is over. From this moment on, you are a Raven!
Posts: 1,738
|
Post by Armored Core Raven on Jul 11, 2017 3:21:01 GMT
I like it more on Mega Drive because I think it's more impressive when played on less powerful hardware, yet it plays exactly the same, there's no slowdown or anything missing, at least in the gameplay, it's exactly the same levels and stuff but it's done on a fraction of the power with only some minor visual downgrades really, I like the music quite a lot more, I like the bonus stages more and I like the intro movie and the fact it even has an intro movie in a Mega Drive game.
It doesn't really do anything that special on Saturn by Saturn standards, but on Mega Drive it's a hardware pushing title.
I just looked up pricing and availability and Sonic 3D Flickies' Island for Mega Drive and at the moment two places have it in stock, one has a complete in box with manual for roughly 60 US dollars, the other place has the cartridge only for roughly 25 US dollars.
I also looked up if the US Genesis version was available and the same place that had the cartridge only PAL version had a cartridge only NTSC version for about 15 US dollars, still a bit pricey in my opinion for a cartridge only of one of the lesser popular Sonic games, but notably cheaper than the PAL version nonetheless.
|
|
dschult3
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
The true heir to the Monado.
Posts: 2,887
|
Post by dschult3 on Jul 11, 2017 13:04:38 GMT
Great review, teddykongcountry! I'm really surprised at how much you gushed about this game. I'll have to give it another shot, since everyone lambasted it upon its arrival. |
|
|
|
Post by ModeratorNumber2 on Jul 11, 2017 13:44:37 GMT
Added.
|
|
stratogustav
Supreme Overlord
Warrior with Bandana
Posts: 7,647
|
Post by stratogustav on Jul 11, 2017 17:04:40 GMT
It was a similar concept to what Kirby's Dream Course was, but instead of playing golf you were on a platform adventure journey with one of the most beloved characters in gaming, Sonic The Hedgehog. Nice review.
|
|
Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
|
Post by Dan E. Kool on Jul 11, 2017 21:03:07 GMT
Great review, Ted.
|
|
Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
|
Post by Cervantes on Jul 12, 2017 15:30:20 GMT
teddykongcountry - I told you those stages were awesome!  Nice review, by the way. I still have to replay it using the analog controller, I guess it must control much better. I also agree with the music, it's sincerely some of the best tunes made for a Sonic game, right before they started using the cheesy rock with vocals from Adventure. My problems with the game will always be the long loading times and the need to get all the flickies to finish a level. I remember one of the last levels doesn't have the damn birds in it and I thought it was much better for it. In general, it was a fun experiment with Sonic; as a side game it works well enough, and it is one of the only isometric platformers that I can stand.
|
|
|
|
Post by teddykongcountry on Jul 12, 2017 16:02:42 GMT
Armored Core Raven - Those are some valid points! There's actually a bunch of points where the Saturn version is surprisingly lacking in terms of signature SEGA exuberance i.e. the voiced SEGA logo, the theme song at the end of bonus stages, etc. I'll definitely have to revisit the original 16 bit version some day especially while it's cheap! dschult3 - Thanks a bunch and absolutely! 3D Blast and Sonic 3 were some of my first games I ever played on the Genesis at a young age and I never forgot how much I appreciated them but in spite of that nostalgia, 3D Blast is objectively pretty damn good for what it is. I'm pretty sure the "true" Sonic fans are responsible for the incessant onslaught of tirade-infused pitchforks and I have no issue disregarding them entirely haha! ModeratorNumber2 - thank you! You've done our community a great service although if you could lay off Dan a bit, it'd be a lot cooler if you did! stratogustav - Totally! Taking risks can either make or break a game and in this case, I feel like it really paid off even if the community didn't see it that way. Dan E. Kool - Much obliged my friend! Always give my all for my fans and for my SEGA! Cervantes - I knew I could trust a good old pub-mate and fellow teacher no less I'd like to get one of those analog controllers soon especially to fully enjoy some Panzer Dragoon and NiGHTS. I'm thinking of dropping my Wii Collection to fund some of the Saturn; it's either that or the N64! "it is one of the only isometric platformers that I can stand" - now that is saying a lot and I pretty much wholeheartedly agree with you! I tried this game Light Crusader also on the Genesis and it was pretty awful. I hear Landstalker is pretty good (I think I remember Spider hyping that one up) so maybe down the line, I'll give that a shot to see if it contends with the almighty 3D Blast!!!
|
|
Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
|
Post by Cervantes on Jul 12, 2017 16:47:44 GMT
teddykongcountry - Keep in mind the analog is not supported by Panzer Dragoon 1&Zwei, only by Saga (it works on Zwei, but it's too sensitive and the dragon goes berserk every time you press R, though this can be fixed by changing the controller settings). For Nights, I would say it's almost obligatory - the constant loops make it a joy to play with analog controls and it becomes much easier to keep the longer chains. I only played a few minutes of Landstalker; it was pretty nice, but the controls weren't even close to be as fluid as they are on Sonic 3D. There's a spiritual sequel on the Saturn called Dark Savior - it has a great story and is very replayable (it's one of my favorite Saturn games), though the controls are as rigid as you would expect from an isometric platformer. This is my main problem with most isometric games: the controls are usually very restrictive. Light Crusader is really bad, though. Certainly the weakest Treasure game from that era.
|
|
Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
|
Post by Dan E. Kool on Jul 12, 2017 18:40:18 GMT
ModeratorNumber2 - If you could lay off Dan a bit, it'd be a lot cooler if you did!  |
|
Nice review, by the way.