Sonic Heroes

Infobox VG
title = Sonic Heroes


caption=
developer = Sonic Team USA
publisher = Sega
designer =Takashi Iizuka
Eitaro Toyoda
Kazuyuki Hoshino
composer = Jun Senoue, Tomoya Ohtani, Yutaka Minobe, Mariko Nanba, Hideaki Kobayashi, Fumie Kumatani, Teruhiko Nakagawa, Naofumi Hataya
engine = RenderWare
released = vgrelease|Japan|JP|December 30, 2003
vgrelease|North America|NA|January 6, 2004 (GameCube)
vgrelease|North America|NA|January 24, 2004 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
vgrelease|Europe|EU|February 6, 2004
Microsoft Windows:
vgrelease|NA=November 16, 2004vgrelease|Europe|EU|November 26, 2004 vgrelease|JP=December 10, 2004
genre = Adventure, Platform
modes = Single-player, Multiplayer
ratings=ESRB: E
PEGI: 3+
platforms=GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
media = CD, DVD, GameCube Optical Disc
requirements = PC: Pentium III 866 MHz CPU, 16 MB Direct3D-compatible graphics card, DirectX-compatible sound card, 12x CD-ROM drive, 0.8 GB hard disk space, Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP, DirectX 9.0b
input = PC: Keyboard or analog joypad
Consoles: Game controller

"Sonic Heroes" is a video game in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" series, developed by Sonic Team USA and released in 2003 and 2004 for multiple platforms. This game differs from other Sonic games by allowing the player to take control of a team of three characters, each with a unique ability.

Gameplay

The game introduces several new gameplay elements. Unlike most Sonic games, where players control one character, three characters are available at any time to choose from, as the player may switch the party's leader freely, whilst the other two characters follow.cite web|url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/449/449162p1.html|title=IGN: Sonic Heroes Review|publisher=IGN|author=Casamassina, Matt|date=2004-01-05|accessdate=2008-07-08] Each character has an individual ability - speed for fast stages, power for breaking objects, or flight for reaching high platforms - and the player must use these abilities to traverse the fourteen stages. Each ability is also represented in the interface by colour; blue for speed, yellow for flight, and red for power.cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/sonicheroes/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;reviews|publisher=GameSpot|date=2004-02-06|accessdate=2008-07-08|title=Sonic Heroes for GameCube Review] By acquiring certain items or reaching checkpoints, characters can level up to a maximum of 3, increasing their efficiency against enemies. For example, a Level 1 Tails can stun airborne enemies with his attack, whilst Level 3 Tails can destroy them in midair.

Each team also has a "Team Blast" skill, which can be performed when the Team Blast meter becomes full. This can be achieved by performing such actions as destroying enemies or collecting rings.

A secondary mission can be accessed in free play to receive another emblem.

Teams

In addition to controlling three characters, the player may select one of the four teams available to use at the beginning of the game; each team has one member capable of the aforementioned skills, but follow a different, yet intertwined, storyline. Each team also has a unique "Team Blast" skill.

Team Sonic

*Speed: Sonic the Hedgehog
*Flight: Miles "Tails" Prower
*Power: Knuckles the Echidna

Team Sonic is the title team of Sonic Heroes. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles receive a letter from Doctor Eggman telling them of a new ultimate weapon that will be ready within three days, challenging them to stop him. The three heroes band together once again to foil Eggman's plans.cite manual|author = Sega |title = Sonic Heroes Manual|section = Team Sonic|publisher=Sega|date=2004|accessdate=2008-07-08|page=4-5|version=PC] This team and associated levels are designed to be of medium difficulty, and contain high-speed sections.

Their Team Blast consists of Knuckles throwing Tails, who spins to gain momentum, and throws Sonic, who attacks surrounding enemies multiple times. During the final boss, each team member, under Super Transformation, performs the same attack as Sonic.

Their secondary mission is to complete the level in a time limit

Team Dark

*Speed: Shadow the Hedgehog
*Flight: Rouge the Bat
*Power: E-123 Omega

Rouge sneaks into one of Eggman's bases after hearing that Doctor Eggman is accumulating valuable treasures. Instead, she finds Shadow the Hedgehog, thought to be dead, encased in a capsule and without memory of who he is, and comes across a robot, E-123 Omega, bent on destroying Eggman's robots. Realizing that all their problems lead to Eggman, the three anti-heroes team up.cite manual|author = Sega |title = Sonic Heroes Manual|section = Team Dark|publisher=Sega|date=2004|accessdate=2008-07-08|page=6-7|version=PC] This team and associated levels are designed to be of hard difficulty, requiring skill and concentration to endure heavy battle.

Their Team Blast consists of Shadow performing Chaos Control, whilst Omega, lifted up by Rouge, fires large lasers whilst rotating the top half of his body. It also freezes time momentarily once complete, so that all enemy doors and switches are frozen in place.

Their secondary mission is to take out 100 or more enemies.

Team Rose

*Speed: Amy Rose
*Flight: Cream the Rabbit and Cheese the Chao
*Power: Big the Cat

Each character of Team Rose is trying to find someone important to them; Amy searches for Sonic and hopes that defeating Eggman herself will impress him. Big is searching for his amphibian friend, Froggy again, and Cream is seeking out Cheese's lost brother, Chocola. With a picture in the newspaper (of Froggy and Chocola being carried off by who they believe to be Sonic) as their only clue, the three join up to find their lost companions.cite manual|author = Sega |title = Sonic Heroes Manual|section = Team Rose|publisher=Sega|date=2004|accessdate=2008-07-08|page=8-9|version=PC] This team and associated levels are designed for younger players, with shorter missions.

Their Team Blast sees Big bouncing Amy and Cream on top of his umbrella with a shower of flowers raining down on them. All three members level up by one and grants them temporary invincibility, high running speed, and a shield.

Their secondary mission is to collect 200 rings.

Team Chaotix

*Speed: Espio the Chameleon
*Flight: Charmy Bee
*Power: Vector the Crocodile

Team Chaotix is composed of quiet, ninja-like, and disciplined Espio the Chameleon; their headstrong music-loving leader Vector the Crocodile; and the air-headed flying ace Charmy Bee. They run their own detective agency, and receive a mysterious package with a walkie talkie in it. A stranger gives the team instructions through this device and claims that if the job he has for them is completed, the Chaotix will be "rewarded handsomely". Espio is wary of the job, but Vector, with dollar signs in his eyes, reminds him that they "never turn down work that pays".cite manual|author = Sega |title = Sonic Heroes Manual|section = Team Chaotix|publisher=Sega|date=2004|accessdate=2008-07-08|page=10-11|version=PC] This team and associated levels provide a different experience, as most are mission-based, and are only complete when the mission target is met.

Their Team Blast sees Espio, Charmy, and Vector singing and playing instruments badly, causing all of the surrounding enemies to explode, whilst ring bonuses are received for each enemy destroyed. Collecting rings also refills the gauge, potentially allowing the player to perform another Blast immediately after the first is complete.

Development

The game uses the RenderWare engine so that the game could be programmed and ported easily to the Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows.cite web|url=http://www.gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=2361|title=Sega Chooses RenderWare For The Creation Of Sonic Heroes|date=2003-05-27|accessdate=2008-07-08]

The game's designer, Takashi Iizuka, stated that he did not want to make "Sonic Heroes" another Sonic Adventure title, as he was worried only core gamers would buy the title, instead preferring to create a game for general users to adapt to. [cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8490&Itemid=2|title=INTERVIEW: Nights Watchman : Next Generation - Interactive Entertainment Today, Video Game and Industry News - Home of Edge Online|publisher=Next Generation Magazine|accessdate=2008-04-17]

Audio

The "Sonic Heroes Official Soundtrack" was released November 9, 2004 by Pioneer. The Triple Threat: Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax was also released for the game.

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Sonic Heroes Official Soundtrack
title1 = Sonic Heroes: Main Theme
note1 = by Crush 40
length1 = 3:29
title2 = We Can (Theme of Team Sonic)
note2 = by Ted Poley and Tony Harnell
length2 = 3:18
title3 = Stage 01: Seaside Hill
length3 = 1:36
title4 = Stage 02: Ocean Palace
length4 = 2:01
title5 = Follow Me (Theme of Team Rose)
note5 = by Kay Hanley
length5 = 3:35
title6 = System Screen: Select
length6 = 1:38
title7 = Stage 03: Grand Metropolis
length7 = 2:28
title8 = Stage 04: Power Plant
length8 = 1:04
title9 = Special Stage: Bonus Challenge
length9 = 2:13
title10 = Stage 05: Casino Park
length10 = 2:29
title11 = Stage 06: Bingo Highway
length11 = 2:25
title12 = Battle: Casino Area
length12 = 2:41
title13 = This Machine (Theme of Team Dark)
Note13 = by Julien-K
length13 = 4:23
title14 = Boss: Robot Carnival/Robot Storm
length14 = 2:18
title15 = Stage 07: Rail Canyon
length15 = 2:39
title16 = Stage 08: Bullet Station
length16 = 2:16
title17 = Team Chaotix (Theme of Team Chaotix)
note17 = by Gunnar Nelson
length17 = 3:42
title18 = Boss: Egg Albatross
length18 = 1:39
title19 = Event: Disquieting Shadow
length19 = 0:31
title20 = Stage 09: Frog Forest
length20 = 1:55
title21 = Stage 10: Lost Jungle
length21 = 4:41
title22 = Special Stage: Emerald Challenge
length22 = 2:14
title23 = Stage 11: Hang Castle
length23 = 4:42
title24 = Stage 12: Mystic Mansion
length24 = 2:42
title25 = Stage 13: Egg Fleet
length25 = 2:31
title26 = Stage 14: Final Fortress
length26 = 2:24
title27 = Event: Metal Sonic... the Ultimate Overlord
length27 = 1:24
title28 = Last Boss: Metal Madness [Version 1]
length28 = 3:19
title29 = What I'm Made of...: Last Boss/Metal Overlord [Version 2]
note29 = by Crush 40
length29 = 3:43
title30 = Event: Finale... Adventure Must Go On
length30 = 1:13

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Triple Threat: Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax
title1 = Sonic Heroes: Main Theme
note1 = by Crush 40
length1 =
title2 = We Can (Theme of Team Sonic)
note2 = by Ted Poley and Tony Harnell
length2 =
title3 = This Machine (Theme of Team Dark)
note3 = by Julien-K
length3 =
title4 = Follow Me (Theme of Team Rose)
note4 = by Kay Hanley
length4 =
title5 = Team Chaotix (Theme of Team Chaotix)
note5 = by Gunnar Nelson
length5 =
title6 = What I'm Made Of (Last Boss/Metal Overlord)
note6 = by Crush 40
length6 =
title7 = My Sweet Passion
note7 = by Nikki Gregoroff
length7 =
title8 = Lazy Days (Living in Paradise)
note8 = by Ted Poley
length8 =
title9 = Unknown from M.E.
note9 = by Marlon Saunders
length9 =
title10 = Believe in Myself
note10 = by Karen Brake
length10 =
title11 = It Doesn't Matter
note11 = by Tony Harnell
length11 =
title12 = Open Your Heart
note12 = by Crush 40
length12 =

Reception

Reviews of "Sonic Heroes" were mostly average; Metacritic averages range from 64% for the PlayStation 2 version (based on 29 reviews) to 73% for the Xbox version (based on 28 reviews).cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&termType=all&ts=sonic+heroes|title=Search Results from Metacritic.com - Sonic Heroes|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2008-07-08] Game Rankings averages ranged from 60% for the PC version (based on 18 reviews) to 74.5% for the GameCube version (based on 95 reviews).cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/itemsearch.asp|title=Game Rankings - Search - Sonic Heroes|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=Game Rankings]

Reviewers noted several positive aspects to the game. These included the gameplay style; whilst the transition to 3D has been noted as rough for the Sonic franchise, "Sonic Heroes" came close to the series' 2D roots. Sound design was also praised, described as "inexorably linked" to the experience and "at least very pristine" with "perfectly implemented" sound effects, running in Dolby Pro Logic II. Graphics design and environments were also highlighted, described as colorful, vibrant and cheery, with consistent art design and an exceptionally vibrant color palette. Framerate was also consistent for the Xbox, GameCube and PC versions, although a drop in framerate in the multiplayer component was noted.

It also attracted several negative criticisms. Often cited were the game's camera control system, described as "uncooperative" and "terrible"cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3115716&p=5&sec=REVIEWS|title=Sonic Heroes Review from 1UP.com|accessdate=2008-07-08|author=1UP Staff|publisher=1UP] . Camera control compounded an additional problem regarding the controls relative to the camera's position, such that pushing forward may or may not move the character in the same direction the camera is facing. Falling from the level's platforms into the deep pits below was also criticized. The game's voice acting also came in for criticism, described as "horrendous" and "the biggest misstep in the sound design".

In addition, the PlayStation 2 version received lower average scores.cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/sonicheroes?q=sonic%20heroes|title=Sonic Heroes (ps2: 2004): Reviews|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=Metacritic] cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914712.asp?q=sonic%20heroes|title=Sonic Heroes - PS2|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=Game Rankings] Clipping and graphic faults were cited, whilst the framerate was also lower than the other versions.cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/474/474990p3.html|author=Lewis, Ed and Casamassina, Matt|date=2004-01-23|title=IGN: Sonic Heroes Review (PS2)|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=IGN]

In 2004, "Sonic Heroes" was the sixth bestselling game in the United Kingdom overall, and a full year after its release, was still at number eight in the all-price chart. [cite web |url=http://www.edgeonline.co.uk/archives/2005/02/an_unlikely_her.php|title=An Unlikely Hero |publisher=Edge |month=February |year=2005 |quote="Sonic Heroes" was the sixth bestselling game in the United Kingdom overall, outperforming big hitters like and "Spider-Man 2". Are you very surprised? How about this: The same game, a full year after its release, it is still at number eight in this week's all-price chart.] The game ultimately sold well enough to enter all three consoles' "best-sellers" lists: Greatest Hits/Platinum for the PlayStation 2, Platinum Hits for the Xbox, and Player's Choice for the GameCube.cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200503/N05.0328.1011.30552.htm|author=Cook, Chris|date=2005-03-28|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=GameInformer|title=Sonic Heroes Goes "Greatest Hits" On Home Consoles] The game was also released in a package with "Super Monkey Ball Deluxe" on Xbox.cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/searchresult.asp?term=sonic+heroes&itemid=931256|accessdate=2008-07-08|title=Sonic Heroes/Monkey Ball - XBOX|publisher=Game Rankings]

References

External links

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