E3 2013: Sonic Lost World Impressions (Wii U, 3DS)

The idea that the two newest Sonic the Hedgehog games are exclusive to Nintendo platforms is a still hard thing to get your head around, nonetheless, the Sonic: Lost World games for both Wii U and 3DS are soon to be here and it might just be the first Sonic game in some time that knows what it wants to be and runs with it.

The latest Sonic game, Sonic Generations, was a mix of what classic Sonic games used to be and what we’ve come to expect from newer Sonic games. It worked well. But now the question remains – without it’s past, can the entirely new Sonic: Lost World stand on it’s own merit without relying on the past?

It feels like Sonic: Lost World takes a bit of inspiration from other games. The most obvious is the nod to Super Mario Galaxy – Sonic bounces and jumps from planetoid, to rails, to planetoid in similar fashion to how Mario did. This is mixed in with some scenarios that recall Sonic games of the past – classic platforming with a 2.5D twist. The grand running sections are some of the more interesting moments of the game – holding forward and jumping while the game directs Sonic through a fantastic and flashy set piece. It’s not too frustrating for the player and gives just the right amount of control.

However, Sonic Lost World, while inspired by other games and it’s past still stands on it’s own with enough new things to keep everything fresh. It still felt like a Sonic game while the inspiration from the other titles was well evident. The story is also new and while it features Dr Eggman up to no good, instead of going up against the repugnant man you’re now teaming up with him. Dr Eggman made somewhat of a mistake and has unleashed the Deadly Six upon the world, he’ll need Sonic’s help to stop them.

Sonic controls like he does in most Sonic games but now with the parkour style. Parkour in Sonic Lost World is much like in real life as you jump, leap and slide over and under objects in order to keep a momentum going. Previously in Sonic games you’d be barreling along and hit a wall or tree and Sonic would just stop, now with the tap of a button Sonic will overcome his obstacles. This new move allows you to stay moving and not make the game grind to a halt – improving the pacing dramatically and keeping Sonic’s key component – Speed, intact.

The game levels are not only visually unique, one level is entirely made of out lollies. It’s amazing to see a giant pink donut flying through the background of a Sonic game, like it’s something out of The Simpsons. The levels don’t just look good though, there are multiple paths through and depending on how well you play you might never find some of them. Some of the paths are hidden off screen or hiding unless you play perfectly all the way through, though this isn’t new for Sonic veterans.

The Wii U version has an obvious graphic edge and looks really nice in action. On the Nintendo 3DS side of things, the game did run at a stable framerate for the most part, much better than that of Sonic Generations previously on the system.

However of course these games are still in development and may improve.

Sonic Lost World looks like it could break the dreaded Sonic cycle, they’ve taken inspiration from gaming’s best and work it into the best of Sonic. Fingers crossed.