"Certainly a well made game...but a classic? Hmm..."

Sonic R was, arguably, the beleaguered Saturn's swansong before said console went the way of the dinosaurs...and quite a fine game it is too...although not entirely the spectacular game people were expecting. Unlike the Sonic games preceding it, Sonic R's development was handed over from Team Sonic to the small-ish Brit coders Traveller's Tales (ever since the stunning looking Toy Story on Megadrive, Traveller's Tales had gained particular favour with Sega...some could say that they came close to becoming Sega's ''Rare''), Sonic Team still did the important stuff such as track design and the overall design of the game...but the game's excellent graphics engine was created by those talented bods at Traveller's Tales. Enough of my rambling...what of the game?

Graphics (9/10):

Sonic R most definitely put the Sega Saturn through its paces and, as a result, the game contains some of the best 3D visuals seen on the Saturn (it just comes a close second to Sonic Jam's 3D section). This game has the works: proper transparencies (rather than that horrible ''mesh'' effect seen in so many Saturn games), backgrounds that ''fade in'', Banjo Kazooie-style, rather than just popping up, stunning lighting effects, nice reflective water...you name it, this game's got it. Quite how Traveller's Tales managed all of this on the Saturn is beyond me...perhaps they made a pact with Satan or something :)

The various tracks look great and are packed full of vibrant, eye-burningly bright colours. One more thing that surprised me was the inclusion of various random weather effects -- some of which actually completely alter the look of an entire level. These weather effects aren't just a pretty face either, they can actually affect your traction on the track (during a shower of rain for instance). All of this and the game is unbelievably smooth and fast too.

My only complaint with the graphics is that the characters don't exude a lot of the character we all (well...ok...not all) know and love from the previous Sonic games. All of the racers are fairly basic looking and their animations can be quite spartan through and through. But come on...this is the Staturn, and all of the other stuff looks great. Eye-burstingly good stuff.

Sound (6/10):

The first thing you will say when you start this game up (unless you are some boyband mad girly, or a lady-boy type person) is ''Ack! Mein ears! They have been violated by sugary filth!'' The music in this game is simply dreadful...dreadful in a kind of ''this-music-sounds-like-every-poppy-chart-tune-ever-made'' way. WipEout or Tony Hawk this ain't. THE most annoying thing about this game is that the music (annoying as it is) will burrow into your head, find a rock and hide underneath it, refusing to come out. These tunes are annoyingly catchy, make no mistake...you'll be driving yourself mad humming these tunes while sitting on the loo. Thankfully, the god-awful vocals can be switched off...there is an inkling of hope after all :)

As for the sound effects...they're good, be warned though, if you are expecting all-new, singing, dancing sound effects when you jump or collect rings...forget it. Sonic R uses a LOT of the Megadrive games' original sound effects. For people like myself...this isn't a problem...why mess with perfectly good sound effects anyways? Others, though, may find the effects to be a tad too retro for their liking.

Another thing...why the heck do the characters not say anything or let out little yells and whoops every now and then? This would have worked wonders with the game, adding a lot to the atmosphere...but as it is, every single one of the characters are completely mute. Oh well, at least it means we didn't have to put up with the god-awful voice actor for Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog tv series...''Up...over...and gooooone!!!'' *shudders*

Playability (8/10):

Before I even begin...let me say that this game is definitely no Mario Kart...and the adventure elements pale in comparison with Diddy Kong Racing and Crash Team Racing.

This game is certainly different. It tries its best to mix all the best elements of a 3D platformer and racer. Most racers race on their feet rather than in vehicles (with the exceptions of Amy and Robotnik), this can take a while to get used to as it is quite weird controlling say...Sonic with an accelerate button rather than just simply pushing up on the d-pad...but get used to it you shall. Onne thing that is immediately noticeable is the fact that the tracks are very open, with many secret routes to discover and open (once you have the right amount of rings that is). This open-ended structure is great, allowing you to explore tracks just like you would in a normal platformer (although still not as freeform as Mario 64). There are various special sonic coins to be collected which means you have to search every nook and cranny of each level in order to garner them.

The selection of characters is limited at first to 5 characters: Sonic, Amy, Miles, Knuckles and Robotnik. However, more can be unlocked later (even then, they are just robotic versions of existing characters). Overall, I was kind of disappointed with the small selection...a few more characters wouldn't have gone amiss...perhaps a few of the characters from Chaotix, or Sonic Fighters? It would have been nice. Another thing I would have liked to have seen, seeing as this is a Sonic game, would have been a few bad guys littered throughout the courses...this would have added nicely to the whole ''Sonic'' atmosphere.

Oh, of course I must mention that there is also an obligatory multiplayer mode...however, I haven't gotten to play it...yet :) According to what I have heard and read, it is good fun...but is far from reaching the mighty heights of Mario Kart's (in all its forms) multiplayer mode.

Overall (7/10):

I remember reading about this game as it was being developed throughout 1997, it looked great and I was very excited about it. 4 years on, and I finally get to play the game...and I come away a tad disappointed. Sure, it looks great and is great fun to play...but one can't help but wonder how the game would have turned out if Team Sonic were behind this game 100%, rather than just helping with the overall look and design of the game. If you took this game and took Sonic and his pals out of it and replaced them with generic cartoon animals, you would be able to see this game for how it is: A fun and original racer with fantastic graphics...but a teensy bit shallow when it comes to the gameplay side of things. I am giving this game a 7 rather than a 6 just because the game is a technical marvel and it is also essential for any mad Sonic fans out there...the rest of you, try before you buy, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Knuckles:

Great graphics
Non-linear-ish gameplay
Original concept

Amy:

Lacks a definitive Sonic ''feel''
A tad shallow
Gets VERY boring

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/03/01, Updated 12/03/01