Great fun. Lots of mini-games. Easy mechanics. Good graphics. Great multiplayer. Bad AI. Some SEGA classics are missing.
By 0m39A X
GRAPHICS 7,8
The graphics in SST for the Xbox 360 are the best of all consoles(the difference between PS3 and 360 versions lies on the framerate; 360's better). The reason why it couldn't reach an 8 is that it has highs and lows, sometimes quite opposites. Everyone would agree that Sonic, Amigo and Ulala's stages do a great job in impressing our eyes. Specially Sonic's stage, wich is so colorful and filled with elements smoothly shined by the sun's light. You'd feel like you're actually playing one of Sonic's CG's animations from Saturn and Dreamcast era. On the other hand, After Burner and House of the Dead stages seems like they're straightly taken from a 128bit-gen-console. They're composed mostly of big, plain polygons with textures that nowadays seems blurred. The After Burner stage aspect makes it looks like the airport ring in Fighting Vipers 2 for Dreamcast. And House of the Dead(Curien Mansion)'s stage doesn't even stand in comparison with PS2 version of Resident Evil 4(wich is the version with lowest graphical resolution). Outrun, Super Monkey Ball and Jet Set Radio's stages do just fine, in terms of current-gen graphical experience.
GAMEPLAY 7,5
SST has a gameplay wich feels much like the Dreamcast versions of Virtua Tennis. Back in late 90's and early 2000's, Virtua Tennis was the most realistic in its genre. The game mechanics in SST seems somewhat a simplified, more easy to learn VT mechanics. Speed in SST is quite similar to VT, although it seems a little slower. And so it happens with the variety of moves you can make. SST has less movements than early VT games, although the variations you can make while playing, depending on your character's positions on the court, the direction you may press on analog stick, and the timing of wich you press the hit button is very similar than VT. We know that SST alledgelly is made to appeal a wider audience(ranging from children to young adults who now are old SEGA fans), and therefore it must have easy-to-play mechanics, but… it could have been a bit more sophisticated. Early VT versions were easy-to-play, but with a almost perfect balance between easiness and depth for its time.
FUN FACTOR 8,0
This is the area in wich this game really shines. The single player campaign mode'll keep you hooked for hours. You'll not rest until you unlock all characters, mini-games and stages. And you'll unlock them with the purpose of… having more of it to play with your friends! This is really a party game.
The achievements are also varied enough to keep you busy, although the developers could have spend a bit more time putting more challenge on them, or making them more specific. At least 70% of achievements you'll simply get from playing the entire single-player mission mode while completing 'A' rank on each mission, wich is required to open new missions and stages. Therefore, most of the time you'll be completing achievements without even knowing or wanting them.
Still concerning the single-player campaign mode, its structure is almost identical to classic Virtua Tennis games, composed of a scenario filled with marked points containing missions, wich vary from matches against several opponents(ranging from single matches to complete tournaments) and mini-games. Each point(or area) in the scenario is thematic, inspired by a different classic SEGA game. Alex Kidd, Space Harrier(Arcade, Master System), Golden Axe, After Burner(arcade, Master System, Genesis), Outrun(arcade, Master System, Genesis, Xbox), Nights, Virtua Cop(Saturn, Wii), The House of the Dead(arcade, Saturn, Dreamcast, Xbox), Puyo Pop(arcade, several consoles), Space Channel 5(Dreamcast, PS2), Jet Set Radio(Dreamcast, Xbox), Samba de Amigo, Chu Chu Rockt(Dreamcast), Super Monkey Ball(Gamecube, PS2), along with Sonic compose this killer cast of nostalgic fun. Who could ever imagined elements of Alex Kidd(SEGA'S first attempt to beat Mario's hegemony in platform games, way before Sonic), Jet Set Radio, Samba de Amigo and Sonic in a single game… ? It feels almost like a dream becoming reality to any gamer who cares a bit 'bout gaming history. Some mini-games have gameplay wich resemble the original versions. Puyo Pop and Virtua Cop mini-games'll simply get you addicted.
But, as we said 'almost', it's because we think this game ends up being a big 'almost'. For some unknown reason, some of the games initially available in single player campaign mode(wich contains mini-games that can be unlocked for multiplayer later on) in the whole scenario doesn't have its own courts. The result is that, in example, everytime you play Space Harrier you'll be playing it at Sonic's stage. Golden Axe tournaments all happen in Courien Mansion's(The House of the Dead), wich is odd, at least. Also, we think some important SEGA games are missing… the cast is already great, but wait! Why the hell Daytona, Crazy Taxi, Phantasy Star, Sega Rally, Virtua Fighter and Shenmue are not present? We're pretty sure all of these games would easily be labeled as part of SEGA's all-time hits, some in finantial terms(like Daytona), some in groundbreaking relevance(like Shenmue). We'd love to play as Ryo Hazuki(from Shenmue) in a Phantasy Star stage, against any of Crazy Taxi cab drivers.
Other main downhill in single-player campaign mode is its lack of difficulty. Ten hours, at most, is enough to any average console-gamer to complete single player campaign mode in 'A' rank in standart difficulty setting. This game could be a bit more challenging. You'll have lots of fun completing it, although sometimes you'll see yourself repeating techniques and not worrying 'bout using the same character against different opponents in single player tournaments. This AI's game could have been more refined.
FINAL SCORE 7,5
On the good side…
Great (and quite simple) fun. Lots of mini-games. Easy mechanics. Good graphics. Great multiplayer.
On the bad side…
Important games(and characters) are missing. Easy to finish in single-player campaign mode. Not so good AI. Achievement system could have been better.