Game Preview 11:Sonic and the Secret Rings

Publisher: Sega
Platform available: Wii
Release date: Q2 2007

Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360, but that does not mean that the Wii is not getting a Sonic game. In fact, another new Sonic game, Sonic and the Secret Rings, is under development for the Wii. Unfortunately, Shadow and Silver the Hedgehog would not be playable characters, unlike in the PS3 and Xbox 360 version. Sonic and the Secret Rings signals a change from pervious Sonic games by the fact that the controls have been completely revamped. To play this game, simply position the Wii-mote to a horizontal position. In case you are wondering, there would be no free roaming in Sonic and the Secret Rings, unlike its PS3 and Xbox 360 siblings. Instead, paths are already pre-determined. However, when it comes to movement and speed, players will have their say. To navigate Sonic, tilt the Wii-mote right or left, depending on the direction. Tap the ‘2’ button for a running leap or hold the ‘2’ button to make Sonic halt and perform a jump, which enables him to reach higher areas. While in the air, the nearest enemy is automatically locked on and all you need to do is to flick the Wii-mote and Sonic would bolt towards it. Wait, there is more than this attack! While using this attack, Sonic can also unleash a combo that will inflict damage on many other enemies in the row. For this to be possible, Sonic must jump on his enemy after every successful attack and this can continue as long as there are other enemies around.

Do not forget to grab items too. Collect enough fire icons and you can execute a speed boost for Sonic, which can be done by flicking the Wii-mote forward. Running on a pre-determined track means that the ever-so-often camera problems will be eliminated. This ensures a smoother playing experience and that cheap deaths are seldom seen. For all the gameplay elements, Sonic and the Secret Rings would not be complete without the wonderful graphics. No doubt the environments are detailed and vibrant and do expect to see several effects like fire and speed. As Sonic and the Secret Rings is still far from completion, many details about the game are still under wraps, so check back next time for more.