User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 539 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 30 out of 539

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  1. Sep 23, 2012
    9
    Sonic Generations is one of the best Sonic games you can possibly play, and I should know, I've played 23 of them. Sonic Generations tries to bring in long time fans of the series and people just getting in to it, and it succeeds. Generations takes 9 levels from Sonic games throughout Sonic's history, from 1991's Green Hill Zone from Sonic 1 to 2010's Planet Wisp from Sonic Colors. EachSonic Generations is one of the best Sonic games you can possibly play, and I should know, I've played 23 of them. Sonic Generations tries to bring in long time fans of the series and people just getting in to it, and it succeeds. Generations takes 9 levels from Sonic games throughout Sonic's history, from 1991's Green Hill Zone from Sonic 1 to 2010's Planet Wisp from Sonic Colors. Each level has two acts, in act 1 you run through as Classic Sonic, whose levels play like a classic side scroller. In act 2 you play as Modern Sonic whose levels play like...well, a modern Sonic game (by modern I mean past the year 1999). There is really no downside to this approach by Sega, other than the fact that some of this game runs on nostalgia, by which I mean there are some things that only long time fans will understand, like Tails not recognizing Green Hill Zone, because he didn't exist at the time. That however is only a minor complaint, the main problem is the lack of deep plot. The plot for Sonic Generations is incredibly simple, it starts with Sonic celebrating his birthday with his friends when a giant monster appears and sucks everyone into limbo. After that it's up to both Sonics to run through past levels, save all of Sonic's friend, and defeat a giant time traveling monster. It's incredibly simple so for those of you looking for a deep and griping story, you won't find it here. However in the grand scheme this hardly matters, the levels are what will grab you. The levels are highly re-playable and have multiple paths, so you'll often be playing again trying to find the fastest route. There are also 5 red rings hidden in each level which when found will unlock bonus content: Music, Concept Art, etc. Speaking of which the music is awesome, but that goes without saying seeing as this is a Sonic game.Each song takes the original music and remixes it for a classic or modern feel and most of them sound great (Planet Wisp's music didn't make a good transition). But the best part is if you like a particular piece of music that you have unlocked, you can select it to be played during a level. If you have a passing interest in the Sonic franchise and want a good game to start with, then I would highly recommend this one, If you are a Sonic fan then there is absolutely no reason you shouldn't pick this up, unless you don't have the proper console to play it on. For those of you who are Nintendo gamers, there is an option. I would not recommend the 3DS version, If you want the same version that's on Xbox and PS3, then you'll need a computer. Just get a Steam account and it you can download it for $30. You can play it without a controller but again, I would not recommend it. Instead you can plug an Xbox controller into the USB port on your computer. Happy speed running! Expand
  2. Jul 28, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Stunning graphics and an engaging mix of classic and modern gameplay make Sonic Generations worth the price on any platform! The revamped levels from Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and many other great sonic games bring both nostalgia and intense, fast-paced action to the table. I just can't set that controller down! This game even has replay value! Super Sonic, FTW! Expand
  3. Jul 26, 2012
    0
    Does not pick up embedded nvidia graphics cards in laptop for some reason. I can get the game to force run off of it but It crashes for some reason right after I launch it. Just a heads up to everyone with gaming laptops
  4. Jul 21, 2012
    10
    This is a great sonic title.
    For those who played Sonic already on the Mega Drive (because the old sonic i included with modern graphics and 3d-effects) and for kids between us.
  5. Jun 23, 2012
    9
    This game is a fantastic mix between classic Sonic and Sonic Adventure 2 (my personal favourite). The game is vivid, the dynamics are fast, and most importantly it's fun with high replay value. A great game for any gamer!
  6. May 21, 2012
    6
    This game suffers from a severe case of mediocrity. Many will hail this as the return of good sonic, as people did with Sonic Colors. These people are deluding themselves yet again, and will declare the next one to be the return of good Sonic, and the next one after. And they will still probably be wrong.

    I suspect I have figured out the ultimate problem with 3D sonic - that 2D sonic was
    This game suffers from a severe case of mediocrity. Many will hail this as the return of good sonic, as people did with Sonic Colors. These people are deluding themselves yet again, and will declare the next one to be the return of good Sonic, and the next one after. And they will still probably be wrong.

    I suspect I have figured out the ultimate problem with 3D sonic - that 2D sonic was never actually all that great, and 3D just makes those problems ten times worse. I realized, going back to the original sonic games, just how much time you spend NOT making decisions in that game. In Mario, you're doing interesting things. In Sonic, much of the time you're just running around, not really doing much to control the game, and the control you do exert is fairly minimal compared to many such games. This isn't to say that they are bad, but less interaction in a game can hurt it. Worse, going extremely fast (the fun part about Sonic!) also makes him harder to control as you are basically blind sometimes, and your reactions thus have to be much faster - meaning that going through the game more slowly is often more optimal if you want to survive. 3D makes it worse as it tries to show off Sonic's environment but the trouble is that the environment can obscure sonic. This game does a good job of fixing that problem, but then you are simply left with Sonic running around in fairly sterile ways.

    There are some fun parts to the game - don't get me wrong, it is not terrible. But the level design is not great. The ideas behind the levels are quite cool, but the actual execution thereof often is a bit wanting, and the game overall is pretty short.

    There are many worse games than Sonic Generations, but overall there is just nothing to recommend it. There are better platformers, and you should play those in preference to this.
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  7. May 17, 2012
    10
    SERIOUSLY.....When has a 3d Sonic game been this good? I love how SEGA united both their 2d and 3d fans together so fluently! I heard that SEGA are releasing their soundtracks on i-tunes, if thats the case Im about to go purchase a $20 i-tunes card because this soundtrack is phenomenal! I can even listen to it like a cd! I love the new physics on Classic Sonic despite the fact that he getsSERIOUSLY.....When has a 3d Sonic game been this good? I love how SEGA united both their 2d and 3d fans together so fluently! I heard that SEGA are releasing their soundtracks on i-tunes, if thats the case Im about to go purchase a $20 i-tunes card because this soundtrack is phenomenal! I can even listen to it like a cd! I love the new physics on Classic Sonic despite the fact that he gets to fast to control at time. I LOVE how they borrowed from the past, but put enough new gimmicks, platforming, and ideas in it to call it a new game. THE BOSSES ARE SOOOOO FREAKING FUN!!!!!! So the biggest downfall for me would be how short and easy the bosses are because they truly are great bosses. Usually Sonic bosses take 8 hits, but Metal Sonic can be defeated with as many as 5 hits. Despite the short awesome bosses you are guaranteed to play them over and over again as well the levels. This game shows how far the franchise it has come and even though it's had some lows that they're over. This game also showcases Sonic's best moments and makes them even better with reworked platforming and music! This game has breathed hope and faith into Modern Sonic, and shows SEGA'S potential. This games satisfies me a great deal and I'm proud to be a Sonic fan!!! Thanks SEGA for an awesome game!... Expand
  8. May 15, 2012
    9
    One of the best Sonic games I've played since Sonic Adventure 2. The soundtrack is as awesome as always, and the game incorporates levels from just about every main-series Sonic game since Sonic 1. The Classic Sonic levels play like the Sonic games of old, while the Modern Sonic levels are all about speed and reactions. It's very fun, and continues the upward momentum begun by SonicOne of the best Sonic games I've played since Sonic Adventure 2. The soundtrack is as awesome as always, and the game incorporates levels from just about every main-series Sonic game since Sonic 1. The Classic Sonic levels play like the Sonic games of old, while the Modern Sonic levels are all about speed and reactions. It's very fun, and continues the upward momentum begun by Sonic Colors.

    That said, the game isn't perfect. It's rather short, and has a lot of optional "challenges" that were entirely unnecessary in my opinion. The time spent making those could've been devoted to making more levels instead. Still, short or not, it's a fun ride and very much worth the cost.
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  9. May 9, 2012
    8
    It's a good game. I wish Sega could have had a broader spectrum by adding more levels rather than just putting all of those side quests. The same goes for the music track. It would have been neat if Shadow, Silver, Knuckles and Tails could have also transformed into their super form in this game.
  10. Apr 8, 2012
    8
    This game is the best possible thing they could have done for the Sonic franchise. It pays homage to fan favourites throughout the entire Sonic timeline while simultaneously picking up the pace with fresh content that, for the first time in quite while, looks like a step in the right direction. Its only drawbacks are the occasional technical foible; my personal experience involved a lot ofThis game is the best possible thing they could have done for the Sonic franchise. It pays homage to fan favourites throughout the entire Sonic timeline while simultaneously picking up the pace with fresh content that, for the first time in quite while, looks like a step in the right direction. Its only drawbacks are the occasional technical foible; my personal experience involved a lot of plugging and unplugging my USB controller before it would detect correctly, but hopefully other users will have better luck. Expand
  11. Apr 4, 2012
    3
    this is game is really very very nil. To me it does not even merit its design, it's really pathetic and I regret that it's new colors exceeds opus.C 'is almost zero and the more defects are very graphic outstanding and the story does not really amazing, it starts to get upset I prefer colors instead.
  12. Mar 7, 2012
    10
    After a long time is this the first Sonic game i really enjoyed playing. It is fast with a adorable graphic style. Several little hidden things (like rings / ways) and a lot of mini challenges adds a nice long playtime. Short: buy and love it - like me
  13. Feb 13, 2012
    5
    I was looking forward to this till they revealed they had a total of 6 levels and 3 bosses which was in honesty horrible. the game literally took an hour and a half to complete the physics on the old sonic are really bad and the levels are either too short or too long usually that the old sonics too long and the news to short. It really fealt like sega patched together this to make someI was looking forward to this till they revealed they had a total of 6 levels and 3 bosses which was in honesty horrible. the game literally took an hour and a half to complete the physics on the old sonic are really bad and the levels are either too short or too long usually that the old sonics too long and the news to short. It really fealt like sega patched together this to make some bits quickly and what about the added mini games where they supposed to amuse me between levels because they didnt work. I would have prefered it if they had done like capcom are doing and bring back 3 of the good ones in this case apart from 06, unleashed and colours because one 06 sucks, unleashed sucks and colours was just recently released. I would have pay'd twice as much for a hd remake of adventures 2. Expand
  14. Feb 3, 2012
    7
    Re-review of Sonic Generations. Using the PC version, I have noticed that It's an irratating port. It's often hard to get the controls just right. The voice acting isn't the best, although It is clear. The music is catchy and fun. The graphics are spectacular. However, I wouldn't class this as the best Sonic game.
  15. Feb 2, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let's start off with the price. It's 30 dollars in comparison with home consoles which is 50$. You already save yourself 20$ which means expectation shouldn't bee too disappointing for the price. The controls are debatable to say the least. When I play the Modern Sonic levels at times the jump button does not respond and I am playing this on a new laptop so by no means is it the keyboard. I even checked to see if anything was caught underneath, but nope. I spotted some bad collision glitches(Classic Sonic being able to spin dash on a vertical wall) and I've heard of the city escape glitch where you snowboard in the air for infinity. So by no means is this a polished game. Hopefully Sega will fix this. The main story is ridiculously easy. You can plow through the game within 4-5 hours. Completing the game 100%, still not that very challenging. Though I am sure this game wasn't intended to be difficult by any means. It is still fun none the less.

    The soundtrack is good most of them are slight remixes of their original counterpart. If your looking for a good sonic game get this game now. Some of us grew up with Genesis Sonic and though some of his games may not be good to our eyes I hear a lot of little kids talking about the sonic games we hate/dislike. That means that even though Sonic may not be viewed great by critics. Kids of this generation are enjoying the new sonic game. Sonic Generation was a treat to the loyal Sonic Fans who stuck with them all the way and to the new Sonic fan base to show "This is how Sonic started off".

    The only reason why this got an 8 on my score was because of those glitches. The only real major glitch is Sonic's jumping delay(I don't know if anybody else has had the same trouble as I did, but I'll mention it just as a precaution)

    Happy 20th Anniversary Sonic.
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  16. Feb 1, 2012
    6
    Sonic Generations is an above-average game. Although it is highly enjoyable, the issue with the nVidia Optimus cards and the short nature of the core gameplay suggest that Sonic Team did the bare minimum to give the fans what they wanted. Granted, what is here is highly enjoyable, but I'd recommend you stay away until a boatload of patches/DLC come. And with the release of the CasinoSonic Generations is an above-average game. Although it is highly enjoyable, the issue with the nVidia Optimus cards and the short nature of the core gameplay suggest that Sonic Team did the bare minimum to give the fans what they wanted. Granted, what is here is highly enjoyable, but I'd recommend you stay away until a boatload of patches/DLC come. And with the release of the Casino Nights DLC, there is hope that the game will at most become an 8. Expand
  17. Jan 31, 2012
    10
    Best sonic game since the Genesis era - or possibly Adventure 2 Battle. The platforming is awesome in both classic and modern styles. I find myself doing speed runs and going for the best times I can in the modern stages particularly; I've never spent this much time doing speed runs in a game before. Hats off to Sega for an awesome game that, aside from some issues in Chemical PlantBest sonic game since the Genesis era - or possibly Adventure 2 Battle. The platforming is awesome in both classic and modern styles. I find myself doing speed runs and going for the best times I can in the modern stages particularly; I've never spent this much time doing speed runs in a game before. Hats off to Sega for an awesome game that, aside from some issues in Chemical Plant (stuttering whenever water enters the scene), runs perfect on my PC. Expand
  18. Jan 27, 2012
    10
    VERY FUN.... awesome gameplay, EPIC SOUNDTRACK, and men, this game makes me cry... seriously, is a litle short IF YOU DONT PLAY ALL THE MISIONS, and some of them like the race with Cream, Tails, Knuckles are moments that are, simply awesome
  19. Jan 15, 2012
    10
    Awesome game, I have always loved sonic and the chance to replay many of my favorite levels with beautiful graphics and great new abilities (say what you want about 3d sonic but I have enjoyed many of those games and the mechanics introduced) was quite enjoyable. A few complaints, mostly about the short length (the challenges are pretty fun, but I would have preferred to see more fullAwesome game, I have always loved sonic and the chance to replay many of my favorite levels with beautiful graphics and great new abilities (say what you want about 3d sonic but I have enjoyed many of those games and the mechanics introduced) was quite enjoyable. A few complaints, mostly about the short length (the challenges are pretty fun, but I would have preferred to see more full levels). I have a powerful system and there were still a few annoying slowdowns during real-time cutscenes. The voice acting was a BIT annoying (come to expect that though), and I would have loved to see more of my favorite levels return (for example Casino Night Zone from Sonic 2, Angel Island from 3) I really hope there is a sequel with more of the goodness of this game. Expand
  20. Jan 12, 2012
    3
    Bad controls, horrible stages where you cant react to anything or dont see the enemies coming. No boss fights unless you count scripted running scenes as boss fights. This is without a doubt the worst Sonic game Ive ever played in my life. I decided to quit before the last boss, because it's so frustrating to fall off a cliff all the FRIGGIN GTIME!!!!
  21. Jan 10, 2012
    4
    Very busy, sometimes confusing, game that likes to remove your control or limit you to left/right only at every opportunity. "Classic" levels recreated in 3D but in ways that make everything seem to have been scaled off your screen so you can't see what's coming. Basic techniques like spinning just speed you past most of the game with no effort. The video cutscenes are childish andVery busy, sometimes confusing, game that likes to remove your control or limit you to left/right only at every opportunity. "Classic" levels recreated in 3D but in ways that make everything seem to have been scaled off your screen so you can't see what's coming. Basic techniques like spinning just speed you past most of the game with no effort. The video cutscenes are childish and annoying. The controls are only ever referred to via their console equivalents (even if you map your controller/keyboard to them) so it can be hard to quickly work out what you need to press to slide / spin etc. when you first encounter those obstacles.

    It's quite heavy on system requirements for little justifiable reason and is the bare-basics of a PC port - nothing that a recompile wouldn't have given you, with zero extra effort towards taking account of PC features.

    It's Sonic, but it's sadly a sonic that seems more like a slideshow of fancy tricks, camera angles and cutscenes than an interactive fast-paced game.
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  22. Jan 9, 2012
    9
    Great game and all kinda short but at least the challenges make it a little longer. i wish there was a way for a more adventure like option I always loved the exploration in the sonic adventure games we need a gameplay like that.
  23. Jan 7, 2012
    7
    A legitimately good Sonic game, as rare as those have become. Quite charming in places. Platforming mostly feels good, and most of the levels are genuinely fun to play. Story isn't nearly as self-serious as other modern Sonic games. Boss battles are a little weak, but not hard or over-long. Absolutely worth the price.
  24. Jan 6, 2012
    3
    Not overly impressed.
    I feel quite detached from the game. It's as if the game is almost playing itself at some points.
    Particularly on the speeded up bits you don't really feel in control
  25. Jan 2, 2012
    9
    I disagree with those who say this is the greatest Sonic game of all time- we all know that is Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sonic Generations is really a "best of" Sonic, and does a wonderful job of looking back on all the great Sonic moments while providing a fun new adventure! The game pulls 1 level from each of the most landmark Sonic games going in chronological order. Each level has a retroI disagree with those who say this is the greatest Sonic game of all time- we all know that is Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sonic Generations is really a "best of" Sonic, and does a wonderful job of looking back on all the great Sonic moments while providing a fun new adventure! The game pulls 1 level from each of the most landmark Sonic games going in chronological order. Each level has a retro and modern version, and for all the levels, both versions prove to be quite fun! I even enjoyed the levels from the most recent games, many of which I had never seen before, so there is more to this game than just nostalgia. As others point out, though, the game is rather short, though challenge modes extend the longevity somewhat. I was also somewhat disappointed that you can't play as any other characters, only Sonic- I always enjoyed playing as Tails and Knuckles back in the day. Also, there is only a boss fight every few levels, rather than at the end of each one, but almost all of the boss fights are exceptional. I also miss the days that Chaos emeralds were earned in secret stages, rather than as a reward for completing levels. Controls can get finnicky on the modern levels if you don't have an Xbox 360 controller. In the end, if you ever considered yourself a die-hard Sonic fan, you can't miss this game. Expand
  26. Dec 30, 2011
    9
    Sonic Cycle has been broken. Aside from the bonus of nostalgia, this game looks and plays very nicely, with a good chunk of challenges to keep you occupied once you've cleared the main story.
  27. Dec 30, 2011
    8
    Alright now Sonic Generations is a game I've played recently and is very good but not as good as I or many had expected.
    Evaluation > Graphics, Gameplay, Story and Soundtrack & Effects.
    Graphics: The game looks great at 99% of the scenery which is awesome considering you'll hardly stay still to look at any flaws. So the art style is basically a mix between the original levels and what
    Alright now Sonic Generations is a game I've played recently and is very good but not as good as I or many had expected.
    Evaluation > Graphics, Gameplay, Story and Soundtrack & Effects.

    Graphics: The game looks great at 99% of the scenery which is awesome considering you'll hardly stay still to look at any flaws. So the art style is basically a mix between the original levels and what they should have been, many levels are better in the remake and work well with the gameplay mechanics. Graphics: 9/10
    Gameplay: This title has two gameplays, the old and the new Sonic, the old Sonic's levels are all 2D as they should be and the new Sonic levels are a mix of 3D and 2D so they work well, there are some different moves from both Sonics but in the end the gameplay is very simple, what you'll need to do well with this game is good timing. There are many alternate paths through the levels which adds in replayability but they are not as extent as they should be. A good gameplay overall and light-years ahead of the previous 3D Sonic games (from 2006 and beyond). Gameplay Grade: 8/10
    Story: Okay so there have been no Sonic games with a well-developed storyline that I played so, all I can say is that story is not the focus so I'll not really take a lot of points the simple a very child oriented storyline. Story Grade: 7/10
    Soundtrack & Effects: This is a shining spot for the game, pretty much every main song from previous games has been remixed and added to the levels which provides a very strong feeling of nostalgia which I have to say I loved. The sound effects haven't evolved much but there really is nowhere to go from those, they are already good enough. Soundtrack & Effects Grade: 9/10
    *Obs: The PC version has several version related slow-downs so I'll take half-a-point for those.

    Sonic Generations Final Grade: 8.25/10 but I'll make it 7.75 because of the slow-downs on the PC version, which will mean 8/10.
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  28. Dec 30, 2011
    7
    It is unfortunate that the game is so short but it really is the best Sonic has been for years. The idea of 2D and 3D gameplay is clever so everyone is satisfied. The 2D are classic fun whilst the 3D levels are just exhilarating. The game looks great as well. There are a few bugs and control issues but overall, a very good Sonic game.
  29. Dec 23, 2011
    2
    Pass on this. It's poorly optimized, buggy as hell, and lacking in most graphic options. It's a halfassed port reminiscent of Resident Evil 4 for PC. The console version's fantastic, they just put absolutely no effort into porting this.
  30. Dec 17, 2011
    10
    Verry good game,Verry good game, åååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååååå Expand
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Mar 1, 2012
    80
    Overall, Sonic Generations is a well-designed, welcome exception to the massive circulation of violent games in the market, a 'game' that represents perfectly the pure meaning of the word. [February 2012]
  2. PC Gamer UK
    Jan 29, 2012
    64
    If you know what it expects of you, there's a thrill to some of Generations' showier moments. If not, prepare to hit a series of brick walls at high speed. [Feb 2012, p.93]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    70
    Nicely connected 2D past with 3D future Sonic is a remarkable return of the once popular console hero. The hedgehog is in very good shape regardless of his 2D or 3D dimension. [Christmas 2011]