Sonic Colours Ultimate Review

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Fast Facts

Sonic Colours Ultimate is another chapter in the long-running feud between Sonic and Dr. Eggman. This time around the antagonist has built a gigantic intergalactic amusement park with crazy rides and attractions. The one caveat being that Eggman is powering his theme park with captured aliens called Wisps. It’s now up to our favorite hedgehog to overcome the amusement park and save the Wisps.

Sonic Colours Ultimate is a 3D action platformer where Sonic needs to tackle every level of each theme park from Eggman’s Amusement park. Each level is filled with collectibles such as giant red coins and special coins. As with any Sonic game, players need to collect rings in order to be able to sustain damage without dying. You also need to go as fast as possible. However, don’t expect a typical 2D-like speedy experience as depending on the theme park, your speed will hit proverbial speed bumps in platforming sequences.

Use the Power of the Wisps to Your Advantage

One of the most interesting things about Sonic Colours Ultimate is the alien race we’re here to save: the Wisps. Throughout various levels, you’ll collect different types of Wisps which will give Sonic a temporary power-up. The green Wisps will allow you to fly upwards when holding the jump button, whereas the yellow ones will morph Sonic into a drill where you can dig through specific surfaces. And yes, Sonic will encounter resistance throughout his adventure, but it’s definitely not the deepest of combat. When close to an enemy, a red circle will appear around it, and pressing the jump button will target said enemy. If multiple enemies are grouped up, mash the jump button to automatically destroy them. Most. Boring. Combat. Ever.

The biggest problem with Sonic Colors Ultimate is the fact that SEGA seems to struggle making a fun 3D Sonic while keeping the same feel like a 2D Sonic game. For a character that’s “gotta go fast”, this game feels slow and sluggish. You’ll sometimes have fast, automatic quick sequences, followed by a tedious and boring platforming sequence that drops the game’s momentum to a dead stop. Water levels are as bad as in classic Sonic games, but at least you can, most of the time, roll out of the water to reach a nearby platform.

Bright and Entertaining Presentation

One thing that is for sure is that the term ‘colours’ in its title is very much appropriate as the game is full of bright colours across all of its diverse worlds. Each world’s levels, while respecting the main theme of the world, will introduce a few minor things to differentiate from one another. Enemy design variety is near inexistent; you’ll see the same ones throughout the various worlds. Bosses, on the other hand, are quite unique and provide a different challenge. The soundtrack feels like an amalgam of b-sides and leftovers from other Sonic games; it’s not bad but it’s definitely quite forgettable. The voiceover work is ok; nothing really outstanding performance-wise, but Sonic does come across as a complete idiot.

Unfortunately, Sonic Colours Ultimate is another letdown of a 3D Sonic game. While the overall presentation and level variety are quite interesting and unique, it is marred by boring gameplay. Since the creation of Sonic games during the Genesis/MegaDrive era, we’ve been told he’s “gotta go fast”, but with Colours, your speed is filled with speed bumps with boring and annoying platforming. In short bursts, this game is mildly enjoyable, but as far as I’m concerned, Sonic’s best performances are in 2D.

3 out of 5

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You can buy Sonic Colors Ultimate for Xbox One on the Xbox Marketplace.