This game starts a new Retrospective series I am launching, celebrating the other side of the Sonic series; the Fan Games. These are titles that are original adventures for Sonic and friends but without SEGA working on them. But the game we are covering today, Sonic Before the Sequel, is a game that is very interesting.
It stands tall right next to the Genesis Era Sonic titles and really complements the Sonic series perfectly.
History:
The games development started in early 2010/2011 by someone called Felipe Ribeiro Daneluz, better known online as LakeFeperd. He wanted to make a series of Sonic titles that payed homage to the series he loved but to also stand proudly alongside them despite the games production not matching the levels of a mainline Sonic game.
Levels in Before the Sequel pull from a number of sources but one specific zone called 'Lost Levels Zone' is a series of three acts based on cut levels from Sonic 2; Hidden Palace Zone, Wood Zone & Desert/Ice Zone.
Falk explains how he was interested int he project. Thank you so much for the information! Amazing work with the soundtrack and I love so much of it!
He also gave an official comment about his love of Sonic:
“When the so called ‘Dark age of Sonic’ started, I decided to go to games like Sonic Riders and the portable [versions] like the Rush series [On Nintendo DS]. In the end, I never ended up being really disappointed with the Sonic franchise." So he never had issue with the series even during its darkest time.
But the games original release in 2011 did not have the original soundtrack; the later 'SAGE' 2012 Build would have the new soundtrack. The one in the original release of the game includes tracks from Kirby Super Star and other Sonic titles.
It released in 2011 and its later 2012 release during SAGE 2012 to critical to great reception. Many loved the title and consider it a game that stands tall next to SEGA's own games.
Story:
This is major, LakeFeperd's series of games take place inbetween titles. So, Before the Sequel takes between Sonic 1 and Sonic 2. After Sonic defeats Eggman and returns to Green Hill Zone, the Chaos Emeralds warp him to a unknown place, with him running ahead. In the background, Eggman is building his Death Egg and a lone two tailed Fox called Miles 'Tails' Prower is minding his own busness. But he bumps into Sonic and wants to follow him around.
The story switches between Sonic and Tails every single zone and inbetween bosses and zones, we get animated cut-scenes not unlike Sonic 3&K. But these are done on a larger scale, with models being more expressive and some great sprite animation telling the story at points.
Very good story that pushes you toward the end. This continues with After the Sequel and its even better there.
Gameplay:
Sonic 3's Retrospective could be copy and pasted here for the core mechanics honestly; Sonic and Tails can move fast, jump, and roll. Sonic has his super peel out from CD while Tails can fly for along while. The levels are built in mind for each character, with Sonic's acts blending speed and platforming while Tails' levels are built in mind for more platforming with his ability to fly. This is fine, as the levels are greatly designed. They push you to use momentum and are a blast to run through.
They also have some fun gimmicks, like Tails' first level having the fuzzy's from Yoshi's Island that mess with the screen or how a later level for Sonic two sign posts and depending on which one you run through at the end of the zone you have different acts to play. Overall, the game is greatly designed and very enjoyable.
Bosses:
They need to be talked about due to how different they are for Sonic and Tails. Sonic's are like Advance 2, where you run right while Eggman uses a moving ride while Tails' bosses are stationary and you have to use your flying to find good spots to hit them with.
I enjoyed most of them and Sonic's ones are a real treat sometimes.
Presentation:
This game looks amazing and considering most of it was done by one guy, that is very impressive. The colors are all bright and clear, the sprite work is expressive and on point, and the music is divine.
Code:
[IMG]http://www.freegamearchive.com/public/reviews/images/a/a9/a9b/resized/2-sonic-before-the-sequel.jpg[/IMG]Overall:
To say this impresses me more then some of SEGA's own Sonic adventures is crazy to say, but I really feel this. This understands what made the Genesis games so great and fun but adding in new gimmicks and an amazing score. It is one of my favorite Sonic games and its sequel is even better.
Sorry if this Retrospective is a bit on the shorter side, but I really encourage you all give this game a shot if you never played it before. Very strong and enjoyable platformer.
You can play this from the following link: http://sonic-before-the-sequel.en.uptodown.com/windows
Set-Up:
When playing the game in full screen the mouse will be present and cannot be moved away. HUELEN10 found this link: http://www.softwareok.com/?Download=AutoHideMouseCursor. It will remove the mouse cursor to play the game in full screen with little distraction. Thank you for the help and great advice!
Also, when the game boots up, press CTRL + Y to open up the control menu and press every icon at the very bottom. Should work with almost every controller. Another thing to take note is that the cut-scenes can crash the game, so if that happens often, you can turn them off before the game boots up.
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