Is this fighter worth the download or should Sega have paused in order to re-think this re-release? Find out in our review!
This alone makes the game worth it!
The gameplay of Sonic The Fighters is easily accessible and very simple. The controls are similar to that of the Virtua Fighter series. There are three buttons used for punching, kicking and blocking. The game only allows a fighter a certain amount of blocks, or barriers, per fight. Once those barriers are all broken you can no longer block any incoming attack. While each fighter carries character specific moves, (Sonic can spin dash, Tails can fly, etc.) most of the moves are the same and repetitive for each character. Nothing seems more powerful or effective than the basic three hit combo. The balancing of the fighters is also off. The inclusions of the barriers are interesting, but once the barriers are all used up, its pretty much curtains for that fighter. Corner your opponent, hit the three hit combo, and destroy the barriers and you will win.
This version allows you to play as Metal Sonic, Robotnik, and Honey.
The presentation of Sonic The Fighters is not impressive. The “HD” re-release is presented originally in a 4:3 ratio but players can extend it to 16:9. While the graphics and mere presence of characters like Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles bring up feelings of nostalgia that is short lived once the gameplay begins. Using classic backdrops like Green Hill, Mushroom Hill, and Casino Night are fun, but the basic combos and use of barriers makes the game a must miss. Sonic The Fighters was not originally released in North America until the Sonic Gems Collection on Playstaton 2 and Gamecube. Sega would have been better off putting energy into re-releasing a game that was actually good to start with. The game is worth it however if only to beating the fur off of Tails.
Score: 4 / 10
