[A REVIEW OF RETRO VIDEO GAMES] SONIC 3D BLAST
Hi Guys
Hi guys! how was your day? Is everything is good? I hope that all is well. So, as usual, I'm gonna review a retro video game on many platforms. Today, I'm still talking about a video game that is listed in Sega Genesis Collection. The name of this video game is Sonic 3D Blast. It is the third time that I review a video game from Sonic the Hedgehog series. This series was quite popular at that time thus, there are many series of this video game. Ok, I'm not gonna talk to much here and let's review the video game.
This article is aimed to review classic games on various platforms. Then, the important thing is to recall your childhood memories. Please follow me @zulfan91 to make sure that we still keep in touch.
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast was released for Sega Genesis and Sega Saturn in 1996. The genre of this video game is different from other series because it takes isometric platform game. The developer of this video game was Sonic Team while the publisher was Sega. Actually, the gameplay of this video game is similar to its prior named Sonic the Hedgehog. But the difference is in viewpoint because it adopts isometric platform game that makes occasional use of pre-rendered 3D models converted into sprites.
Even though it's mentioned that the developer of this video game was Sonic Team, most of the actual programming was handled by Traveller's Tales. Sonic 3D Blast was produced as a swan song for the Genesis. Then, it was developed along with Sonic X-treme that was aimed for Sega Saturn but it was unreleased. Due to the cancellation of Sonic X-treme, Sonic 3D Blast was ported to Sega Saturn as the backup plan. In the following, this video game also ported to Microsoft Windows.
Sonic 3D Blast was at the second place the best selling of Sega Saturn video game while the first was Nights into Dreams. However, Sonic 3D Blast received various critics. For example, many video game experts didn't like its isometric gameplay. On the other hand, its visuals and music were praised by video game experts. An unofficial director's cut version was created by the Genesis version's lead programmer named Jon Burton. It was released in 2017 and it features new gameplay features and improving graphics and controls.
The Information Details
- Developers: Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team
- Publisher: Sega
- Director: Takao Miyoshi
- Producers: Kats Sato, Yoji Ishii, and Yutaka Sugano
- Designers: Takao Miyoshi, Kats Sato, Kenji Ono, Takashi Iizuka, and Hirokazu Yasuhara
- Programmers: Sega Genesis (Jon Burton) and Sega Saturn (Neil Harding and Stephen Harding)
- Artist: James Cunliffe
- Composers: Sega Genesis (Jun Senoue and Tatsuyuki Maeda) and Sega Saturn (Richard Jacques)
- Series: Sonic the Hedgehog
- Platforms: Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows
- Release: November 5, 1996
- Genre: Isometric platform video game
- Mode: Single-player
Gameplay
The player controls Sonic the Hedgehog. There is three main goal of this video game such as saving the Flickies, collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds, and defeating Doctor Robotnik and his robot army. Sonic's abilities in this video game are almost the same as its prior games. He can perform spinning in mid-air to defeat robot or hop on platforms, jumping, doing a spin-dash on the ground to gain speed, and collecting rings as a health form.
The level is divided into several parts that are called zones. Each zone has three acts where two is standard levels. Here, the player must collect Flickies by destroying robots in order to proceed. Meanwhile, the last act is a boss fight against Robotnik without any Flicky-collecting involved. Sonic begins the game with three lives. If he gets hit with no Flickies or rings, he loses a life. When all lives lost, it means game over.
PLOT
Flickies are mysterious birds that are discovered by Doctor Robotnik. Flickies live on an island in an alternate dimension. These birds have the ability to travel anywhere using large rings and Doctor Robotnik knows about Flickies' ability. Then, he exploits them by transforming them into robots to support him to search for the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic arrives at the island and discover only the presence of Robotnik. Then, he is assigned to save the Flickies and destroy his nemesis.
Where to Play?
Have you ever play this stunning video game? if no, just click this link. I also provide several screenshots of Sonic 3D Blast.
My Opinion
I have explained some important information about this video game. Then, I've also played this video game. According to the reviewers, the visuals and music of Sonic 3D Blast were nice. But, the reviewers did not like isometric gameplay. Then, the storyline of this video game is mainstream. This video game also got several good responses from video game experts. In short, I give 8.0 of 10 for this amazing video game. I hope you enjoy reading my article and see you in the next post.
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