Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Knuckles

Name: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Knuckles
Developer: Sonic Team
Platform: Sega Megadrive/Genesis
Release Year: 1994
Stephen's Rating: 8/10

Originally the two games Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic and Knuckles were meant to be one game. Due to the space restrictions on the Sega Megadrive cartridge, the game was split into two. These two cartridges could be "snapped" together to be played as a whole complete game (which is the game I am referring to).

Basic Plot

The game was split into two campaigns; the original Sonic the Hedgehog 3 campaign, and the Sonic the Knuckles story. Both could be played as Sonic, Knuckles, Sonic and Tails, or Tails.

At the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Dr. Robotnik's Death Egg crash lands on Angel Island. Dr. Robotnik meets Knuckles on the island and tricks him into thinking Sonic and Tails are trying to steal his Master Emerald.

The start of the game, before Knuckles steals the Chaos Emeralds.

Knuckles continually hinders Sonic and Tails' progress throughout the game as they try to reach Dr. Robotnik and stop him re-launching the Death Egg. Dr Robotnik is able to launch the Death Egg and throws Knuckles off the edge.

Robotnik then uses the Master Emerald to power a robot, but Sonic is able to defeat the robot, retrieve the Master Emerald, and take out the Death Egg.

Knuckles story is different for the second half of the game and involves defeating Egg Robo and Mecha Sonic.

Gameplay

As with the previous games this was a 2D action side-scrolling platform game.

The gameplay experience was different depending on which character you played. Sonic was faster and could jump higher, while Knuckles could break through barriers, glide, and climb up walls. The game was shorter when played as Knuckles but the level layouts more complicated.

There are a series of special stages available throughout the game. They differ from the previous games in that you are in a pseudo 3D world, but have a 360 degree view around. The objective is to touch blue orbs (which turn into red ones) without touching any blue orb more than once (as it turns red). When you touch the required amnount you complete the stage and obtain a Chaos Emerald.

Hyper Sonic.

Obtaining all the chaos emeralds allows you, as in the previous game, to turn into Super Sonic. However, because you're essentially playing the game twice and can obtain two sets of chaos emeralds (the chaos emeralds, and the super emeralds), you are able to obtain the form of Hyper Sonic during the second half of the game. Hyper Sonic is an even faster version of Super Sonic, who glows white. You can also obtain Super Tails, Super Knuckles, and Hyper Knuckles.

The game is split into "zones" which consist of two or three levels. Each level must be completed within a time frame of 10 minutes.

Positives

The level design and general feel of the gameplay is excellent. If you manage to get through the entire game there is a huge sense of accomplishment, as it is a long and epic journey.

Negatives

Compared to Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 the music is inferior in every way. The new composer they brought on just didn't have the same knack for creating tunes which you just want to keep listening to forever.

Memorable Moments

I was very excited when I unlocked Hyper Sonic. He was so fast, it was almost too fast.