Are You Worthy?
Name: Sonic and the Black Knight
Other Names (Nicknames): SatBK, Black Knight
Release Dates:
March 1, 2009 – North America
March 12, 2009 - Japan
March 13, 2009 - Europe
March 31, 2009 – Austrailia
Quality: 128-Bit Combat Platformer
Game System(s): Nintendo Wii
Also released on: N/A
Developer(s): Sonic Team
Publisher(s): Sega Corporation
Credits: See Sonic News Network.
Character Introductions: Merlina the Wizard, King Arthur the Black Knight, Caliburn
Region Game Takes Place On: The story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, in the land of Camelot.
Concept Introductions: This game refines the weaponry concept introduced in Shadow the Hedgehog. This time, however, the main focus is swordsmanship. The blades are used by waving the Wii Remote about. The Nunchuck attachment is used to move Sonic. The Soul Gauge from Secret Rings returns and, once filled, the attack, Soul Surge, can be used to take out any enemy in your medieval crosshairs. If there’s no one to defeat, your knight speeds along the path.
Sonic isn’t the only playable one this time around. Shadow, Knuckles and Blaze are here, portraying (respectively), Sir Lancelot of the Lake, Sir Gawain of the Sun and Lady Percival of the Grail (gender swap). Each has a different method of play. Lancelot has Knight style (balanced), Gawain has Paladin style (attack based) and Percival has Cavalier style (speed based). Sonic’s able to learn all three.
You can only use the other knights in certain levels. Sonic’s the one you’ll be building up, after all.
Concept Deductions: Missions are more structured and really challenging, so you may have to replay past levels to get the items to complete them all.
Main Framework: Vast, but linear level design. Occasional two-dimensional perspective.
Storyline:
It would seem that Sonic’s finally been forced into a date with Amy. While waiting for the dreaded encounter, he decided to get two of his favorite snackage, chili dogs, to take the edge off. Before he can get his grub on, however, he is suddenly transported by an unknown magic. Next thing he knew, he’d landed face first in some unfamiliar territory.
Making sure his chili dogs didn’t hit the ground, he looked around to gather his bearings and found himself greeted by a strange woman. She, apparently, was the one to summon him here, as she’d wound up surrounded by some freaky looking creatures Sonic had never seen before. Their leader? An ominous man clad in gold armor wielding an equally creepy looking sword. Sonic, however, wasn’t fazed in the slightest. He simply took the time to eat a chili dog and take out the monsters. Armed with naught but his second dog, he was raring to take on the knight, but the girl stopped him in mid dash and whisked them both away in a swirl of smoke.
The knight, upset at losing the two, sheathed his massive blade and rode to his familiar-looking subordinates, who were standing by on a nearby cliff. Stating that he would give chase on his own, he ordered them to spread out and conduct their own search and assassinate the two.
What was this strange new world Sonic found himself in? And how the hell was he supposed to get back? Only one way to find out…
Personal Criticism/Opinion (by Ryan the Game Master):
Only recently have I been able to play the first entry in the Sonic Storybook series, Secret Rings. Trust me, this is an improvement. It’s not what we’re used to seeing with Sonic, but that’s why I like it. It breaks from the norm, but manages to work within the Sonic formula.
My favorite part about it is how quick the swordplay is. You can either stop and take on your enemies traditionally or slice ‘em up as you run. Either way, it’ll be quick. You’re constantly building your skills up as well, so while your blade may be slow and unwieldy at first, it’ll be second nature further down the road.
So far, I’m liking the Storybook series. It shows an original take on Sonic, which is always a plus in my book. This game is a keeper, you just gotta be willing to put forth the effort. No man was knighted in a day, after all.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay value? With the mission structure, different characters to use and items to collect, as well as the multiplayer, you’ll be at this for a while. Just don’t overdo it or, like all Wii games, you’ll wear yourself out.
Graphics? Some of the best the Wii has to offer. It’d be nice if the character models were pushed a little farther, though. Sonic still shines and he’s the only knight not clad in armor.
Music & Sound Effects? Top notch, as expected. For this game, various composers were brought in, from Sonic legends Howard Drossin and Richard Jacques to other well-known composers like Tommy Tallarico. They’ve managed to find the ideal balance between epic orchestral scores and rockin’ chords. Exquisite.
Storyline? The story takes itself a mite more seriously than one may prefer at times, but it’s told well. I knew little about the legend of Camelot before playing this, but now I’m intrigued by the tales. Any game that can get one to branch out their interests has something going for it. Also, Sonic's personality was nailed to a T here. This is arguably the best story of the Modern Era, if not the entire franchise.
OVERALL RANK? I give Sonic and the Black Knight an