So I got the game today and finished the first three worlds. I've collected enough Red Rings to unlock... something, in the Sonic Simulator. Also had a quick go at the Challenge Mode.
I mentioned before that the last Sonic game I bought was Secret Rings and that I had my regrets in purchasing it. I thought the initial arcadey approach was a nice idea but technical limitations and awful design decisions marred my enjoyment of it - the short missions and Exp. system were things I was hugely against, as I did not exactly feel privileged to work for better controls and higher jumping. While stepping back from Sonic's friends was welcome, the presentation was pretty cheap too. All in all, it was a disappointment and I was certain that Sonic would never be enjoyable again to me. (I'd watched Pokecapn, KungFuJesus, Medibot and Co.'s LPs of Sonic 2006, Sonic Unleashed and Sonic and the Black Knight and, while Unleashed had potential, I definitely didn't feel I missed anything in skipping those games, especially 2006.)
Sonic Colours, however, starts off well. You immediately begin playing without any intro cutscenes or map navigation to begin with, and you go for two stages before the game gives you a backstory on anything (as well as the option to save.) This has to be a hook to bring in lapsed Sonic gamers who yearned for the pick-up-and-play nature of the old classics, and it works for me.
The next thing I noticed are the controls (I've been using the Wiimote/Nunchuckl combo so far.) They are... still not perfect. Moving around platforms is still a bit precarious and doesn't feel as precise as, say, Mario does. However, SEGA have taken some pretty great pains in order to get around this with a few inclusions - a double jump when you're outside of the range of an enemy helps take the edge off precise navigation, a yellow warning symbol will flash up to indicate you're above bottomless pits and warn you to be careful too, which I think is a great idea and a lot of other games ought to do this too. The level design is utilized pretty damn well in order to prevent cheap deaths, though I have had one or two places where a double jump turns into a homing attack due to the proximity of a nearby enemy. Thankfully, none of those so far have killed me yet. In fact, I've had very very few cheap deaths so far, though as I said I'm only halfway through the game.
Now the major positives: the level designs are pretty fantastic. Comparisons to Mario Galaxy have been common in the colourful, detailed and imaginative settings and the awesome soundtrack, and it's clear from some of the stages that they have been taking a good long look at both Galaxy games. All the levels I have played so far have been extremely varied and range from your typical Sonic high-speed race sections (a particularly beautiful one on the first act of Starlight Carnival stuck with me) to much more slower paced and interesting platforming sections, which have introduced a new gimmick on each stage so far and constantly feel fresh. I'm a huge fan of the Wisps I have unlocked so far, which you don't actually need to finish most stages but help expand the level design in fun and interesting ways. Replaying old levels and finding new stuff with the Drill Wisp has been very satisfying, and I can't wait to plough through all the old levels looking for more Red Rings once I've unlocked all of them. As mentioned before, Sega have been fairly careful when designing the levels so that you don't end up killing yourself when the flow changes direction, or a 3D mach speed section merges into a 2D platforming section, with the right amount of flare and duration that you have time to let it settle in that you're changing play style, yet still be dazzled by onscreen stunts and glitz.
The cutscenes are cheesy; there's certainly no way around it. I do feel like they are a little groanworthy, but it's probably because of the age they are aiming for with them. The humour is plentiful and pitched for a younger audience, but truthfully it's not that unbearable unless you truly despise Sonic's new voice actor. Certainly I prefer it this way than the melodramatic ham-acted dross that seeped into every pore of Sonic 2006, and Tails is certainly much more bearable than Chip was in Unleashed. I do find Robotnik/Eggman's robot henchman enjoyable though. I could watch them all day.
The important question, then, is this a return to form for Sonic? It's hard to say. I don't think we're ever going to get the old Sonic back again no matter how hard we secretly wish for it (and we all know what happens when Sega do try for that, a la Sonic 4). I don't think Sonic Colours was meant to be that game, despite the attempt to appeal to jaded Sonic gamers with less emphasis on dumb plot and shitty friends and retro throwbacks, such as the amusing (if visually unambitious) Sonic Simulator mode, but instead it's trying to be its own thing. In which case the real question is; is it a good game? I would say absolutely. It borrows and builds upon inspiration from both Mario Galaxy and the past 3D games (at least the good bits, of which they are a relative minority) and amalgamates them into a bright, whimsical experience. Wisps look by far to be the best addition to the Sonic stable, being a gimmick that expands upon the enjoyable high speed sections rather than segments the game into pot-shot game modes that fluctuate in enjoyability. The game has plenty of replay value as well, both in the main part and the various modes on offer. There are still, sadly, control issues which are still evident even after Sega's attempts to design around them... which, when you think about it, shouldn't need designing around. If you're very particular about your platforming you might want to approach with caution based on that. I myself have a higher level of tolerance, though I still had one or two death so far because of them. It hasn't stopped me from enjoying it so far and, importantly, not regretting this Sonic purchase. I can even recommend it to other people with a sense of pride, now. Sonic Colours IS a good game.
...now watch as I come across a future level that totally breaks the game for me and causes me to revise these impressions. :lol
