Sonic Labyrinth

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sonic Labyrinth
Composer(s)
Atsuko Iwanaga
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)Game Gear
Release
  • UK: October 1995[2]
  • EU: November 1995[1]
  • JP: 17 November 1995
  • NA: November 1995
Genre(s)Action, puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player

Sonic Labyrinth

isometric perspective. Dr. Robotnik
has robbed Sonic of his trademark speed, so Sonic walks slowly but can roll into a ball and dash across the stages.

Upon release, critical reception to the game was mixed; many critics found the game a unique addition to the Sonic library but flawed by convoluted controls and repetitive gameplay. In retrospect, however, it has received generally negative reviews and is considered among the worst Sonic games ever released. Despite this, the game has been re-released multiple times in the following years.

Gameplay

Sonic exploring a stage

Sonic Labyrinth is an

Chaos Emeralds to release the shoes from his feet.[4][5]

The player controls Sonic, navigating him through maze-like stages filled with enemies and obstacles that hinder his path.

time attack mode is also available.[5]

Development and release

Sonic Labyrinth was developed by Minato Giken,

8-bit games on the 3DS eShop following a drought of releases on the distribution service.[13] The game does not take advantage of the system's 3D stereoscopic functionality.[12]

Reception

Critical reception to Sonic Labyrinth was mixed. Multiple reviewers wrote about difficulties controlling Sonic as he bounced wildly around the levels.

Mean Machines Sega wrote that "you can get through each level with a bit of practise but you're left wondering how you did it."[2] Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) did not like the game's isometric perspective, thinking it contributed to problems directing Sonic around.[14] GamePro wrote that small screen made it occasionally difficult to see what was occurring.[3] They did like the graphics however, as did EGM and Mean Machines Sega, the latter which thought they echoed the graphics of SegaSonic the Hedgehog (1993).[2][14]

Reflecting their positive thoughts, Mega Fun thought Sonic Labyrinth featured innovative gameplay.[16] GamePro and Famitsu both compared the game to Marble Madness.[3][15] Sega Magazin thought the game was challenging with sophisticated level design.[1] GamePro believed it was the most interesting of the recent Sonic additions to the Game Gear library.[3] One reviewer at Mean Machines Sega thought it was a good puzzle game to play in short segments, and may be worth the time for fans of Sonic games, pinball, or puzzles. However another critic from the same magazine thought the game was frustrating and repetitive.[2] EGM also thought the game became repetitious after a few levels and would be boring for more experienced players, although Sonic fans may enjoy it. They concluded their thoughts writing: "This title overall tried to mix the standard side-scrolling Sonic game with a worthless pinball title and failed. In turn, this one just comes up short in both playability and enjoyment, causing boredom after the first few stages."[14]

Retrospectively, reception has been negative and is frequently described as one of the worst Sonic games. In a retrospective review,

USgamer called it "a poor man's version of Marble Madness, taking the worst of that game and the worst of Sonic and cramming it into one title. Absolutely dire."[17] Nintendo World Report called it "a demented version of Sonic 3D Blast", drawing similarities through its isometric style.[8] Official Nintendo Magazine called it "a dreadful game with an identity crisis" and "one of the worst Sonic games ever".[18]

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: ソニックラビリンス, Hepburn: Sonikku Rabirinsu
  2. ^ Four individual reviewers at Electronic Gaming Monthly gave scores of 6.0, 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5 out of 10.[14]
  3. ^ GamePro gave component scores of 4.5 graphics, 3.5 sound, 4.0 control, and 4.5 fun factor out of 5.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Maueröder, Petra (January 1996). "Review: Sonic Labyrinth" (PDF). Sega Magazin (in German). No. 26. p. 83. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Game Gear Review: Sonic Labyrinth" (PDF). Mean Machines Sega. No. 37. November 1995. p. 88. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "ProReview: Sonic Labyrinth". GamePro. No. 78. January 1996. p. 112.
  4. ^ a b c "Next Wave: Sonic Labyrinth" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 77. December 1995. p. 182. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Newton, James (15 May 2012). "Review: Sonic Labyrinth (3DS eShop / GG)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  6. ISBN 978-1-926778-96-9
    .
  7. ^ "ソニックラビリンスのご紹介｜ＳＥＧＡ バーチャルコンソール公式". Sega. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b Ronaghan, Neal (21 June 2013). "Grinding Game Gears: An Overview of Sonic's Portable Origins". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  9. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (3 November 2004). "Sonic Mega Collection Plus". IGN. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  10. ^ "ソニックラビリンス | ニンテンドー3DS | 任天堂". Nintendo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Sonic Labyrinth". Nintendo of Europe. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Sonic Labyrinth". Nintendo. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  13. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (21 June 2012). "Nintendo's "8-Bit Summer" Announced for the 3DS eShop". IGN. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Review Crew: Sonic Labyrinth" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 78. January 1996. p. 48. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  15. ^
    Shūkan Famicom Tsūshin
    . No.362. Pg.31. 24 November 1995.
  16. ^ a b c "Test Mixed: Sonic Labyrinth" (PDF). Mega Fun (in German). January 1996. p. 72. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Gotta Go Fast: Ranking All of The Sonic The Hedgehog Games". USgamer.net. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  18. ^ East, Thomas (16 May 2012). "Sonic Labyrinth review". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012.
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