Sonic Labyrinth

Sonic Labyrinth

European cover art
Developer(s) Minato Giken
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Noboru Machida
Hideaki Katagiri
Composer(s) Atsuko Iwanaga
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s) Game Gear, 3DS Virtual Console
Release date(s)

Game Gear

  • PAL October 17, 1995
  • JP November 17, 1995
  • NA November 1995

3DS Virtual Console

  • PAL May 10, 2012
  • JP May 16, 2012
  • NA June 27, 2013
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Sonic Labyrinth (ソニックラビリンス Sonikku Rabirinsu) is a puzzle-platform game for the Game Gear, released in 1995. It is also playable on Sonic Adventure DX and on the PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox editions of Sonic Mega Collection Plus. The game features isometric 3D gameplay similar to that of the SegaSonic the Hedgehog arcade game and the later released Sonic 3D Flickies' Island. Sonic, Dr. Eggman and Eggman's Robots are the only characters present in the game.

Gameplay

Sonic in the first stage Labyrinth of the Sky, who has collected all 3 keys in the stage.

Players control Sonic by maneuvering him around a pinball-like arena, using his ability to roll into a ball to defeat Badniks and pick up keys in order to exit through the GOAL door to clear each stage. The only move Sonic can use in the game is the Spin Dash, as Dr. Eggman has secretly replaced his famous red shoes with another pair: the Slow-Down Boots, which have taken away Sonic's abilities to run fast and jump. They cannot be removed at all without the use of Chaos Emerald energy. Although Sonic retains his walking and learn the Spin Dash ability, there is a time limit in each stage, so one must move quickly to complete stages before the timer runs out.

Stages

In Sonic Labyrinth, there are a total of four Zones, each containing three acts and a boss battle. The goal in each stage is to help Sonic collect the three hidden keys and then head to the GOAL door.

Throughout the stages are many enemies waiting to attack Sonic, so the player must remain aware of their surroundings. Sonic is only able to collect rings during Boss fights (and before each of these fights as he rolls down a steep incline toward the Boss) but the player will lose a life if Sonic is hit twice regardless of how many rings he possesses. If Sonic is not holding any rings, he will only take one hit. Whilst holding the keys, Sonic can withstand a few enemy attacks.

Reception

When released, Sonic Labyrinth received mostly negative reviews from critics. The game was heavily criticized for its lack of speed and clunky control. Electronic Gaming Monthly rated it 4.8 out of 10, commenting "Why not just follow the same Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball routine instead of pretending he [Sonic] can actually move while on his feet?", adding that the repetitive gameplay creates boredom.[1] GamePro gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5, saying it makes a great addition to Sonic's handheld collection.[2]

Re-releases

In 2003, it was re-released as one of 12 unlockable Sonic Game Gear games in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut for the Nintendo GameCube and Windows PC.

Sonic Labyrinth was also included as one of six Game Gear games on Sonic Mega Collection Plus, released by Sega in 2004.

In 2012, Sonic Labyrinth was ported to the 3DS Virtual Console.

References

  1. ↑ "Sonic Labyrinth Review". Electronic Gaming Monthly (78) (EGM Media, LLC). January 1996. p. 48.
  2. ↑ GamePro 078. January 1996. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

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