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SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES - TOKYO 2020 (AND)
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Publisher: SEGA.
Developer: SEGA. Released: May 2020; January 2022 (offline version). Genre: Athletics. Posted 10th August 2024. By Tom Clare © 2024 |
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One of three SEGA Olympic-branded video games to coincide with Tokyo 2020, Sonic goes it alone for this mobile title. A little over 18 months on from its initial launch, Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 was made available to purchase as a complete game without the impediment of in-app purchases, and the result was a refreshingly decent multi-eventer for Android devices. Yes, games consisting of athletics mini-games are likely always leaving something on the table when they’re missing multiplayer components. However, with a glut of well-adapted touchscreen disciplines, sparkling presentation and a mountain of content, there’s surprising quality to be found here.
A story mode acts as a glue that links the sporting events, with Sonic taking on Eggman and his cohorts in a bid to save Tokyo. It’s a narrative arc you’ll have forgotten as soon as you’ve read it, but you’re not here for the story. There’s a mammoth array of challenges on offer, and SEGA has done a great job making them fit the mobile environment. Beating the short, action-packed levels with Sonic allows the player to tackle them again as one of his pals, each with differing statistics and special abilities. Don’t let the mobile setting fool you: first-time golds are far from guaranteed and if you’re going to beat the game, you’ll need to invest plenty of time.
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Whether its the dimples in the track or the scuff marks on the climbing walls, the attention to detail is admirable
As you’d expect, events are designed to be accessible and quick-fire. Whilst the sprint and hurdles showcase a nice, straightforward means of generating speed and timing jumps through screen taps, SatOG is at its best when it’s putting an arcade-like spin on proceedings. Diving is excellent, seeing the player angling their trajectory to collect rings, before utilising spins to elongate the performance and swiping downwards to complete the dive. Archery and shooting trap see the player pressing the screen, dragging their aim and releasing to fire. The former relies on timing, judging the wind and keeping a steady hand, whilst the latter is all about cat-like reactions. These are some of the most enjoyable representations of their sport and a fine example of how precise the game’s controls are.
Sport climbing follows along similar lines, employing platformer-like aspects with powered jumps and moving grips, to decent effect. Trampoline plays like a throwback to the days of the Nintendo DS as the player makes a sequence of quick, directional swipes between the jump and the landing, and this proves addictive and rewarding. Elsewhere, some events are a mixed bag, such as the good-in-principle but surprisingly finicky javelin, and fencing, which just about works but feels sketchy with touch controls.
Sport climbing follows along similar lines, employing platformer-like aspects with powered jumps and moving grips, to decent effect. Trampoline plays like a throwback to the days of the Nintendo DS as the player makes a sequence of quick, directional swipes between the jump and the landing, and this proves addictive and rewarding. Elsewhere, some events are a mixed bag, such as the good-in-principle but surprisingly finicky javelin, and fencing, which just about works but feels sketchy with touch controls.
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There’s a small collection of events that miss the mark. BMX has loads of potential but ends up feeling a bit dull. Besides the limp steering and tap-to-jump mechanics, it feels simplistic and uninvolved. Karate is a reminder that some forms of gameplay are better suited to control pads, with its multiple attack methods and the need for quick, clear swipes for dodges combining for some messy encounters. Badminton overcomplicates things: encouraging both timed taps and directional swipes, as well as special shots that essentially auto-win the point (unfortunately, the computer opponent is just as willing to deploy these) and a slow-motion option. There’s just a little too much function juggling for it to work well.
What must be highlighted is the game’s outstanding visuals and presentation. The athletics track looks awesome, right down to the surface dimpling, whilst at various events you’ll notice SEGA-themed crowds, Jumbotrons broadcasting your performance in real-time, massive Sonic blimps and a whole swathe of colour. Sonic, Tails, Amy and co. are animated with energy and vim, and the events fizz with the energy you’d hope for from the Olympics. It captures the grandiose nature of the games, with each level feeling like it’s afforded the full razzmatazz. Everything moves with rapidity and smoothness, and SatOG stacks up surprisingly well in this regard next to SEGA’s other, contemporary Olympic ventures. Vibrant, easily navigable menus complete what is a triumph of presentation and visual design.
What must be highlighted is the game’s outstanding visuals and presentation. The athletics track looks awesome, right down to the surface dimpling, whilst at various events you’ll notice SEGA-themed crowds, Jumbotrons broadcasting your performance in real-time, massive Sonic blimps and a whole swathe of colour. Sonic, Tails, Amy and co. are animated with energy and vim, and the events fizz with the energy you’d hope for from the Olympics. It captures the grandiose nature of the games, with each level feeling like it’s afforded the full razzmatazz. Everything moves with rapidity and smoothness, and SatOG stacks up surprisingly well in this regard next to SEGA’s other, contemporary Olympic ventures. Vibrant, easily navigable menus complete what is a triumph of presentation and visual design.
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On the surface, the game offers a mountain of content. The offline version of the game houses an enormous array of collectable titles, flags and badges, as well as special moves that can be purchased via points earned for completing story levels. With each of the 15-or-so sports being revisited across five difficulty levels and special events, there’s also a great deal of gameplay to be found in the story mode, if the format suits you. It’s perhaps a little too linear, however, particularly as there isn’t an option to play individual disciplines (outside of completed story levels), either for practice or for chasing PBs. More than 70 stages into the story, players still won’t have encountered popular pastimes such as the long jump or table tennis. There is a heck of a lot of fiddly events to battle through on high-ish difficulties before you get a chance to play these, and some players might lose interest after repeated revisits to less enjoyable disciplines.
Overall though, Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 is a really good game. It can’t emulate the couch co-op camaraderie normally associated with Olympic video games, but it’s a great fit for mobiles. Adopting a creative approach to a myriad of sporting events conjures far more hits than misses. For those after a high-quality, on-the-go version of the games, this represents really good value.
Overall though, Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 is a really good game. It can’t emulate the couch co-op camaraderie normally associated with Olympic video games, but it’s a great fit for mobiles. Adopting a creative approach to a myriad of sporting events conjures far more hits than misses. For those after a high-quality, on-the-go version of the games, this represents really good value.
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VERDICT
"...a creative approach to a myriad of sporting events conjures far more hits than misses. For those after a high-quality, on-the-go version of the Olympics, this represents really good value." OVERALL: 7/10 |
OTHER SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SPIN-OFF GAMES REVIEWED
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (1993, Mega Drive)
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Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012, Wii U)
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