Sonic Heroes
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| Sonic Heroes | |
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| Developer(s) | Sonic Team |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) | January 6, 2004 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC |
Sonic Heroes is a video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is the first multiplatform game in the series, appearing on the Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and the PC CD-ROM. The phrase "Sonic Heroes" Also refers to the protagonists of the Sonic the Hedgehog series as a whole.
The game introduces many new gameplay elements. As opposed to playing as a single character at a time in past games, players will control 3 characters together, switching control between them at any time in a stage. Each character you control has is a special type that helps out the team in a certain way. Some of the characters have the ability to fly, which helps the teams get over high places, and fly through the air. Other characters are speed type, and dash through the level quicker then the other two. The other team members are the strength, and used to break objects, and push.
This game also marks the return of the Chaotix, a group last seen in Knuckles' Chaotix on the Sega 32X.
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The Teams
- Team Sonic: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna
- Team Dark: Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat and E-123 Omega
- Team Rose: Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit, and Big the Cat
- Team Chaotix: Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee and Vector the Crocodile
Team Sonic
Team Sonic is the main team of Sonic Heroes. One day, Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna receive a letter from the maniacal Doctor Eggman. The doc tells them of his new ultimate weapon that will be ready within three days, thereby challenging them to try and find it. Now the three have joined up to stop the mad doctor's plans as Sonic heroes.
The gameplay for this team requires one to race through the levels as quickly as possible, with intermediate difficulty settings. Sonic leads the group as they move over the winding courses, getting them to the goal ring with time to spare. However, if a high ledge needs reaching or a flying foe needs a good beat-down, Tails can take charge with flight to carry his teammates to victory. Whether an army of eneimes or a solid barrier blocks the way, Knuckles can take them down easily, and his group gliding ability can handle almost any crevice. The dream team works together to take down the Eggman with speed and attitude.
Team Dark
Team Dark's common cause to find Dr. Eggman. Rouge the Bat, the founder of the team and its resident flyer, wants to find Eggman's secret treasure. Shadow the Hedgehog, the speed specialist, wants to know his true identity and why he was left inside a pod. E-123 Omega, the fully-armed robot, is angry with Eggman for abandoning him and wishes to prove his power to him.
The missions of Team Dark are the most action-oriented in the game, calling for them to blast through giant hordes of enemies to reach the goal ring, and therefore recommended for experienced players. To accommodate for this, Team Dark has some of the more offensive techniques at its disposal. Shadow uses the Homing attack to blast through rows of Eggman's flunkies; Rouge, besides being able to launch her companions out at enemies in the air, can attack enemies on her own with powerful kicks or misleading ring-like bombs; Omega can also launch his friends outwards, after which he can transform his arms into formidable gatling guns to take out whole groups of foes.
Team Rose
The characters of Team Rose are trying to find their friends. As Amy Rose looks for Sonic, she meets up with Big the Cat and Cream the Rabbit. Big is on the hunt for his little friend, Froggy, while Cream is looking for Cheese the Chao's brother, Chocola. With a picture in the newspaper as their only clue, the three join up to form the team and find them all.
The style of play for Team Rose is the simplest in the game, with fewer enemies and longer flight times, and is designed for younger players. Amy leads in the speed formation, and though she's not as fast as Sonic, she does have her useful Piko Piko Hammer, which she can use to smack enemies, smack her friends at her enemies, and to swing around poles. Cream can fly her teammates over long distances, and when she's alone, she can send her Chao, Cheese, to attack for her. Big uses his fishing pole to attack, which can also pop out into a parasol to help the team glide over cliffs and catch air currents.
Team Chaotix
Team Chaotix is made up of the speedy ninja Espio the Chameleon, the powerful leader, Vector the Crocodile and the air-headed flying ace Charmy Bee. Notably missing is Mighty the Armadillo, who appeared along with them in Knuckles' Chaotix.
The story is that Team Chaotix is a detective agency. One day they get a mysterious call from a stranger that claims that if the job he has for them is completed he will have a large amount of money. Espio, being the mysterious guy of the group does not think that the case is fit for him but Vector reminded him of the number one rule, "We never turn down work that pays!"
In Sonic Heroes, the missions of Team Chaotix are unique and/or unusual. Whether it's collecting hermit crabs or destroying golden turtle robots, their goals are unlike those of any other team. In addition, they have unique skills that set them apart from the others. Espio, for instance, can become invisible in order to avoid enemy fire and to pass through laser barriers, while Charmy can activate special flowers to transport the group to another flower on the other side of the level. This team is recommended for those looking for a change of pace from the general "reach the end" style of play.
Villains
Dr. Eggman: The egg-shaped, moustached antagonist of the series. Eggman has a passion for building robots and weapons which he attempts to use to conquer the world. In this game, he has built the Egg Fleet, a giant army of battleships that resemble fish. However, Eggman is not the main villain in the game and has fallen to the wrath of one of his own creations.
Metal Sonic: Metal Sonic is the robotic counterpart of Sonic, built by Dr. Eggman. Metal Sonic has betrayed Eggman in this video game, taking the destruction of Sonic into his own hands. He has obtained a data-copying ability as well as an emperor-like design. In the Final Story, Metal Sonic transforms into a giant metal dragon called the Metal Overlord.
The Egg Emperor: Eggman's latest giant hedgehog-kicking robot that resembles a giant knight. He can fire beams from his lance and has a "charge" attack which can send the Sonic Heroes flying. He also fires missiles from his back. His weakness is in the centre of his body.
Metal Madness/Metal Overlord: This giant metal dragon is Metal Sonic's ultimate form. He can fire spikes from his back and fingers, has a flamethrower and tail whip attack. When airbourne, he can fire crystal blasts and also can use Chaos Control.
External links
- GameSpot GameSpace (http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/sonicheroes/index.html)
- Download the PC demo (http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?game=sonicheroes)
- Official Website (http://www.sonicteam.com/sonic_heroes/)