Up until now, Sonic the hedgehog games where all about the speedy blue blur jumping through loops, avoiding enemies and collecting rings. For some of us "retro" gamers who enjoy a trip of nostalgia, this doesn't seem at all a bad idea. But with the hedgehog 20th birthday just around the corner, it seems difficult for developers to revamp the fast, furious and spiky blue blur to anything but the original high paced game of the 90's.



As part of the efforts made by Sega, they have made up their minds to try something different. With little to no promotion, Sonic and the Black Knight has been released into an unsuspecting market. For this video game adventure, Sonic has been audaciously equipped with talking sword, and sent back to medieval times to explore the lands of Camelot and the legend of King Arthur. Bordering the ever so popular role-playing games genre, with a sorceress and medieval times, Sonic involves himself in an adventure to the aid of a sorceress battling against an evil force trying to posses King Arthur.

The game fits the bill as far as visual content, pleasant and entertaining with high detailed backgrounds and flashy special effects. Sonic enters the screen on a path, where he is able to steer left or right to clear from enemies, avoid obstacles and approach treasures for the hunt. The analog nunchuck stick is used to manage the character's speed, while the movement from side to side of the Wii remote brings the sword into action.

The frantic use of the sword makes the game a little bit of a frenzy sometimes, on top of which flashy special effects are sure to move the player to edge of their seat. Sonic is able to annihilate his foes on the go, adding even more speed to the game. The fact that we are seeing the hedgehog wave a sword around for the first time can be very satisfying. The player also has access to a special Soul Surge homing attack, which can lock onto your nearest enemy, and lets you expel a merciless shower attack.

There are a total of 11 levels to explore, including castles and dungeons, forests and caves and there's a enjoyable mixture of bad guys to vanquish. Sonic gets help from his friends, red haired Knuckles the Echidna, Shadow Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower the golden-yellow fox who is one of Sonic's best buds, who make an appearance either as Knights of the Round Table or other characters. For hard-core gamers who like to add the tournament flare, there is a four player versus mode, which can also add considerable playing time.

Use of the controls in the use of the sword can become annoying, moving it from place to place. But with the great scenery, flashy special effects, game speed and the traditional flair which has made the Blue Blur hedgehog so popular are sure to bring long hours of fun and enjoyment for both young and old.