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Sonic The Hedgehog is undoubtedly one of the most iconic video game characters ever. Whether you sped through Green Hill Zone on your 16 bit console, entered the world of 3D and nurtured a Chao on the Dreamcast, or suffered through one of the below standard Sonic games this generation; there is a good chance you will have at some point played a Sonic game and maybe you even enjoyed it. If you were one of those who remembers the original Sonic, then you may be a little frightened to realise that was 20 years ago. This milestone has not gone unnoticed by Sega however and they’re celebrating the iconic character’s birthday with their latest title, Sonic Generations.

From the start it appears that they are pulling out all the stops, to not only cram as much of Sonic’s illustrious history into the game, but also to showcase where the future of Sonic now lies. By going back to basics and focusing on everything that made Sonic good, they are attempting to bury the memory of some of the more hideous games that have recently sullied Sonic’s career. Featuring a full cast of characters from past and present, iconic levels spanning multiple consoles and a crazy amount of soundtracks and artwork to unlock, this is a playable encyclopaedia of the blue hedgehog.

The threadbare story starts with a surprise birthday party for modern Sonic; rudely interrupted by a time eating monster that captures all of Sonic’s friends. Jumping through the portal and back into the 90′s, Sonic must team up with a younger, fatter version of himself as they progress through Sonic’s time-line; freeing his trapped friends as you go whilst battling a who’s who of infamous enemies ranging from Metal Sonic, to Dr Robotnik. With levels ranging from the most famous of them all, Green Hill Zone, to skateboarding your way through City Escape and onto Planet Wisp bringing Sonic completely up to date. In total there are nine levels and two totally different acts on offer, for each there is a healthy dose of variety all rebuilt in beautiful HD.

The core game-play mechanic remains totally consistent throughout Generations; Sonic brings nothing new to the table in the way the game feels. However, tweaked and tightened in both classic and modern mode, Sonic feels much more natural and fluid and a very big step back towards his 16-bit platforming days. Modern Sonic is still blistering fast and bounces his way across 3D levels with far more control and ease than previous incarnations. Frustrating homing attacks that completely miss the target and throw you off the map are still present, but thankfully not as frequent.

Each of the nine iconic worlds on offer comprise of two acts, requiring the use of both past and present Sonic in order to progress. Act 1 is playable with classic Sonic and is your typical side-scrolling affair, while Act 2 is modern Sonic’s turn to shine. Early act 1 levels, such as Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant are tailor-made for classic Sonic. Well-placed ramps and loops hurtle Sonic across the screen at breathtaking speed. Vacuum tubes and underwater routes all nod back to his classic days, while swinging platforms and spike pits provide a degree of platform finesse. Cleverly placed Badniks provide the opportunity to bounce to even higher levels in pursuit of hidden rings and extra lives. The early classic Sonic levels flow beautifully; bright, vibrant and attractive. Even when running at speed they provide players the chance to seamlessly link together spins, jumps and attacks to reach the goal in a blue blur. As we’ve come to expect from classic Sonic games, the levels are short enough to allow players to learn the multiple routes and impress others with speed runs, which is everything you could wish for from a Sonic game.

Switching to modern Sonic sees the familiar and iconic levels twisted and spun into a 3D world allowing Sonic to run at breakneck speed into the screen. Armed with a homing attack and a rush rather than spinning, Sonic can pinball his way around the level, bouncing from enemy to spring with ease and grace. While these early levels as modern Sonic are extremely fast and pretty you never seem to get the feeling that you are in control as you bounce towards your goal. Various hidden routes are accessible by rapid homing locks, and when triggered the effect during the early levels is more roller-coaster than platformer.

Where modern Sonic comes into its own is in the later levels; since the Dreamcast days Sonic has been in his element in these multi-levelled 3d worlds. Multiple routes open up for those quick enough to spot ramps and hoops that will propel you on different lines through the level.  Two or three different routes will split before converging back in time for the next set piece. Speeding downhill on a board, running head first down a building before switching effortlessly back into a familiar side on view to tackle traditional platforming sections, modern Sonic has it all. Armed with his homing attack Sonic can navigate the various level routes with ease as spectacular set pieces play out on screen. You are left in no doubt as to how the future of Sonic is set to pan out.

While modern Sonic excels in the busy new environments, classic Sonic is somewhat let down by tricky level designs. Gone are the free flowing levels, replaced with awkwardly placed blocks and walls to slow Sonic’s progress. Sonic shows his age slightly, demonstrated by a distinct lack of the modern moves such as the boost and more importantly, the homing attack. Classic Sonic ideally needs open free-flowing levels to utilize his speed and platforming abilities, being forced to slow down only highlights his frailties. Levels that look extremely pretty at high speed don’t quite look as shiny after a missed jump, or a random block slows you down to walking pace. While different takes on the level designs are cleverly done, with runaway trucks chasing you as you progress are a definite highlight, however you often find yourself frustrated at times with the lack of moves on offer after using modern Sonic. Even giving Sonic a skateboard to zip along, or throwing in a roller-coaster section can’t help classic Sonic keep up with his modern counterpart.

Boss battles spread throughout the time-line largely ignore classic Sonic and ask you to battle Sonic’s greatest foes in your modern form. After an excellent initial fight against Robotnik as classic Sonic it’s then up to his modern counterpart to take over. You must make Sonic run into the screen as you dodge attacks, before waiting for an opportune moment to make your counterattack, this method is pretty much repeated for all of the boss fights. They’re not particularly difficult, short and certainly not worthy of the chaos emerald that the boss battles dish out.

Challenge areas appear after completing a level; with 5 challenges for each Sonic, there is a tonne of replay value to be had from the 90 challenge levels. Each has a different objective taken from either the full level, or modified sections of it. Speed running against another Sonic to the finish, collecting chaos’s’ or completing a level with only one ring, there is plenty of variety in these challenge levels. While the game only asks you to complete one per zone to move on, you will find yourself completing them to unlock more valuable skill points to spend in the shop.

With skill points you can buy extra lives, shields and even upgrade Sonic’s powers. Extra speed, the ability to land on your feet and the power to have fallen rings to stay on screen longer are some of the perks you can equip. With 5 slots to fill and 100 points to spend in total you can customise your skill set for each level to make the most of your newfound powers. For the ultimate nostalgic experience you can purchase a mega-drive, enabling you to play an excellent version of the original Sonic The Hedgehog. Completing challenge areas and replaying levels with a higher rank will unlock yet more artwork, music and collectables. For Sonic fans the amount of history crammed into Sonic Generations is unbelievable.

Those wishing to show of their Sonic skills have the option to replay levels and upload their speed runs to the online leader-board. The worldwide leader-boards are the driving force behind shaving off that extra second or two to challenge both friends and those with unnatural skills. Each level can also be played with a 30 second timer, with a marker being placed when the countdown ends, again, competing for a place at the top of the leader board. With a huge amount to unlock and attempting to achieve “S” ranks on each of the acts, there is simply stacks of replay value to be had following completion of the main storyline.

Stripped away from stupid werewolf sections and gimmicks of more recent Sonic games, Generations goes back to what Sonic does best: Beautiful slick platforming both in the early levels as classic Sonic and the later levels in his modern incarnation. Sonic veterans will love the simple way Sega manages to combine old and new to create the greatest Sonic game since his 16 bit days. Newcomers to Sonic and those put off by his last few titles are now able to relive all the greatest moments of Sonic’s illustrious 20-year history.

Classic Sonic in his side-scrolling form can only be taken so far; evidence of this is evident in the later levels where it’s not as free-flowing as the earlier experiences in the game. The future though, in the hands of the new leaner modern Sonic, is looking very bright indeed. By going back-to-basics and creating levels that allow Sonic to use all his skills to maximum effect, whilst nodding back to his greatest days with the camera switching back to the familiar side-scrolling affair, before then catapulting you into the screen at warp factor is pure bliss. By pouring their love of Sonic into this title, Sega have managed to finally create a Sonic game worthy of the classic name. After many failed attempts, Sonic The Hedgehog is back where he belongs, back to lead the line for Sega as one of the best platforming games of this generation.