If you missed Sonic Lost World the first time around, you can easily be forgiven – as a Wii U exclusive, it struggled to catch the public’s attention. But while we’re pleased to see Sega continuing to bring its back catalogue to PC, Sonic Lost World isn’t exactly a lost classic. As the first attempt at a new formula after Sonic Generations, it was an experiment that didn’t quite work out.
Sonic Lost World sees Sonic and Tails venturing to the Lost Hex to battle the Zeti, a race of creatures doing Eggman’s bidding in his latest world-conquering scheme. It’s a beautiful world to race through, as Sonic Team has sensibly brought the classic Mega Drive Sonic aesthetic into the modern era – colourful, abstract landscapes are filled with cute animal-themed robot enemies. The PC port is excellent throughout with a constant 60fps performance. The soundtrack is also of a high standard, with some excellent tunes that will stick in your head for days after playing.
Sonic Lost World’s key design conceit is its unusual level architecture – stages take a variety of forms, from classic 2D-style sections to spherical 3D stages reminiscent of Super Mario Galaxy, though perhaps it would have been best not to invite that comparison.
Most commonly, you’ll encounter cylindrical stages which cleverly keep the game 3D while maintaining the somewhat linear level design that Sonic thrives on. To go with the new level layouts, Sonic has a new control system. He’s gained some parkour abilities, as he can run up and along walls when necessary, but he’s also gained a run button – a heresy to long-term Sonic fans.
Sonic games have historically alternated between slower precision platforming sections and fast-paced action sequences. Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations favoured the latter to the detriment of the former; in Sonic Lost World the pendulum has swung the other way.
While you have a high degree of control during the game’s slower sections, Sonic feels sluggish when you’re trying to move at speed. At their best, Sonic games have levels that encourage seamless, uninterrupted movement and a control system that enables that – a feat Sonic Lost World sometimes manages. But all too often it just feels awkward and disjointed.
There are good ideas in Sonic Lost World, and even fleeting moments of brilliance – the wide-open assault course of Desert Ruins Zone 1 stands out as a particular highlight. But for every bit that works brilliantly and provides the thrilling action we want from Sonic, there’s a weak boss encounter or an awkward stop-start stage that dents your enthusiasm.
In 2013, Sonic Lost World was a game with good ideas that simply hadn’t been refined far enough. Despite a good PC port and a couple of years to come around to the design, that’s still true in 2015.