Review Round-Up - December 2020

"Age of Calamity" isn't just a way to describe the year that was 2020,
it's also the subtitle to the latest Hyrule Warriors, SPC's Featured Game of the Month.

Before we completely say "goodbye" to the year together, it's time for the final Review Round-Up of 2020, complete with the four games reviewed, as well as a link to and even an excerpt of each. Let's begin.

The month started strong with one of the better Musou-style games I've played yet with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Swords and shields shattered, and in the process a B+ was awarded to the game. Then, we changed genres from hack-and-slash to a Metroidvania platformer with Pokemon-style catching, raising and battling with Monster Sanctuary and its B grade. Continuing from there, we took a 3D blast to the past with Sonic 3D Blast and its retro review. This classic isometric Sonic game earned a respectable C+. Finally, the third and final platformer of the month, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, saw the Half-Genie hero dance and leap her way to a B+ grade. 

Finally, as promised, here is a link to every December 2020 review in addition to the concluding paragraph from each. As a reminder, check out the SPC Review Archive for every review ever published in SuperPhillip Central history.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (NSW) - B+

Between the reimagined story that certainly GOES places, the fun that comes from slaying a slew of enemies like they were nothing, rushing about the maps like a Cucco with its head cut off as you complete objectives, the robust roster of playable characters with unique play styles, and the massive amount of content available in the story missions, side missions, material requests and Korok hunting, Age of Calamity is up there as one of my favorite Musou games. Admittedly, it certainly helps that it's one based off of one of my favorite video game franchises of all time, but in general, it's just a great Musou. It definitely won't make fans out of haters of the genre, but for those who love games like Dynasty Warriors and want an evolution of the formula, you have one with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Monster Sanctuary (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) - B

While the battles aren't balanced to the best of their abilities and the occasional performance problem, Monster Sanctuary is overall a successful mashup of two genre titans: the monster-capturing-and-battling genre and the Metroidvania. Fights can become long in the tooth and be repetitive, but I'd be lying if I didn't say they weren't ultimately engaging. The other parts of Monster Sanctuary are so excellently executed that I'm amazed this genre mashup wasn't realized and done a long time ago. That said, I'm glad it finally has, and with a highly capable developer--as evident by this game's quality--to boot. Monster Sanctuary gets a solid recommendation from me.

Sonic 3D Blast (GEN, SAT, PC) - C+

If you're looking for a lengthy game, you won't find it with Sonic 3D Blast. It's a rather breezy adventure, clocking in at around 3-4 hours, if you're skilled enough and don't encounter too many annoyances from spotty hit detection from boss battles or confusing camera angles due to the less than adequate perspective. Still, there is plenty of fun to be had, even if Sonic the Hedgehog doesn't reach as high of speeds as most, even the Blue Blur himself, are accustomed to. Released on plenty of platforms and in many collections, Sonic 3D Blast isn't too difficult to track down, and if you can play it, I encourage you to do so and experience this unique Sonic adventure.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC, iOS) - B+

Through its 8-10 hour runtime for first-timers (plus new game+ and speed-running options for subsequent play-throughs), Shantae and the Seven Sirens offers plenty of clever, precise platforming action in a world and map that's ultimately enjoyable to explore. While I wouldn't call Seven Sirens Shantae's greatest adventure, it comes pretty darn close. Between the colorful, vibrant and detailed areas of Arena Island to navigate with relative ease, the amusing transformations that are integrated well, and the story that features amazingly done, oftentimes humorous, if not hilarious scenarios and dialogue, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is undoubtedly a winner in this pirate's book.

Shantae's fifth platforming adventure offered lots of Metroidvania goodness
and fluid gameplay to end 2020 on a good note game review-wise.

Sonic 3D Blast (GEN, SAT, PC) Retro Review

As we approach Christmas, the holiday season, and the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards (beginning this Sunday night), let's go back in time for a Super Sonic 3D Blast from the past! It's retro review time, and this time we're checking out Sonic 3D Blast! Here is the SPC review.

A 3D blast from the past

If you're versed at all, whether well or not, with gaming, you're probably aware of the nineties where then-console titan Sega was in a retail and marketing war with Nintendo. The two butted heads considerably throughout the decade. It's no wonder why the two publishers took inspiration from each other, and in many ways, gaming fans of that era were the real winners in the end. 

Following the massive success of the Super Nintendo and Rareware's pre-rendered 3D modeled platformer Donkey Kong Country, Sega, too, didn't want to be the left in the digital dust. They partnered with a British studio, Traveller's Tales, now most known for their mega-hit literal blockbuster LEGO games, to create a unique platformer starring their main mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. That game would be known by the world as Sonic 3D Blast.

Sonic 3D Blast served as a slower paced platformer compared to past console entries, but by no means was that a foreign concept to the Blue Blur. On the Game Gear he starred in Sonic Labyrinth, which was as slow as it was dull (in my opinion, at least, but that's a review for another day). In fact, alongside Nintendo and Rare's Donkey Kong Country, Sega and Traveler's Tales were inspired by Sonic Labyrinth in the design of Sonic 3D Blast. 

Whereas Sonic Labyrinth was clunky and rather boring, Sonic 3D Blast brings with it a higher level of energy. Don't get me wrong--it's still a leisurely romp with a slow, methodical pace, but not to the point of tedium like Labyrinth was. Sonic 3D Blast, like Sonic Labyrinth, features an isometric camera and 3D worlds, though these are much more detailed and interesting than Labyrinth. 

Sonic's mission, if you choose to accept it: recover Flickies from defeated Badniks and deposit them in the goal ring.

The goal of most acts in Sonic 3D Blast is to defeat five enemies, which Dr. Robotnik has trapped colorful bird creatures known as Flickies inside. Beating the badniks results in freeing the Flicky stuck inside, and once grabbed by Sonic, thus circles around him. When Sonic takes damage or a Flicky is in range of a hazard, the Flickies surrounding Sonic scurry away, much like Sonic's rings when the hedgehog gets hit. Flickies will then bounce around near the location Sonic was damaged, and our prideful protagonist will need to recover them. This is easier said than done, as different Flicky types have different movement patterns. Some scurry about on the ground while others bounce back and forth. When you're damaged on a wide area of hazards, like a lava or spike pit, it's quite possible to pick up Flickies lost only to get hit again, thus causing the Flickies to run away once more. It's a cycle of annoyance that can quickly irritate.

Whoa! Watch out for those spikes, Sonic!

Regardless, after nabbing five Flickies, Sonic's objective is to find a floating horizontal gold ring upon which he can hang off of while depositing the Flickies inside. This either opens up a new portion of level or sees the act being completed. Acts generally have at least two segments where you need to recover and deposit five Flickies after defeating five enemies. To lessen the burden of losing Flickies upon taking damage, Sonic can deposit his newfound feathered friends early, and then go back to find the others still around the level, though this will result in a lesser Flicky point bonus at the end of the level. Still, I will take less points if that means less frustration from having to run around like a Flicky with its head cut off to recover both lost rings and lost Flickies from getting hit.

Just like the Paul Simon song, Sonic's slip-slidin' away.
(Yes, I'm old, so this musical reference might go over many of SPC's younger readers' heads.)

With its isometric view, Sonic 3D Blast can be a bit of a challenge to properly line up leaps on platforms (this is a big issue in zones like Rusty Ruin and Panic Puppet), as well as hits on foes. This is especially so with every Robotnik encounter during every zone's third act. These battles showcase how poor hit detection and how much of an enemy the camera perspective can truly become. With Dr. Robotnik, so many parts of his machinery can damage you, and the zone to attack him is seemingly so small. It results in a lot of rings lost, and perhaps lives, too, as you bang your head against the figurative wall to battle and beat his mechanical monstrosities and robotic creations. 

If there's one positive about Dr. Robotnik, it's that he is surely persistent!

As always, collecting rings is Sonic's lifeline and serves as his health bar. As long as he has one ring in his collection when taking damage, he'll be alright. Rings disappear quite quickly upon taking damage, as they bounce away and Sonic gets into a mad dash to collect them again. So it makes boss battles where there are limited quantities of rings available to Sonic all the more challenging, as previously mentioned, getting hit in these encounters is far too common and possible.

However, rings aren't only used for Sonic's health and wellbeing--they're also used to enter special stages to acquire Chaos Emeralds. Hidden and not-so-hidden in each playable act are Knuckles and Tails, and if you have at least 50 rings, you can enter the special stage. Depending on the version, you either run along a bridge, collecting rings while dodging mines (Sega Genesis), or in the more interesting and challenging special stage version on PC and Sega Saturn, you run along a halfpipe, avoiding mines while also collecting rings, Sonic 2-style. Upon collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds and beating the main game, you unlock the final level, a boss rush of sorts against Robotnik's most menacing mechanical creation. If you successfully complete that, you earn a level select, including all special stages to replay at your leisure.

Dodge spiked balls while nabbing rings to satisfy the ring thresholds of each special stage.

Sonic 3D Blast is rather good looking on the Genesis, which the screenshots of this review come from, but on the PC and Sega Saturn, it's of course even better. There's more detail in environments, there's unique animations and cutscenes, such as Knuckles or Tails personally delivering Sonic to each special stage location and dropping him in, and it's just overall a nicer presentation package. This goes into the music, too. While the Genesis version has remarkably catchy tunes, for me they're vastly outrivaled by Richard Jacques' marvelous compositions that deliver delightfully impressive themes. Upbeat when appropriate and epic and sensational when needed. 

Uh... you might want to move out of the way, Sonic.

If you're looking for a lengthy game, you won't find it with Sonic 3D Blast. It's a rather breezy adventure, clocking in at around 3-4 hours, if you're skilled enough and don't encounter too many annoyances from spotty hit detection from boss battles or confusing camera angles due to the less than adequate perspective. Still, there is plenty of fun to be had, even if Sonic the Hedgehog doesn't reach as high of speeds as most, even the Blue Blur himself, are accustomed to. Released on plenty of platforms and in many collections, Sonic 3D Blast isn't too difficult to track down, and if you can play it, I encourage you to do so and experience this unique Sonic adventure.

[SPC Says: C+]

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "Sonic Unleashed" Edition

Sonic's newest 3D adventure, Sonic Forces, releases officially today (despite many stores breaking the game's street date). Judging on impressions, however, I think it's a better opportunity to look back on -- let's say -- brighter entries in the Sonic the Hedgehog series with this special edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs.

We blaze onto the scene with both Adventure games, just in the opposite order, beginning with Sonic Adventure 2 and then Sonic Adventure. Then, we go retro with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic 3D Blast, both Sega Genesis titles. Finally, a more interesting and polished 3D Sonic than apparently Sonic Forces is, Sonic Generations is where our final VGM volume of this edition comes from.

Finally, check out the VGM Database for every past VGM volume posted on this weekly series of articles. Now, let's get on to the music!

v1506. Sonic Adventure 2 (Multi) - Escape from the City

We're rolling around at the speed of sound with this first song on this Sonic spearheaded edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, diving in to listen to the vocal theme that greeted players in the very first stage of Sonic Adventure 2, City Escape. It's a level so nice that when the 20th anniversary game for the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic Generations, included it within its nine chosen zones.

v1507. Sonic Adventure (Multi) - Windy Hill... for Windy Valley

This chippy and uptempo tune plays in the first section of the Windy Valley stage in Sonic Adventure. It takes places high above the scenery in a mountainous valley with a blowing wind. Once Sonic gets through enough of the level, a giant tornado scoops them up and sends them blasting into the second half of Windy Valley. While the second half of the level features a more peppy theme (a remix of a tune from Sonic 3D Blast), I can't help but prefer the chillness of Windy Hill as heard in Windy Valley.

v1508. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (GEN) - Hydrocity Zone, Act 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 3's Hydrocity Zone is a popular one from that game, and fans had been waiting for years for Sonic Team to revisit it. It was disappointing to not see this aquatic zone in Sonic Generations, but this year, Hydrocity returned in all its bubbly, strong current glory in Sonic Mania. Who could foresee that folks behind 2D fan games of Sonic the Hedgehog would outdo this year's effort by Sonic Team in Sonic Forces? Okay, well, probably a lot of people, sadly.

v1509. Sonic 3D Blast (GEN) - Bonus Stage

I prefer the Sega Saturn and PC versions of the Sonic 3D Blast soundtrack over the Genesis one, as not only is the sound richer on Saturn and PC, but the melodies are different as well. However, I do like a good deal of the songs on the Genesis soundtrack as well. As I've already shared the bonus stage theme for the Saturn/PC version of Sonic 3D Blast, here is the theme for the Genesis game. Certainly not as jazzy and uptempo as the Saturn/PC build, but this version offers something unique and special as well.

v1510. Sonic Generations (Multi) - Collection Room (Door into Summer)

Door into Summer is a song that plays in one of the earliest zones in the 32X-exclusive Knuckles Chaotix. While the original version uses all synth, this remade version takes my favorite song from Chaotix and makes it even more pleasing to my ears with a sensational violin providing the main melody. Sonic Generations ties with Sonic Colors as my favorite all-time 3D Sonic games, so if 3D Sonic had to fall in quality (again), at least it did so before those two games came out.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "Christmas Is A-Comin' " Edition

Christmas is this Sunday. Therefore, this is the last edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs before that special day of family-bonding, gift-giving, and celebrating the birth of Jack Lord or something to that effect. Some kind of lord. Anyway, this week we have lined up five winter-esque themes featuring some of most popular characters in gaming: Mario, Sonic, Donkey Kong, Mega Man, and Kirby!

Starting off is a song from the Sega Genesis version of Sonic 3D Blast. We then dip our toes into chilly waters with a theme from Mario Party 3. Next up, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest shows us why it's one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time. Mega Man 7 follows, and then Kirby Air Ride ends the festivities for now.

Click on the VGM volume name to hear each song. As always, the VGM Database houses every VGM volume ever recorded in this weekly segment on SuperPhillip Central. Now, let's get on to the music!

v1291. Sonic 3D Blast (GEN) - Diamond Dust Zone Act 1

Although the Sega Saturn and PC version of Diamond Dust Zone Act 1 in Sonic 3D Blast sounds much more Christmas-y, it was already represented in a previous edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. That said, the Genesis rendition is more well-known. It was also featured in remix form in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games for the Wii U.

v1292. Mario Party 3 (N64) - Chilly Waters

Chilly Waters is the very first board in Mario Party 3, the third and final installment of the Mario Party series on the Nintendo 64. It features penguins, snowmen, and a frozen lake smack dab in the middle of the entire board. The song is one you can sway to the left and right to as you listen to its jolly, party-like sound.

v1293. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES) - In A Snow-Bound Land

The irony of the song title "In A Snow-Bound Land" is that all of the levels that this song is featured in from Donkey Kong Country 2, my favorite in the DKC trilogy (as cliche a choice as that is), are set in icy caverns rather than snowy wonderlands (i.e. snow-bound lands). Still, it's a perfectly chill and ambient track like many others from Dave Wise's godly DKC 2 soundtrack.

v1294. Mega Man 7 (SNES) - Freeze Man Stage - Iceberg Area

There is a wide range of ice-themed Robot Masters, all starting with the OG, Ice Man from the original Mega Man. In Mega Man 7, Freeze Man takes on the role of the ice-themed Robot Master with his frosty stage set in the arctic tundra. He's the Robot Master recommended to take on first, if memory serves correctly. Even if it doesn't serve correctly, Freeze Man is pretty easy to take out with just the Mega Buster regardless.

v1295. Kirby Air Ride (GCN) - Frozen Hillside

Slip, slide, and ride in this icy track in Kirby Air Ride, a cult classic from the Nintendo GameCube. If you're looking for an atypical racer with a sensational soundtrack, Kirby Air Ride is definitely a game you should look into, given you can stomach the secondhand market price for the game. Frozen Hillside exudes freezing cold temps as you breeze through this winter themed course.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Merry Christmas 2015 Edition

Let SuperPhillip Central be the 131st site to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas! While the site may be late wishing you a happy holidays, at least we have a gift for you unlike those other sites! It's the gift of song with this special edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. Yep, it's a double dose of this recurring weekly segment, specially packaged for Christmas!

All of the songs featured have some winter and Christmas charm to them. We start with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and its Ice Cap Zone Act 1 theme. We then go trekking through a winter wonderland with Mario in Super Mario 64. The Blue Bomber feels Blizzard Man's icy wrath with a song from Mega Man 6. What concludes this special holiday edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs are songs from Sonic 3D Blast and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble.

Once your stomach is full from Christmas dinner, why not rest up by your computer and listen to past VGM volumes and games featured with the SPC VGM Database?

v1036. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (GEN) - Ice Cap Zone Act 1

We seem to have an influx of Sonic the Hedgehog, with Sonic and the Black Knight being the last VGM volume of our last edition of the old VGMs. That's okay, as if I had to listen to music from any gaming series, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise's music would be near the top of my list. With this 1036th VGM volume we delve into the treacherous terrain of the Ice Cap Zone, a popular zone within Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Merry Christmas, Sonic!

v1037. Super Mario 64 (N64) - Cool Cool Mountain

Borrowing the Slider theme melody from the same game, Super Mario 64's Cool Cool Mountain plays in two levels within the game. The first is this titular one, while the second is in the final third of the game, played during Snowman's Land. There are few games that do winter well while leaving players with great memories. Super Mario 64 is one of them.

v1038. Mega Man 6 (NES) - Blizzard Man Stage (Complete Works)

Blizzard Man was one of the eight Robot Masters that Mega Man had to take down in the final NES Mega Man release, Mega Man 6. Mega Man 6 offered some nice innovations to the old Blue Bomber formula, such as multiple path levels, something that some later Mega Man games would possess. The entire package was given the Blue Bomber charm with a super catchy and likable soundtrack, something that the series is definitely well known for. Well, WAS well known for.

v1039. Sonic 3D Blast (SAT, PC) - Diamond Dust Zone Act 1

Sonic 3D Blast had two soundtracks written for the game. The first was the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive version, while the other, and the one I vastly prefer, was the Sega Saturn and PC version. From the sleigh bells, tubular bells, brass, and pizzicato strings, Sonic 3D Blast's Diamond Dust Zone Act 1 is indeed like hearing a Christmas jingle as you explore the level's winter wonderland.

v1040. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (SNES) - Jangle Bells

Wrapping up this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs like a Christmas present is a bonus game melody from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble, the final of the original DKC trilogy for the Super Nintendo. Using a cheat code, in bonus games, all of the collectible doodads would be replaced with golden Christmas ornaments while this song would replace the original bonus game theme. Pretty cool cheat!

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Summer Smorgasbord Edition

Summer is here in North America, and with it comes blistering hot afternoons and muggy evenings and nights. As if you needed another thing to heat up your afternoon, SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs are here to do just that! Maybe you'll completely forget about the heat as you listen to these five wonderful VGM volumes.

We start things off with Metal Slug 2, debuting the Neo Geo system on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. We then head towards Pi'illo Island with Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Next, we get jazzed up with a special stage theme from Sonic 3D Blast on the Sega Saturn. Finally, we get hot and heavy with Ys Origin and Half Minute Hero. As the title of this edition says, it IS a smorgasbord of VGM goodness this week!

v906. Metal Slug 2 (NGEO) - Livin' on the Deck

Now HERE'S something special. For over 900 VGM volumes we've yet to see the Neo Geo get proper respect on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. That all changes with Livin' on the Deck, a jazzy song from Metal Slug's second outing. My first run-in with the Metal Slug series was with the Metal Slug Anthology, allowing play-throughs of seven Metal Slug games with some nice bonus content to boot. Nice to have you aboard the Favorite VGMs, Metal Slug!

v907. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS) - Break at Pi'illo Castle

Yoko Shimomura provides the soundtrack to Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, the longest game in this popular RPG series time-to-completion-wise. Nintendo announced at this year's E3 Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, a crossover between the Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario RPG series. It's looking to be as creative and as humorous as the other games in the series.

v908. Sonic 3D Blast (SAT, PC) - Special Stage

While the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive version of Sonic 3D Blast's soundtrack has some nice themes, it cannot compare at all to the greatness that is the Sega Saturn soundtrack. Composed by Richard Jacques, the soundtrack is absolutely divine, with creative and catchy melodies and an abundance of sensational rhythms.

v909. Ys Origin (PC) - Beyond the Beginning

The Ys series has some of my favorite music in gaming, and I just got into this long-running series a little less than five years ago! It amazes me what I was missing out on with epic music mixing hard rock with classical music, and tremendous action-RPG gameplay that seldom gets dull. I look forward to the next chapter of the Ys saga, which we'll hopefully see at this year's Tokyo Game Show!

v910. Half Minute Hero (PSP) - Main Theme

Half Minute Hero may not be a household name, but it definitely had its soundtrack composed by some great and well known Japanese video game music composers, such as Hiroyuki Iwatsuki, Yuzo Koshiro, Motoi Sakuraba, Koji Hayama, and Norihiko Hibino, to name a handful. A sequel for Half Minute Hero released in 2011 on Steam for PC.