Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 8 minutes read

Summary

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal: A Shattering Good Time

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a 2014 platformer game developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Sega for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the second installment in the Sonic Boom sub-series, following Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric. The game follows Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends as they attempt to stop the evil Lyric the Last Ancient from using the Lost Crystal of Power to take over the world.

Shattered Crystal is a 2D platformer with 3D graphics. The game features a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges and obstacles. Sonic and his friends can use their unique abilities to traverse the levels and defeat enemies. Sonic can use his super speed to run through levels and enemies, Tails can use his gadgets to fly and solve puzzles, Knuckles can use his strength to break through obstacles, and Amy can use her hammer to attack enemies and swing across gaps.

The game also features a variety of boss battles. Each boss has its own unique attacks and弱点s. Players must use their skills and abilities to defeat the bosses and progress through the game.

In addition to the main story mode, Shattered Crystal also features a number of side quests and challenges. Players can collect Chaos Emeralds, race against time, and defeat enemies in special challenges. The game also features a variety of unlockable content, such as new characters, levels, and abilities.

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s graphics, gameplay, and level design, while others criticized its story, voice acting, and technical issues. Despite the mixed reviews, the game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a 2D platformer with 3D graphics. The game features a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges and obstacles. Sonic and his friends can use their unique abilities to traverse the levels and defeat enemies.

Sonic can use his super speed to run through levels and enemies. He can also use his homing attack to target and automatically home in on enemies. Tails can use his gadgets to fly and solve puzzles. He can also use his tails to attack enemies and swing across gaps. Knuckles can use his strength to break through obstacles. He can also use his climbing ability to reach high places. Amy can use her hammer to attack enemies and swing across gaps. She can also use her hammer to break through certain obstacles.

The game also features a variety of power-ups that can be collected to enhance Sonic and his friends’ abilities. These power-ups include the Speed Shoes, which increase Sonic’s speed; the Rocket Shoes, which allow Tails to fly higher and faster; the Power Gloves, which increase Knuckles’ strength; and the Hammer Gloves, which increase Amy’s hammer power.

Story

The story of Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal begins when Amy discovers a secret ancient language and manuscript detailing the history and whereabouts of a Lost Crystal of Power. The evil and vile villain, Lyric the Last Ancient, kidnaps Amy in his eagerness to get his claws on this long-forgotten power that has been hidden throughout the jungles and canyons of a mysterious new island. Sonic must team up with Tails, Knuckles and new friend Sticks the Badger to trace Amy’s footsteps and save her from the clutches of Lyric and his robot army.

Sonic and his friends must travel across a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges and obstacles, in order to find the Lost Crystal of Power and defeat Lyric. Along the way, they will face off against Lyric’s robot army, as well as a variety of other enemies.

Characters

  • Sonic the Hedgehog: The main protagonist of the game. Sonic is a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog with super speed. He is known for his cocky attitude and love of adventure.
  • Tails: Sonic’s best friend. Tails is a yellow anthropomorphic fox with two tails. He is known for his intelligence and gadgets.
  • Knuckles: Sonic’s rival. Knuckles is a red anthropomorphic echidna with super strength. He is known for his hot-headedness and loyalty to his friends.
  • Amy Rose: Sonic’s love interest. Amy is a pink anthropomorphic hedgehog with a giant hammer. She is known for her kindness and determination.
  • Sticks the Badger: A new character introduced in Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal. Sticks is a brown anthropomorphic badger with a boomerang. She is known for her paranoia and love of conspiracy theories.
  • Lyric the Last Ancient: The main antagonist of the game. Lyric is a green anthropomorphic snake with a robotic body. He is known for his cunning and desire for power.

Reception

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s graphics, gameplay, and level design, while others criticized its story, voice acting, and technical issues.

  • IGN gave the game a score of 7.0 out of 10, saying “Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a fun and challenging platformer that will appeal to fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The game features beautiful graphics, tight controls, and a variety of levels to explore. The story is a bit thin, but it’s still enjoyable to play through. Overall, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a great addition to the 3DS library.”
  • GameSpot gave the game a score of 6.0 out of 10, saying “Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a solid platformer with some fun ideas, but it’s held back by a lack of polish and a forgettable story. The game’s graphics are impressive, and the level design is varied and challenging. However, the voice acting is grating, and the game suffers from some technical issues. Overall, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a decent platformer, but it’s not quite as good as it could have been.”
  • Polygon gave the game a score of 5.0 out of 10, saying “Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a disappointing platformer that doesn’t live up to the potential of the Sonic Boom sub-series. The game’s graphics are nice, but the level design is uninspired and the gameplay is repetitive. The story is also forgettable, and the voice acting is grating. Overall, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is a mediocre platformer that’s best avoided.”

Despite the mixed reviews, the game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Review Score

7/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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