Sonic Boom (TV and Games Review)

I just want to put this out there and continue with other stuff. Sonic Boom as a sub-franchise is... it's not doing well. I'm being perfectly honest, the whole new universe take on Sonic doesn't seem to be faring well with the likes of fans and newcomers... so I hear.

Don't get me wrong, I loved how the TV show started out. There were moments where I found myself laughing and moments that had some charm. It's a good cartoon comedy for kids and yes... this new universe is directed towards kids. I understand that, yet we have complaints about voice actors, animation and dialogue... something Cartoon Network could care less about. Claiming if they knew the Sonic Fanbase existed when they pitched this show is way beyond my reach but look at how they handled Teen Titans Go. Sonic Boom was anticipated and if you get past the redesigns and gameplay style, you could tell if it was either gonna be another blow out or a good game out of the blue. However, it all fell apart. Let's talk first about the games.

Games
I kept hearing that this game would be bad and I didn't want to believe them. Rise of Lyric looked pretty solid when looking at the beta footage, however it stuck to a gameplay choice that no one wanted; Slow platforming. I agree that Sonic doesn't have to go fast all the time but at least give out some form of speed. When the final build of the game came out, we got glitches glore and horrible framerate issues, something that other Wii U games never suffered with. Also, the story... it's meh. Like... "Cars 2" meh. The story had potential to explain the new universe but it didn't. Sticks had no introduction, we don't know why Q-N-C worked for Lyric, we don't know what Shadow has against Sonic and we have no idea who the ancients are. Plot holes... I don't mind plot holes that much... I'm not Nostalgia Critic or anything but... this is just lazy. Same goes to Shattered Crystal, except it is a much different story rather than being a continuation. The story is... okay I guess... no... actually it's not. This story likes to throw in unfunny puns, jokes and dialogue. It makes me whenever I hear Sonic tells Shadow that he came out of the shadows. Okay. So? Was that supposed to be funny? I didn't laugh. Was that supposed to be funny at all, Sonic? Ughhh! None of it makes sense and we never really get any depth on why the crystals are so important. Mind you that this writing is done by once again, the writers of "Happy Tree Friends". The rest looks fine.

TV Show
As a Sonic fan who has grown to like the more seriousness of the series, it hurts me to see Sonic just act like a comic foil. The TV show's comedic tone is where I think it should belong. The show is pretty funny but I can kinda see why not many fans like it. I've already listed at least five favorite episodes I have seen so far. Translate This, Evil Genius Crashes on Your Couch, My Fair Sticksy, Fortress of Squalitude and Eggheads. They were the best that the show had and I'm glad I enjoyed them. I cannot say much for the rest because there are problems. Knuckles is a dummy, Sonic doesn't show much emotion, Amy is this world's Rarity and Tails is a technogeek. Knuckles is the biggest downer for me. I love the lines and jokes he delivers but CN is making this beloved video game character into the next Patrick Star. Eggman and Sticks are argueably the best characters in the show and here's why. Sticks is a paranoid wacko and her lines are pretty funny. She has great moments in there as well but I'd like to know more about how she came to be. And Eggman... he is awesome. Nuff said. I can say I am looking forward to more of what the show has to offer but even then it doesn't come close to being the next Adventure Time.

Verdict
In my opinion, I think Sonic Boom should have become something more. I like the Sonic franchise, I really do, but it makes me feel bad that this new branch has been nothing more but a real sonic bomb. The game development was stressful and the advertising were promising, and it all lead to one giant mishap. I'm not one of those hardcore fanboys you keep hearing about. Don't let my username make you think otherwise. Outside I am kind, really respectful and open minded. But it really makes me sad to see Sonic is on the track that he could barely recover from again. All I can say to end this blog is... I hope Sonic does well in the next game because right now, his future is looking pretty bleak.

Sonic, you can do it. I know you can. At least you have your more open minded fans. There's gotta be at least one game that came out great for you. *Sees Super Smash Bros. for Wii U* YES!

Alright, see ya.

Update: Apparently, Sonic Boom, The cartoon is actually doing really well. The ratings are good and it just got renewed for a second season. As for the games... they sold really bad. But hey! The comic book series is also doing great!

Comments

[Jake8765]

Very true. Sonic Boom could've been so much more.
Hopefully the writers know what they're doing. (Ahem, Knuckles.)

[TheRealTwilyFan]

2652791 I know. By the way, I forgot to say in my review that Rise of Lyric plays a lot like "Jak & Daxter", one of my favorite PlayStation franchises of all time. I like platformers in general but I would totally freak out over an unpolished game. And yes, I hope the writers are doing well.