這款是2011年11月時SEGA慶祝Sonic系列20週年所發售的紀念作，
雖然最近SEGA對這隻刺蝟下的工夫總是不夠多，
不過這一次....非常傑出。完全不愧對20週年的里程碑。


1. 高畫質，支援 HD，幾乎就是PS3主機的水準 (事實上PC版也是移植過來的)
然而卻不太吃顯卡記憶體，優化作得很好。

2. 9個關卡分成三個章節 (經典、夢想、現代，分別代表三個時期)
每一作都挑一個代表性的關卡重製，主打回顧系列遊戲的歷史。
頭目關卡則是各章節各一個勁敵對決和一個代表FINAL BOSS，同樣高畫質重製。

3. 一個關卡兩種模式，經典2D卷軸與現代追尾視角，
可以在Chemical Plant (Sonic 2, 1992) 見識Homing Attack的魅力，
也能在Planet Wisp (Sonic Colors, 2010) 看到Spin Dash的重現。

4. 9個關卡就要30鎂，會不會太貴? 除了主線的關卡之外，
每一關都還各有10個 (經典5+現代5) 支線任務等著，少許任務難度會特別高，
在主線關卡可以達到S Rank，支線破完居然只有C是很常見的。
還有和其他人物的互動、比賽和支援等，雖然玩家只能操縱Sonic，完全不會單調。
註：不支援Steamworks，但坊間有非常多Mod模組可以安裝。

5. 遊戲中點數系統(每場遊戲後依分數獲得)，可以購買技能，
經典和現代用的是不同兩套搭配，而技能大多在完成支線任務後解鎖。
有雙倍的BOOST能量槽、按下熱鍵就能叫出來的防護罩、減少慣性等等。

6. BGM是本作的一大特色，在經典章節中尤為明顯，舉Chemical Plant為例，
小時候玩過Sonic 2 應該聽過這關的BGM吧? 在本作經典關卡的BGM重現當年的風格，
而現代章節的BGM整個Remix，用了現代才有的混音技術，跨越18年的連結。

7. 遊戲中有Collecting Room，在破完支線任務後，或是在主線關卡中找到紅星，
蒐集到的一些小玩意。包含設定稿、遊戲CG、BGM等等，過場動畫也能在這重看。
值得一提的是，收集到的BGM可以替換主線關卡的預設BGM，
可以在打BOSS的時候換非常歡樂的BGM，增加違和感(?)


以上大略描述，在細節中都能看得出來SEGA對這款紀念作的重視，
即使不是Sonic系列的老玩家，我認為這款也很值得一收。

遊戲:
主線內容少；挑戰關卡多
單衝劇情主線
初玩不用半天就能全破
全破後蒐集物品、挑戰關卡、成績挑戰

兩個時代的Sonic關卡各有獨特線路

關卡趣味性高
有重複挑戰的動力
耐玩度滿高的
.
難度:
以往SONIC遊戲只要 踩個空就得從上個記錄點重來
這次採多線路的方式，讓玩家踩空後能從另一條路線繼續跑
難度大大下降

現代Sonic的關卡是2/3D視角切來切去，加上路上障礙的操控複雜性，初玩不是很適應
爆衝時機抓不好，很容易一切視角 就馬上撞牆
比較喜歡 世界大冒險 那種視角路線安排
不過多玩幾次 自然會越玩越順XD
.
音樂:
只能用〝懷念〞來形容
.
劇情:
角色互動太少
劇情嚴重空洞
某些地方陳述不足
非10周年 和 15周年那種 大成本劇情世界觀
整體而言著重 關卡、音樂....的 懷舊要素

強烈推薦喜歡高速快感的玩家

HowLongToBeat.com lists this game as taking five and a half hours to beat. Compare that to my playtime. I've gotten to the point where I can beat most levels in two or three minutes and I still keep going back to them. It's not a hugely challenging game but the experience of just running through the levels is delightful and relaxing while still demanding your attention to successfully complete. Shaving off seconds of your best time or just messing around and exploring the alternate paths makes for a fun distraction of an evening.

I generally go back and replay Sonic 3 & Knuckles at least once a year. I love that game and it was by far my favourite in the franchise. I say was because Generations is now a very, very close second. Only the final boss - which, in contrast to the rest of the game, is a trainwreck - holds it back from the top spot.

The nine levels from the game are taken from previous games. Revisiting some favourites from the old games is lovely, but these levels are great by themselves apart from the nostalgia factor. Each level is split into two acts, in the first you play as "Classic Sonic" who is styled after Sonic's sprites from the very first game. He handles very much like the Mega Drive games with only minor differences in physics (though his spin dash has been upgraded to the point of being almost hilariously powerful and fast) and really captures the old feel in a way that Sonic 4 absolutely did not.

Also unlike Sonic 4 the game makes full use of its 3D environment while still playing entirely in 2D. The background scenery is gorgeous and used in ways that would not be possible in a fully 2D game.

The 3D levels play like an amazing mix of standard 3D platformer, racing game and rhythm game. It moves much faster than the 2D sections but the forward facing camera allows you to see what's coming up ahead and react accordingly. This half of the game is much more dynamic with far more buttons on the controller being used as Sonic runs, jumps, boosts, slides, stomps, sidesteps and drifts through the levels.

The levels, both 2D and 3D, are much more designed than those of the Mega Drive games. There is less general exploration and open areas than in the old games. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The rule of high route = fast and low route = slow is enforced strongly throughout the game. Failure to hit a jump correctly does not (usually) lead straight to a bottomless pit but instead to a lower path. These diverging paths periodically meet back up for the levels set pieces which provide some spectacle for the player before allows them to try and get to the top route again. It's a clear system that gives the player a goal on replays: Learn the top paths and get them down to a tee.

There's also a variety of side missions for each level. Only 9 out of 90 need to be completed in order to beat the game, making them a nice mostly optional challenge for those who want to get a bit more out of it.

The game features 7 boss battles which are all quite varied but all, apart from the atrocious final boss, are great fun.

As for the story, there's thankfully not much of one.

There's also some nice extra level mods for this game both released and on the horizon.

I foresee myself replaying this game for a long time to come.

If you were ever a fan of the Master System/Megadrive Sonic games, then this game might actually please you. If your more familiar with the newer sonic games then this game delivers in that area too. The 2D and 3D elements of sonic have been merged together to create a game that caters for all and does it well.

Probably one of my favourite platformers ever. Possibly one of the best Sonic games ever, a very fun game that i recommend everyone to buy. If you dont like the 3D then play 2D and vise versa.

Plus theres a load of mods to add previous Sonic games levels into it and other characters. The modding community is very much still alive.