HOLiDAY_AETERNUS

User Score
10

Presentation - 10
Gameplay - 10
Value - 10

 Continuing from the triumph Sonic Adventure was, SEGA released another Sonic game for the SEGA DREAMCAST. With Sonic Team working together with Hudson Soft, also developers of Mario Party, Sonic Shuffle came to light. A Sonic Party was also developed to an extent during the SEGA SATURN era, although it was unfortunately canned. Sonic Shuffle is an precious stone of a rarity.

 While the game can be compared greatly to Mario Party, it being seen as a "rip-off" is unfair. NINTENDO made some gold off of the Mario Party games, SONY had Crash Bash; all mascots. So why not give Sonic a game like that? Also, a Sonic Party Game Idea was already thought of long ago as mentioned before. This does use Hudson Soft, also developers of Mario Party, so this could have more inspiration from Mario Party than it could seem. Nonetheless, the game is a masterpiece.

 The presenation is great with an awesome boxart, case, manuals, discs, and cool artwork. The game offers a fantastic story, with Sonic and friends being sent into the dream that is MaginaryWorld as called by a newcomer to the series, Lumine, to battle the new antagonist VOID and protect the PreciouStones. And there's somebody else to add some havoc: Doctor Julian Ivo Robotnik AKA EGGMAN is in.

 Sonic Shuffle is clearly a spin-off from the Sonic Adventure Series, with it being very similar in many ways. The graphics are basically a more celshaded edition of Sonic Adventure's, looking just as amazing. The game offered some of the best graphics on DREAMCAST. The environments, character models, colors, textures, and so much more, are done very nicely.

 With the graphics a success, the gameplay follows in its amazement. Absolutely perfect for a Party Game, Sonic and friends are in a Board Game when playing and there's a new twist to be found: Cards. You get to select a Card to determine how many spaces you want to move. It's 1 Space to 6 Space and 7 when utilizing the SHUFFLE Card. A great way to expand on its originality.

 Minigames appear in Sonic Shuffle, as expected, and they work perfectly. Ranging from playing a guitar, DJing, bouncing on springs, rock throwing, umbrella grabbing, opening doors, chasing, drinking soda, and alot more, it's alot of fun. And especially in Multiplayer. The Story Mode in the game is fun as well. The difficulty can spike and it will take a longtime to complete the game, adding to its challenge.

 There are a variety of great tracks and tunes. The soundtrack is some of the best in gaming. Very upbeat and jamming. The voice acting is perfectly done as well. The sound effects are nice and the dialogue is very great. And so, the sound is great.

 Sonic Shuffle is a very underrated game to play and it's alot of fun to play, especially in its multiplayer. With so many things to do and accomplish, Sonic Shuffle is some of the best on the SEGA DREAMCAST, the best console ever. It's very rare and it must be played.

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