Summary
Sonic and the Black Knightis a great example when it comes to fan opinions being more powerful than what critics say when the game was originally released, with the mixed or average opinions it received at launch being replaced by adoration from many players years later. While the second and last entry in theSonicStorybook Series is far from perfect just likeSonic and the Secret Rings,Sonic and the Black Knightis fondly remembered for good reason.
The fact that Sonic used a sword in this game seemed like such a strange concept to many at first glance, but using knighthood as a tool to highlight important pieces ofSonic’s character serves as a great point of storytellingfor the series to this day. To many fans,Sonic and the Black Knighthas evolved from a hilarious concept of Sonic using a sword for no real reason to a charming game that sets the baseline of what should be expected out ofSonicstories. This, combined with the detail in the Wii exclusive as a whole, begs the question whether it should remain there.
How Rereleasing Sonic and the Black Knight Could Fix the Flaws Holding It Back
Compared toSonic and the Secret Rings,Sonic and the Black Knighthas a rather interesting premise as the blue blur is once again sucked into a book but without warning rather than willingly. He’s greeted by the sorceress Merlina, as well as a fake King Arthur and his minions, leading to Sonic freeing a sacred sword from a stone named Caliburn to fight the corrupted ruler. Aware that the blue hedgehog knows nothing of sword fighting, he offers to train him until he makes a worthy knight, setting up the game fora unique take on Arthurian legend.
Sonic isn’t alone, as different versions of Amy, Knuckles, Blaze, and Shadow appear as Nimue, Gawain, Percival, and Lancelot respectively, with Tails appearing as a blacksmith. Other details, such as Silver appearing as Sir Galahad in Battle Mode, rings being gathered in the world through fairies or followers, and even the fairies around the stages actually being Chao if one looks closely,all bring an incredible amount of charm to the experience. It makes sense as to whyBlack Knightsits as one of themore fondly rememberedSonicWii releasesas a result.
Alongside the charm sits the story, which is sent off with aclimactic boss battle between Sonic and Merlinathat comes from the reveal that Sonic was brought to this world to defeat the king so the sorceress could shape it to fit her grieving ideals. With themes of self-determination and that life is worth living even if its short, fans mostly talk about the story and aesthetic ofSonic and the Black Knightand barely if ever mention the gameplay itself. This is becauseBlack Knightsadly takes afterSecret Ringsin terms of the poor controls they both share.
The Benefits Of Bringing Sonic and the Black Knight to More Current Platforms
While the motion-control oriented set-up holdsSonic and the Black Knightback, understanding of current trends with motion controls, as well as re-analyzingBlack Knightas a game, could help it thrive. Just offering button controls, or re-shaping the motion controls to be better with what Sonic Team’s learned from other projects, could help shape the gameplay to be something worth picking up in this day and age. With how much it means to fans, it would certainly do well if cleaned up and made intoone of the recentSonicremastersas being able to experience the world ofSonic’s Arthurian legends will definitely excite those who are already a fan of the game’s charms, and therefore entice those who never got to try it, or want to give it a second look.
Sonic Superstars
WHERE TO PLAY
Inspired by the franchise’s 2D heyday, Sega’s Sonic Superstars is a co-op platformer that features Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Amy as playable characters.
