Sonic Jump Mobile Review

So Sonic the Hedgehog should have a presence on cell phones. Yes, this I understand. He's the leading mascot for the folks at Sega and he should be seen on as many game consoles as possible to give him and his parent company as much attention as they can gather. But for crying out loud, Sega. If you're going to put him in a game for mobile play, at least make it a good one. I would've even take a game along the lines of Sonic the Hedgehog for Game Gear over the dreck that is Sonic Jump.

This new Sonic game works in the same way as the previous Sonic titles, as you must work your way through a level, collecting rings and bopping enemies as you get to an encounter with Dr. Robotnik (Eggman?) in a fight for the Chaos Emeralds. However, this game has one crucial flaw in its design- it's vertical levels.

That's right, a game character that's built on speed literally has none here, as you have to work your way UP a level instead of running around. That's like advertising Nike shoes and explaining how good they are for lying around in. The levels themselves are nicely done, like in the old spirit of the Sonic games of yesteryear, but the game just gets bland. There's only so many dangers you encounter, the main one being the bottom of the screen. Once a platform disappears from view, you can't drop down to it. If it you hit the bottom of the screen, you're toast, and have to start all the way from the beginning of the level.

It's a frustrating factor, especially when you consider that the gameplay really isn't that great to begin with. Sonic seems to move a bit slower when all he's doing is getting bounced around like a pinball (and not even like in Sonic Spinball), resulting in some missed platforms from time to time- something that isn't even your fault at times. Like I said, there's great design here, but it would've been great for the gameplay to be better realized. And given new direction. Literally. Anything besides up.

And the worst part is, there's not really that many levels to speak of. There are a few favorites taken from Sonic's games of the past, but they're over in a matter of minutes, and don't have any real reason to be revisited. Too bad.

The graphics and sound are okay, and there are a few levels to check out, but the game got bland for me after just fifteen minutes of play or so. I suppose the younger set and Sonic fans will find something to appreciate in Sonic Jump, but I simply could not. The gameplay doesn't expand on the character enough, and too many flaws keep it from going at light speed, like Sega wants it to do. But take heart, Sonic fans. Your hero will return in an adventure that's deserving of his stature, and dreck like Jump will join the other forgettable titles in his saga, including Sonic Shuffle and Sonic N.