Unfortunately, the Wisp Color Powers aren’t quite as well implemented. It is perhaps easiest to relate inspiration for such a diversifying array of power-ups to that seen within outings by Nintendo’s plumbing counterpart Mario, most notably with that seen within Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Each empowers Sonic with a distinctly differing ability, with the standard White Wisps, for example, allowing Sonic to boost his speed, whereas those found towards the tail end of the game become far more adventurous in style with the Purple Wisp transforming our hero into a ‘Purple Frenzy’ – empowering Sonic to be able to eat all enemies and obstacles within his path. With an array of coloured Wisps on offer, each serving to provide a continual variety in gameplay, Sonic will progressively encounter White, Cyan, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green, Pink and Purple forms being held in capsules. Whilst the more recent outings in the Sonic universe have been heavily criticised for their use of mechanics deemed to be more of a gimmick rather than necessary innovation – the Werehog powers in Unleashed remaining to be a particularly distressing choice for many fans – Sonic Team have seen fit to introduce a further mechanic in the form of ‘Color Powers,’ granted to Sonic by the Wisps themselves. Gameplay sees a mix of ‘Speed’ sections that’ll see you run and grind your way along a colourful blend of 3D environments, whereas Sonic Team has seen fit to add in levels in which the camera retains a more 2D affair, allowing for more platform-based action to ensue. Each offers more responsive control over Sonic as speeds his way through each level, retaining core moves such as his Homing Attack, Wall Jumping, Sliding and Drifting around corners. The game supports three different control schemes Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Classic Controller and the Gamecube Controller, with the latter two seeming most suitable. It, therefore, falls to our blue hero to save the day once more, visiting each planet within the amusement park where he must destroy each of the generators and freeing the Wisps from captivity in the process.
Having captured hordes of Wisps, Sonic’s bitter rival aims to convert them into Nega-Wisps from which he’ll utilise their power as fuel for a mind control beam that he intends to use on the planet below. On their travels, the pair bumps into Yacker, who hails from a species of aliens known as Wisps, and it is from their new extraterrestrial friend that they begin to unravel Dr. Eggman’s Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park. Whisking Sonic and trusty pal Tails ‘Miles’ Prower into space, we find our intrepid duo checking out the sights and sounds of Dr. After a flurry of misguided adventures that failed to meet their mark, it’s finally here a 3D Sonic title that sees the popular blue hedgehog return to form.