Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice

Around 2014, Sega launched Sonic Boom, a short-lived side series to the main Sonic series set in a new continuity across a handful of games, a TV series and an 11-issue comic series from Archie Comics (before they would lose the Sonic rights to IDW Publishing); notably, it also introduced the character of Sticks the Badger, who has since made minor appearances in games outside the Boom continuity. Though I was initially unable to play any of the main games on Wii U and 3DS, I was a fan of this continuity from watching the TV series and reading all 11 issues of the comic, though during its run that comic was roped into the Worlds Unite crossover with Archie’s other Sonic titles and Mega Man (and a bunch of other Sega and Capcom properties). While I still haven’t played Rise of Lyric (due to not owning a Wii U) or Shattered Crystal on 3DS, I was able to play the follow-up 3DS title Fire & Ice, even getting the Launch Edition that comes with a DVD containing 3 episodes from Season 1 of the TV series the game is modeled after. Though the game has its shortcomings, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

While investigating strange weather patterns, Sonic and Amy come across a geyser that gives them the ability to use fire and ice powers through their communicators. Closing the geyser helps the weather a little bit, though they end up attracting the attention of a robot named D-Fekt trying to stop them from closing any more geysers. Meanwhile, Eggman has been mining an element known as Ragnium, which he plans to use for his new plan to stop Sonic.

D-Fekt (background, center) appears to try and stop the protagonists from
plugging up more geysers. (Foreground, from left: Tails, Amy, Sonic)

There isn’t too much to the plot, though everything comes together in the end in a way that makes sense. The plot itself generally plays out like an episode of the Boom cartoon, including character interactions and some well-placed (sometimes fourth wall-breaking) humor, aided by the fact that it features the same voice cast from said series. Rather notably, the character of D-Fekt appears in a later episode of the Boom cartoon, specifically the Season 2 episode “Return to Beyond the Valley of the Cubots”, however I was unfortunately unable to view this episode properly when it aired on TV due to it airing with out-of-sync audio.

The game features Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles and Sticks as playable characters, with Sonic and Amy playable from the start and the other unlocked as the plot progresses. You can switch between them at any time using the touch screen and they each share a similar moveset, including running, a homing attack and swinging from designated spots, however each character has a unique ability that sets them apart. These abilities include Sonic being able to dash in multiple directions, Tails being able to fly in fans or shoot a laser at targets, Amy being able to hammer down pillars, Knuckles being able to dig and move underground and Sticks controlling the path of her boomerang to hit switches. These abilities also add a sort of Metroidvania style to the level design, as some of them are required at different points to unlock new areas to access Challenge Rooms (which become sealed off after completion) and/or obtain different collectibles.

All characters also have access to the fire and ice mechanic, using the shoulder buttons to switch between fire and ice to get past water-based obstacles and platforms. Whichever one you have active also affects the visual when defeating enemies, with fire causing an immediate explosion and water freezing them for a second first. This mechanic adds a different depth to the gameplay as it goes on, as some sections may require you to switch between them quickly and the power is often used in inventive ways.

Sonic using ice powers while collecting Dragon Rings.

The levels on each island in the game have some variety in their design and are themed appropriately to the setting, such as a pirate-themed island and a gothic island among others. Aside from Classic-style levels, each island also features a level where Sonic runs through a tube, one with Tails piloting a watercraft or submarine and one centered on Bot Racing, which is the main feature of the game’s multiplayer mode. Of all these, I found the submarine levels to be a little awkward, mainly due to needing to keep tapping the touchscreen to see where you are on a map while still controlling the submarine at the same time, whereas the tube levels eventually become more of a test of reflexes as they get more complex. Each level also features a number of collectibles that give the game some small amount of replay value, including parts to build a Sticks-Bot for Bot Racing, hammer parts to upgrade Amy’s hammer and, most importantly, Trading Cards, which unlock new Bot Racing tracks when they are combined into a bigger image.

Another main collectible is Ragnium, which can be obtained by defeating enemies or by collecting a Dragon Ring and following a set path to collect more Dragon Rings before time runs out. Ragnium is primarily used to unlock bonus content, including music tracks from the game and sneak preview images and concept art from Sonic Boom Season 2. Even with all the collectibles, however, there isn’t really much you can do in the game afterwards once you’ve collected everything, aside from maybe the multiplayer mode or trying to beat your time record in each level.

The graphics are actually really good, with everything being perfectly legible even with a good amount of detail. There is an obvious difference between the pre-rendered custcenes and the in-game graphics when it comes to the characters, however the Boom cast is still perfectly recognizable and the various enemies and obstacles can easily be told apart from each other. The Classic-style levels often have another section in the background, and the amount of detail and camera movement helps to sell the level existing in a 3D space.

Also, boss fight such as this take up both screens on the 3DS,
adding to the sense of scale.

The music in the game is good and varied, with a number of tracks specific to each island and their level set. Each track is also memorable to varying degrees and will stick with you for at least a short time afterwards. As mentioned earlier, the voice actors are the same is in the Boom cartoon, as well as more recent games. This lends some authenticity to the experience as the voice actors display their talents and chemistry with the characters.

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice probably isn’t one of the best Sonic games ever made, however it’s still enjoyable in its own right. The level design is varied and the voice acting and graphics are great, however the unique fire and ice mechanic and the creative ways in which it's used help it stand out. It’s probably not for every Sonic fan out there, however definitely consider picking this one up if you’re a fan of the Sonic Boom cartoon.