Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice

This adventure game manages to strike an impressive balance between adventure and action, which should work for anyone who picks it up. Like fire and ice, many gamers tend to come in two flavors. One races the clock and runs through levels as fast as possible, while the other meticulously explores every nook and cranny for secrets. Luckily, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice offers a good mix of gameplay for whichever suits your tastes. First off, it has to be said that a Sonic game isn't a Sonic game unless it's got some speed behind it. Taking that away is like having a Mario game without jumping. Fire & Ice never forgets that. Each stage has a time goal and can be blasted through at hyper speed. It'll take lightning-fast reflexes to race to the finish, especially when you're also switching on the fly between a fire or an ice aura meant either to melt walls of ice in your way or freeze standing water to run across. These are the moments that define the classic Sonic experience, and Fire & Ice captures it wonderfully.

The flip side of Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice's design appeals to the more adventurous sort of gamer. Every main stage features multiple paths, hidden items, and special challenge rooms. By making use of all the abilities of Sonic and his friends, players can uncover lots of secrets and treasures. Discovering these are just as important as beating a time goal, with items found used to customize special race bots used in certain stages. Also, speed and strategy come into play during the game's massive boss battles. While the game does a great job of balancing both styles of play in one package, it's inevitable that fans who enjoy the speed likely will feel held back by the exploration, and fans of the exploration will feel pressured by the speed runs. Still, there's a little something for everyone in Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, and it's a strong return to form for everyone's favorite hyperactive hedgehog.