Summary
Amy Rose is one ofthe most recognizable facesof theSonicfranchise, along with some of Sonic’s other best friends. Her first appearance was inSonic CDon the Sega Genesis as “Rosie the Rascal,” but she’s since changed and adapted to become a well-loved character. Even if it took time for her to grow into the person she is today,Sonicwouldn’t be the same without her.
Throughout her existence, Amy has varied in her roles. Although she almost always takes an active stance, saving Sonic or venturing out with her other allies, there area lot of classicSonicgames that don’t feature Amy as a playable character. Even if modernSonicgames have a less-than-perfect track record, there are a lot of options out there for Amy fans who want to see her in action.
Sonic Boom: Fire & Iceis the third installment in theSonic Boomspin-off series from theSonicfranchise. It’s the most recent title, released in 2016, that follows Sonic and his friends in the quest to stop Dr. Eggman and save the environment. While the first twoSonic Boomgames were prequels to theSonic BoomTV show, this game had direct tie-ins with the plot of Season 2. It sees Amy return as a playable character after she was excluded as a PC inShattered Crystal.
TheSonic Boomfranchise is not known for producing particularly good games, withFire & Icebeing the highest-rated one. It was praised for returning more to the form most players expect from aSonictitle, and the variety in stages and characters was among its best aspects. Players can freely switch between PCs, meaning it’s a great choice for gamers who want to play as Amy whenever they want rather than waiting for the story to allow them.
Sonic Heroesis a 2003 platformingSonicgame that reverted from the action-adventure style of previousSonicgames to a more linear, less exploration-based style. Taking cues fromSonic Adventure 2,Sonic Heroeshad four different teams composed of differentSoniccharacters that each had their own campaigns for defeating Dr. Eggman.
One of these teams is fronted bynone other than Amy herself, with Cream the Rabbit and Big the Cat by her side. This is one of the few times Amy gets the chance to be a leading PC and step completely out of Sonic’s shadow (no pun intended). The only downside is each team represents a different difficulty, and Amy’s is beginner-level. That’s good news for newerSonicplayers but might come as a disappointment to gamers hoping to finally see Amy fulfill her potential.
Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Gamesis a longstanding spin-off game combining iconic characters from theMarioandSonicfranchises, in which they compete in various sports at the different Olympic Games. First released for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Amy has been a playable character in every installment.
Her statistics vary depending on the version, butMario & Sonic At The Olympic Gamesis a fantastic example of Amy being allowed to shine in her own light. Amy istypically very fast, although not quite as fast as Sonic, and her highest ability is usually skill. As far asSonicgames go, this spin-off series has always given Amy the chance to be center stage and demonstrate her abilities without any help.
Sonic Origins Pluswas a physically released, more content-packed version ofSonic Origins- released the following year, also as a DLC. TheSonic Originscompilation title remastered the first fourSonicgames, andSonic Origins Plusadded the twelveSonicgames released for Sega’s Game Gear.
Along with these games,Sonic Origins Plusalso added Amy- who was noticeably absent from the original four games - as a playable character. Players responded positively to Amy’s inclusion, noting that it added a fresh perspective to the games and very much contributed to the feeling of “new” content in the compilation.On Metacritic, Amy is named by several critics as one of the main reasons to purchase the game, particularly for those who would prefer to experience the classic adventures with her front and center.
Sonic Adventureis a much-loved 3DSonictitle. In fact, it was the first mainSonicgame to feature 3D gameplay and was instrumental in the history ofSonicgames becoming more exploration and action-adventure-based. BothSonic AdventureandSonic Adventure 2are thought to be fan-favorite games thanks to their release dates and never-before-seen 3D style.
Sonic Adventurefeatures Amy as a key part of the storyline. She’s one of six protagonists that are unlocked as the game progresses, encountering her fourth. Amy is equipped with her hammer, which is one of her unique abilities that she can use to fight enemies. In her level, she must avoid an enemy robot and solve puzzles to progress.Sonic Adventureis one of the fewSonicgames to really do Amy justice. She gets her mechanics, level, and sub-plot, which lets her personality and skills shine through like never before.
Sonic Advanceis a trilogy ofSonicside-scrolling platform gamesthat are more true toSonic’s gaming roots. Each one sees theSonicgang go up against Dr. Eggman to prevent his various machinations. All three games were positively received, with critics stating how the genuine fun and creativity of the original games had been recaptured.
TheSonic Advancetrilogy offers three fantastic choices for gamers who want to see Amy treated the same as Tails or Knuckles. For some reason, Amy has never been givenher ownSonictitleand has struggled more than once to be featured as more than an NPC. Finally,Sonic Advancegave Amy the chance to be featured as a PC the same way otherSoniccharacters have been for years. Featuring her own set of skills - namely her iconic hammer - Amy is a playable character inSonic Advance 1 & 3,and can be unlocked inSonic Advance 2after players complete the game.
