Why The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog?

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most unexpected entries in the long-running Sonic franchise. Rather than focusing on speed, platforming, or action, this game takes the form of a visual novel-style mystery. At first glance, the idea of a “murder mystery” starring Sonic the Hedgehog might seem strange—especially given the series’ typically lighthearted tone—but the game leans fully into its premise and delivers a surprisingly charming and engaging experience.

The story begins aboard a train where Sonic and his friends are celebrating a birthday party for Amy Rose. Things quickly take a turn when Sonic is “found dead,” kicking off a playful investigation into what really happened. It’s important to note that the game is not a dark or serious murder story—it’s more of a themed party game within the story itself, which keeps the tone fun and appropriate for all ages.

You play as a new, original character who works on the train and becomes involved in solving the mystery. This perspective works well, as it allows both longtime fans and newcomers to engage with the story without needing deep knowledge of the Sonic universe. Throughout the game, you’ll interact with familiar characters like Tails, Knuckles the Echidna, and others, gathering clues and piecing together what happened.

Gameplay is primarily centered around dialogue choices, exploration, and light puzzle-solving. Players move between train cars, examine objects, and question characters to uncover inconsistencies in their stories. There are also short “thinking” mini-games that add a bit of interactivity beyond just reading text. These segments are simple but effective, helping to break up the pacing and keep players engaged.

One of the game’s biggest strengths is its writing. The dialogue is witty, self-aware, and full of personality. Each character feels true to their established traits while also being given moments to shine in a new context. The humor lands well, often poking fun at both mystery tropes and Sonic’s own history. It’s clear that a lot of care went into making the story enjoyable rather than just a gimmick.

Visually, the game features expressive 2D character art and clean, colorful environments. While it doesn’t aim for cutting-edge graphics, the art style suits the visual novel format perfectly. The soundtrack is another highlight, offering upbeat and atmospheric tracks that enhance the mystery without ever feeling too intense.

However, the game does have some limitations. It’s relatively short, with most players able to complete it in just a few hours. While this makes it accessible and easy to finish, it may leave some players wanting more depth or additional content. Replay value is also somewhat limited, as the story is mostly linear with only minor variations based on player choices.

Additionally, players who aren’t fans of visual novels or text-heavy games may find the gameplay a bit slow. There’s very little action, and much of the experience involves reading and making occasional decisions. While the mini-games help, they don’t dramatically change the overall pace.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-player on PC/Steam.

Pros

• Unique and creative concept for a Sonic game
• Strong writing with humor and personality
• Engaging mystery that keeps players curious
• Fun interactions with well-known characters
• Accessible for both fans and newcomers

Cons

• Short overall length
• Limited replay value
• Minimal gameplay beyond dialogue and simple puzzles
• May not appeal to players who prefer action-heavy games

Summary

Overall, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a delightful surprise that shows how flexible the Sonic franchise can be. By stepping away from traditional gameplay and embracing a narrative-driven format, it offers something fresh and memorable. While it may not have the depth or longevity of larger titles, its charm, humor, and creativity make it well worth experiencing—especially for fans of Sonic or lighthearted mystery games.

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.