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A plot intro is not really required for Sonic And Knuckles, as the plot for any Sonic adventure is as predictable and derivative as an episode of Terry and June. But unlike that (now defunct) pairing, the pink and blue duo are not going to settle down in a nice semi in Pinner, suck up to their boss and grow roses. They'd rather take on the fattest bad man (or baddest fat man) with a moustache in the universe - Dr Eggman Robotnik (who could be played by Anton Rogers from TV's Fresh Fields/May To December) in a bid to retrieve the infamous Chaos Emeralds, which are misplaced with Mr. Bean-like frequency.

Notice the subtly introduced sitcom theme? As Sonic And Knuckles is a platform game much in that mould. Comedy contraptions, funny sprites, bonus games that look like sets from Rowan and Martin's Laugh In. All that's missing is the canned laughter. See you again next week for yet another fun-packed edition. You have been watching...

The fourth Megadrive-specific adventure of the Hedgehog who needs no introduction. Created by Team Sonic from the Sonic 3 engine.

Defeat Robotnik with either Sonic or Knuckles to retrieve the Chaos Emeralds from six landscapes.

The mechanics of the game are similar to its 24MEG predecessor, Sonic 3. The games share a common design engine, and Sonic And Knuckles frequently looks like a redecorated version of '3'. In fact, three of the zones on the cart were intended for Sonic 3 - Mushroom Hill, Sandopolis and Flying Fortress.

Knuckles is a new character to control, but Sonic still has the same fire and electricity power-ups he first gained in Sonic 3.

The number of bonus games in Sonic rises once more. We've counted three this time. The giant ring game is the same as Sonic 3 - a 3D maze of balls, with all the blue spheres to be collected. It must be added that this time the stages are a *lot* harder.

The second game is a rotating fruit machine level, which harks back to the very first Sonic secret level. Tricky one, that.

The third is a groovy scrolling pin table that uses weird inertial and gravitational effects - groovy!

Most of the game is played at great speed, relying on the player's reflexes, and this is Sonic's great gameplay trademark.

But Sonic And Knuckles forces you to think, with switches and machines used to reach further areas. Sandopolis is a good example, where large timer switches hold open doors temporarily.

We confirm that Sonic And Knuckles allows your other Sonic titles to be born again. As honest brokers, we admit that this part of the game has not been finalised for our review, but it's beyond doubt that Sonic will add extra levels to Sonic 3, allow you to play Sonic 2 as Knuckles, and possess other such backwardly-compatible features.

The bosses are back - and this time they've brought their friends. Each evel has a curious quota of composite sprites, launching stylised attacks. Some are overcome by insight rather than gaming skill, e.g. the large stone golem that makes a jump too far on Sandopolis.

Gasp! We've found a Sonic game which isn't worthy of a Megagame! Whilst Sonic And Knuckles is still as polished as its many predecessors, the novelty of looping the loop, corkscrew effects and multi-hit bosses is now wearing extremely thin.

Granted, new additions have been made to the gameplay with the additions of crane devices new backdrops and a slight puzzle element, but it just isn't enough. Basically, I think the current Sonic engine has come as far as it can go, and even the most die-hard Sonic fans will come away from this latest version feeling a little cheated.

Even the backwards compatibility - what a nice idea! - is little more than a short-lived novelty.

Don't get me wrong, Sonic And Knuckles is every bit as good as Sonic 3, but it is just more of the same and, consequently, is likely to be usurped by Sega's new hero, Dynamite Headdy.

Sonic And Knuckles may be ideal for the Sonic novice, as it is the most polished of the lot - but are there any Sonic newcomers left?

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? I was beginning to think that while playing Sonic And Knuckles. The similarity to the other Sonic games is obvious, and the feeling of deja vu with Sonic 3 is almost disturbing.

To its credit, the game features some really creamy graphics, and some cute gameplay ideas - the corkscrew lifts, the light switches, and the new bonus games. But we're living in the age of Probotector and Dynamite Headdy, whose ambitious effects takes the edge off the presentation and makes the gameplay look linear and sometimes stagnant.

That aside, I'm dismayed how the game has been recalibrated from the tough preproduction version to be much less challenging. The boss patterns are easy to deconstruct, and areas of the levels are sparse and empty of enemies.

This flaws a game that otherwise matches the same production standards of Sonic 3. But even that standard is nine months old, and the format is looking jaded against some exceptional recent competition. Sonic's going to have to make bigger leaps in future games to stay ahead.

Graphics 93%
P. Strong distinctive branding of the Sonic game, with a more creative use of the colour palette than before. The best looker since Sonic CD.

Sound 90%
P. A new suite of dancy, jaunty, pacey tunes that give an upbeat feel while playing.
N. Some FX have been recycled through more games than the average ecology pad.

Playability 87%
P. As immediate, as instinctive and *almost* as fast as previous Sonic efforts. Lots of clever things to find and see as you go.
N. Linear, and too easy.

Lastability 81%
P. Despite the emerald quest, this is the softest title since the original Sonic. Not for hardened games players.

Value For Money 86%
P. The plug-through facility injects some life into games already bought.
N. Too much like Sonic 3 to be considered as a wholly 'new' game.

Overall 85%
Sonic has still got it, but for the first time he looks like he might not be keeping up. Against a rising time of quality, Sonic And Knuckles is frankly treading water.