Combo

Combos, also known as Hits, are a recurring game mechanic in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a term used for a set of sequential actions performed for the benefit of the player.

Description

Combos can be defined as a designated a set of actions (the nature of the actions depends on the game) performed in sequence that yield a significant benefit or advantage to the player. This usually include providing the player with extra points the larger their combo becomes, alongside other rewards exclusive to each game. However, combos have strict timing limitations, meaning they will reset if the player takes too long to execute a combo-building action. Similarly, taking damage will reset a combo as well.

Game appearances

Sonic Rush Adventure

In Sonic Rush Adventure, combos can only be performed during Sea Stages. In this game, they are activated and maintained through collecting Rings and destroying obstacles or enemies. If the player misses with an attack while riding vessels like the Ocean Tornado, however, the combo will reset. When building a combo, a counter for the current number of actions accumulated named the "Combo Count"^[1] appears below the HP Gauge.

When the player's Combo Count hits 50, 100 and so on, the player's point multiplier will increase by one (x2, x3, and so on up to x9) to earn a higher score.^[1]

Sonic Unleashed

In Sonic Unleashed, combos can only be performed by Sonic the Werehog during the nighttime Action Stages/Stages. In this game, they are activated and maintained through attacking enemies with Skills. When building a combo, a counter for the current number of hits accumulated named the "Combo Counter"^[2] appears on the right side of the screen.

In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 of the game, combos are more free-flowing and without limitations. When completing a nighttime Act, the player is awarded a point bonus based on their combos. Additionally, the player will receive Dark Gaia Force and increasing bonus points upon reaching certain combos in gameplay:

In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of the game, combos have a few limitations. On this version, combos are normally performed by alternating the right-handed and left-handed attacks. The player may start with either hand for a combo. However, the player may execute the same action repeatedly to have the same effect. Early in the game, the player can only perform up to three-hit combos (although the Combo Count will accumulate more). But as the game progresses, the player can unlock the Combo Level Up and will be able to increase the number of combos up to five. Sonic will also learn new skills that will allow him to perform finishing blows with the two-handed attacks anytime from the third hit in a combo:

Sonic and the Black Knight

In Sonic and the Black Knight, combos, referred to as "hits," are activated and maintained through defeating enemies. When building a combo, a counter for the current number of hits accumulated appears on top of the screen. As the player's 'hit count' increases, the counter will turn from yellow to red and emit sparkles.

Alongside giving the player extra points the higher the hit count goes, there are Skills that work in conjunction with hits. These include "Surge Rescue" and "Ring Rescue" (along with their upgraded forms) which respectively increase the Ring count and Soul Gauge based upon 'hit count.'

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, Combos are incorporated into the Freestyle Tricks mechanic that the player can initiate when utilizing Trick Jump Panels. For each trick the player performs, the player will build up a combo link and gain a little energy for the Boost Gauge. Pressing & / & at the end of a combo creates a Finish Combo, which creates a large amount of Boost Gauge energy. The larger the Combo, the more Boost Gauge energy the player gets from a Finish Combo.

Sonic Runners

In Sonic Runners, players can activate and maintain a combo through collecting Crystals, Animals and Rings. As the player's combo rises, they will be granted a bonus score in accordance to the current combo they have managed to accumulate. Counters for both of these numbers appear above the playable character:

The game features a number of gimmicks tied to the combo mechanic. The Combo Bonus power-up prevents combos from resetting while it is active. In addition, it doubles the bonus points combos grant; when receiving a ten point bonus, it turns into twenty points. There are also a number of buddies that affect the combo in some shape or form:

Icon	Buddy	Type	Effect
	RC Monkey	Speed	Combo bonuses last longer.
	Purple Papurisu	Fly	Every X combo destroys all iron balls.
	MAG	Power	Every X combo destroys all spikes.
	RC Turtle	Speed	Every X combo turns Rings into Super Rings.
	RC UFO	Fly	Every X combo saves all on-screen Animals.
	RC Bomber	Power	Every X combo destroys all enemies on ordinary stages.
	Easter Bunny	Power	Adds 25 to every X combo.
	Blowfish Transporter	Fly	Every X combo provides an equippable item.
	Genesis	Fly	A chain of combos lasts longer before resetting.
	Cartridge	Speed	Start each stage with a combo.
	Green Crystal Monster (S)	Speed	Every X combo turns all small crystals green.
	Green Crystal Monster (L)	Fly	Every X combo turns all large crystals green.
	RC Airship	Power	Boosts combos at Star Posts.
	Orca	Speed	Every X combo destroys platforms and increases ring appearances.
	Boo	Power	Boosts score for destroying super enemies, and every X combo turns enemies into super enemies.
	Yeti	Speed	Every X combo triggers the Cyan Laser effect.
	Snow Chao	Fly	Every X combo triggers the Indigo Asteroid effect.
	Ideya	Fly	Every X combo switches an equipped item for another item.
N/A	Christmas Nightopian	Power	Every X combo triggers the Yellow Drill effect.
	Orbot	Speed	Every X combo causes you to lose Rings but triggers an item effect.
	Cubot	Power	Every X combo occasionally triggers an item effect.
	Shahra	Fly	Every X combo activates a non-color power item at random.
	Merlina	Fly	Every X combo activates a Color Power effect.
	Erazor Djinn	Speed	Every X combo produces a shield.
	Carbuncle	Speed	Every X combo grabs certain on-screen objects.
	Red Crystal Monster (S)	Speed	X combos turn all small crystals red.
	Red Crystal Monster (L)	Fly	Every X combo turns all large crystals red.
	Golden Goose	Power	X combos turn all enemies into golden enemies.
	Chao Walker	Speed	Every 200 combo allows Buddies to absorb Rings for X seconds.
	Dark Queen	Power	Every X combo provides an item.
	O-Papa	Power	Every X combo destroys everything except terrain and produces a magnet effect.
	Opa-Opa	Speed	Every X combo banks a certain number of Rings.
	Dark Chao Walker	Fly	Every 200 combo makes your Buddy absorb nearby Crystals for X seconds.

In other media

Sonic Boom

Main article: Combo (Sonic Boom)

In the Sonic Boom games, combos appear as game mechanics in Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric under the name "hits," and in Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom under the name "combos."

References