Lock-on

Lock-on (ロックオン, Rokkuon^?), formerly called Laser Gun (照準レーザー, Shōjun rēzā^?, lit. "Alignment Laser"), is a move used by several characters in various games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. When performing this move, the user marks a target and locks an attack onto it.

Description

When performing Lock-on, the user will lock onto a chosen target, with an indicator appearing in front of said target. When the user then performs an attack specifically tailored to the Lock-on, said attack will automatically home in on the target marked by Lock-on without failing, ensuring a virtually perfect hit.

Game appearances

Sonic Adventure

The move first appeared in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, where it is called Laser Gun. In this game, it is used by E-102 Gamma and serves to mark the targets for his Homing Missile Launch attack.

To perform Laser Gun in gameplay, the player has to hold down the B/X Button to bring forth a harmless laser beam which can be aimed and maneuvered with the Analog Thumb Pad/Control Stick. Any breakable objects touched by this laser beam will then be surrounded by a target lock-on indicator (a transparent cube) and can be hit by Homing Missile Launch. Additionally, Laser Gun can mark up to multiple targets to be hit with a single Homing Missile Launch, with a number indicating when the target was marked (i.e. as the fourth, fifth, sixth etc.) appearing next to each target's lock-on indicator. However, the laser beam and its target lock-on indicators only last for a few seconds before they disappear.

Sonic Adventure 2

The move reappeared in Sonic Adventure 2 and its remake Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, where it is called Lock-on. In this game, it is used by Tails and Dr. Eggman as a part of the weapon arsenal onboard the Cyclone and the Eggwalker respectively, and serves to mark the targets for their Lock-On Missile attack.

In gameplay, Lock-on works like it did in Sonic Adventure and its remake. To perform Lock-on in gameplay, the player has to hold down the B/X Button to activate the laser beam which can be aimed and maneuvered with the Analog Thumb Pad/Control Stick. Enemies touched by this laser beam will receive a green rectangular indicator over them. However, unlike in the previous titles, the indicators from Lock-on does not disappear after a few seconds.

In Sonic Adventure 2: Battle and subsequent re-releases, Lock-on can target enemies at a much faster rate due to adjustments in the game engine.

Sonic and the Black Knight

In Sonic and the Black Knight, Lock-on is one of the basic actions in the game. It is used by Sonic the Hedgehog, Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain during their character-specific Soul Surges in the game's Adventure Mode to target foes.

To perform Lock-on in gameplay, the player has to use Soul Surge within the attack range of the targets. The player will then automatically use Lock-on on the nearest target which will make a red reticle indicator appear above said target. Unlike in the previous games, Lock-on can only mark one target at a time. Once a target is marked, the player can either hit it with a powerful attack or a stunning kick. If attacking when the reticle glows bright, the player can earn a Perfect Hit for more damage and extra points. If there is another target close by after attacking with Soul Surge, the player will automatically use Lock-on on that.

See also

• Lock-On Missile
• Lock-On Shot