Support NeoGAF

[King of the Potato People]

I just hope the modern sections could be optional at least.

Just imagine
Press Start > Select New Game > Choose awful mode or good mode.

 

[∀ Narayan]

This looks pretty good!

 

[Kai Dracon]

It's like they learned nothing from Colors.

Really? It sounds like the "rails" transitional sequences from Colors more than anything else.

The 3D sequences in Colors are actually a big improvement; still not perfect, some of the path splines and transitions are a bit awkward. But it gives them a chance to tighten it up even further another game.

This new project looks great to me so far.

I kinda suspect the way this is going to work is you have to play through a stage with both classic and modern Sonic to find all the red coins and unlock everything in the game. It sorta looks like each Sonic has his own path through the stage to not compromise the design in either direction. You'd be able to see the other path and secrets hidden on it when playing as the opposite Sonic. Which is actually a cool idea.

It's kinda funny how this seems to effectively overwrite Sonic 4 and brush it under the rug, too. Here's the real Classic Sonic, done correctly 2.5d. Hell, the speed and physics in this brief trailer already look a million times better than Sonic 4.

Wouldn't be surprised of Sonic 4 episode 2 gets quietly canned or shoved out the door with no fanfare, and no further episodes ever appear.

 

[Heart Attack]

DAY 1 for sure, i loved sonic unleashed, and sonic colors.

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

Eh, maybe I'll ask for this game for Christmas, or something. It doesn't sound all THAT bad.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Sonic Colors is an anomaly caused by statistical noise.

PFT! I'll have you know that all of the planets had aligned for the release of Colors.

 

[Tizoc]

Damn that trailer was sweet, but...how the heck will the modern Sonic stages be any different? They look like Unleashed day stages from the gameplay vid and while I enjoyed Unleashed day stages, the ones in Colors were done better I feel.

 

[ajim]

this is kind of like NiGHTS 2, where they forced players through shit platforming levels (i.e. cool sonic in this game) just to get to the good, playable traditional NiGHTS levels (i.e. fat sonic levels in this game)

damn you, sega, why cant you just make a whole game awesome?

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Really? It sounds like the "rails" transitional sequences from Colors more than anything else.

The fact that QTEs haven't been removed is still jarring though.

Hopefully drifting is gone.

 

[Sky Walker]

 

[dark10x]

Unleashed was a disaster in which you could choose from dull, repetetive simplistic combat sections that were prolonged and painful, or uncontrollable speedy glitch rollercoaster homing attack booster messes of daytime levels in which I fell through the floor within the first 90 seconds of playing.

Sonic 4 was a platformer superficially derivative of the art styles of the original games, with broken physics, painful music, and was designed as a cheap iPhone game until Sege upscaled it to the home consoles and stapled the name "Sonic 4" to its title screen.

Sonic Colors is an anomaly caused by statistical noise. After so many shit games, they'd be bound to make a slightly above-average one by accident.

The cycle is with us, as strong as it was when it first formed in 1998. Joystik's preview doesn't suggest its leaving anytime soon.

I'm afraid I just can't agree. The daytime levels in Unleashed were so much better than any 3D Sonic attempt to date and actually controlled well. I certainly had no issues taking full control and executing speed runs. It definitely requires some practice, but when you've learned how to play the game well, it's a great time.

Sonic 4 may have been a disappointment, but I still think it was a solid 2D platformer despite failing to match its 16-bit siblings. To suggest that it was out and out a bad game makes you seem overly jaded.

Honestly, Sonic Colors was my least favorite of the three even though it was still a good time.

this is kind of like NiGHTS 2, where they forced players through shit platforming levels (i.e. cool sonic in this game) just to get to the good, playable traditional NiGHTS levels (i.e. fat sonic levels in this game)

That's exactly what they are doing! The 3D segments were always the best parts of 3D Sonic games. Unleashed did it very well and this looks even better.

 

[sajj316]

This looks very good. Finally a title to bring in both old and new fans.

 

[SAB CA]

Maybe we can pay just half for the game and just get half the content? I would be down for that.

I really wonder what Sega's problem is? Do they think they can't sell a pure 2D gameplay title at retail in 2011? Did they not see Donkey Kong Country Returns or something?

Sega told us what their problem was, during the Unleashed Dev Diaries.

Classic gameplay is fast, but takes money to develop the graphics they want, that's un-even to how long you spend in those areas. Hence, they make a game that cost as much as any regular HD game, but offers an hour or 2 of gameplay.

The need something else, in order to make the cost and the result a worthy game, value and length wise. Something that says "we didn't create all that texture and stage work for simply 15 minutes of gameplay!". The consumer wants a considerably in depth experience, and they want their resources to get used to their money's worth.

"Generations" looks like a good compromise, given this. With the multi-layered 2D, the speedy 3D, exploration in 2D, the fact they'll be multiple zones... they can really stretch the use of their assets, but do it with very different gameplay.

Oldskool fans can think of 3D Sonic's parts like extended bonus stages. Modern fans can think of the 2D parts as nostalgia-driven rides to a slower-paced, more methodical past. People who accept the best of both get a game that brings it all together, with the strengths of each, with diminished weaknesses.

No matter which side you're on, so far, this looks like some of the best "filler" Sega has made for the HD generation, lol. It's not a hub world, RPG elements, Beat-Em-Up segements, horrific load times, or new friends. It's just 2 pure gameplay styles, hooked together to make a game that embraces the old, and new.

Now I just hope in the end, they're smart enough to offer modes that allow you to do ALL new, or ALL old as a single run-through, kinda as if each character gets their own game. Shouldn't be hard to do at all, but would help offer 2 "pure" experiences.

Oh, and plane switching sounds cool for 2D Sonic. Kinda like Shantae 2. It sounds like a mechanic that coulda been born in a 2D Sonic, basically.

 

[Nert]

Sonic Colors is an anomaly caused by statistical noise. After so many shit games, they'd be bound to make a slightly above-average one by accident.

The cycle is with us, as strong as it was when it first formed in 1998. Joystik's preview doesn't suggest its leaving anytime soon.

Your response to Sonic Colors being good and breaking the Sonic cycle is that it's an accident and doesn't count? Alrighty then...

The screenshots and trailer look very nice. I hope this game turns out well!

 

[Android18a]

If the 2D stuff looks as good as the trailer and screens suggest, and the 3D stuff can match Colours... this is gonna be one sweet game.

I'm not even cautiously optimistic, screw it. I'm excitedly hyptomistic.

 

[bangai-o]

im sure someone already said this, but i hope classic Sonic uses a Genesis style soundtrack.

 

[Kujo]

I like the daytime stages in Unleashed. Good fun (thats what it's all about right), and while there's some automation, getting a playthrough to look as good as some of the speed runs is a challenge. And then there's the classic gameplay in this which looks great as well. I'm a fan of both.

Sonic Adventure 1/2/06/Heroes were garbage but I think they've finally found a good balance here.

 

[Sophia]

Unleashed was a disaster in which you could choose from dull, repetetive simplistic combat sections that were prolonged and painful, or uncontrollable speedy glitch rollercoaster homing attack booster messes of daytime levels in which I fell through the floor within the first 90 seconds of playing.

There's just no way I can believe that you're not exaggerating out of your ass. You have to be intentionally trying to die on Apotos's first stage. The only real place you could die in the first 90 seconds is on the rails anyhow.

If the 2D stuff looks as good as the trailer and screens suggest, and the 3D stuff can match Colours... this is gonna be one sweet game.

I'm not even cautiously optimistic, screw it. I'm excitedly hyptomistic.

I'm pretty damn excited myself. I enjoy the style of Unleashed's day stages and Colors as much as I do the classic style, so having both in the same game is like being blessed.

 

[Chao]

Classic Sonic looks SO AWESOME I cannot even describe how much did they nail it.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

There's just no way I can believe that you're not exaggerating out of your ass. You have to be intentionally trying to die on Apotos's first stage. The only real place you could die in the first 90 seconds is on the rails anyhow.

I'm not, some bad collision detection jumped me through what I thought was a solid wall, and then if I remember correctly the camera plummeted into the scenery a bit and downwards as I heard Sonic's death noise. It was a while back but I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I remember thinking that it wasn't a good start.

Admitedly I can't prove anything. I can say that these events weren't Sonic Adventure or god-forbid Sonic 2006-level frequent, but they happened.

 

[ApolloJoh]

Lookin' good, Sonic!

Gonna keep this under my radar.

 

[Phonomezer]

Let's hope they leave out the Sonic '06 levels (they'll probably troll us and have the entire game on there as an unlockable).

 

[From The Dust]

Let's hope they leave out the Sonic '06 levels (they'll probably troll us and have the entire game on there as an unlockable).

But this time they will actually work!

 

[Phonomezer]

There's just no way I can believe that you're not exaggerating out of your ass. You have to be intentionally trying to die on Apotos's first stage. The only real place you could die in the first 90 seconds is on the rails anyhow.

Yeah, I don't see how that is possible at all.

 

[Sophia]

I'm not, some bad collision detection jumped me through what I thought was a solid wall, and then if I remember correctly the camera plummeted into the scenery a bit and downwards as I heard Sonic's death noise. It was a while back but I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I remember thinking that it wasn't a good start.

Admiteddly, these events weren't Sonic Adventure or god-forbid Sonic 2006-level frequent, but they happened.

Can't say I've ever seen that happen. I stopped playing right about the time I realized I had to go back in stages to get medals. That shit has no place in any modern game, let alone Sonic.

 

[BGBW]

Might be cool.

And now for some animated avatars... oh wait.

 

[Jeels]

Looks like I might be buying a Sonic game. The graphics look so fresh.

 

[ismaboof]

Now all we need is for Sega is take out modern Sonic and make more classic sonic levels

 

[Electivirus]

So excited.

Spoiler

We-we-we so excited.

Day 1 for me... if I had a PS360. >_>

 

[GCNemesis]

I just hope the modern sections could be optional at least.

Just imagine
Press Start > Select New Game > Choose awful mode or good mode.

Nope, each level starts off with Classic Sonic and once you reach halfway through the level you tag out to Modern Sonic, forcing everyone to play through the "dash-dash-QTE" segments.

In all honesty though, I imagine they will require you to play through both play types in the Story mode. Hopefully, they will have additional modes after completion that allow you to go through the whole game as one type or the other similar to the Genesis titles.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll sprinkle in a Sonic CD stage since they're dealing with time travel...

Spoiler

One can dream...

 

[Holy Order Sol]

Looks amazing.

 

[Augemitbutter]

it looks good enough to keep an eye on, but i'm not getting excited just yet. no more let downs please.

 

[Mr. Spinnington]

oh sega, keep trying

 

[YuriLowell]

This game is an elaborate joke.

 

[TheBanditKing]

Maybe I missed it but who is developing this game? Is it Sonic Team as is the norm for main entries?

Nope, each level starts off with Classic Sonic and once you reach halfway through the level you tag out to Modern Sonic, forcing everyone to play through the "dash-dash-QTE" segments.

This is fine by me as I liked Sonic colors and unleashed. From my stand point the "dash" levels beat out Sonic's SA2 action stages any day.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll sprinkle in a Sonic CD stage since they're dealing with time travel...

Spoiler

One can dream...

Sonic CD..........my mind is now gone......

 

[Gamer98]

I dunno about this I think we should all be skeptical I know it sucks but still.

 

[Knux-Future]

I liked the faaaaaasst parts of Unleashed so I don't mind if that's all it is.

In the end nothing Sega does will please some Sonic Fans so I'm glad they found an happy medium ( so far...at least).

Unless they put in Knuckles swimming for fish levels or some shit

Day 1.

 

[PhantomOfTheKnight]

So, is there going to be some sort of story mode (i.e. Adventure, Heroes) where we play from different points of the Sonics views', or do we juggle inbetween both play styles?

Let's hope they leave out the Sonic '06 levels (they'll probably troll us and have the entire game on there as an unlockable).

...I geuss I'm the only person who would want to replay Crisis City then, huh? 2006 was utter shit, but I actually found Crisis City (as Shadow) to be my favourite level in the game( I S-ranked it on my first playthrough without a single death), and one of my favorites in any 3D Sonic game.

 

[Vic]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV1Osnkr5Nc

...




DOT DOT DOT





THIS AIN'T BAD!!!

 

[Gameboy415]

I'm doing this exact move in excitement!

*breaks legs*

 

[aronnov reborn]

this actually looks good to me. will probably pick up.

 

[Phonomezer]

Nope, each level starts off with Classic Sonic and once you reach halfway through the level you tag out to Modern Sonic, forcing everyone to play through the "dash-dash-QTE" segments.

Yeah, this Green Hill Zone is the only "classic" level. Similar to Sonic Jam on the Saturn, you will just be able to go through a few loops and run around in a virtual museum.

The rest of the game is Sonic Heroes, interwined with "classic" cutscenes from Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic '06.

4 hour commentary from Lacey Chabert, the voice of Princess Elise.

 

[[Nintex]]

I'd be stunned if we don't get to play this on our Wii 2's at the end of 2011.

 

[mello]

This may very well be the first Sonic game I buy since the original was released.

 

[Phonomezer]

..I geuss I'm the only person who would want to replay Crisis City then, huh? 2006 was utter shit, but I actually found Crisis City (as Shadow) to be my favourite level in the game( I S-ranked it on my first playthrough without a single death), and one of my favorites in any 3D Sonic game.

Yes.

The level was nice to look it. It was a fucking nightmare to play.

Actually, I liked the last minute or so of Kingdom Valley.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

Well I will say this. This is the first Sonic game that I remotely am interested in. Course knowing how shitty they've made the franchise I'm skeptical. However I will actually take a look at it when I see real gameplay and more details.

 

[Mista Koo]

So damn beautiful, didn't expect this at all :O
For me I'm pretty sure this is the prettiest HD game ever. Unleashed also looked very good but here it's beauty and nostalgia (and hopefully good gameplay).

Spoiler

Now give me a Mario & Sonic platformer that looks like this!

 

[Shrennin]

From the classic levels, it looks as if they brought back the physics of the classic games rather than do a half-completed job like Sonic 4.

The modern Sonic levels don't look bad either, really. I never played Sonic Colors, but I hear it's the best modern Sonic yet so maybe they figured out a way to make him work.

Either way, this is the first Sonic game I have really anticipated since Sonic DX.

Something else to consider: if the classic Sonic levels are really good, then maybe we will get classic HD 3D remakes of the original Sonic games...?

 

[miserable]

60 fps or not?

 

[Chao]

Sega released Sonic 4 and (secretly) Sonic Fan Remix last year so that this game would look even more amazing. Just according to keikaku.