Wow, I get this game doesn't look that great but jeez, there is
way to much hate here XD!
What I think is that these NPC characters are going to be the ones giving Sonic and Company quests to collect 'major object x' ala the Precursor Orbs from Jak 1 (where you got a few side missions to complete in levels/have to collect x amount of things to give to the quest giver to get the orb).
I think the designs look nice
; they fit this new world well and remind me of the designs from Jak 1 and Ratchet and Clank a bit
.
While my hype for the game is.....more or less gone, I won't completely write off everything about it :l. I say lets wait till this comes out and we get the chance to really play it before ripping BigRedButton's and Sega's head off XD!