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[DrFunk]

Soniiiiic Boooom
Soniiiiic Booooom
Sooooniiiiic Boooooom

*bow* *bow*

 

[Htown]

I thought Sonic and the Secret Rings was alright.

Spoiler

Once you unlocked the good controls. FANTASTIC decision making there Sega

Also, Sonic Unleashed was kind of a step in the right direction, but Sega still felt the need to shoehorn in a gimmick. And I'm not kidding there was actually an interview where a guy said Sonic games need a "gimmick". Some huge Sega fan like Mama Robotnik or The Sonic Retard will remember what I'm talking about, probably. Oh, and they also said that they don't make a Sonic game that's full of the fast-paced platforming that made the original Sonics good, because it would take too much work or something. It was pretty pathetic.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

Seriously! Is there like one board member going "What an angle!" at every meeting where they pitch shitty Sonic ideas?

Here's your fucking angle: He's a goddamned fast hedgehog that needs to save the world from some fatass doctor JUST BECAUSE. Ta-dah!

Didn't a Sega employee admit in an interview once that they literally HAVE to come up with a new gimmick for each new Sonic game?

I thought Sonic and the Secret Rings was alright.

Spoiler

Once you unlocked the good controls. FANTASTIC decision making there Sega

Also, Sonic Unleashed was kind of a step in the right direction, but Sega still felt the need to shoehorn in a gimmick. And I'm not kidding there was actually an interview where a guy said Sonic games need a "gimmick". Some huge Sega fan like Mama Robotnik or The Sonic Retard will remember what I'm talking about, probably. Oh, and they also said that they don't make a Sonic game that's full of the fast-paced platforming that made the original Sonics good, because it would take too much work or something. It was pretty pathetic.

Yeah. It was like, "woah. A big long level where you run fast and jump on platforms and stuff? that'd be like 5 miles long. no way, that's too much work."

 

[alistairw]

Pfft I'll put a mario crossover in my fic. It'll be ultimate.

We could both write separate fanfics, and then COMBINE THE TWO UNIVERSES AFTER THAT FOR AN AWESOME CROSSOVER SLASH FANFIC EXPLOSION.

Two Sawwwnics. Fucking serious shit, man.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

He's not jailbait anymore! This should make a certain messageboard happy.

 

[G-Fex]

We could both write separate fanfics, and then COMBINE THE TWO UNIVERSES AFTER THAT FOR AN AWESOME CROSSOVER SLASH FANFIC EXPLOSION.

Two Sawwwnics. Fucking serious shit, man.

But what if...one Sawwwnic was Pregnant? From who? Amy..tails..Knuckles?!?! :O :O :O!!!

 

[alistairw]

But what if...one Sawwwnic was Pregnant? From who? Amy..tails..Knuckles?!?! :O :O :O!!!

Dude, that's the plot, man. You just came up with the plot! This is fucking genius shit.

 

[G-Fex]

Dude, that's the plot, man. You just came up with the plot! This is fucking genius shit.

To Wordpad!

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Didn't a Sega employee admit in an interview once that they literally HAVE to come up with a new gimmick for each new Sonic game?

They didn't use to have to.

I don't know why they would feel this way. The games will sell just as long as the package contains the word 'Sonic' and has a cartoon hedgehog on the cover.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

All they honestly need to do is build on the Unleashed concept.

Take away:

Werehog
Voice acting
Non robotnik-type-animated humans
The way it takes itself so seriously
Many other things

And the KEY and CRUCIAL thing they need to do is remove anyone from the team who disagrees. Seriously.

 

[Mar]

You know I'm actually tempted to pick up Unleashed, the demo seemed pretty fun...

Don't do it. For the love of god don't do it. I thought the same thing and DID buy it. My childhood was raped all over again in front of my eyes.

It's a horrible game.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

All they honestly need to do is build on the Unleashed concept.

Take away:

Werehog
Voice acting
Non robotnik-type-animated humans
The way it takes itself so seriously
Many other things

And the KEY and CRUCIAL thing they need to do is remove anyone from the team who disagrees. Seriously.

Good list, I'll add:

Take away:

The photo-realistic settings
The confusing overworld map
The cliched plot-point that involves Dr. Robotnik losing control of his plan that eventually leads to a fight between 'Super Sonic'(so lame) and a huge fucking monster.

Also, add in:

* More classic game sound effects(scattered rings, the 'blooop' sound when you jump, etc)
* Sonic's ROLL. Design more of the levels to take advantage of the trademark Sonic spin.
* More slower-paced platforming areas that require careful navigation. Noooo, not like they did with the Werehog where they castrate you of all of your powers. I mean something simple. Look at the 'Marble Zone' from Sonic 1 for a good example.
* Better level music. Sonic's supposed to have up-beat tempos throughout his games. Jazzy, pop-y, snyth, R&B, Techno-inspired tunes.
* COLOR. Yes, we need more color. It's a CARTOON for crying out loud.

 

[thetrin]

not only have the games gone down hill, but the box art went to hell as well


from-

i realize that nostalgia plays a major part for all of that, but what part of your brain honestly believes that to be good box art?

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

i realize that nostalgia plays a major part for all of that, but what part of your brain honestly believes that to be good box art?

Well, it's certainly more eye-catching than the 'Unleashed cover', despite the iffy art.

 

[Rlan]

i realize that nostalgia plays a major part for all of that, but what part of your brain honestly believes that to be good box art?

And that's why PAL land is king:

Admittedly, we went a little crazy on the Sonic 3 cover though.

 

[mr jones]

Good list, I'll add:

Take away:

The photo-realistic settings
The confusing overworld map
The cliched plot-point that involves Dr. Robotnik losing control of his plan that eventually leads to a fight between 'Super Sonic'(so lame) and a huge fucking monster.

Also, add in:

* More classic game sound effects(scattered rings, the 'blooop' sound when you jump, etc)
* Sonic's ROLL. Design more of the levels to take advantage of the trademark Sonic spin.
* More slower-paced platforming areas that require careful navigation. Noooo, not like they did with the Werehog where they castrate you of all of your powers. I mean something simple. Look at the 'Marble Zone' from Sonic 1 for a good example.
* Better level music. Sonic's supposed to have up-beat tempos throughout his games. Jazzy, pop-y, snyth, R&B, Techno-inspired tunes.
* COLOR. Yes, we need more color. It's a CARTOON for crying out loud.

...and this is where things fall apart. Take your visions, and now compare successful 2D to 3D platformers to them. Rayman didn't keep the same jump sound effect - most of the sound effects were very different, same with Mario.

You also can throw away your gameplay conventions of "slower-paced platforming" when you're now dealing with the Z-plane. How do you keep the game having enough speed to 'feel' like a Sonic game, without making him hard to control? How do you allow for more methodical exploration, without making the game feel too slow?

What kind of artistic direction do you want to go? Do you go semi-realistic, like Uncharted, or very cartoonish, like Zelda: Wind Waker?

What kind of gameplay elements do you add to make the game interesting to new players, while keeping core gameplay familiar to fans?

I would hate being put in charge of having to create a new Sonic game. It all comes down to three things: Gameplay design, level design, and artistic design. so far, no one has been able to get all three down into a cohesive experience, and it sucks, because it has marginalized a game series that I've enjoyed playing.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

...and this is where things fall apart. Take your visions, and now compare successful 2D to 3D platformers to them. Rayman didn't keep the same jump sound effect - most of the sound effects were very different, same with Mario.

It's quite simple.

Ignore what UBIsoft and Nintendo do with their games and do it their own way. I'm not interested in a Mario 64 clone. I want a new Sonic game.

You also can throw away your gameplay conventions of "slower-paced platforming" when you're now dealing with the Z-plane. How do you keep the game having enough speed to 'feel' like a Sonic game, without making him hard to control? How do you allow for more methodical exploration, without making the game feel too slow?

You're asking me? Keep it in quasi-2D. Problem solved.

What kind of artistic direction do you want to go? Do you go semi-realistic, like Uncharted, or very cartoonish, like Zelda: Wind Waker?

Very cartoonish.

What kind of gameplay elements do you add to make the game interesting to new players, while keeping core gameplay familiar to fans?

You don't add any. The core gameplay should remain essentially the same. Any new additions to the game should not interfere with the existing gameplay.

 

[Branduil]

They just need to massively rip-off Mario Galaxy and design a game which follows a similar philosophy about three-dimensional platforming, just with designs catered to Sonic's strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Stat Flow]

I would hate being put in charge of having to create a new Sonic game. It all comes down to three things: Gameplay design, level design, and artistic design. so far, no one has been able to get all three down into a cohesive experience, and it sucks, because it has marginalized a game series that I've enjoyed playing.

I would love to be put in charge.

First release: Sonic 1 HD

Second release: Sonic 2 HD

Third Release: Sonic 3 HD

That's all it takes. Really it is.

 

[Danthrax]

...and this is where things fall apart. Take your visions, and now compare successful 2D to 3D platformers to them. Rayman didn't keep the same jump sound effect - most of the sound effects were very different, same with Mario.

You also can throw away your gameplay conventions of "slower-paced platforming" when you're now dealing with the Z-plane. How do you keep the game having enough speed to 'feel' like a Sonic game, without making him hard to control? How do you allow for more methodical exploration, without making the game feel too slow?

What kind of artistic direction do you want to go? Do you go semi-realistic, like Uncharted, or very cartoonish, like Zelda: Wind Waker?

What kind of gameplay elements do you add to make the game interesting to new players, while keeping core gameplay familiar to fans?

I would hate being put in charge of having to create a new Sonic game. It all comes down to three things: Gameplay design, level design, and artistic design. so far, no one has been able to get all three down into a cohesive experience, and it sucks, because it has marginalized a game series that I've enjoyed playing.

a Sonic game with cell shading would be really awesome.

BTW, throw out the Z-plane. go 2.5D.

 

[Firestorm]

Mirror's Edge is the best 3D Sonic game.

 

[alistairw]

BTW, throw out the Z-plane. go 2.5D.

The single best moments in Unleashed were the 2.5D bits. God, those were so good. Pity there were so few and so many fucking werehog bits. Jesus christ.

 

[Danthrax]

The single best moments in Unleashed were the 2.5D bits. God, those were so good. Pity there were so few and so many fucking werehog bits. Jesus christ.

haven't played Unleashed. I kinda want to rent it, though, just to see.

Spoiler

which version: 360 or Wii?

 

[EmCeeGramr]

That reminds me. The same crew that did Let's Play Sonic 2006 is currently uploading their Sonic Unleashed marathon 20 hour playthrough, which they recorded months ago.

 

[MidnightScott]

SEGA & Nintendo need to team up and make a Mario & Sonic platformer =D

 

[EmCeeGramr]

haven't played Unleashed. I kinda want to rent it, though, just to see.

Spoiler

which version: 360 or Wii?

let me spare you the trouble:

watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5H9seoq8g
now watch this 20 times in a row: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW2HGvxJdBQ&feature=related

there's the game for you

 

[Danthrax]

now watch this 20 times in a row: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW2HGvxJdBQ&feature=related

but there's nothing to watch. it's just a song with a still picture.

 

[alistairw]

Yep.

 

[Danthrax]

so, like, what? are you saying there's three minutes of awesome platforming before an hour of unplayabl-- OHHH I get it now.

 

[Slavik81]

Must keep on moving ahead.
No time for guessing, follow my plan instead!

Trusting in what you can't see,
take my lead, I'll set you free!

 

[Branduil]

They really just need to completely reboot the franchise. Make a new game with only Sonic, Robotnik, and the original setting. No Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, real world crap. Make it 3D with fairly linear levels and the same sense of momentum as the original 2D games. Lots of platforming and multiple paths, no lock-on or lots uncontrollable movement.

 

[Alphahawk]

Mirror's Edge is the best 3D Sonic game.

You know I never thought about it before but a Mirrors Edge clone with a bit more emphasis on action could really work wonders for the series.

Do it Sega!

 

[drizzle]

Soniiiiic Boooom
Soniiiiic Booooom
Sooooniiiiic Boooooom

*bow* *bow*

Must keep on moving ahead.
No time for guessing, follow my plan instead!

Trusting in what you can't see,
take my lead, I'll set you free!

This is now about awesome Sonic songs:

City escape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6NaZrPQGfY

It doesn't matter (Sonic Adventure 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDpZ9Qg761I

Open your Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_MCPcjxP0

Sonic Boom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPC8W672mXc

... and that's kinda it. Resume topic.

 

[rainer516]

Thread needs more Knuckles' Chaotix.

 

[Danthrax]

This is now about awesome Sonic songs:

City escape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6NaZrPQGfY

It doesn't matter (Sonic Adventure 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDpZ9Qg761I

Open your Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_MCPcjxP0

Sonic Boom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPC8W672mXc

... and that's kinda it. Resume topic.

needs more Ice Cap Zone, Sonic 2006 theme by Zebrahead, and Super Sonic Racing anything from Sonic R.

 

[perfectchaos007]

I want Sonic Adventure 3. I REALLY liked the story in SA1 and SA2, but could do without Knuckles emerald searching levels and Big's fishing

 

[MoogPaul]

Sonic games went downhill when they actually made Sonic move really fast outside of small scripted parts. In 1 - 3, he really didn't move that much faster than Mario, just that the infinity legs made him look fast.

 

[RadioHeadAche]

He's legal now.

Spoiler

I bet that sonic-obsessed girl is having a field day right now

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/flash-tub/ultimate-sonic-fan.php

That's hilarious.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I want Sonic Adventure 3. I REALLY liked the story in SA1 and SA2

So you're why

 

[Parallax]

a Sonic game with cell shading would be really awesome.

BTW, throw out the Z-plane. go 2.5D.

i would love a cel shaded sonic on a 2d plane. If it had the ink look of street fighter 4, and the ink starts to blur the faster sonic got, it would look fantastic

 

[G-Fex]

Sega should start a new franchise and game. Sonic can go to where Alex Kidd is.

 

[LAUGHTREY]

Am I the only one that thought Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 was awesome? Do they still do Chaos in the new games? I don't think it was in 06.

I remember SA 1 was great with the hub, the boss fights, I missed that from SA 2. No hub and the bosses were all the same over and over. They were buggy, but no where near as buggy as it got going down the line. Sonic Heroes was absolutely terrible.

Oh Sonic, you should have died on the Dreamcast.

 

[Narag]

Sega should start a new franchise and game. Sonic can go to where Alex Kidd is.

Miracle World?

 

[pswii60]

Sega should remember that nobody gave a shit about Sonic or his shitty friends, they just loved the fuck-awesome gameplay. Now, bring back the gameplay.

 

[NTom64]

Am I the only one that thought Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 was awesome? Do they still do Chaos in the new games? I don't think it was in 06.

There are optional 2D Chao collecting missions (a bit like "Find the Lost Chao" in SA2) in Unleashed, the fairy sprites in Black Knight and in Chronicles they acted like the Djinns from Golden Sun (1 or 2? Dunno, never played either).

They really need to bring back the Chao Gardens, IMO.

 

[pulga]

Mirror's Edge is the best 3D Sonic game.

Just finished Mirror's Edge today, but I'm having trouble figuring out how Sonic fits into this mold. Could you please elaborate?

 

[Gagaman]

I like how the later years conveniently only show the worst elements, and no Sonic Rush, Mario crossovers, some of Secret Rings, day stages of Unleashed..

Still, Happy Birthday Sonic. Even if they never make another great Sonic game again, I can still enjoy the timeless, brilliant Mega Drives games that I never get bored of, and no one's gonna change my opinion on those.


Read these brilliant articles about the 16-bit Sonic games:

http://www.danielthomas.org/pop/classics/sonic.htm
http://www.danielthomas.org/pop/classics/sonic2.htm
http://www.danielthomas.org/pop/classics/soniccd.htm
http://www.danielthomas.org/pop/classics/s3k.htm

And no, Mirror's Edge is nothing like a Sonic game at all. Get that rubbish out of here.

 

[CurseoftheGods]

This with a few tweaks. Please give Sonic CD the spin move. And add levels to those games.

It would cost less and sell more than those crappy 3D Sonics games.

Any Sonic game that is not 2D should die and burn in hell. ALL OF THEM.

Sonic CD already has the spindash. In fact, it has two kinds.

 

[Sanjuro]

RIP Sonic.

 

[Undubbed]

Ya know the whole ordeal with the current sonic games reminds me about that one episode in the Simpsons where Homer asks a wish granting monkey paw for a turkey sandwich....