• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Gaf, are Sonic games good now?

I think it's very difficult to judge the quality of Sonic games these days because literally no other franchise has gone through the rollercoaster ride of quality that Sonic has. Sonic has been in some of the best games of his generation and some of the worst games of his generation.

The franchise is pulling itself out of a rut, though. Some part of Sonic Team seems to be finally learning from their mistakes and genuinely improving the quality of each game (as opposed to games like Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic 2006, which lovingly embraced the worst elements of the franchise).

I think there are a lot of people who have written this franchise off or become so obsessed with minutiae that they will never, ever find enjoyment from it ever again because they've already made up their mind.

Personally, I loved the shit out of Sonic Generations. I spent three weeks putting together a 13 minute video review about the game because I love it so much. It's definitely not perfect; a lot of the ancillary content is pretty mediocre, but the the core game itself - the parts the game puts under a spotlight - are some of the best stuff Sonic's had since 1994, and I'd like to think I'm not overly forgiving of bad Sonic games.
 
I'll probably get crucified for this, but I honestly enjoyed Modern Sonic's levels in Generations more than I did the Classic levels. Different strokes and all that, I suppose.

I agree. Some levels are just more fun with Modern Sonic. And nothing matches the sense of accomplishment when zooming expertly through one of his levels while trying to get the Ranking trophy/achievement.
 
Everyone said Colors was great and it was just half decent.

I avoided Generations, didn't look too much better.



Something about Sonic doesn't translate in 3D. It tries to mix speed with awkward camera angles and deathly pit falls. It's frustrating and often feels like it's on rails.

They need to find some balance between Mario Galaxy, Crash Bandicoot, F-Zero GX, and classic 2D Sonic.

Its not too bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDulfpuiuCc&feature=BFa&list=PLA62DBD4CAF425DB3&lf=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTfwCvOoj_I&feature=BFa&list=PLA62DBD4CAF425DB3&lf=plpp_video

No awkward camera angles either. Pitfalls really arent that numerous, no where near as many as Heroes (plus those warning signs are around).

And say what you want, but modern Sonic in generations is fun.
 
X33Fv.gif


Yes, there are some good recent Sonic games. Namely Sonic Generations.
 
Sonic Generations is the most fun I've had with a Sonic game in years, I'll even go and say that I find myself going back to the Modern portions rather than the Classic ones. The game does take a bit of a nosedive during final bits though.
 
Yeah, I consider a 7/10 game "good." That's exactly the word I'd use most commonly to describe a game consistently rated that way!

Exactly. The last couple Sonic games are...good. Not bad. Not great. Above average.

That's good enough for some people, not good enough for others. It depends on how high your standards are.
 
Generations is 8/10 at best. Once you hit Planet Wisp though, 7/10, and thats only the half of the stage that bombards you with underpowered wisp abilities.
 
Anybody who outright hates Generations has lost touched with reality. I have no idea what they would want in a modern Sonic game.
 
Anybody who outright hates Generations has lost touched with reality. I have no idea what they would want in a modern Sonic game.

All they can do now is complain about how the physics aren't exactly like the Genesis games. Which I found to be a step forward. I felt the classic stages in Generations to have a much better flow than the Genesis Sonic games. I tried to go back to S3&K after playing hours of Generations and it just felt stiff and off. It's like going back to Super Mario Bros. 3 after playing New Super Mario Bros.

Plus I found the Modern 2D portions to be much more fun than the Classic stages. Sometimes I even forget you can play as Classic Sonic in Generations since I've enjoyed the Modern segments so much more.
 
I actually found sonic 4 good enough despite its problems, sonic cd remaster was great, sonic colors and generations are fantastic, and the rush/color/generations portable series are all good enough.

So basically things are looking good for sonic these days.
 
I actually found sonic 4 good enough despite its problems, sonic cd remaster was great, sonic colors and generations are fantastic, and the rush/color/generations portable series are all good enough.

So basically things are looking good for sonic these days.

These are my sentiments exactly even though I didn't really care for the Rush games for some reason.
 
Sonic Generations is fantastic. Great graphics, wonderful level design, minimal bugs, decent polish, etc. People like to write the new ones (Post Unleashed) off because of modern Sonic, but he's fine. His levels are a blast. And the 2D segments in Generations were real slick as well.

EDIT: My god people love to hate on Modern sonic levels. they're fine. No, they're a blast. They're fun. People just want Sonic to be 2D only and I don't get why. The Unleashed method of 3D Sonic is great, and they get better at it the more they go on. I blame nostalgia, and nothing more.
 
You played Generations and Colors and liked them, so that's about it. Seems to me that people that don't like any of the modern shit hated or at least don't like these very much, and everyone else varies from mixed (6) to great (8.5). I would say avoid anything else just because the variation of opinions on other recent titles is a whole lot trickier. *shrug*

But one thing Gens and Colors do get right is fun. These two are damn fun, even without comparing it to the rest of the series.




Speaking of, why do people say Colors and Generations are only good in comparison when they're kinda doing the same thing, comparing them and the rest of the series to the classics?
 
All they can do now is complain about how the physics aren't exactly like the Genesis games. Which I found to be a step forward. I felt the classic stages in Generations to have a much better flow than the Genesis Sonic games. I tried to go back to S3&K after playing hours of Generations and it just felt stiff and off. It's like going back to Super Mario Bros. 3 after playing New Super Mario Bros.

Plus I liked the Modern 2D portions to be much more fun than the Classic stages. Sometimes I even forget you can play as Classic Sonic in Generations since I've enjoyed the Modern ones so much more.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa, let's not jump ahead of ourselves here. :lol
 
Speaking of, why do people say Colors and Generations are only good in comparison when they're kinda doing the same thing, comparing them and the rest of the series to the classics?

Not sure what you mean, are you asking why people still consider those games merely 'good' when comparing them to the Genesis titles?

If so, it's because the Genesis games are simply better games. Better level design, better controls, no dodgy hit detection, no awful bosses, and less needless filler/fluff to infuriate non-Sonic fans.
 
Unleashed was good, ignore the stupid werehog stuff and it is quite fun.

Colours and Generations are fantastic. Loved Colours on both DS and Wii.
 
There are two things that GAF will absolutely lie to you about. Every time.

The first is WRPGs.

The second is Sonic games.

The best Sonic games since the Genesis have been barely mediocre.
 
There are two things that GAF will absolutely lie to you about. Every time.

The first is WRPGs.

The second is Sonic games.

The best Sonic games since the Genesis have been barely mediocre.

Dragon Age II is a masterpiece while Origins is shit?

Skyrim is not broken nor really fun (GAF tells me both).

Mass Effect 2 is indeed an rpg?

Witcher 2 is not great?

I'm just not sure what you are refering to here, generally or specifically, just curious.
 
There are two things that GAF will absolutely lie to you about. Every time.

The first is WRPGs.

The second is Sonic games.

The best Sonic games since the Genesis have been barely mediocre.

True on every single level.

EDIT: Oh wait, I thought you meant that GAF was lying about Sonic games post Genesis being mediocre.



The overall flow of the game is still >>>>> Mario World physics.
 
Not sure what you mean, are you asking why people still consider those games merely 'good' when comparing them to the Genesis titles?

If so, it's because the Genesis games are simply better games. Better level design, better controls, no dodgy hit detection, no awful bosses, and less needless filler/fluff to infuriate non-Sonic fans.

No, that's not what I meant. We all know why the Genesis games are good. Or at least, we should.

What I mean is this: People (1) have said that Colors or Generations aren't good and that others (2) shouldn't say the games are good because they're (2) comparing those two to the shit games. What I'm asking is, aren't these people (1) doing the same thing to the newer games, but comparing them to 16+ year old games?
 
I thought mod Sonic was done exceptionally well. The inclusion of drifting and especially side-stepping was much, much needed. The only flaws I really see in Generations are the hub world (too much white), Planet Wisp, and the final boss fight (
Egg Dragoon was a perfect close.
)
 
Played through 1-3k for the first time this year and gotta say they seem a bit overrated. Yeah they're good games, but there's quite a few crappy levels in there. Also everything from Adventure to Unleashed was shit. People thought Secret Rings was decent? It's garbage, the controls are almost broken. Anyway, Rush and Generations are good games, the 3D parts of Generations feel like an extension of the Sonic 2 bonus stages which I liked
 
not only good but Great!

all of those games were amazing
- Sonic Unleashed (Day time stages)
- Sonic Colors
- Sonic Generations

with Generations being my favorite sonic title.
so far my time with the game is 45 Hrs on STEAM and i am still enjoying the game speed-running all the levels.

i can say undoubtedly that SONIC TEAM Became one of my trusty and promising consumer studios within SEGA just like RGG Studio.
i can't wait to see what's next for them specially the rumored title SONIC Dimensions.
 
I personally have more fun with Colors Wii than I do with any of the classic Sonic games, Mirror's Edge, Super Mario Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, LittleBigPlanet, the Rayman Origins demo, and quite a few other popular platformers. It's a great game. I don't give a shit about series or developer pedigree. If a game is fun, it's fun. If it feels like crap to play or has too much BS to wade through, no thanks.

Generations is even better in certain ways, but it's rather inconsistent. Some of its main acts, optional challenges, and boss encounters are pretty inexcusable.

I don't have extensive experience with handheld Sonic games, but I'm definitely not put off by what I've played of the Rush series so far.
 
I can't say the old Sonic games were "good", so I'm not sure what you are talking about. The series has always been an ill pairing of hold right to run, navigate SOnic slightly to jump off the bumper & terrible platforming segments.
 
what the...? half these replies read like dudes that haven't played shit in years but just followed the old meme.

Colors is fantastic, Generations is a lot've fun with a few things holding it back, but nothing that really marred the experience so far for me, plus you can get both on the cheap. Sonic games are pretty awesome right now, no idea how the 3DS one went though.

Improvement. Sonic might be a great franchise next generation.

this is pretty fair, as well.
 
I wasn't blown away by Generations or Colors, but when I went back to play Sonic Adventure, ...wow, there was so many signs that it was outdated. I think the soundtrack will be only thing good about the game. Made me realized much things have improved actually.
 
I never really liked any of the sonic games , even the old ones (had an SNES growing up). Well, I did like the Adventure games on the dreamcast, but maybe that's because I was a kid. Who knows.

That being said, I love Generations. I'm playing through it right now (while alternating with Skyrim) and it's awesome. Very nice to look at, and while it isn't very challenging, I do like the multiple pathways thing (Yes, I know that's a typical sonic game thing). It also seems to play on a lot of things that I thought were funny, like the chili dogs at the party and the robotnik/eggman thing.
 
Nope. Generations came close but then had to shit it up with horrible modern Sonic.

I have not played Colors so I can't comment on that.

This generation?

Good:
Sonic All Star Racing
Sega Superstar Tennis
Classic Sonic Generations

Shit:
Sonic 06
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Sonic Rivals
Sonic Unleashed
Sonic Riders
Sonic Chronicles
Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic Free Riders
Sonic Colours
Sonic 4
Modern Sonic Generations

jesus, the modern sonic stuff was great in both colors & generations, this is some hyperbole right here. did you guys stop playing mario when it went 3D too?
 
No. No they're not. Colors and Generations are bad too. Don't listen to the apologists.


They're great games. I'm sorry you're wrong.
jesus, the modern sonic stuff was great in both colors & generations, this is some hyperbole right here. did you guys stop playing mario when it went 3D too?

I don't think these people actually play these games. They just shout about how terrible they are, maybe play five minutes of them saying how terrible it is the entire time. So when they force themselves to hate it, surprise, they hate it!

That, or they have the same retarded desease that plagues many people on the Internet. The inability to separate their subjective tastes from objective quality.
 
jesus, the modern sonic stuff was great in both colors & generations, this is some hyperbole right here. did you guys stop playing mario when it went 3D too?

Mario 64 reinvented the series in a way people weren't even imagining.

Sonic Adventure haphazardly adapted Sonic gameplay to 3D, and most iterations thereafter have been plugging one hole while creating another.
 
Honestly, I was onlyhesitant about playing Modern Sonic because of all the hate. Then I played the Generations demo and had some fun, then played ACTUAL Generations a few days ago, and I had tons of fun.

Who gives a shit how Sonic looks, just enjoy the playstyle for what it is. Jesus, you get BOTH.
 
Yeah, he's right. "Apologists" is the right word. Those games are, at best, okay, but because they're leagues above what Sega was pumping out even just a few years ago, some people like to praise them above what they deserve.

Sonic games used to be on the cutting edge of consumer entertainment. All the Sonics from 1 - 3K went toe-to-toe with Mario games for Christ's sake. Colors and Generations being okay, being decent, being alright isn't fucking good enough.

Yes. I hold Sonic games up to the same standard as Mario games, and that's a pretty high fucking standard. A "leading the industry" type of standard. The Sonic games on the Genesis games did exactly that.

The 3D games get praise if you don't fall through the walls and if the physics aren't "that bad." We shouldn't have to settle for mediocrity.
 
They're great games. I'm sorry you're wrong.

I don't think these people actually play these games. They just shout about how terrible they are, maybe play five minutes of them saying how terrible it is the entire time. So when they force themselves to hate it, surprise, they hate it!

That, or they have the same retarded desease that plagues many people on the Internet. The inability to separate their subjective tastes from objective quality.

tumblr_ltowx6hXMM1qar70f.gif
 
I've always maintained that if Sonic hasn't met the sort of standard you expect from it, perhaps it never will.

But more than that, and I know no one wants to entertain this thought, but running 9,000 MPH through a 3D world full of perilous obstacles is a really, really dumb design choice.
 
Top Bottom