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Sonic Mania (8-15-2017, SEGA/Taxman/Headcannon/PagodaWest, PS4/XB1/PC/NX)

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K

Kinsei

Banned
ViewtifulJC said:
So what levels from the classic Sonics would you like to see remixed here?

Sonic 1: GHZ already here, Star Light since Studiopolis already fulfills the bouncy/loosely casino themed stage

Sonic 2: Chemical Plant zone cuz its everybody's favorite, and Mystic Cave zone since its a unique location, more enclosed and corridor based with a lot of traps and stuff, which is a good balance between Chemical Plant more high speed paths and loops

Sonic CD: Tidal Tempest as the aquatic cavern level like Labyrinth Zone or Aquatic Ruins, and...IDK, I hate Sonic CD. Dont know how that game is gonna work here tbh

Sonic 3: Working under the idea they consider S3&K one game, Icecap Zone for the snow aesthetic and Sandopolis for its unique Egyptian idea/the puzzley Act 2.

Very curious to see what ultimately is the breakdown for remixed vs new, what levels they select and what the progression of the game looks like, especially with Sonic CD needing some major reworking to fit in. The Genesis games already cover so much thematic ground, wonder what themes the new ones can do.
Click to expand...

Sonic 1: Starlight Zone like you said.

Sonic 2: Oil Ocean or Mystic Cave. We just got Chemical Plant zone in Generations so let's not have it again.

Sonic CD: Nothing. Leave that game in the trash where it belongs.

Sonic 3 & Knuckles: Icecap Zone. I love snow levels and it has one of my favorite Sonic tracks.
 
O

Owari

Member
War Raichu said:
at the party, they repeatedly displayed art of the three Sonics running almost exactly like Generations 1's boxart. That's the strongest evidence.
Click to expand...
Because they were primarily promoting Boom, both the TV show and game. If Scarfy McBluearms is in Project 17, why wouldn't they show him in the trailer?

Sega wouldnt ruin the game with Boom Sonic.
 
R

R10Neymarfan

Member
Mr. Smiley said:
They can just ape the replacement songs from the Sonic and Knuckles Collection that was released for PC in '97 for the Zones in question if Sega was so inclined to release a port without legal issues.

Dunno what else is stopping them from giving Whitehead the OK.
Click to expand...

Maybe they already did, and there is a small separate team working on it? They do do one Sonic game a year right? So why not stealth release a classic collection for PS4/One/PC while releasing Sonic 3 & K for iOS/Android at the end of 2016? There's always time for those announcements but I think Sega didn't do it because they wanted spotlight on Mania
 
H

Hitlersaurus Christ

Banned
Yukinari said:
I remember reading somewhere that it was going to be in the game instead of Stardust Speedway but maybe im wrong.
Click to expand...
It wouldn't make sense to have the Metal Sonic fight anywhere but Stardust Speedway. Google also doesn't turn anything up. Maybe you dreamed it?
It'd be pretty interesting to see how the bouncy floor and stuff would work with modern levels though
 
G

Guess Who

Banned
The Xtortionist said:
I'll take Ice Cap only if they use the Genesis music. If not, Flying Battery or Lava Reef would be just fine.
Click to expand...

Flying Battery or Lava Reef would definitely be my S3K pick. Two of the best classic Sonic levels, period.

And re: Wacky Workbench discussion, please god no, that's by far the worst level in Sonic CD.
 
T

TheDinoman

Member
nns3d said:
I still can't believe this game is a thing
Click to expand...

image.php


I can see that.
 
I

imjust1n

Banned
So this is the game they are showing at house of blues....? A retro re imagined game with a few New zones and playable characters? I wanted a new sonic game tho. Like a new one.
 
K

Kinsei

Banned
imjust1n said:
So this is the game they are showing at house of blues....? A retro re imagined game with a few New zones and playable characters? I wanted a new sonic game tho. Like a new one.
Click to expand...

There is an all new one. It's going to be like Generations where you play as both modern and classic Sonic but instead of going through past levels the game takes place in a post apocalyptic world where Eggman has won.
 
S

Solid SOAP

Member
Has it been confirmed that, for the most part, this is a new game? What I mean is that will the game primarily focus on the new stages, with classics acting as extras? I'd be bummed out if we got half a new game and half rehashed levels. Not that playing the classics with new level design, better music, and Taxman's engine in HD isn't gonna be awesome, but I'd be more jazzed about that if the levels are extras and the majority of the game is new levels with a unique story and such.
 
C

Chezzymann

Member
Solid SOAP said:
Has it been confirmed that, for the most part, this is a new game? What I mean is that will the game primarily focus on the new stages, with classics acting as extras? I'd be bummed out if we got half a new game and half rehashed levels. Not that playing the classics with new level design, better music, and Taxman's engine in HD isn't gonna be awesome, but I'd be more jazzed about that if the levels are extras and the majority of the game is new levels with a unique story and such.
Click to expand...
Yeah, this is my main concern. I won't care about this at all if a lot of it is just remixed levels. That would be really lame.
 
S

stan423321

Member
APZonerunner said:
The mad thing is that they have routes out. The jackon tracks are allegedly the:
Sonic 3 Credits, Sonic 3 Mid Boss, Carnival Night, Ice Cap, Launch Base. I think that's it, right?

Anyway -- Sonic 3 Credits don't appear in Sonic 3 when it's one 'complete' game with Knuckles, and I'd expect Sega/Whitehead to reinstate the traditional zone medley that was found in a beta for a complete Sonic 3 years ago (and actually completed by fans later on): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5pdTil91yY

Sonic 3 Mid-Boss can easily just be replaced throughout the whole game with the Sonic & Knuckles mid-boss (and IIRC again IS when you lock on)

Carnival Night, Ice Cap, Launch Base - just call Jun Senoue and let him have at it, like. All his stuff is pretty great anyway. It might be a fun way to weave in some other games, too... Ice Cap you could easily Mega Drive-ise the Ice Cap music from Sonic Adventure or something.

It baffles me they haven't done it if that is the legal issue, but maybe it's more complicated than we know. Alas. At least Mania looks great.
Click to expand...

The thing is, at this point it is not certain that whatever that happens to be going on with S3 music is not exactly overlapping with PC Collection replacements. What is known is this:
  • Stuff in S&K is apparently clear
  • Angel Island is clear
  • Ice Cap is basically karaoke mix of Jetzons' Hard Times, which is not exactly the best situation ever but isn't the worst either; if Sega is able to work out a deal with DCT over Green Hill in Sonic Mania (Generations was more of a honor issue) then dealing with whoever owns Hard Times sounds similarly achievable barring further problems
  • S3 Credits and to lesser degree Carnival Night and Launch Base are definitely done with major influence of Jackson's sound team, that said no one knows how that translates to actual deals

It's possible that the rights issues cover, for example, Hydrocity or Marble Garden, and Sega simply forgot for a time then someone violently reminded them about it. Note that it has been quite some time since any sort of Sonic 3&K rerelease... I think...

I wouldn't be exactly shocked if we are going to see a bunch of Sonic 3 levels. Depending on count of zones overall, perhaps the exact set of less problematic Sonic 3 levels.
 
F

Ferr986

Member
About the Sonic Boom in Sonic 2017 thing, IMO if he was in the game he would have already appeared on the trailer.

I dunno, I don't think it's a big surprise to keep it hidden, it's not like everyone wants that. I don't see the point of hiding him.
 
N

Nocturnowl

Member
I haven't said too much on this game yet, mainly because I'm also wondering about the mix of old and new.
On the other hand it's surely gonna be pretty great and in a fit of madness I played some Sonic 4 yesterday to remind myself just how much better this is going to be.
 
S

Solid SOAP

Member
Chezzymann said:
Yeah, this is my main concern. I won't care about this at all if a lot of it is just remixed levels. That would be really lame.
Click to expand...
Well, clearly it's not going to be JUST remixed levels, because they're selling the game as a new experience with new zones. I think the worst case scenario is that it'll be half remixes and half new stages. I'm hoping that we'll be getting 10 of each or more, that'll have me happy.
 
S

Solid SOAP

Member
Ferr986 said:
About the Sonic Boom in Sonic 2017 thing, IMO if he was in the game he would have already appeared on the trailer.

I dunno, I don't think it's a big surprise to keep it hidden, it's not like everyone wants that. I don't see the point of hiding him.
Click to expand...
The first trailers and teasers for Unleashed exclusively showed the daytime stages, saving the Werehog for a big reveal at E3, keep in mind.

I don't think they'd shoehorn him into this, but you never know and until we know more I think it's best to keep expectations modest. We'll probably know more in a few months, maybe less.
 
M

Mr. Smiley

Member
Ferr986 said:
About the Sonic Boom in Sonic 2017 thing, IMO if he was in the game he would have already appeared on the trailer.

I dunno, I don't think it's a big surprise to keep it hidden, it's not like everyone wants that. I don't see the point of hiding him.
Click to expand...

Maybe for how long the development of Sonic '17 was, Boom Sonic was already decided and they didn't reveal him yet to not dampen the hype. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Or maybe they're following up on those rumors/revisiting the concept about Generations having a third Sonic based on the Adventure games.
 
S

Solid SOAP

Member
Mr. Smiley said:
Maybe for how long the development of Sonic '17 was, Boom Sonic was already decided and they didn't reveal him yet to not dampen the hype. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Click to expand...
If their reason for not announcing the inclusion of a character is because they don't think the character will excite players, they probably shouldn't include that character in their game :p

Or maybe they're following up on those rumors/revisiting the concept about Generations having a third Sonic based on the Adventure games.
Click to expand...
I would totally be cool with that!
 
C

Chezzymann

Member
Mr. Smiley said:
Maybe for how long the development of Sonic '17 was, Boom Sonic was already decided and they didn't reveal him yet to not dampen the hype. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Or maybe they're following up on those rumors/revisiting the concept about Generations having a third Sonic based on the Adventure games.
Click to expand...
The adventure sonic isn't much different looking than modern sonic though
 
A

Aaron Strife

Banned
stan423321 said:
The thing is, at this point it is not certain that whatever that happens to be going on with S3 music is not exactly overlapping with PC Collection replacements. What is known is this:
  • Stuff in S&K is apparently clear
  • Angel Island is clear
  • Ice Cap is basically karaoke mix of Jetzons' Hard Times, which is not exactly the best situation ever but isn't the worst either; if Sega is able to work out a deal with DCT over Green Hill in Sonic Mania (Generations was more of a honor issue) then dealing with whoever owns Hard Times sounds similarly achievable barring further problems
  • S3 Credits and to lesser degree Carnival Night and Launch Base are definitely done with major influence of Jackson's sound team, that said no one knows how that translates to actual deals

It's possible that the rights issues cover, for example, Hydrocity or Marble Garden, and Sega simply forgot for a time then someone violently reminded them about it. Note that it has been quite some time since any sort of Sonic 3&K rerelease... I think...

I wouldn't be exactly shocked if we are going to see a bunch of Sonic 3 levels. Depending on count of zones overall, perhaps the exact set of less problematic Sonic 3 levels.
Click to expand...
Hydrocity and Marble Garden music appears in Generations.

It's obviously the second half of the levels that are problematic.
 
G

Guess Who

Banned
Hot Coldman said:
Hydrocity or Angel Island will be the S3 pick. S&K might be Mushroom Hill or Sky Sanctuary.

Wish it were Flying Battery...
Click to expand...

Eh, I wouldn't be so cynical on the picks, Mushroom Hill and Sky Sanctuary were already represented in Generations and this is being made by guys who appreciate the deeper cuts.

I'd be down with Hydrocity, though. Best water level in a Sonic game.
 
R

RagnarokX

Member
Seven Force said:
That'd be neat. I wonder if it'll have the zone transitions from 3 & Knuckles, too.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the impression I got was that Act 2 would begin right from where Act 1 ended Sonic 3 style. Sonic doesn't run off screen after hitting the sign and stays on screen like he does in Sonic 3. Also the sign falls down from the sky Sonic 3 style.

I hope they do more original work on Green Hill Zone. If they're going to have land floating in the sky like that they need to at least make the bottom of the floating land look good.

This is what it looks like in this build:
9j1m1xA.jpg


GHZ didn't have any floating land, so they don't examples from GHZ for this kind of transition. Sonic 2 and 3 did, though, and they handled it better:

nxyshc5.jpg


puzq1hQ.jpg


That was one of the things that made Sonic 4 ugly, but it did have some better transitions it didn't use enough of:
4SXUL6E.jpg


Also I think they should get rid of the grass, flowers, and trees in the cave. Just looks wrong.
 
E

Elfforkusu

Member
ViewtifulJC said:
So what levels from the classic Sonics would you like to see remixed here?

Sonic 1: GHZ already here, Star Light since Studiopolis already fulfills the bouncy/loosely casino themed stage

Sonic 2: Chemical Plant zone cuz its everybody's favorite, and Mystic Cave zone since its a unique location, more enclosed and corridor based with a lot of traps and stuff, which is a good balance between Chemical Plant more high speed paths and loops

Sonic CD: Tidal Tempest as the aquatic cavern level like Labyrinth Zone or Aquatic Ruins, and...IDK, I hate Sonic CD. Dont know how that game is gonna work here tbh

Sonic 3: Working under the idea they consider S3&K one game, Icecap Zone for the snow aesthetic and Sandopolis for its unique Egyptian idea/the puzzley Act 2.

Very curious to see what ultimately is the breakdown for remixed vs new, what levels they select and what the progression of the game looks like, especially with Sonic CD needing some major reworking to fit in. The Genesis games already cover so much thematic ground, wonder what themes the new ones can do.
Click to expand...
None, ideally.

Unfortunately we already have GHZ, but I'd rather have new levels.
 
M

Mr. Smiley

Member
Chezzymann said:
The adventure sonic isn't much different looking than modern sonic though
Click to expand...
Yeah I imagine that would be a problem. I guess if they were inclined, they could

-Make him a shade darker like in the dreamcast versions of SA1
-Have him decked out in some of his Adventure upgrades.
-Bring back the light-up SOAP shoes lmao
-Go the distance and make him a bit taller with longer spikes like in Sonic 06's game model.*

*
You'll never hear the end of Sonic 06 = Adventure 3 arguments if this happened.
Hot Coldman said:
Hydrocity or Angel Island will be the S3 pick. S&K might be Mushroom Hill or Sky Sanctuary.

Wish it were Flying Battery...
Click to expand...
I hope they keep in the Generation picks in mind and don't add them so it doesn't get redundant.

I will believe in Flying Battery.
 
T

The Taxman

Neo Member
skullomania said:
Cool! That section must be in the new Green Hill Act 2!
Click to expand...

All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.

P.S. there are some nice CRT filters in addition to those "highest quality, uncompressed pixels" ;)
 
G

Guess Who

Banned
The Taxman said:
All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.

P.S. there are some nice CRT filters in addition to those "highest quality, uncompressed pixels" ;)
Click to expand...

Yesssssssss.

Also the art looks fantastic, don't let anyone tell you guys otherwise.
 
M

Mr. Smiley

Member
The Taxman said:
All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.

P.S. there are some nice CRT filters in addition to those "highest quality, uncompressed pixels" ;)
Click to expand...

That's great to hear! Loving every thing you guys are doing!
 
S

Solid SOAP

Member
The Taxman said:
All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.
Click to expand...
Any chance you can divulge info about the zones, maybe? Like what kind of divide we'll be seeing between new and throwback zones?

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.
Click to expand...
Great to hear the reception is mostly positive, as it should be! Fyi Saturn-esque 2D graphics was literally the BEST option possible. Trying to ape the look of Sonic 1, 2, 3, or CD would have come across as derivative, doing something like Sonic 4 visually simply wouldn't have been possible or even worth it given the nature of this game. Classic visuals with a new spin puts a smile on my face, love the aesthetic and vibes seen so far :)
 
M

MrBadger

Member
I hope the majority of zones are original. I don't want this game to be about nostalgia, I want it to be about how much better classic Sonic's mechanics and aesthetics are than modern Sonic's. Of course, the work they've done already shows that the old stages will be fleshed out a lot and have a lot of entirely new tricks to them.

Having said that, it's fantastic that this game is an actual thing that exists and is being backed by Sega. A full official game that truly gets the spirit of classic Sonic is all I ever wanted. I like Sonic Team's efforts, but they always felt more like lip service. They have the checkered tile hills and the reused enemies, but they don't have the mechanics or the level design to satisfy me. Hopefully this game is the first of many official classic Sonic games
 
Ristifer

Ristifer

Member
The Taxman said:
All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.

P.S. there are some nice CRT filters in addition to those "highest quality, uncompressed pixels" ;)
Click to expand...
Just so glad you guys are doing this. It looks like a project that will be full of passion, which is a dream come true for many fans (including myself)!
 
C

Crimson_Echidna

Banned
The Taxman said:
All the screens and footage of GHZ are from the playable demo, which was just the first act. GHZ Act 1 is probably the tamest classic level of the lot, but I can't say much more than that until Sega reveals more info on the story and stuff in the future.

The reception for Sonic Mania has been pretty wild, and I'm really happy most people seem to dig it. I realise Saturn-esque retro 2D stuff isn't for everyone but this was the most effective way for our indie sized team to develop a good chunk of fun content in the time frame, rather than something like 4 zones with potentially forgettable HD graphics.

P.S. there are some nice CRT filters in addition to those "highest quality, uncompressed pixels" ;)
Click to expand...

If the game proves successful, would it be outside the realm of possibility to hope for a HD Remaster Compilation of the Genesis and CD games?
 
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