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[[Nintex]]

Another great example I think Sonicteam could learn from themselves is the conversion of Green Hill Zone to 3D in Sonic Adventure 2. It was basically a direct translation of the 2D Green Hill Zone to work in 3D; it's very faithful, retaining a lot of the alternate routes through the level, etc. but reworking it all so that it was in 3 dimensions rather than 2.

No level in any 3D Sonic plays the way SA2's Green Hill Zone does, and I don't know why. It represents everything Sonic was and everything Sonic should be.

That level was terrible, not because of the design but the camera and controls made it almost unplayable. The above UT2004 mod looks just like Sonic 2006 so it seems that the fans don't know what they want either. The problem with modern Sonic games is that they started with a fun but flawed game. Sonic Adventure is a good game but they introduced the shitty friends and "press-forward" gameplay there. They improved on that with Sonic Adventure 2 but they kept making the same mistakes. From that point on every Sonic game on consoles had the same flaws. The SA gameplay was never perfected.

With Secret Rings they tried something new but it still had the stupid Sonic Team design flaws. In the end they needed to block your path in order to prevent Sonic from jumping off a cliff. The game plays great with about half of your upgrades, before and after that it's a broken mess. The question is if they fixed those mistakes with this game.

 

[Alpha_eX]

Looks like you won't be using all of the dpad in this one.

I don't like the camera, it moves around way too fast and you can't see what's coming ahead, i'm guessing there's an auto run function because most of the game looks like it's done with quicktime event style button presses and the A button for jumping.

 

[Htown]

What Sonic Team fails to understand is that Sonic isn't a game of speed. it's a game of momentum.

The Genesis Sonic games were, yes.

But you know what? At this point I care less about them making a new version of the Genesis games and more about them making a good game period.

As long as it's a good game that's really fun and lacks the crippling control and technical problems that every non-portable Sonic game has had since the 16-bit era, I'm fine with it.

 

[FightyF]

That level was terrible, not because of the design but the camera and controls made it almost unplayable. The above UT2004 mod looks just like Sonic 2006 so it seems that the fans don't know what they want either.

Wrong. Have you played Sonic the Hedgehog Next Gen? You can try the demo if you haven't.

 

[[Nintex]]

Wrong. Have you played Sonic the Hedgehog Next Gen? You can try the demo if you haven't.

I've played Sonic 2006 and although it's on a whole different level of suck the mod still uses the humanized Sonic model and same gameplay elements from other Sonic 3D games. What they made is a Sonic Adventure with some tweaks and fixes. They just copied Sonic Teams formula.

 

[FightyF]

I've played Sonic 2006 and although it's on a whole different level of suck the mod still uses the humanized Sonic model and same gameplay elements from other Sonic 3D games. What they made is a Sonic Adventure with some tweaks and fixes. They just copied Sonic Teams formula.

No. The camera is largely a fixed camera behind Sonic. In Sonic Adventure (and even Sonic Next Gen), the camera was not fixed behind Sonic.

Secondly, this uses the same physics found in the 2D Sonic titles. None of the 3D Sonic games from Sonic team use those physics. This game uses Sonic's momentum, and takes into consideration some physics rules applied in previous Sonic titles such as the ability to run up a wall, or upside down, if you are at the correct speed. In previous 3D Sonic titles, those physics were hacked in and didn't make sense (you could run down a wall and then turn around and run up it again).

Thirdly, the camera follows Sonic at all times and you have complete control. It's nothing like how the camera seperates from you when you go through a loop, or hit a bouncer, in the previous Sonic titles.

Fourthly, the remade levels of previous Sonic titles, the level design is completely open and allows you to explore, whereas in previous 3D Sonic titles, the level was simply a racetrack. I have some screens but I'm not allowed to share them. But just imagine a level where you can go anywhere, almost like a sandbox game. There are many, many paths, and many horizontal levels of depth to the levels. Yet, you can find your way when you find trails of rings.

 

[zallaaa]

after watching the trailer, this is definitely eye candy but I fail to see the the gameplay

true... it feels like a big on-rails quick-time event....

 

[Gaogaogao]

needs moar side scrolling.

 

[dark10x]

Looks extremely good, but I'm more concerned with how it will play. One thing is for sure, the Wii version is going to have to be pretty different.

 

[eXistor]

Looks orgasmic, but I feel like I've played the game already, it looks like one huge QTE.

 

[Iceman]

what they really need to show is the footage of someone playing for the first time: hesitation, testing things, going backwards to build up speed, missing jumps/timing, losing balance on the rails. That's what I'd like to see.

 

[Mash]

Speaking solely about visuals, this is like a breath of fresh air. It looks really inviting.

 

[James Power]

Wow, great demo rail! Too bad I actually like my games to have some kind of input where I'm able to actually control my character and not only watch him getting thrown around.
Man, this looks like utter shit. What except for watching Sonic bouncing and gliding around are you actually doing in this "game"? Press left or right once in a while? Get the fuck out of here, this whole speeding around thing is the reason why in the end Sonic games never really worked.
Look forward for this to become another fucked up Sonic experience.

 

[Mash]

Wow, great demo rail! Too bad I actually like my games to have some kind of input where I'm able to actually control my character and not only watch him getting thrown around.
Man, this looks like utter shit. What except for watching Sonic bouncing and gliding around are you actually doing in this "game"? Press left or right once in a while? Get the fuck out of here, this whole speeding around thing is the reason why in the end Sonic games never really worked.
Look forward for this to become another fucked up Sonic experience.

I agree in a way but have you ever played Sonic Rivals on the PSP? That's essentially entirely rails but it's still got lots of interactivity.

 

[Pizza Luigi]

It looks so promising, but the first Sonic on the next-gen consoles did too....

Let's just hope for the best

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

Wow, great demo rail! Too bad I actually like my games to have some kind of input where I'm able to actually control my character and not only watch him getting thrown around.
Man, this looks like utter shit. What except for watching Sonic bouncing and gliding around are you actually doing in this "game"? Press left or right once in a while? Get the fuck out of here, this whole speeding around thing is the reason why in the end Sonic games never really worked.
Look forward for this to become another fucked up Sonic experience.

Man, I started reading your post and I was like, "You're right." then I get to:

Get the fuck out of here, this whole speeding around thing is the reason why in the end Sonic games never really worked.

I hope you just mean the 3D games, otherwise you've basically set yourself on fire. Is it even worth saying the level of popularity Sonic had in his golden age? Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but if you're speaking of the entire series, that means Sega built a multi-billion dollar franchise on concepts that "never really worked". You can choose not to like Sonic all you want (and lately, most people don't like Sonic), but I really hope you aren't this ignorant.

 

[James Power]

I hope you just mean the 3D games, otherwise you've basically set yourself on fire. Is it even worth saying the level of popularity Sonic had in his golden age? Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but if you're speaking of the entire series, that means Sega built a multi-billion dollar franchise on concepts that "never really worked". You can choose not to like Sonic all you want (and lately, most people don't like Sonic), but I really hope you aren't this ignorant.

The first one was actually the only one that kind of worked. Every other game put more and more emphasis on (uncontrolable) speed and thus ruined the whole franchise. Don't even get me started on the 3D ones.

 

[Link Man]

So, anybody feel like Youtubing it?

.

 

[Shockgamer]

Looks good, but I don't know if there's much gameplay there besides simple pattern recognition.

 

[HK-47]

I can't help but think the people actually expecting the Wii version to have the same kind of effort put into it are going to be in for a disappointment.

You parrot this line in every thread, you know. You should stop DCing before we even see the Wii version

 

[Wizpig]

Who asked for Youtube?

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=bPvLVg_qNfg

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

The first one was actually the only one that kind of worked. Every other game put more and more emphasis on (uncontrolable) speed and thus ruined the whole franchise. Don't even get me started on the 3D ones.

Then I'm going to go ahead and say the Sonic franchise isn't for you. If you honestly do not like Sonic 2, Sonic 3, or Sonic CD - games which I think many people agree are much better, much more focused games than Sonic 1, then this sort of game just isn't your cup of tea.

I will, however, be the first to admit that the 3D games focus way, way too hard on making Sonic go fast and nothing else. The main problem, is something me and a friend have discussed; 3D Sonic games seem to divide characters up in to "classes". Sonic is generally considered a speed-only character, Knuckles is considered an exploration-only character, Tails is considered a platforming-only character, Shadow is focused much more on enemy combat... so on and so forth.

This is in stark contrast to the old games, which provided a balance of all these elements no matter who you were playing as. Rather than sit through a 15 minute level playing exclusively as a "speed class" character, there were parts where you ran super fast, and there were parts where you slowed down to do some platforming, and there were parts where you could explore if the mood struck you. Can you imagine a level like this recreated in 3D? Most games don't have anywhere even close to a level of that intricacy, let alone today's Sonic games.

And I ask: Why the hell not? Why does Sonic have to be a "speed class" character? Sonic can still go fast while having balanced gameplay that incorporates both platforming and exploration. That was something the original franchise was founded upon; I think Sonic 1 on the Genesis was the first game I ever played where there were alternate routes to reach the goal, and that was something the old games thrived with.

Speed's great and all, but variety is better.

 

[Sciz]

So I guess I'm one of few not assuming it'll be on autopilot all the time, then. From my standpoint, it's a trailer, which means that A. anything resembling a slow segment makes for less attractive footage, and B. the player knows exactly what he's doing every instant to make it seem so fluid.

It's going to be very amusing if the Weresonic sections end up playing more like the game everyone wants this to be.

 

[HK-47]

The first one was actually the only one that kind of worked. Every other game put more and more emphasis on (uncontrolable) speed and thus ruined the whole franchise. Don't even get me started on the 3D ones.

Hey the first one was the only if you ignored 2 and 3&K. CD maybe but it was very much classic Sonic gameplay with crazy tracks and areas for speed

 

[McLovin]

Finally a good sonic game.

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

Who asked for Youtube?

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=bPvLVg_qNfg

PROTIP: Attach "&fmt=18" on to the end of Youtube links to force high-quality, even if there's no option to switch to high quality. For example:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=bPvLVg_qNfg&fmt=18

You'll notice the sound quality is a lot better and the video is far less blurry, now.

 

[Flakster99]

Sonic on steroids, which was not what I wanted. It sure looks pretty. Solid rental at best.

 

[decon]

Wow that Green hill level from Sonic adventure 2. I want that in those new fancy graphics please.

 

[Link Man]

Who asked for Youtube?

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=bPvLVg_qNfg

Thanks!

This actually looks really good! WHY IS NOBODY MENTIONING THE WALL JUMPING?

 

[Dark Octave]

I can't see this current vid or pics but I'm excited about this Sonic. I have hope.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

I can't see this current vid or pics but I'm excited about this Sonic. I have hope.

this new vid is fucking hot

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Don't care what people say, even if this is a big on-rails QTE but with lots of alternate routes, then this game is gonna be awesome. Don't care if it's like the old games or not, it looks hella fun. <3

 

[GoldandBlue]

I understand peoples complaints but I'm still looking forward to this.

The only thing I'm worried about is the Werehog Sonic gameplay. Still haven't seen any video or screens on how that's going to be.

 

[AgentOtaku]

As others have said, I WANT TO BELIEVE!

...the game looks exquisite! ...it really does
But yeah, just what the hell was going on

 

[ckohler]

Big Sonic fan here. My thoughts:

+ Graphics are incredible
+ Music sounds good
+ Classic sound effects
+ Mix of 2D and 3D gameplay
+ QTE actually looks kinda fun
+ Inventive paths through the stage

- I don't like the way Sonic just runs through things. No spin attack?!
- Too much autopilot. I actually want him to slow down some.

 

[Yoshi]

Um...Sonic has been on rails since Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast).

At any rate, this game looks incredible. Definitely on my wishlist as of now.

Sonic Adventure 2, actually. But yeah, of course it was way before Ratchet & Clank .

 

[MiamiWesker]

Sonic the hedgehog fans

Don't ever pretend to be the voice of Sonic fans.

As a Sonic fan from the start, I think this looks unbelievable. I can't wait!

 

[Blueblur1]

I've noticed that the video cuts away to a different scene once you get to the part where Sonic's falling down the large building. That leads me to believe that a slower section may follow which is the kind of thing a lot of us want.

It looks fantastic so far and I can't wait to see more to dissect. Its way too early to call it trash or expect the worse from it though. Sega1991, you're on the ball as always and I can't help but agree on every point.

 

[Haruspex]

I'm quietly optimistic about this one, at least the music is quite agreeable this time... I hope.

 

[Dark Octave]

I'm quietly optimistic about this one, at least the music is quite agreeable this time... I hope.

How is the music? Similar to the original Sonic music? Anything but the urban rock stuff from the more recent Sonic games is a step in the right direction, imo.

 

[Sciz]

If you don't want rock at all, you're in for a disappointment. But out of the two tracks we've heard so far, one is a sort of jazzy ethnic African rock, and the other is peppy Eurorock with a violin as its lead instrument. Neither of them sound like Senoue's style, so we're safe on that front.

 

[Classic_Gs]

The trailer was crazy fast....man I want this game to be good. DON'T LET US DOWN SEGA!

 

[Thunderbear]

Pigs are flying, Sonic Unleashed looks frikking beautiful!! And the speed is so awesome. What a lot of work for the artists, you zip by it so quickly and it all looks incredible.

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

I've noticed that the video cuts away to a different scene once you get to the part where Sonic's falling down the large building. That leads me to believe that a slower section may follow which is the kind of thing a lot of us want.

It looks fantastic so far and I can't wait to see more to dissect. Its way too early to call it trash or expect the worse from it though. Sega1991, you're on the ball as always and I can't help but agree on every point.

Thanks. Maybe one day I'll actually get to work on a real Sonic game for Sega officially. (hahahahahaha, probably not - but at least there's alternatives, though)

 

[CrunchinJelly]

If the 'speed' sections with the camera behind Sonic are anything like the same sections in 2006, then Do. Not. Fucking. Want.

 

[Aaron Strife]

What can I say? I like it. Perhaps I just support the game on principle - a new, 2D Sonic game on consoles! - but it definitely looks like Sonic Rush, which I'm open to.

I don't think Unleashed will hold a candle to the original games, but at this point, I just want a fun game. With Sonic in it. So I can call it a fun Sonic game.

Ninja edit: and the music is ace

 

[CoilShot]

My favorite sonic game is still Sonic 2 but I really hope they get this right. Although I did like the first sonic adventure also, the sonic games have be lacking a lot lately.

 

[Mœbius]

Finally a good sonic game.

Wow - you've played it!? More impressions please!!! ¬¬

 

[brain_stew]

The first one was actually the only one that kind of worked. Every other game put more and more emphasis on (uncontrolable) speed and thus ruined the whole franchise. Don't even get me started on the 3D ones.

You've clearly not played Sonic CD, if your favourite is the original then you will LOVE Sonic CD. It emphasised the exploration and platforming elements of STH instead of the speed like later games did. Still, I can't agree with your opinion, there was a hell of a lot of platforming, and open level design in Sonic 3 and Knuckles.

 

[Nintaiyo]

It looks too fast to control. Maybe they should either
-slow it down a little
-move Sonic slightly more to the left side of the screen
-zoom the camera out a little bit
or all three.