Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Source: http://www.sega.co.uk/games/sonic-generations/ I know Sega keep trying to revitalize the IP and inevitably keep making the same mistakes over and over, but I'm still kinda hopeful about this one. I like that they've actually recognized the difference between the classic Sonic character the retro fans love and the new Sonic rather than treating them as the same thing. I also like how they're attempting to pay homage to his earlier years too, even if the game sucks it'll still be cool to find all of the references and such from a retro nerd's point of view. Looking (quietly) forward to this! Oh, and I really enjoyed Sonic Adventure and this is looking similar in many ways so that's a plus for me P.S. The "third time" in the topic title is in reference to Sega's claims that Sonic Unleashed and Sonic 4 would appeal to fans of the original games... and neither really did.
Not getting my hopes up. This is exactly what Colors was, and the best part about that game was the hat i got.
To be honest, I'm sick of the latest Sonic games being almost exclusively 2D. Sonic 4 was 2D (although that made sense) and a large chunk of Sonic Colours and Sonic Unleashed (when you're not the werehog) was in 2D as well. I just want a new fully-3D Sonic game, but for whatever reason Sonic Team are shying away from it. The 2D in the latest games hasn't even been that good, so what's the point?
Colors was well-recieved by critics and a commercial success so they're probably trying to keep whatever they achieved with that. Never got to play it myself but I've heard some good things. I'm guessing the reason they're shying away from 3D is because their worst recieved games are 3D and fans of the originals are crying out for more 2D games. Plus some of their most recent successes were the 2D DS games. I haven't really liked a 3D Sonic since SA2, although Unleashed almost got there had they not included that werehog crap.
Added a gameplay video to the first post, I get the feeling it'll be taken down soon though. I think it looks awesome. Perfectly captures the vibe of the classic Sonic games, it's what Sonic 4 should have been. Now if they can just nail the modern Sonic parts this could be the comeback we've all been waiting for.
Played the demo last night. My initial impression was the controls were slightly crappy. I know the classic Sonic levels are supposed to represent the Genesis games, but I shouldn't feel like I'm using an anlaog stick on a game that isn't supposed to support one. Hopefully this can be improved before release, I hear Sonic 4 had complaints about the physics feeling slightly off. That said, I got better with practise. I've done a few speed runs, learned the level layout, etc... and on the topic of level layout... There are a few complaints about the game becoming blurry at high speeds, people claiming they ran straight into the first enemy because they didn't see it coming. In my opinon they're forgetting that most of us ran into enemies on the Genesis games too. We all sucked initially, and getting through each act cleanly was down to level memorization more than being able to see what's ahead. Generations is definitely a little blurry (and very likely sub-HD which is a shame) but from what I've seen it's still likely to be the best looking Sonic game we've ever had, and possibly the reboot we've been waiting for. There are a few negatives but the more I play the more it grows on me, so my excitement for the full game is still there. Side note, pretty nice wallpaper ahoy: http://www.sonicretro.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Generations_wallpaper.png
When they introduced the Hedgehog Engine (or whatever it was called) in Sonic Unleashed that transitioned 2D gameplay to 3D and vice-versa, they almost nailed the comeback. The only things that bugged me were the occasional unresponsive button press and the need to find coins to unlock new stages. Had they made the game just that, even if it were only 6 hours of it, I would've been happy. But apparently, they've scrapped that as well. I guess I can live with that if I never see the Rubber-Armed Were-Hog again... EDIT: Nvm, I think they may have kept that, actually. Nice.
I've been playing this demo last week a few times and really enjoyed it, the sound design (particularly Sonic's footsteps building into a run and running across wooden planks) is excellent. I gave up hope for Generations the second I read this description though.. You would think with two Sonics they could have skipped the nuSonic plot and superfluous "friends" this time around. On a related note I'm still pissed Capcom canceled Mega Man Universe.
Oh no, extra characters! Surely the game is doomed! Suck it up, it's not like it's gonna interfere with the actual gameplay. Besides, it'll probably only end up being Tails and Knuckles.
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. I would love to take the demo at face value and assume they won't include leingthy unskippable cut scenes while introducing zhazha the elephant and farto the housefly but given the history of the franchise over the past decade how likely does that seem? I know it's incedibly cynical but it wouldn't be the first time I've played a great Sonic game demo for a subpar Sonic game. If I'm wrong and they break the cycle I'll be pleasantly surprised and if I'm right I won't be disappointed. Yay cynicism!
Exploring the files contained within the demo reveals the following names: Spoiler Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, Rouge, Espio, Charmy, Vector and Blaze. ...and the following boss names: Spoiler Metal Sonic, Shadow The Hedgehog, Silver The Hedgehog, Death Egg, Perfect Chaos, Egg Dragoon and Time Eater. ...and the following level names: Spoiler Green Hill Zone (Sonic The Hedgehog) Chemical Plant Zone (Sonic The Hedgehog 2) Sky Sanctuary (Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles) Speed Highway (Sonic Adventure) City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2) Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes) Crisis City (Sonic The Hedgehog 2006) Rooftop Run (Sonic Unleashed) Planet Wisp (Sonic Colors) Casino Night Zone (DLC Only) It's worth pointing out that Sega responded to the revelation in the typical way, but claiming that content within the demo was still very much a work in progress and subject to change. I still hold high hopes though, they could always include characters in the story without making you play as them. I wouldn't mind a cast of one thousand if they were restricted to cutscenes.
I'm a big Sonic fan and was lucky enough to plat the 3D gameplay of modern Sonic (Which is missing from the demo) at the London Sonic convention, Summer of Sonic. I wrote a bit about Summer of Sonic and interviewed Sonic himself at my website below, if anyone is interested Modern Sonic plays quite similar to Unleashed and Colors, as you'll probably expect. Only difference is that 2D Classic Sonic feels quite heavy when he jumps and Modern Sonic can't seem to lock-on to enemies from a great distance. Other than those minor niggles, it played rather well. Modern Sonic's run through Green Hill was quite long as well, compared to the minute long you get with Classic 2D Sonic.
I am almost 100% positive that you'll only be playing as Sonic in this game. They're marketing the game as Sonic's glorious return, plus the last few Sonic games have been Sonic-only as well.
I hope so. I'd actually quite like unlockable characters (Tails, Knuckles, Shad-*is shot*) if they just worked as skins, sharing the same levels and having the same abilities as Sonic. Some people would probably cry foul not being able to fly as Tails but I'd rather they did that than gave them their own levels and took a risk on them being terrible.
I'm fine with cut scenes as long as they're skippable. I barely played any of Sonic Unleashed because it took so damn long to actually get into the game and the English voiceovers are like nails on a chalkboard. I don't understand why Sega refuses to give the old school Sonic fans what they actually want, Sonic 2 redone in HD and a port of Sonic CD. Hell, if they would update Sonic Jam with Sonic CD and Knuckles Chaotix that would be the perfect 20th anniversary product.
