Your feelings on seeing Sonic on the cover of GamePro

[Anthony1]

Sonic is on the cover of the latest issue of GamePro, the first time since 2001. Sonic has appeared on 7 covers previously, starting in 1991. For this issue, it's in relation to the new "Next-Gen" Sonic for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. For those that have held this issue in their hands, and skimmed through the preview of the new Next Gen Sonic, what feelings do you have about the Sonic series in general?



What is your current take, on the state of the Blue Bomber?




My take, is that I've always loved Sonic, since the debut game, I loved Sonic 2 even more, I liked Sonic CD a ton, I really liked Sonic 3 as well, and started to get kinda tired of Sonic around the time that Sonic and Knuckles hit. I thought Knuckles Chaotix on the 32X sucked, and I forgot about Sonic for a year or so.


Then when I had a Saturn, I started dreaming about a killer 2D Sonic on the Saturn. Then when I heard about Sonic-X-treme, I was super hyped for that game. Then it never appeared.


With the Dreamcast, the change to 3D came, and although I was super excited to finally play Sonic in 3D, ultimately, it didn't really work for me. Not that Sonic isn't a fun game in 3D, but it just isn't the Sonic I know and love. Since I played the first Sonic on the Dreamcast, I kinda forgot about Sonic, until going retro and rediscovering all the old Sonic Classics. Right now, I would have to say that Sonic 2 is my all time favorite Sonic, followed by the original (just because of the impact that it had when it first hit), then probably Sonic CD, then Sonic 3, and that's about it.


When I first heard about the next-gen Sonic, I thought, well maybe here is a new chance to have Sonic reborn. But after seeing all the pics, it's just a new 3D sonic, with Next Gen visuals. Unfortunately, I just don't think Sonic works that great in 3D. The 3D can make the game seem super fast, like a roller coaster, but the gameplay during these sequences, is very different from the classic 2D sonic. The 3D perspective takes away alot of the joy of the original Sonic games. And then the way they make the worlds, where you are practically on rails, means that the exploration that the old games featured is pretty much lost as well.


That's my biggest problem with the 3D Sonics. I can't explore the world at m leisure. Just because Sonic can go super fast at times, doesn't mean that this is the way that everybody plays their Sonic games. I've always played Sonic almost like I play a Mario or Bonk game. I'm trying to discover every knook and cranny of the world. Sure, I'll go fast when I have to, in certain areas, to get to unreachable sections, etc, etc, but I don't enjoy just blasting through a level and not taking the time to discover it's inner beauty and tranquilitiy.



What say you?

[Joker T]

I agree Sonic just wasn't meant to be 3D.

2D is another story but the I mean you can't expect to see a 2D Sonic game on PS3.

[rally9x]

What is your current take, on the state of the Blue Bomber?

What say you?

Pretty good since I enjoyed mega man x collection quite a bit ;)

[-hellvin-]

What is your current take, on the state of the Blue Bomber?

What say you?

Pretty good since I enjoyed mega man x collection quite a bit ;)

haha, first thing that came to my mind when I read that line. Haven't played a megaman game in sooo long...

[joshnickerson]

Sonic Rush is the only "good" (non-collection) Sonic game of the past two generation cycles. I think a review of Shadow the Hedgehog on X-play says it best; "Sega has NO IDEA what they're doing with the Sonic franchise".

[ClassicGameTrader]

I agree Sonic just wasn't meant to be 3D.

2D is another story but the I mean you can't expect to see a 2D Sonic game on PS3.

You know, I have to disagree with that.

I *LOVE* 2D games, to death. But Sonic Adventure 1&2 are the only Sonic games I have ever really enjoyed since Sonic 2. They aren't perfect, but they were one of the few Sonic games I could get into for more than an hour or so.

[MegaDrive20XX]

What is your current take, on the state of the Blue Bomber?

What say you?

Pretty good since I enjoyed mega man x collection quite a bit ;)

haha, first thing that came to my mind when I read that line. Haven't played a megaman game in sooo long...

Exactly what i was thinking as well lol

There's only room in this world for ONE BLUE BOMBER!

http://www.vgfreak.com/images/favgames/megaman_logo.gif

[crazyjackcsa]

If you look at the Sonic levels in Sonic Adventure 2 and only the Sonic Levels, there is some potential there, I think Sonic team needs to learn that outside of Sonic, Tails, Kuckles and Dr. Robotnik (Far better name than Eggman!) Nobody wants to deal with the other characters or the lame gameplay that goes with them.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I agree, we were happier with just Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Dr. Robotnik...seriously, what was wrong with that formula? It was perfect.

Now Sega keeps adding new characters on a daily basis it seems....

[DonMarco]

If you look at the Sonic levels in Sonic Adventure 2 and only the Sonic Levels, there is some potential there, I think Sonic team needs to learn that outside of Sonic, Tails, Kuckles and Dr. Robotnik (Far better name than Eggman!) Nobody wants to deal with the other characters or the lame gameplay that goes with them.
Did you even play Shadow the Hedgehog?

[Lothars]

I really like Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 those are examples of Sonic in 3d done right IMO

but I do prefer for the most part the 2d sonic games.

[Anthony1]

I agree Sonic just wasn't meant to be 3D.

2D is another story but the I mean you can't expect to see a 2D Sonic game on PS3.


I understand that.... I don't expect them to make a 2D Sonic for PS3 or XBOX 360, but I was just hoping that maybe they would get away from the pseudo racing/almost on rails type gameplay that has plagued the series on consoles in recent memory.


The last really, really, really good Sonic game I've played was Sonic 3, back in 1994 I believe. That's a damn shame.

[nik]

careful, or they'll 3D the original sonic's!

[crazyjackcsa]

If you look at the Sonic levels in Sonic Adventure 2 and only the Sonic Levels, there is some potential there, I think Sonic team needs to learn that outside of Sonic, Tails, Kuckles and Dr. Robotnik (Far better name than Eggman!) Nobody wants to deal with the other characters or the lame gameplay that goes with them.
Did you even play Shadow the Hedgehog?

How do you mean? In SA2? Yeah, he wasn't bad, but he was a Sonic Rip off. In his new game. I played it for a little bit. It was brutal, like I said Lame gameplay that goes with the secondary characters.

[n8littlefield]

I tried really hard to enjoy Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 but there was just too much lame stuff that went along with the side characters. I don't buy Sonic games for slow paced exploration with Knuckles - I buy them for speed and challenge.

Personally, I thought Sonic Heroes was a step in a better direction as you didn't have to play a whole level with a side characters, you always had a mix in each level of speed and battles. If there were less technical issues, I would have really liked Heroes.

If they can keep the idea that people want more Sonic, less side crap, and can find a way to get a camera to work better with Sonic's speed, I'll buy it. Oh, and maybe NOT let Tails talk.

Sonic Rush is amazing though, I think Sega is a far better portable developer than they are console developer lately.

[Fighter17]

I liked SA 1 and 2 a lot, but I love the 2D games better. The Sonic games were going downhill when Sonic Heroes came out (the American VAs are a joke, Tails anyone?). Even with Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog, the camera problems are still there, same for the old graphics engine (Shadow the Hedgehog uses a different engine, but there wasn't a lot of difference between the old and the new one). I always love Sonic for being my favorite mascot, but I really want Sonic to have a comeback. I'm not too sure if the Next-Gen game could be it, but we'll see.

[Joker T]

I agree Sonic just wasn't meant to be 3D.

2D is another story but the I mean you can't expect to see a 2D Sonic game on PS3.


I understand that.... I don't expect them to make a 2D Sonic for PS3 or XBOX 360, but I was just hoping that maybe they would get away from the pseudo racing/almost on rails type gameplay that has plagued the series on consoles in recent memory.


The last really, really, really good Sonic game I've played was Sonic 3, back in 1994 I believe. That's a damn shame.

Yeah. I didn't expect Sonic to really evolve all that much in the next generation. The problems with the 3D ones have been there since 1999 but the games still sell. Sega just doesn't belive that it has to reinvent the wheel when their Sonic games are still selling.

But hey, for all we know it might be the best Sonic game ever made :)

[le geek]

You lost me at GamePro! LOL

I dunno man, I've never been a big Sonic fan. I like Knuckles Chaotix a bunch and the first Sonic Adventure was pretty cool. I'm more intreested in the new Tomb Raider....

Cheers,
Ben

P.S. Nights sequel please...

[Elusive]

I tried really hard to enjoy Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 but there was just too much lame stuff that went along with the side characters. I don't buy Sonic games for slow paced exploration with Knuckles - I buy them for speed and challenge.

Personally, I thought Sonic Heroes was a step in a better direction as you didn't have to play a whole level with a side characters, you always had a mix in each level of speed and battles. If there were less technical issues, I would have really liked Heroes.

If they can keep the idea that people want more Sonic, less side crap, and can find a way to get a camera to work better with Sonic's speed, I'll buy it. Oh, and maybe NOT let Tails talk.

Sonic Rush is amazing though, I think Sega is a far better portable developer than they are console developer lately.

Yes, I agree. Sonic Adventure - wide open adventure fields, little hidden goodies if you're willing to explore a little. Not very polished graphics/voice-wise, but the amount that game went through to meet the launch date makes it OK. I love the individual stories and character development - Tails' ability to save the day by himself in a small way, Amy's independence, etc. The soundtrack is also fantastic, too.

Sonic Heroes - Yes. Sonic 2 in 3D - with all the 'woo yay' and 'aw fuck' of that conversion. Great looking, massive levels, a team switching system that kept things interesting. A simple, no-brainer, fun game. Again, great soundtrack, I love the Team themes. I can't be the only one that loves all the little interfolding storylines as well, surely?

Sonic Rush - not yet, sadly. Hopefully at some point in the future.

Shadow the Hedgehog - yes. Go to the dark side, and it's like you're playing Sonic Adventure 2.5. In a good way. Go hero side, and it's more of a Heroes storyline wrapping up. Either way, it builds on all the good things of the past 3D games - great wide open spaces, missions that aren't painfully terrible (or even necessary, to a point), even passable voice acting. But no, it's 'EMO EMO ANGST LOL', so everyone hates it. Plus, because Sonic's not on the cover it's automatically trash. =( It's an interesting game, damnit.

Sonic Adventure 2 - ugh. ugh ugh ugh. Pretty much the only Sonic game I truly loathe. Take all the things that were good about the original Adventure, and then take a great big steamy dump all over it. Sonic? 'WOO WOO PARTY YEAH WOO PARTY'. Tails? 'LET'S ALL WALK THROUGH TIGHT LINEAR CORRIDORS SHOOTING AT THINGS AND MAKING DOORS OPEN-SONIC HELP HELP OH GOD MY POWER'S FAILING'. Amy? Sidekick fodder. Levels? One-way affairs suspended above bottomless pits. Plus, the good Doctor's now all 'deep and sad and mysterious =(', rather than 'SMASH THE FUCK OUT OF SONIC NOW RAAARG'. Why it's idolised is beyond me.

Put simply - Sonic's doing great. Sadly, apparently to enjoy the series means yo have to endlessly compare any new release to a fifteen-year old game on a dead console. edit: and also point out bugs that RUIN THE EXPERIENCE (a platform clipped out of view).

...wow, that sounds vitriolic XD

[Anthony1]

For me, I almost don't even think about the 3D Sonics. I've simply come to the conclusion that they are clueless on how to make Sonic 3D. The first Sonic on Dreamcast wasn't that bad, but it just can't be compared to the classics. I mean, at the time I first played it, it did seem quite amazing, but over time, looking back on that game, it simply doesn't rank with Sonic 2, Sonic 1, Sonic CD and Sonic 3. You just can't touch those games. None of the other Sonics can touch those 4 games. Then Sonic & Knuckles is probably the 5th.


What's hard for me to undestand, is that other series have had their games transfer to 3D properly. Mario made a very smooth transition to 3D. I mean Super Mario 64, was one of the greatest games of all time. (Mario Sunshine was a total dud....but....)


Why can't they make a Sonic game in 3D that's as good as Jak and Daxter or Ratchet and Clank? I mean, come on. Mascot games can definitely be done in 3D, but for some reason, with Sonic, it's just that the whole focus on speed kills it. They focus to much on that. Then you end up with a psuedo racer/platformer, with some "on rails" sections, etc, etc.


Give me a Sonic that's as good as Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, then I'll be happy as hell.

[Jasoco]

I like the graphics of the new games. Bu am disappointed to not see a Revolution version announced. I won't have a PS3 until probably at least 2009 and a 360 ain't coming into my house until it drops to $150. But a Revolution will be here on day one. So where's my Revolution Next Gen Sonic?

I agree with the part about the game beeing Sonic and needing more Sonic levels. In SA1 and 2, Sonic/Shadow's levels were awesome. Fast paced. Never stopping (Barely) just like the original game. Perfectly done...

Then you get to Knuckles and Dr. Robotnik's and Tails and the bat girl's levels and it all slows down. Though I didn't mind Knuckles and the bats levels. I don't mind a search and retrieve mission now and again. But those damned walking AT-AT levels were just too much. Toooooo sllooooooowww....

If the new one is enough Sonic, it'll be awesome. I'm sure. Especially how it looks. Too bad I don't, nor will I have an HD TV until probably at least 2009... at the earliest... if they cost $100 for at least 27" or are made of chocolate with a 1024 megasprinkle resolution.

So please, leave all that slow walking stuff out!