Sega: Sonic Will be "Fixed Over Time"

[Snotnarok]

Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy the original cast, kill the rest off and let the weirdo fanboys on youtube cry about Shadow and Silver so Sega can just focus and make a good game. In shocking news I thought the day levels in Sonic Unleashed were great, how ever I thought the God of War ripoff night levels were borderline stroke inducing. They were really close, but they just had to throw something in there for everyone to hate. Well most of us anyway, a quick trip to youtube or deviant art shows lots of fans of the werehog...ung.

 

[MorteSphere]

Since the introduction of Tails, Sonic has failed horribly. They should have stuck with side scrolling.

Somehow, ONE new character that appear in the SECOND game of the ENTIRE franchise has been the sole reason that Sonic games have been lacking in quality?

Didn't IGN say the same Bullshit?

The both of you are basically saying that only the first game was good? Yes, I see perfect logic in that.

Basically I'm saying the first was good and they should have stopped there.

I've heard of the phrase "quit while you're ahead" but you're saying they should have quit before they even started. Again, logic at it's best!

I'm not saying I would have. I'm saying that they should have. They've made millions on the Sonic franchise, and thats good for them, but the first game was the only good one. But, of course this is in my opinion, I'm not forcing you to believe me.

 

[Rect Pola]

They're actually satisfied with a succession of increasingly less crappy games before they (theoretically) produce a "good" modern Sonic formula. The real sad thing is that I have seen running fast in 3D done well before, and they still can't produce a decent Sonic game.

IMO the best "running around in 3D" I had ever seen was in Okami. It fixed the 3 key issues Sonic keeps having.

1) You didn't start in slow motion
2) You quickly built up speed with only a few marked levels
3) It genuinely felt fast without compromising the ability to see and react (unless there was a camera issue).

I could see those mechanics with a Sonic makeover working. Y'know; more obstacles, challenges and structures in the open world to interact with. They could even keep the sectioned off fighting for more impressive moves and style that wouldn't work free-running in an open space.

At least, that's my idea for a decent Sonic. Of course even if they did it SonicTeam would still find a way to foul it up into an unplayable mess.

 

[Dr Ampersand]

Wasn't the original Sonic only good because it was simple, yet innovated? Fast platforming with creative mechanics and traps?

So isn't it as simple as innovating Sonic's fast and trap filled platforming style into a 3D world with even better creative mechanics all while keeping gameplay simple?

It seems so simple to fix, but if the devs aren't up to it then they might as well hasten the end of this downward free fall.

Don't forget the occasional piece of environment in the Green Hill Zone that could be broken to reveal a new path.

Also I think that the plug shouldn't be pulled on Sonic, though if need be, get a different team to make a good Sonic game.

And that they did. All the characters, except for Big the Cat, played quite nicely.

What?! But Big the Cat has both Froggy and the greatest theme tune out of any of the Sonic characters! He was awesome except in Sonic Adventure 2 where he

Spoiler

stalks you constantly. You can see him watching you from time to time.

 

[VonVirgo]

Since the introduction of Tails, Sonic has failed horribly. They should have stuck with side scrolling.

Somehow, ONE new character that appear in the SECOND game of the ENTIRE franchise has been the sole reason that Sonic games have been lacking in quality?

Didn't IGN say the same Bullshit?

The both of you are basically saying that only the first game was good? Yes, I see perfect logic in that.

Basically I'm saying the first was good and they should have stopped there.

I've heard of the phrase "quit while you're ahead" but you're saying they should have quit before they even started. Again, logic at it's best!

I'm not saying I would have. I'm saying that they should have. They've made millions on the Sonic franchise, and thats good for them, but the first game was the only good one. But, of course this is in my opinion, I'm not forcing you to believe me.

The reason SEGA made Sonic was so they could have a mascot that could compete with Nintendo and Super Mario Bros., it would be kinda dumb for them to create the first Sonic- which helped the Genesis/Mega Drive outsell the NES for a while- and then dump it and say "Next!"

 

[DaxStrife]

Interesting how it was a representative from Sega America that made that comment. From what I understand (and I admit I could be wrong), Sega America's team was the one responsible for "Sonic 3" and "Sonic and Knuckles" back in the Genesis days, widely regarded as the best (or at least the last good) entries in the Sonic franchise before it went off the rails with 3D. Most of the creative decisions for the last decade have been coming from "Sonic Team," based in the Japan branch of Sega.

So they admit they can't nail down what it is that made Sonic good, so rather than looking back to the old games they're going to keep throwing new crap at us until they figure out which parts of the games we don't like? Sounds like an elaborate customer research experiment, only instead of paying us for our ideas we pay them and then tell them what they're doing wrong. A scam worthy of Scientology?

 

[Motiv_]

Am I not the only person who is terrified when they say fixed "Over Time?"
That means they're continuing the franchise?

 

[Ghost8585]

I don't see how hard it could be to make a good sonic game. Hell, just cut out the warehog parts out of Unleashed and I would have liked it because the speed levels were pretty fun and a return to form (more or less) in my opinion. Or as someone earlier posted, remake Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckels in HD. Nostalgia is why us gamers still give a crap about sonic, why doesn't Sega use that to their advantage and make a mega man 9 type squeal? C'mon Sonic Team, you know its the right thing to do.

 

[Salem_Wolf]

I have loved the Sonic games since I was a kid, and to this day still place the Sonic series on my top 5 favorite series of all time, though recently, without breaking the top 5 list, placed him at the bottom. A lot of people say the series stunk after the 2D games ended, I for one think the series really took a spiral after Sonic Adventure 1, which I thought was an amazing game, but Sonic Adventure 2, while decent, was a step back but a game I enjoyed nonetheless. Sonic has enough friends, keep the classic friends, leave the others to the sidelines and cameos, and return Sonic to his roots. I doubt Sonic will have an amazing game by 2010, but by 2012? Well perhaps we'll truly see the end of the world.

Sonic's first true 3D experience (Sonic Adventure) did well, so what happened? Better graphics, more gimmicks. Sonic works best for Speed and platforming, leave it at that? Why fix what's broken? Sure Mario adds a few hats every game, but the RPG Bioware made was awesome, I think an RPG on the home consoles would be a nice step, if employed by Bioware again. Sonic has so much possibility, and potential, it would be a shame to keep him only a platformer, but please...leave the sports and party games to Mario, though I wouldn't shoot down a fighting game.

Kudos to Sega for realizing they need to fix their mascot, as Sonic is a mascot kids and adults can love, I'm 22, and love Sonic as much as I did when I was a preteen adolescent, so let his fans see the love, not the new kids on the block who are just now seeing Sonic in his worst. I hope Sega can improve Sonic and once again make him a great rival for Mario as he used to be, and his cameo in SSB? Sad to say, that was the best game I'd seen Sonic in, in years. Ah well, someday I'll see a great Sonic game...or come to my senses and say "Screw it" and ignore Sonic. Let's hope Sega can finally bring Sonic back into the limelight.

 

[Gabes]

They need to start treating Sonic the way they did in the old days:

Here's a hedgehog, he runs real fast, collects rings, and is a badass.

Fuck stories, fuck development, let him be a simple and primal character. They just don't let characters and games be that way anymore. Whatever happened to the villain who wanted to take over the world just because he could, no reason for it or the hero who stopped them simply because that is what the game makes them do? Very few games could pull off that purity and simplicity nowadays, in fact it would make for a terrible game by our standards now in most cases, but Sonic is one of those rare characters who could pull it off. Go for the pure and simple and we'll have the Sonic we loved again.

 

[Woem]

They should just release a 2.5D sonic game for XBLA, and not just a remake of the first three, I mean a new one...and also, No characters except Sonic, tails, and maybe knuckles...anything past that and im bombing sega.

A remake might actually not be a bad idea. It might remind people why Sonic was so awesome "back in the day" and it might be a good start for a relaunch. Going completely back to basics, even without Tails and Knuckles, and see where it goes.

 

[Vrex360]

Even if they do make a good Sonic game I still don't see it making much difference. Those games are too cute and kiddy and these days that's just not what people want. Most of the gamers I know these days would disregard anything cute or wholesome in favour of endless violence and sexual depravity. Violence and sex sell now as the medium has no longer just been made for kids but also adolencants who feel the need for 'mature content' in which case bring on the guns, blood and jubblies. That's just the thing, that's what the world wants now and characters like Sonic well and truly had their shot and the world is done with them.
To quote Bob Dylan... The times they are a' changin.

In fact we could actually do a montage similar to the one in Watchmen about the change of the games industry.

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

Even if they do make a good Sonic game I still don't see it making much difference. Those games are too cute and kiddy and these days that's just not what people want. Most of the gamers I know these days would disregard anything cute or wholesome in favour of endless violence and sexual depravity. Violence and sex sell now as the medium has no longer just been made for kids but also adolencants who feel the need for 'mature content' in which case bring on the guns, blood and jubblies. That's just the thing, that's what the world wants now and characters like Sonic well and truly had their shot and the world is done with them.
To quote Bob Dylan... The times they are a' changin.

In fact we could actually do a montage similar to the one in Watchmen about the change of the games industry.

I wouldn't say that most gamers are only into violence and sex, think about us female gamers, we're sure as hell not all about the blood and titties. The new gamers, the casual gamers... us and them like the cute and cuddly, we'll still buy the cute games as long as they're making them, we won't let the industry give into what the violent and horny little boys want.

 

[A Username Not In Use]

For the love of things peoplehold holy Sega the only reason sonic needs fixing is because you broke him. Up until Sonic 3D he was perfect.

 

[jman11288]

At the risk of sounding like a Fanboy (which, I guess I kinda am), it's going to more than just fixing the gameplay; the story and characters need to fix too. I say this because the Archie comic spin-off has shown me and everyone who reads it that you can do a lot with the Sonic mythos in terms of story arcs and character development. The games' version of everyone just feel hollow and one-dimensional compared to the comic, and NO I refuse to say they they need to just suddenly use the comic's continuity because it is it's own world as is the games. Just write the stories a little better so that Sonic is the focus; quit playing up on Shadow's popularity; and overall shoehorning in characters who don't affect the story and just save them for other games.

Now in terms of the actual gameplay, I actually think that Sonic Team have it down on that the games are about Sonic running fast and hitting robots. The problem may actually be time, Sonic 2006 is the proof that SEGA won't hesitate to rush games in production and shorten deadlines. If that's the case, then I would suggest keeping Sonic in hand held games with a console game every once in a while (it works for Kirby) so that way the games are easier to make and not worry about rushing anything, if that makes sense.

I have faith that the next Sonic game will good if not great, so that both the fans and critics can finally shut the fuck up about how Sonic was only good in the 90's (Adventure, Heroes, and Unleashed are better than these asshole let on).

I agree with you about 90%. The only point we don't see eye to eye on is using the comic's continuity. While I don't think they should follow it completely, I think using the original premise (Robotnik roboticizing Mobians, Freedom Fighters do something about it) and going from there in a less (let's face it) convoluted direction. Similar to what they're doing with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. They're using the Civil War story arc as a basis, but doing their own thing.

I very much agree that the Adventure games were great though. Heroes would have been a lot better if you only played as Team Sonic and there were maybe five more levels. Either that or at least give the other teams their own levels. Unleashed had decent gameplay (werehog aside), but the overworld was a travesty. Why is it that since Adventure 2 and Heroes we've gone back to crappy mission hubs populated by the NPC's from the Zelda games minus the charm? Level by level with a cutscene in between gave the games a lot more flow.

 

[Sevre]

Am I the only one who thought of something else when he saw "Fixed."

 

[Sewblon]

I'll be the first to say, that developers that don't want to be ridiculed by the gaming community should not care what a child thinks: "...were very well received by children", rather, they should care what their FANS think. Look what happened to Nintendo. LOOK AT IT!

All that money... My Christ! Either just make a 2.5D game, or make an open world Sonic game were we can run up walls, glide and ram helicopters, basically a bright and colorful version of Prototype.

 

[Blackadder51]

They still think they can revive this dead thing....

 

[dalek sec]

"Fixed over time"? Well how long is that, the old ones could return before that happens.

 

[VonVirgo]

At the risk of sounding like a Fanboy (which, I guess I kinda am), it's going to more than just fixing the gameplay; the story and characters need to fix too. I say this because the Archie comic spin-off has shown me and everyone who reads it that you can do a lot with the Sonic mythos in terms of story arcs and character development. The games' version of everyone just feel hollow and one-dimensional compared to the comic, and NO I refuse to say they they need to just suddenly use the comic's continuity because it is it's own world as is the games. Just write the stories a little better so that Sonic is the focus; quit playing up on Shadow's popularity; and overall shoehorning in characters who don't affect the story and just save them for other games.

Now in terms of the actual gameplay, I actually think that Sonic Team have it down on that the games are about Sonic running fast and hitting robots. The problem may actually be time, Sonic 2006 is the proof that SEGA won't hesitate to rush games in production and shorten deadlines. If that's the case, then I would suggest keeping Sonic in hand held games with a console game every once in a while (it works for Kirby) so that way the games are easier to make and not worry about rushing anything, if that makes sense.

I have faith that the next Sonic game will good if not great, so that both the fans and critics can finally shut the fuck up about how Sonic was only good in the 90's (Adventure, Heroes, and Unleashed are better than these asshole let on).

I agree with you about 90%. The only point we don't see eye to eye on is using the comic's continuity. While I don't think they should follow it completely, I think using the original premise (Robotnik roboticizing Mobians, Freedom Fighters do something about it) and going from there in a less (let's face it) convoluted direction. Similar to what they're doing with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. They're using the Civil War story arc as a basis, but doing their own thing.

I very much agree that the Adventure games were great though. Heroes would have been a lot better if you only played as Team Sonic and there were maybe five more levels. Either that or at least give the other teams their own levels. Unleashed had decent gameplay (werehog aside), but the overworld was a travesty. Why is it that since Adventure 2 and Heroes we've gone back to crappy mission hubs populated by the NPC's from the Zelda games minus the charm? Level by level with a cutscene in between gave the games a lot more flow.

I think I said that I was against them using the comics story as well, because it's too late in the game (no pun intended) to try and mash it in, plus the games themselves will end up being adaptation to the comics (isn't that a logic bomb?). I would like to see them continue to use the Sonic Chronicles storyline (even though The Nocturnus are basically copy/paste of the Dark Legion, anyway).