Just to clarify, the update isn't a rush release of new content or anything. It's merely a bugfix update with a couple of updates to fix the major issues people had with the previous release. I am working on overhauling the entire game in terms of art at the moment as I'm not happy with any of the art at all. Great Gate is the first zone to bite the bullet, I'm sick of seeing the recycled shit I put in that zone. Below are some pics of a new look Great Gate which will also undergo a name change. Critique is more than welcome, there can be no room for improvement without honest feedback.
Daaaamn, those underwater background rocks are awesome, even if they clash withe the foreground a bit. Splendid work all around. Will there be an option at some point to toggle the underwater filter for music? That way we can jam to the music all the way through if we want. :3
I agree that the foreground rocks clash with the backgrounds a bit underwater. Feels like the silver pallet could use a bit more contrast too. Only other thing I'd suggest is maybe use unique tiles for the silver floor. I just noticed the music from Gem Runway Zone is from Sonic Time Attacked. :v:
I think I should be able to sort out the underwater clashing, as I'm pretty sure I used separate colours from the foreground colours to draw it. It's something I'd have to check though as I haven't looked at the art for a couple of weeks. Regarding unique tiles for the floor, is there anything you had in mind you thought would fit? I'm thinking of something along the lines of a marble effect as opposed to stone blocks, so I might see how that looks.
Honest "Critique"? (ohoho) Considering we gave this hack #1 in our awards this year, I'm VERY happy to see you're back on it! The art, I felt, seemed pretty repetitive early on and got better as the zones progressed, so shoring that up is definitely a good idea.
Something smooth like Marble could work. I think the shape you have going for the main floor works already though, just needs to be something other than stone to make the main floor stick out more.
Well, I'm posting and bumping this old topic for two reasons (and there was no point making a new topic when it relates to S2R). 1) Over the past couple of years (since it got released in 2013), I have had a few people ask me to put the soundtrack up. After getting another request a couple of weeks ago, I finally got off my arse and did it. From the console itself, no emulator used. You can find the Soundtrack as a playlist here. Enjoy! (And yes, Both Gem Runways and Chaos Angel Zone Act 3 contains their Easter egg endings...) 2) The main reason for bumping this topic. While I was doing the soundtrack, I was listening to the music (obviously), and it made me miss working on it. Now don't get excited, there isn't going to be a part 2, and you know it. And I have retired from hacking because I have lost motivation and just don't have the time anymore. Creating part 2, or starting any other new project is now pretty much out of the question. Saying that, I did promise an update. I actually did start working on it after the 2013 contest, but never finished it and haven't touched it since. But would any one of you be interested in seeing a cleaned up version of S2R? I am only thinking of: Bug fixes Layout and object placement changes due to criticism A brand new boss for Chaos Angel Zone New options menu (rather than plain old S2 style) Tweaks to the special stage to make it different from just "make it to the end" An actual special stage results screen Super Sonic when all emeralds collected (I will keep the random cheat code screen in too) Few other tweaks here and there I am also thinking of doing a small update for Sonic 2 Time Attack as well (fixing replays and other bugs). And possibly a Sonic Bash update too (maybe 1 or 2 extra bosses). These updates to these three games won't be massive changes, but just more of a clean-up before I fully hang my hat. What I want to know from you guys is, is it worth my time? I plan to do all these updates by the 2016 contest (I won't be entering them though as it won't be worth it), but it gives me a year to work on it. I just don't want to do all this if none of you are interested. Please vote using the poll, and by the 1st of Jan 2016, I will then see the results and go by that. Thanks for your time, and questions or comments, please go ahead!
Of course were interested, clean them up and make them your finest works you don't want that nagging feeling that you could've done parts better.
Okay, everyone's responses came as a shock. I thought everyone was going to say, "Nah" =P But, Sonic Retro and SSRG has spoken. So I will be updating Sonic 2 Recreation (at least). And possibly Sonic Bash!. Sonic 2 Time Attack will also have a re-release, but will only contain bug fixes (so no world records, sorry guys. But at least the replay theatre will work!) I'm in a little dilemma though. I have been working on S2R now and then, but when I get it out, I do about 2 hours work on it, hit a brick wall, and then put it back in the freezer. This is mainly because when I eventually find the time to do my hack after a hard day's work, I just want to relax. But also because I lack the art skills and I find it hard to progress any further. And I've come to realise that I need a sprite artist (StephenUK is so busy recently and he is a level artist, not a sprite artist). I have a fair few ideas on what I want to do, and I can picture it in my head, but when it comes to drawing it, it looks like a 2 year old used Microsoft Paint. So I am asking for a bit of help from one or two people to help me make some sprites. Not level art as such, just some sprites. Once I have these sprites drawn, I can do anything with it. For example, I have bosses in my head, and I know how to work it, I know how to program it, I just can't draw it. Help or no help, an S2R update will be coming out, I promise, but with some art help, it will be better than expected and worth the wait, I promise. If anyone is willing to help me out with some sprite art, please let me know, and I will appreciate anything you can come up with (also credited, of course, which I plan to make a credits roll in S2R). Now, I know "I need help, do this for me" is generally frowned upon unless you give a portfolio of what you have done already and what you are capable of doing. Unless you were living under a rock in 2013 and have never played Sonic 2 Recreation (wiki and download) before, there are YouTube videos here (Razor and Zenon play), MegaGWolf showcases S2R or you can look at my playlist of features in S2R. Thanks for reading, and your time!
Hey guys. Here is the stream from MarkeyJester last night, available to watch on YouTube. [video]http://youtu.be/TNc0LQos5Yk[/video] Link Some great news happened during the live stream. StephenUK came into the text chat, and if he is being serious, and gets commitment from me, he will make (or finish) level art for the game. This means that if things go according to plan, we may get a few more levels into the update. This doesn't mean "Part 2" is coming, it just means "Sonic 2 Recreation" is coming. If he is being serious, then he will definitely get commitment from me because it will motivate me. Saying all this though, we definitely still need a sprite artist in the team (StephenUK is a level artist), so please let me know if you're interested. Together, this could go a long way. Watch this space!
Supporting you guys all the way! wish I could do more than say "DO IT" but lazy asses don't do anything. I WILL at least try to search out some sprite artists.
Not for a while yet. We are extremely slowly working on it. Our biggest issue is time at the moment (and motivation as well I suppose).
Ah this is back, I see... Like last time, RHS... I'm down to bugtest when you reach a stage in development where that's a thing to consider. With current events the way they are, I've a bit more time to do so... for a change.