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Does Mania shake up the formula enough?

Discussion in 'General Sonic Discussion' started by Laura, Jul 14, 2017.

  1. Laura

    Laura

    Brightened Eyes Member
    I was talking to my BFF Palas on the SEGA Forums and he made an interesting point that the new gimmick they introduced for the Fire Shield arguably doesn't go far enough. And this got me thinking, in some ways I don't think Mania does go far enough to shake up the Classic formula and not just the fact the Act 1 layouts are roughly the same as the original levels. The Fire Shield melts bridges, the Electric Shield causes uplift on Flying Battery etc, which is cool, but wouldn't it be cooler if they had more significant changes? One's that affected the levels greater. Or do you think that would dilute the Classic Formula?

    Also, when I think about it, we aren't really getting many new adjustments to the core mechanics, outside of the Drop Dash (which is great). No new shields, characters, etc.

    What do you guys think? Are you perfectly happy with the way it is? Or would you like to see (hopefully) sequels expand on the core mechanics.
     
  2. big smile

    big smile

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    The last game to properly utilise the classic formula was Sonic & Knuckles (although the Classic stages in Generations come close).

    So the classic formula doesn't need radically shaking up. It has been untouched for so long, that it has become 'new'.

    Mania offers plenty of new content, so it already feels very fresh. I wouldn't want future sequels to radically shake up the formula either.
    I'd much prefer them gradually evolve it, just like Mania has evolved it from Sonic & Knuckles.
     
  3. Dark Sonic

    Dark Sonic

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    Considering it's the first game to really go the classic route in over 20 years, it doesn't matter. For some, it's a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief that we're finally getting this kinda thing again. For others it's a blast from the past, and if it was too different it might spook them. I think it's doing everything right, except maybe GHZ could fuck off (they did a good job with it though).

    I bet if they're given another opportunity they'll build more off the formula rather than continuing to build with the formula. New shields, more adventurous gimmicks, maybe another character, things like that. But for now it's all good.
     
  4. Indigo Rush

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    I personally consider Mania more of a first step into proving the foundation of the Classic style; honestly the changes and shake-ups they actually have made go above and beyond what I would have expected from the product description of "retro Sonic with some new Zones," so I'm more than pleased with the level of changes to the formula so far.
     
  5. VectorCNC

    VectorCNC

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    Imagine the backlash if Sega finally gave us classic gameplay, only to mess it up by "shaking things up". It would be the final nail in the coffin. Following Sonic 4, and with Sega's track record of logic, I'm surprised that Mania is seeing the light of day. I think Mania is juuuuuuuust right as it is. Why do we need a shake up after 2 decades of begging for a return to form? Let Mania 2 make further changes with each iteration, but Mania 1 is all about proving Classic can succeed, period. For that matter, why the need to shake things up at all? Subtle refinements haven't hurt Mario in the slightest. And all that aside, Mania has slightly built upon the classics, so I think they are playing things very smart.
     
  6. Ell678

    Ell678

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    I think using the shields in more unique / environmentally affecting ways is awesome. I did it in Incursion first though lolololol original idea do not steal

    Stuff like that doesn't exactly detract from the formula, nor add to it that significantly enough to cause an issue. I feel it is a new gimmick that, in time, will find it's own place in "Rejuvenated 2D" just like the spindash, flying, and Super forms in the classic games. As long as the games play well, we'll lap it up every time.
     
  7. Sparks

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    All of the element shields have new effects;
    Fire shield sets various things ablaze, bubble shield has more realistic bounce physics, and the lightning shield is susceptible to magnets. We don't know yet if there will be more interactions in other levels yet.

    The combi-ring is also going to be a new power up to most players, specially those who have never heard of Chaotix.

    Level design wise, the game is looking like it's an evolution up from Sonic 3K in terms of exploration and speed.

    Overall I'd say Mania is in the right direction.
     
  8. Covarr

    Covarr

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    Considering the franchise's biggest problem for years has been shaking things up that didn't need shaken up, this is probably the smartest choice. Let Mania be the big classic throwback it's touting itself as, and after it proves the classic formula successful then let the team work on a sequel that takes more risks.
     
  9. TheKazeblade

    TheKazeblade

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    I don't want to be one of those people that say "wait 'til it comes out" in this regard because of how abused that term has become, but in this PARTICULAR situation, I think it applies. So much of what I consider "progression" in terms of Classic Sonic has a lot to do with aspects we haven't seen yet, like how zones interface with each other, how narrative is handled and how well the game flows as a whole. It's not limited just to gameplay mechanics.

    I will say I know for sure I wish this wasn't Generations 1.5. At this point, the new zones have proven themselves to be far more creative and capitalzing on the strengths of Sonic's gameplay better than the Classic zones represented. The fact that the Act 2's of the Classic zones shown so far do so much new proves the Mania team has always had the creativity and skill to make a 100% original games.

    It also further convinces me the only reason we have Classic areas at all is because Sonic Team refuses to be completely upstaged by this small indie Western studio and forced the classic areas in there so they can still bask in some of the glory. We know for a fact from interviews that Classic zones were not part of the original pitch by Taxman and Stealth, but "recommended" by Iizuka. It was probably the condition that had to be agreed to in order to get Mania greenlit.

    The only aspect I've seen so far in Mania that is regressive is the Act 1's of the Classic zones which are obviously the weakest links.
     
  10. 360

    360

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    Sonic Mania is perfect as is - it doesn't need a reinvention or innovation of the golden formula from the nineties. This style of pure Sonic has been in hibernation since Sonic 3K - it should be brought back in its original state, and even then we are seeing new shit like the drop dash, advanced elemental shields and an entirely new zone roster. It's the right amount of new and deviating any further outside of that would ruin the preciousness of the concept to be honest. It's the reignition and revival of nineties-era Sonic - and that spirit and core should be kept in-tact.

    Leave the potential innovation for the likely sequels - but make the first game as pure as possible.

    Cool thread though Laura. An interesting discussion to have.
     
  11. JcFerggy

    JcFerggy

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    Speaking of shield properties, both Fire and Electric shields get lost when going in water. I've had this idea for a while now where using a Water shield in an ice level would cause it to freeze and break. Underwater it would be fine, but on land it would start to freeze after a few seconds then just shatter. Either that, or it will still stay around, but trying to use the bounce would cause it to break.
     
  12. Xiao Hayes

    Xiao Hayes

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    I think we already discussed this in the main Mania thread, since more people was worried about it not feeling relly new or interesting. My answer then was the same given here, stay safe with the old stuff for now and leave innovation for further titles if they happen. It's not like that much changed from Sonic 1 to Sonic 2, so it can happen again in S3&K 2, err, Sonic Mania (just kidding, but it was an appropiate link between "generations" :v:).
     
  13. Indigo Rush

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    Regarding new properties for the elemental shields, I noticed that the bubble shield lets the player walk across pools of the blue mega mack in Chemical Plant 2 in some footage. That's something new, right?
     
  14. Zephyr

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    It helps to remember that Sonic CD didn't add new shields or playable characters either. And much like Mania, it wasn't a "numbered" release.
     
  15. ICEknight

    ICEknight

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    I'm perfectly happy with the new mechanics being mostly level gimmicks and shield interactions. If anything, I'd say they may have crossed the line a bit with the removal of the default Insta-shield.
     
  16. Overlord

    Overlord

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    The game's not out yet, and this is the first game in the same vein for 23 years. I think it shakes it up more than enough. =P
     
  17. Xiao Hayes

    Xiao Hayes

    Classic Eggman art Member
    I agree, but, you know, with this dimensional thing, we could get tons of classic sonic incarnations colliding in the same 2D game, so Iizuka thinks it seems legit. :v:
     
  18. DigitalDuck

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    It helps to remember that Sonic CD did add a time travel mechanic allowing you to explore four different versions of each level, which some people would call a substantial shake up of the formula.
     
  19. Zephyr

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    That's indeed a substantial shake up of the formula. I should have quoted what I was referring to. :v:
     
  20. JcFerggy

    JcFerggy

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    Here's a question, what would people want for new shields/abilities? I've seen in a few different fan games variations on new shields, but I never feel like they meet the same quality and functionality of the originals. Each of the three elemental shields provides you with protection from projectiles, elemental protection from Fire, Electricity, and Drowning, and give Sonic the movement options to get either a double jump, forward dash, or stop/bounce that can give the player some additional height.

    A new shield should provide all characters with a new resistance/protection that has not been done so far, as well as giving Sonic a unique ability that preferable expands his movement options.