[gold lightning]

I've really only been slightly annoyed at their attempts to port 10+ year old games to everything under the sun. And to be honest, other than those ports, the only things that are left (that I can think of) are Sonic 4 and Generations. Generations playing the nostalgia card is completely justifiable because the game was, in and of itself, a celebration of the past 20 years of Sonic.

Sonic 4 however has no such luxury with me. It breaks the natural flow the numbered sequels had going on by doing blatant callbacks. Sure some of the levels between games shared themes sometimes, but it never never felt like it was largely ripping off a previous level (Scrapbrain Act 3 excluded). For example, I can see some similarities between Flying Battery and Metropolis but I never feel like I'm playing the same level between the two. But Casino Street feels like an extension of Casino Night with shitty physics.

But like I said, other than re-releases, Sonic 4, and Sonic Generations, I can't seem to recall the nostalgia card being played that much over the past ten years. Heroes, Shadow, 0shit, Unleashed, Secret Rings, Black Night, or Colors don't have anything that screams to me that the nostalgia card was being played very much. It seems that it is just between two recent games and one of them does have no business playing the nostalgia card.

And on the discussion about a reboot; no. Instead of a reboot I'd rather see them take advantage of the space in-between Sonic 1 and 2 and create a side-series from that. Have the team that made Colors be behind it and then have the team that worked on Generations continue on with Modern Sonic. I figure since they already brought Classic Sonic back that they might as well do this. A man can dream, amirite?

[The Fralin Boy]

Caniad Bach, on 19 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

What I'd really like is for SEGA to retire Sonic for a while, perhaps just letting Dimps do the odd naff handheld title, and getting some guys to do some forgettable spin-offs, while a largely new team sits down and crafts a fully new and brilliant experience over a period of a few years, ironing out to make it perfect. I know this will never happen, but it would be nice.

I really don't see SEGA doing this. Sonic is really their last popular series, without it, SEGA doesn't have much to be honest. Not to mention SEGA isn't doing the best right now financially. Also, its SEGA, they will port the classics as many times as possible in order to get a couple extra bucks no matter how good the port itself is.

[Caniad Bach]

The Fralin Boy, on 19 April 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Caniad Bach, on 19 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

What I'd really like is for SEGA to retire Sonic for a while, perhaps just letting Dimps do the odd naff handheld title, and getting some guys to do some forgettable spin-offs, while a largely new team sits down and crafts a fully new and brilliant experience over a period of a few years, ironing out to make it perfect. I know this will never happen, but it would be nice.

I really don't see SEGA doing this. Sonic is really their last popular series, without it, SEGA doesn't have much to be honest. Not to mention SEGA isn't doing the best right now financially. Also, its SEGA, they will port the classics as many times as possible in order to get a couple extra bucks no matter how good the port itself is.

Of course, and I don't blame them. They are a business after all, and Sonic makes money.

I actually don't mind all the re-releases. While I own a Mega Drive and therefore don't have any need to buy the ports, if I didn't I'd probably them, because they're still amazing games and fun to play, and people that own all platforms should be given access to them. It's a sort of preservation, and if you can already play the games, then it doesn't really matter either way. I'm really happy about the Dreamcast ports and the HD re-releases of PS2 games for the PS3, because unfortunately while I own those consoles, they arnt running at all like they used to, so I find it great that I can play all my old games again, particularly with little extras like widescreen resolution.

[KingofHarts]

All I care about is that the game quality improves... And that they don't rush themselves. Nostalgia or not, I'll play it...

[Kreigyr]

Caniad Bach, on 19 April 2012 - 06:20 PM, said:

[snip]

Of course, and I don't blame them. They are a business after all, and Sonic makes money.

I actually don't mind all the re-releases. While I own a Mega Drive and therefore don't have any need to buy the ports, if I didn't I'd probably them, because they're still amazing games and fun to play, and people that own all platforms should be given access to them. It's a sort of preservation, and if you can already play the games, then it doesn't really matter either way. I'm really happy about the Dreamcast ports and the HD re-releases of PS2 games for the PS3, because unfortunately while I own those consoles, they arnt running at all like they used to, so I find it great that I can play all my old games again, particularly with little extras like widescreen resolution.

My thoughts exactly.

Really, I feel as if Sonic 4 is, to Sega, more of a 2D modern-styled game, but marketed as a sequel and derivitive of Sonic 3. They're probably not doing a fully classic 2D game because they don't feel as if they can make another one on par with the originals.

That, and, truely, the re-releases at the worst only broaden the possible audience for the earlier games. Seems like a better bet than keeping and maintaining and old console for an eternity; that, and, hey, they're still fun, right?

[ICEknight]

To me, it really depends on their nostalgia card resulting in a Sonic CD 2011 or a Sonic 4...

[Ross-Irving]

Okay fellas, why don't we hash out what the actual definition of nostalgia is, right now.

Reminiscence is enjoying discussing the past. Even so, someone may continue to move forward while taking inspiration from those events. Nostalgia is a yearning to actually return to the period that you're fond of. What SEGA is doing is not a return to classic form, it's a reimagining, so it's to reminisce. This is a trivial post, but that's to be expected when the topic itself is trivial, just like bitching about anything else SEGA does with their franchises unless what they're doing is guaranteed to ruin the franchise within the next two years. What's the point in working yourself up?

[Skyler]

SteelBrush, on 19 April 2012 - 04:09 PM, said:

Avvy Osami, on 19 April 2012 - 03:26 PM, said:

S4: E1 was great

No

[Mike Arcade]

Tired of the nostalgia card? No, not really. Though it would be nice to have Sega make some new series every once in awhile, we have had Yakuza sence 2005 - 2006 but still, personally I think Sega should either take new directions with older series (not just Sonic) and revive their older games from times past (and do it RIGHT this time, and DO NOT get any guys related to Secret Level in it, everyone in that subsection is fucking cursed), have Shinobi run over Ninja Gaiden (not easy to do I know), bring in Ancient for an offical SOR4, Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5 (I'm on the fence about that though sence MJ can't be in it anymore), Fantasy Zone, Phantasy Star V, Thunder Force VI localized and bring in a VII with the guys who did the music for IV and V, Sega has A LOT OF OPTIONS on what they can do and no one has the light bulb in their heads on about this, that or they are VERY careful on what they put out when it comes to their older titles, but Shinobi for the 3DS did pretty well I heard so maybe the time is right to remind everyone just who Sega is. That or they can try making some newer games, but regardless I would like to see more classics brought over to Steam/PSN/XBLA like Chu Chu Rocket, Chao Garden, and so on and so forth.

[JaxTH]

Kojichao, on 19 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

I was misled by this title.

I thought it was about how SEGA keeps saying that they're gonna "MAKE SONIC BETTAR" like he was before. It seems like every time they have a new Sonic game, they say something like, "BACK TO SONIC'S ROOTS!" I swear they've said that for the last 4 games....

Admittedly, I gave up after the sucker punch that was "Shadow the Hedgehog + Sonic The Hedgehog 2006", so I don't have much experience with newer Sonic games. I think I'm in one of those time-loops, and I can't get my head around anything new.

Though, speaking of which... I heard there was a new Sonic "Reboot" or something, where they're starting over or something ? Might have been an April Fools day thing, though, now that I think about it... Hmm...

If you have Steam you should AT LEAST download the Generations demo.

[The Fralin Boy]

Caniad Bach, on 19 April 2012 - 06:20 PM, said:

The Fralin Boy, on 19 April 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Caniad Bach, on 19 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

What I'd really like is for SEGA to retire Sonic for a while, perhaps just letting Dimps do the odd naff handheld title, and getting some guys to do some forgettable spin-offs, while a largely new team sits down and crafts a fully new and brilliant experience over a period of a few years, ironing out to make it perfect. I know this will never happen, but it would be nice.

I really don't see SEGA doing this. Sonic is really their last popular series, without it, SEGA doesn't have much to be honest. Not to mention SEGA isn't doing the best right now financially. Also, its SEGA, they will port the classics as many times as possible in order to get a couple extra bucks no matter how good the port itself is.

Of course, and I don't blame them. They are a business after all, and Sonic makes money.

I actually don't mind all the re-releases. While I own a Mega Drive and therefore don't have any need to buy the ports, if I didn't I'd probably them, because they're still amazing games and fun to play, and people that own all platforms should be given access to them. It's a sort of preservation, and if you can already play the games, then it doesn't really matter either way. I'm really happy about the Dreamcast ports and the HD re-releases of PS2 games for the PS3, because unfortunately while I own those consoles, they arnt running at all like they used to, so I find it great that I can play all my old games again, particularly with little extras like widescreen resolution.

I don't mind ports either, just as long as the ports aren't terrible like most, to be honest, are. And I can understand why ports can be a good thing. I'm from a younger generation and my first time playing a classic game was through a port of Sonic and Knuckles, then I went ahead and purchased a genesis with all of the classic games . As long as SEGA puts some effort in their ports, they're fine by me,

[Kojichao]

JaxTH, on 19 April 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Kojichao, on 19 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

I was misled by this title.

I thought it was about how SEGA keeps saying that they're gonna "MAKE SONIC BETTAR" like he was before. It seems like every time they have a new Sonic game, they say something like, "BACK TO SONIC'S ROOTS!" I swear they've said that for the last 4 games....

Admittedly, I gave up after the sucker punch that was "Shadow the Hedgehog + Sonic The Hedgehog 2006", so I don't have much experience with newer Sonic games. I think I'm in one of those time-loops, and I can't get my head around anything new.

Though, speaking of which... I heard there was a new Sonic "Reboot" or something, where they're starting over or something ? Might have been an April Fools day thing, though, now that I think about it... Hmm...

If you have Steam you should AT LEAST download the Generations demo.

My boyfriend did, and, admittedly, it was a nice nostalgia trip. Up until the last boss. Then I got angry. =/

[Falk]

Kojichao, on 20 April 2012 - 07:19 AM, said:

My boyfriend did, and, admittedly, it was a nice nostalgia trip. Up until the last boss. Then I got angry. =/

Hahahaha you've essentially summed up the majority opinion of the game in one line.

I'm really wishing Colors would see the light of day beyond an aging platform too. It's a solid game, and goes completely contrary to this topic. (New gimmicks that are enjoyable, whimsical non-throwback setting, refined (at the time) 'modern sonic' gameplay)

[ThunderPX]

I really don't get the love for Colours. Sure, it has a lot of the same ingredients that worked in Sonic Generations, but the level layouts were pretty boring and the Wisp powers were fucking stupid. A lot of the jokes were really painful too, and the music ranges from forgettable to outright irritating except for Planet Wisp as I recall. (I originally typed a rant about Jun Senoue here, but it turns out this is a rare Sonic game where he didn't do anything whatsoever. Go figure.) I'm not trying to troll, I just genuinely do not enjoy Sonic Colours and don't understand why other people do.

[Falk]

Other than Starlight Carnival's interactive race track sequences, I really enjoyed the level design of Colors; both 3D and 2D segments.

It also had one of the most throwback soundtracks ever in a bizarre way. Compared to the guitaresque period of SA1->Heroes to the very, very contemporary sound of 2006->Unleashed, Colors OST in terms of composition and harmonic structure could very well have been from the 16-bit era without being constrained to old soundchips in terms of instrumentation.

Wisp powers I guess could be pretty hit-or-miss depending on your expectations of the franchise. Personally I found that breaking up the structure of "GET TO THE END AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND DON'T GET HIT" for score attacks pretty refreshing, without being too out-of-character for the franchise's game style as opposed to, say, werehog or swinging a sword.

edit: The limitations of the Wii translating into short (or in other words, segmented/intentionally stylized) acts probably wouldn't have been as good as 3-5 minute levels too.

This post has been edited by Falk: 20 April 2012 - 08:04 AM