Sonic in Transition

Aside from the whole "Eggman pisses off some giant ancient beast" theme that's existed in Sonic games to date, Unleashed basically nailed it. Personally, I haven't played the game, but I've been REALLY tempted to buy the game. (I haven't felt that way about a Sonic game in YEARS.)

Personally, I'd love to see a Sonic game with a storyline similar to S3&K, and has about the same length as it. That game was truly epic, and I could only imagine what a sonic game would be like with the plots of the older games, applied to the gaming formula of Unleashed.

But, back on topic. I do feel that it's a bit too early to tell if Sonic is entering a "new age"...Try to make that call after Sega releases another Sonic game. I do have a very optimistic view of the future of the franchise as of now, however.

...I still think instead of the wherehog, they should have had Knuckles instead. That would be fucking amazing. >->

 

Lots of the stuff he suggested is in Unleashed, and guess what? They either didn't work or did little to help the game. Unleashed revealed to me that "New Sonic" is a dead end. Iizuka fucked up Sonic, they need to try again, basing it off before Iizuka got more clout that he deserved.

 

The series has already attempted a reboot. Twice. Adventure and '06.

If it happened again, I certainly wouldn't want fucking SatAM Unleashed. :/

 

I thought Unleashed was brilliant. All they need to learn after that is to stop with the fucking gimmicks. Rather they should go back to level specific gimmicks from the classic games to make the levels more fun.

That and get rid of rail grinding.

 

I myself really don't really like the idea of rebooting franchises to begin with
(even Star Fox doesn't seem beyond saving to me), and considering consistency seems a bit loose with the Sonic franchise I don't think it needs it. Look at how distant Sonic Unleashed is in style and feel from Sonic 06.

So much of the style of Sonic Unleashed led me to feel like they're finally getting back on track. Environments were beautiful, had great color, and avoided seeming overly gritty like some in 06. Cut scenes were entertaining for a reason that wasn't how hilariously awful they were, some even being legitimately funny. Character animation is generally improved and the characters seem generally more like living beings rather than stiff polygonal marionettes struggling to look alive. Hopefully they'll continue this sort of production value.

However, I am worried about the direction actually playing the game's main stages is going. It seems like the team is trying to "give people what they want", and in terms of ignorant video game reviews, that seems to boil down to "all about speed". Going as fast as Sonic does in Unleashed is fun, but later stages of the game seem to become so trial-and-error heavy that the fun just fades away. Sonic isn't even able to pick up lost rings or spindash anymore, big staples of the old games (though admittedly the spindash seems to feel tacked-on in every console game past SA2:B). Was people really asking for him to go any faster than he did in Sonic Adventure 2? I'll avoid worrying about where the Werehog stages indicate we are headed (I actually enjoy the stages aside from certain annoyances, much like the Day stages) other than the idea that they were a way to lengthen the game because of how resource-intensive the Day stages were.

I hope they'll re-evaluated how the game is being played, but stylistically, I'm more optimistic.

 

Funny thing about ring collecting. Earlier videos of Unleashed actually show that at one point you could collect rings back which you lost. This was before they added that effect where you collect rings they go towards the ring icon though.

Sonic games do involve a lot of trial and error, but then again a game with this much speed it's expected. Hell Sonic CD even had a bit of trial and error, but this was mostly for people who are time trial obsessed.

What I love about Unleashed was that it was so much better than Sonic 06 that not only was it an improvement, but also it finally seemed to be a game that beat Sonic Adventure (At least to me). It was such a relief to finally see some progress come from Sonic team, rather than the usual "Well this game was ok but a game made 6 years ago is still better" or also "This game sucks"

And then they go on to ruin that with Sonic and the Black Knight D: If they're looking for a spinoff, try out an HD retro game.

 

Sonic can't enter a new age if he's still smack dab in the middle of a current one, I think. Say what you will about Sonic Unleashed finally updating Sonic, I think Black Knight undid all of that.

Even if Sonic is in transition or entering a new age, a lot of people don't care at this point. They're sick of Sonic. The fact that everybody and their grandmother has a "How to Fix Sonic" list at this point should be evidence of that.

Sonic needs to go on vacation. When he returns, that's the dawn of the new age. That should have been where Sonic Unleashed was positioned, because it's clear the game came off a lot of bad mojo earned in previous game titles.

I think two years without any Sonic games at all would do it. Technically, that wouldn't be a break, because most major Sonic games come once every two years, but that's because in the two years inbetween each Sonic game we get Sonic Riders and Sonic Rush and Sonic Chronicles and whatever.

So yes, Sonic Unleashed might be the dawn of a new Sonic assuming you ignore Black Knight being a late bloomer. But nobody is going to care unless Sega makes an effort to really and truly relaunch the franchise after a period of absence from the public eye.

Until then, they'll all be "just another shitty Sonic game"

 

^Most of those fix Sonic lists boil down to classic Sonic. So why the hell don't they just do it already? Isn't it obvious to them that Sonic in his current direction is a failure?

Black Knight is kind of worth ignoring though. Due to it being developed practically at the same time as Unleashed (Maybe they started like a year after Unleashed development began) they didn't really have time to learn from what people actually liked about Unleashed. Instead they went off Sonic and the Secret Rings, taking that games basic style and adding a sword. Had the game started development after Unleashed was released, I bet it would have been a lot different.

Basically, Black Knight may have undone the progress which was made in Unleashed but that's kind of unfair seeing as how Black Knight is, as you said, a late bloomer. It basically follows an older gameplay type which although was successful, ultimately proved not to be executed properly a second time. Also the idea of Sonic with a sword is laughable. This game could have been good and it still would have got awful scores because of a just god awful concept. Unleashed suffers the consequences from this, despite the fact that Sonic's levels were great and the Werehog was pretty well executed.

There is another unfortunate thing about Black Knight. Now that these type of games have been declared a series, Unfortunately I see at least another one coming. Hopefully they realize the error of their ways next time though (And get rid of that god awful sonic model in the process).

Just a side note but on the topic of character models, I hope they keep the Sonic Unleashed model forever. It's the only in game Sonic model that actually made modern Sonic look good. Time to do what Nintendo does with Mario and learn a valuable rule about consistency.

 

Total nonsense. SatBK's a mere spinoff, and it was widely predicted to be a failure anyways. It's like comparing a good console title to a bad portable one.

 

Sonic Advance (1) compares favourably to pretty much most console games of recent years, though. Better analogy: It's like comparing Super Mario World to Hotel Mario. :3

 

I don't even think this guy knows what he's talking about. Once he hit the dreamcast I started scratching my head. I'm gonna keep watching though, halfway through part 1.

EDIT: He just called AoSth shit. I hate this guy. Now he's ripping on Shadow and the other characters, which I kind of agree with.

Ok, now he hit a rather big question I ask myself as well. Should Sonic be saved anyway? I keep thinking his charm all relied heavily on the era he was born in, so this guy does have a few good points to bring up. Starting part 2 now.

The Mario and Megaman path is also something I've had in mind for awhile now. Wow, this guy knows what he's talking about.

EDIT 2: Ok now he's just talking about Sonic Unleashed. All the things he's requesting are elements and game play ideas present in the daytime stages.

OVERALL: He has some pretty good points but I don't think he even knows what he's talking about himself at all either. I do agree that going back to Sonic Adventure and refining the mechanics in that game is the way to go, and making all the characters speed based again is a big thing I wish would come back as well. Good video, though he whines about stuff everyone has for awhile now, but he brings up some good points.

EDIT: HE CALLED BLAZE SHIT. FUCK THIS GUY.

Ok I can't watch anymore. Now he's suggesting a really stupid reboot attempt. Sonic doesn't need a fucking reboot in story and background the GAME PLAY does. Once they figure out the perfect way to make Sonic fun for everyone I guarantee no one will give a shit about how many characters are in the cast anymore. We hardly see Shadow in the main storylines anymore anyway, so I dunno why people keeping bitching about it. They need focus on Sonic and how he interacts with his surroundings. AKA, perfect blend of progression and well thought out game play. BRING BACK THE GODDAMN MOMENTUM.

If not that then churn out more daytime stages, I love those and I think they're also a step in the right direction.

 

It's what we all want. Like he said "Simplicity is your friend." Though he stated some points in the second video, you know what with the story and what defines the character.

edit: Even some characters were cool. Which is why they can trim the cast down to a reasonable amount.

edit2: I wonder if the guy played Sonic Unleashed and the Rush games. He mentioned the Boost which was already implemented. But he does give an idea with the speed and some other stuff to use strategically.

 

I always had the idea you could press a button and switch between Sonic's speeds. From a normal brisk run that's easy to maneuver to a lightning fast speed boost for escaping or time trialing. I dunno, one of the shoulder buttons or something could be used. I also like the idea of time slowing down around Sonic, that would be really neat to see how they could pull that off.

The guy kinda contradicts himself now that I think about it, he says simplicity is the way to go and then he goes giving out some of his own ideas that sound way too awkward or complicated for a possible back to roots approach.

 

Sorry. :X

If you ask me the next transition is going to be heavily based on either the daytime stages success from Unleashed or it will be a back to roots approach via Megaman 9(Sonic 4 maybe?).

I think Unleashed's formula is the way to go, axeing the Werehog and other possible gimmicks to lengthen the game and whatever reason. They should focus on refining the daytime stages even more so they're more enjoyable next time around.

 

The thing that try'd updating Sonic this generation was Sonic Future/Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, like how Sonic Adventure introduced a new-style Sonic (which was grandma). It redesign'd Sonic. But you know how Sonic Future turn'd out critically so SEGA drop'd that idea and went back to the Sonic Adventure style with all future games.

 

I honestly blame Iizuka for how bad the series has fallen since Heroes. I would love another game like Adventure brimming with beautiful open levels and fun platforming busting at the seams. I played Adventure the other day and compared it to Unleashed. Both are definitely the right way to go in terms of Sonic's stages which I also think should be the main focus entirely in future games.

I think another thing they should focus on is making speed a necessary element in the levels. Sure Sonic can run fast, but what else can his speed do for him? The old games had a lot of gimmicks that incorporated Sonic's quick reflexes and speed. I hardly see that anymore.

 

Shoot I'd want to see the Adventure games in new gen graphics and a leader board to bring about who has the bigger e-penis faster speed run. If a new Adventure game was to be created, it needs to be surreal and beautiful.

Gimmicks....Sonic's seen too many as of now. Thing is Sega would try to pack a little of everything. Brawling, speed running, puzzles, etc.

Most of us can agree on wanting a Sonic 4 in the future. But hey we'll see when it's the next Sonic anniversary

 

I do believe Unleashed it the series re-boot. We had Sonic 1 start the series, Sonic Adventure brought a new era, whilst I believe Unleashed is the next step.

For a few reasons. The gameplay has changed completely. SA1 through to Sonic 06, the gameplay was primarily the same. It involved running openly around 3D stages, using the homing and a host of other moves, often with more than one character to play as. Now with Unleashed, we see Sonic as the only character. The daytime stages are vastly different to the stuff we've seen in recent years. Sonic reaches much higher speeds which are controllable. In previous games if you went fast, and you turned a little to the right, you veered into a wall. In Unleashed the controls become tighter as you pick up speed. You have quick step to control high speed movements, and also we have 2D-3D transistions.

We also see the humans looking vastly different. The range of characters are gone, no Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, Silver, E-series robots. All gone this time around. Only Tails, Eggman and Amy appear.

The story also takes a new direction. From SA onwards the story was usually more on the serious slightly darker side. Shadow and Sonic 06 being the height of this trend. Unleashed takes a whole new direction, more comedic and saturday cartoon like. The omakes and Night of the werehog are prime examples of this.

We also see new management within Sonic Team. Yoshihisa Hashimoto is the new lead desginer and clearly extremely enthusiastic. Clearly Sonic Team sounded a lot more motivated this time around.


My opinion is that Unleashed has wiped the slate clean. From here Sonic team are able to build up a new era for Sonic leaving behind the adventure era. Yoshihisa Hashimoto is clearly pasionate about the series, and I can only hope they can carry on the momentum and improve the overall quality. Who knows, maybe even IGN will give them a good review.