Where did this come from? And why does somebody need to tell me this. It's not a superb game by any means. I hate its story and script. I don't like the childish atmosphere (Chip). I don't like the cartoonish humans. I don't like the beat em' up concept. I don't like the flowless town stages. And I don't think the music is as great as previous games. But I am surprised and very impressed that 3 level designers were able to create those amazing day time stages. Miles and Miles of them. And the fast, quick thinking action. And the gorgeous graphic design.
I think one of the major issues that seem to occur with 3d sonic games is that Sonic goes a little too fast though. Its impossible to control his speed. Although I haven't played it, I've heard from a few people that this is the same problem with the day-time levels in Sonic Unleashed. Although, those same people have told me if Sega scrapped gimmicks and went for those gameplay elements it would have been brilliant. Do you reckon if Sega included some sort of gear shift mode for Sonic and took out the crazy story elements it would be more well-recieved by the general audience or do you guys think it's beyond saving now? (Yes I am well aware that I have suggested they turn the blue blur into a speeding vehicle essentially but still I think it would work)
Say what you will about Unleashed but they addressed almost every major issue from the past games. The story wasn't as much of a failed attempt at something epic as before, the art direction was very fitting (as opposed to the more realistic direction that made Sonic stand out like a handful of sore thumbs), the camera was probably he best of any 3D Sonic, and no bloated cast of characters. This was the game that broke The Cycle for me and if they keep heading in that direction, in three years Sonic won't be so much of a "guilty pleasure". It'll be a legitimately good franchise again.
That actually sums it up pretty well from what I've seen around the community. In my opinion (and you can disagree with me if you must), the main thing plaguing Sonic these days is that Sega is pushing the development teams to make Sonic faster and faster with each game. Remember back to Sonic 1. Yeah, sure he was fast, but not TOO fast that you couldn't perform some nice platforming moves along the way in each level. Enemies were placed evenly throughout so that you could cleverly avoid them or bounce off them and continue on your way unharmed. Now it's like Sonic games feature nice, lush surroundings, but simplistic and uninspired level designs featuring masses of speed traps that make it so easy to go fast that you don't have time to appreciate the whole of what is around you. Simple little pieces of level are easily forgotten amidst the massive areas, which (since Sonic Heroes) take way too long to complete. Control is constantly taken away from players in the forms of boost pads and autopilot-style loops. Enemies seem to be placed more and more in large groups rather than being evenly dispersed throughout the levels. And in many situations you have to spend time tediously defeating all the enemies to open a door or other passage to move on. Not only that, but the enemies now take MULTIPLE hits to be defeated, making it all the more monotonous. Another thing I think was a big mistake was the introduction of rails. Grinding is kind of a novel thing; it's nice to get to do it once or twice here and there. But there just isn't much to do when you're grinding; you're essentially watching the game play itself. So when there's grinding in EVERY level, even to the point where ENTIRE levels are dedicated to it, that's when it gets to be ridiculous. All these things have been plaguing the series in recent years, and I can only hope that someday soon the company can realize these mistakes and take some serious steps towards righting them. Though in three years, I'm sure Sega will still be hopelessly milking the Sonic cash cow with these ideas for every single cent it can.
Assholes have said that about every game after Sonic Adventure 2 was released. Stop kidding yourself. EDIT: Wow. I had no idea how old that post was.
<!--quoteo(post=270199:date=Jan 19 2009, 07:56 PM:name=Tweaker)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tweaker @ Jan 19 2009, 07:56 PM) Enough said. From this point on, posting The Sonic Cycle image is a bannable offense. Try me. [/quote] Tweaker, you're the greatest person I ever not physically met. That image shall be by new desktop. c:
<!--quoteo(post=270199:date=Jan 19 2009, 07:56 PM:name=Tweaker)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tweaker @ Jan 19 2009, 07:56 PM) [/quote] Enough said. From this point on, posting The Sonic Cycle image is a bannable offense. Try me. [/quote] Bahahahaha, witty.
<!--quoteo(post=270383:date=Jan 20 2009, 07:10 AM:name=OSM)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (OSM @ Jan 20 2009, 07:10 AM) [/quote] Enough said. From this point on, posting The Sonic Cycle image is a bannable offense. Try me. [/quote] Bahahahaha, witty. [/quote] Tweaker, I love you.
Sonic = punching bag for video game "purists", amirite? Every casual gamer worth their salt (by this I mean people who aren't necessarily fans of Sonic or a particular franchise) will probably churn out "oh the 2D ones are better than the 3D ones". I'm not saying that that isn't true- it's an opinion- what I mean is it seems to be repeated so many times that people just think "oh god" whenever SEGA announces a new game. It's a knee jerk reaction.
Some could argue if you find fun in Sonic games then that's what matters. I didn't like Sonic 06, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it fun at times I thought unleashed was rather good, and I'm still having fun with it
I enjoyed the demo but I don't see the level design for Apotos at least being that much better than any of the games before it (though I did enjoy Heroes in the first place anyway). The only it has over the other games is that it allows you to backtrack a bit more easily. Still, it's too damn fast.
lol really? Apotos is one of my favorite levels (Although the fact that the level is just beautiful looking and the music sounds awesome really adds to the experience for me.) I still have fun with most of the game in general though (Only time I really play as the Werehog is when I play Eggmanland. It's a fun yet challenging level) Backtracking would be easily be fixed if they got rid of the fucking boost pads. You can boost forever! You don't need boost pads!
I'm probably going to get shot, mutilated, and hung for this, but I honestly do not understand why they don't just make a 2.5d Sonic game with the same platforming and momentum based speed like the old games. Instead of making Sonic too complicated because he's so fast, why not just slim things down and make them more simpler and fun? A whole game that is basically the 2d camera shift for the entire game, side scrolling goodness. No long insane amounts of going faster and faster, no spamming speed panels or long amounts of grind rails. Just simple running and platforming with new things thrown in that do not majorly effect the game play. Puts a blindfold on and prepares for the worst*
Because all the kiddies will go OMG WHAT ITS NOT 3D THIS GAME IS SHIT WAAAAAH Not that they know anything ABOUT a good game necessarily, but this IS why. "It's not 3D! It won't sell!"
The Saturn era left some clear scars on Sega and they just were never able to recover from the troubles they encountered then.
Sega should make an Xbox live game that is nothing but Sonic 3D Blast (Saturn) like special stages, only put some new twists into them, like branching paths and extra gimmicks. Imagine something like that running on the hedgehog engine? It would be a game of pure epicness!