A perfect post. Exploration in Sonic games has always been a point of contention for me, because no matter how much I think I enjoy it (and discovering totally new paths in S3K 15 years later is a real treat, no doubt), in practice, I always wind up taking the most convenient routes through stages anyway. For me, the charm in the multiple routes seems to be more in just knowing that these worlds I'm running through are massive, that I can switch tracks at any moment should I feel so inclined. It's more impulse and less an expectation that something good will come of it. On that point, I think the most successful level designs in Sonic might be the zones with capricious junctions that cater to chance. Gimmicks that require refined coordination are good for route shuffling, like Casino Night's bumpers and flippers or Mushroom Hill's slingshots. Death Egg's tunnel junctions accomplished this in a way, taking impulse to the extreme (though the player is more likely to automatically head right the first time through). But that's an entirely different discussion there! There usually isn't any incentive to explore in a game like this when all the stages really have to offer is bonus swag that I couldn't possibly have any use for. Come to think of it, the elemental shields were the most successful formula- instant, highly desirable rewards that never seem to last for long, always turning up in the most unusual places. Fun to find, fun to use. Normal shields and lives are just buffer crap for players that suck. Sonic CD's generators are only necessary for scoring good futures up to Tidal Tempest, after which they become a protracted and much less convenient means of accessing a bonus at the very end of the game. Last time I went for an all-generator run, I stopped after Collision Chaos. The trek left me frustrated beyond anything I'd ever experienced in a 2D platformer, and I never really understood why until now. What's more is that regardless of these game elements being entirely optional, there's really no shaking the desire to pursue them. But that sure as hell doesn't mean I'm going to get any positive stimuli out of it! Won't even know if it's worth it until you've tried, and that's still precious time gone to waste. I seem to hold the game in higher esteem than Steven here (between the music and visuals, I'd say the game is a more stylish and cohesive experience than anything else this medium yet has to offer and you can put that on my epitaph), so this is coming off a lot harsher than it should, but the game had some concrete flaws for sure. I haven't even touched on the level design here. Oh, and What?
Yes, I never said it wasn't, but I don't get how someone can be surprised they're missing out on a good game this generation when all they have is a Wii? Unless you have a PC (which the guy obviously doesn't as he said he doesn't have a platform for the Sonic CD re-release) then you've pretty much missed out on a whole generation. Hardware and software aside, I still don't get why Nintendo enforced that ridiculous WiiWare file-size cap. Not content with scaring off third party online play support, they now want to scare off digital download support? Ridiculous, as if they think gamers couldn't possibly have the intelligence to deal with space management. Then again, given the Wii's target audience...
Looks like Sonic CD is going to be a little slice of Sonic greatness. I'm especially pleased to hear about the Special Stages using actual scaling. I played the Sonic Nexus and Retso Sonic demos during the last few days, and was impressed with them. I'm sure the engine has been tweaked since those two demos' releases, but even then, they're really impressive.
You implied it. but despite that, I too think that the file size restriction needs to be either raised or removed. If that were to happen, then we might get the possiblitly of Sonic CD released through Wii ware.
Just a small tidbit, but there's an area in Metallic Madness Zone 2 that's impossible to escape from when in the past. It's a giant room with a diagonal spring that's suppose to take you up to a ledge, but can't due to the diagonal spring being slightly too low. This renders the level impossible to beat unless you manage to return to the present. It was later fixed in the PC version by moving the diagonal spring slightly up. Scroll down to Point #1 on this page to see what I'm talking about. Just bringing it up in case someone forgets.
I'm afraid you're wrong. In Sonic CD you slow down if you hold the direction you are going in after launching off a spring. If you simply land on a spring, it will take you exactly where you need to go. This is a common misconception. The level is perfectly fine. EDIT: In fact, I'll go play Metallic Madness 2 in the past right now.
The filesize restriction on Wiiware can't be increased though, due to how small the Wii's internal memory is, and as much as SD cards help, they don't solve the issue. I'm more wondering why it's not coming to the 3DS as a downloadable title myself. The 3DS uses an SD card to expand internal memory, right? Something like this on the eShop would definitely increase sales.
I tried that too. In both the Mega CD and Sega CD version. It only works in the PC version, unless it's a problem with the emulator I'm using.
Oh, so is this the diagonal spring bug everyone refers to? That's quite lame. Hopefully it'll be fixed. Unlike with previous ports of Sonic games, it's not actually too much to ask this time.
Oh wow. I can't do it either! I've done it before for sure though! Maybe it WAS only in the PC version, Why would it be different though? Indeed it's bad spring placement but I don't think it's impossible to get up to that ledge. Hmm... Sonic CD's physics in mid air are quite unusual. No it's not a bug from what I understand. It's Sonic's physics in Sonic CD. They purposely made it so hold a direction actually adds friction and slows you down if you are in mid air or if you use the super-peel-out. it's quite odd but it certainly adds to the challenge of the game, and lets you control how far springs send you. I'd like to know if anyone has managed to get up to the ledge in Metallic Madness 2 in the MegaCD version. Perhaps hitting the spring at a certain spot or angle will do it?
Funny you say that, I just found a way. You kind of have to pull a Super Mario Bros. (World 1-2) and walk on top of the ceiling at the very top of the stage. A comment on Zone 0 explains how.
I meant that I was wondering if someone managed to use the spring to get to the ledge. The ceiling method is probably a collision bug.
I did it in Sonic CD++ too. The removal of the air speed cap helps, but it's still difficult to manage due to the spring's placement. Hopefully this issue will be addressed in the upcoming re-release.
Minor correction, guessing you just forgot. That isn't the case with a spin dash either in Sonic CD; the player never loses air control. It would be a fair and fitting advantage for the peel out imo, but nope, both moves produce the same jump in this one. Bothers me a little, I prefer Sonic 3's insta-shield-complemented style by far. Shame that it's only the JP soundtrack after all. At least it's the superior soundtrack. Can someone who has played it comment on the running and speed cap? Was it the Sonic 1/CD speed cap, or the Sonic 3 speed cap? (I'm assuming Taxman wouldn't have bothered duplicating the small quirk in Sonic 2's speed cap.) Even with Sonic CD spin dashing, if it only provides Sonic 3 speed restrictions that's going to make a huge difference to time attacking. I'm hoping for the option of both, like the spin dash.
Damn, I remember that spring... but I'm not sure if I ever managed to make past that. It is true, however, that springs will send you in a different arc if you're not holding a direction, but this also happens in Sonic 2.
That's actually my quote. =) I made of video of me pulling it off, too. This is false. There's no such thing as friction in the air. It's just our old friend the speed cap rearing its ugly head. EDIT: AFAIK, Sonic CD is like Sonic 2; it removes the ground speed cap but not the air one. For that we had to wait for Sonic 3.
I think Sonic CD DOES have a speed-cap; At least when running normally. The spindash, super-peelout, and speed boosters seem to turn it off temporarily . I still don't think it's a bug. The speed-cap in air actually gives the player control over how far he wants to be launched by a spring. Maybe it's a bug after all, but it's implemented in a way that can be both useful and annoying I suppose.
Wow man do you ever fact-check or do you just continue to spout shit from your ass ad infinitum? The diagonal spring in question is 64 pixels lower in the Mega CD version, IIRC, so it's most definitely broken. I remember looking into it back in the day and reaching this conclusion myself. I also arbitrarily found a bug which I would re-record and upload to YouTube were I not so lazy.
