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Sonic Boom

Discussion in 'Engineering & Reverse Engineering' started by iojnekns, Oct 29, 2009.

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  1. Spanner

    Spanner

    The Tool Member
    There's always something that's completely different than what people usually expect, Sonic Boom falls into this category.

    I mean, this isn't exactly what you usually get for a first level. Boom didn't follow the <a href="http://info.sonicretro.org/Tropical Island cliché" target="_blank" style="background: url(http://info.sonicretro.org/images/5/50/Reticon.png) right no-repeat; padding-right: 20px; border-bottom: 1px dotted #3366BB; color: #3366BB; cursor:pointer; text-decoration:none;" class="wiki">Tropical Island cliché</a> which is usually used in first levels. Instead, you're in a power plant. The art is okay, it fits the level. Not every hack has to have Megamix-esque designs just to make it look good, Sonic Boom can do that already. There's many loops, a few custom objects, ports (including the rollbug, a port from Sonic CD), deformation and not to mention Gorbichev, he really fucks you up. I mean, I was recording a video and I was nearly done with him, then he crushed me.
    After kicking that giant orbi's ass you get a cutscene - such things are a rare appearance in hacks - which leads to the third and final act which is amazing yet irritating at the same time. Once you get used to the routes that won't end up in Sonic being toasted alive, you can clear the level and watch the credits. :)


    Music is something this hack has, and it does fit. As in an earlier post said by Tweaker, it's what snk and ioj wanted and we delivered. It doesn't matter if the majority of the songs are from the Mega Man X series, they fit and they sound good. Myself, Tweaker, roxahris and nineko have spent a long time producing them and making sure that they sound good and if they don't, they don't go in. There was one import that was done and it just didn't sound right.
    The sound test is different as well, unlike Megamix and Sonic 1 Brother Trouble, Sonic Boom used a rather different sound test with an equaliser and rolling text. Such a thing was created so you could listen to the countless imports that were added in.


    This hack is great, it's amazing. If you think it's bland, well it's probably just because you're not used to it and if you're complaining about the difficulty, try and try again. I've been playing this hack for a long time and I still can't beat King Orbi without losing rings.
    It was great to be involved with this hack, I appreciate it and I'm glad that I've been contributing to this, I want to continue doing this and perhaps I might be able to expand myself if I improve.
    Great work, guys! I'd post a video but I think I'd rather do a run without being killed by Gorbichev. :O


    P.S: 1000th post. :O
     
  2. Dissent

    Dissent

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    It's certainly decent for a hardcore Sonic gamer, I suppose. I'm enjoying it since I like hard games (50+ hours on Prinny with 100% completion anyone?).

    It may have been mentioned, but I did notice that the teetering sprites are untouched. Also, I went so fast I fell through the ground at one point :(

    Overall, fun and technically thrilling. The level design is very tuned for speed, which is nifty, but I had a few mild complaints about a few parts where I was lost or having far too much trouble timing a jump (Spinning platforms, go to hell).

    Now if only the camera could keep up more often...

    EDIT: GOD DAMMIT KING ORBI 2 STOP PUSHING ME IN TO THE GROUND AND KILLING ME EVERY TIME I'm ABOUT TO WIN FFFFFFFF
     
  3. Oh boy, Overlord's going to be very happy with that cutscene music.
     
  4. amphobius

    amphobius

    doing more important things with my life Member
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    Despite he's already heard it because it's in the Official Genesis Music Thread. :P
     
  5. Skaarg

    Skaarg

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    I just watched the play through video and I am thoroughly impressed with almost everything. The artwork wasn't quite to my style, but what's most important is the game play which is amazing. The thing about this hack that really makes it stand out though is that it has almost so resemblance to the game it was based off which is great because it really shows the creativity of the group and how much work you guys put into it to get it to where it is.
     
  6. Dissent

    Dissent

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    Beat. Too easy, piece of cake!

    Okay not really, was pretty difficult. No save states at least :)
     
  7. GeneHF

    GeneHF

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    I didn't much care for the speed, and this is coming from someone who will defend the Day stages in Unleashed HD until the sun sets and the stars twinkle. There were too many times the camera couldn't keep up, and this is supported in Tweaker's video, which leads to far too many instances of getting blindsided by hazards. King Orbi and Gorbichev were pretty cool bosses, but Gorbichev became irritating in the whole you practically have to get damaged as his life dwindles to even try and damage him. It's not much of a problem if you use the rings around the arena (again, not like how Tweaker was. Think grabbing one or two then going back to confront the boss... this works in Rush and Rush 2 with their Final Zone bosses).

    Now, act 3. I actually had an idea to do a sequence like that several years ago, except the sparks from the boss would ignite the oil ocean, causing a huge pillar of fire. Anyway, it felt very reminiscent of a flash game called Dino Run except it seemed that it went too fast for its own good at times. Otherwise, it was good to see someone use that idea in a Sonic game since I don't have the technical know-how to use some of my old ideas (which still saddens me a few times.)

    tl;dr: Good start but still needs some work in the speed and object placement department. Ring use isn't as bad as I thought, so I'm cool with it. Sonic should probably also be a little lighter shade of blue too.
     
  8. My first response on loading the ROM.

    "Oh fuck yeah Duke Nukem!"
     
  9. Selbi

    Selbi

    The Euphonic Mess Member
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    BOOM:

    [​IMG]

    Game crashed. I'm not sure if this is one of the problems you guys are having as well, just want to show it.
     
  10. GT Koopa

    GT Koopa

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    Flicky Turncoat DX, T.L.W.S. Vs M.G.W.
    On my first attempts that happened. I have always put a savestate right before that boss just in case since. Had no idea how it happened, but judging by the picture is it too many orbbots on the screen?

    Also, I -AM- one of the ones that like this game, mainly for the technical value. Yes, the second boss is cheap. However, how the ring system is handled level things out a bit. You can get around 4 to 5 hits towards you for 100 rings. There are rings up above on the platforms for emergency. And finally you get rings automatically by defeating the little orbbots in the battle. This final one is a life saver that can extend the fight. But yeah, second boss is cheap. It can charge at you and squish kill you instantly at times. It is impossible to tell WHAT of the blue blobs can hurt you at any given moment. Maybe a indicator like a slight color change? I don't know.
     
  11. Mr. Mash

    Mr. Mash

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    I think it's actually pretty cool to have a boss that takes a few attempts, now that I've played the original S1/S2/S3K bosses so many times, they've become so easy.
     
  12. iojnekns

    iojnekns

    trouble keeps you runnin' faster Member
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    My god, this thread is so active, a plethora of replies every time I check, and I just can't help wanting to reply. Awesome guys.

    Tweaker, really enjoyed watching the video. You kinda got your ass handed to you by Gorbi more than I've ever seen before, which was very amusing. I'm dying to get home so I can post a video and show you all how its done :) You do however, know how to play Boom, I like your flashy use of the moves and the fact that it was a 'raw' play, not selectively edited to show the game in the best possible light.

    Finalbeyond, I don't want to sit and try and defend the design, because really, its all subjective and I totally see where you're coming from and to some degree, agree with you. Part of the maxim I used during design was "encourage desired behaviour" and since we all agree that a hack lives or dies on its gameplay, these layouts are maybe the 10th or 12th incarantion where we've torn them down and built them completely from scratch, so as much as it may seem thrown together, theres actually plenty of thought gone into them. The particular instance you cite is what we've been calling "a cheapie" and maybe it was ill-considered. Its intention was to try and condition the player on how to respond to blind drops - saving their double jump until they were almost at the bottom so they had a chance to respond to any danger at the bottom. The rings were supposed to entice the player into double jumping before they hit the ground to reinforce this message. As with the ceiling-roll-electric-bed sections, it appears that some of these techniques didn't work quite as well for all players as I'd hoped. I'm not trying to contradict you and say it is good design, I simply feel compelled to try and explain myself and give you an insight into the thought process behind the section - and confirm that there was one. By all means, I encourage feedback on things like this because it is extremely valuable information as a level designer that I simply cannot get from the tight knit group of developers.

    Gene, well observed. Dino Run did indeed provide some inspiration for the act 3 finale. In fact, I've been keen on introducing plenty of intertextuality into Boom, so there are plenty of sublte and not so subtle references to some of our favourite games.

    Selbi, I asked in my first post for people not to dwell on bugs too much. Considering how heavily modified this ROM is, the fact that there are so few bugs is a miracle but there are still some and having played it religiously, we've seen them all. I appreciate you trying to help but a dirty great big screenshot in the middle of the topic of the one moment in 30 minutes of play that its thrown a glitch is... disconcerting I guess. A shame because we even pimped out glitches - most of the time you'll get a BSOD if you encounter a crash!

    EDIT: Oh, and I loved Sonicandtails post. Ahaha!

    Again, really appreciate all the replies, its an absolute joy to read even if you are ripping us apart :) Keep 'em coming!
     
  13. Selbi

    Selbi

    The Euphonic Mess Member
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    My post wasn't meant to be a bug report, but more like something to share with the people. :P
     
  14. Animemaster

    Animemaster

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    Yes..I am loving this hack. Because the 2nd boss is challenging is a good thing for because now, I want to beat that sucker in the fastest time.(Man this game is getting me all hyped up!)
     
  15. jman2050

    jman2050

    Teh Sonik Haker Tech Member
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    This game rox

    Guys, there is room for both conservative large-scale efforts like Megamix and novel and inventive stuff like Sonic Boom. There are some nagging issues (mostly regarding trap placement and balance) that annoy me but the base game and design approach is excellent.

    I think one thing that could balance the difficulty somewhat is lowering the amount of rings lost with a hit.
     
  16. Phos

    Phos

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    I'm tired of defending my points when Tweaker continues to do mental gymnastics to not see them. Did I wander onto SSMB?
     
  17. Jayextee

    Jayextee

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    I DONE MAKED GAMES.
    Was that act 2 boss of Sonic Boom designed simply to rob the player of their rings as much as possible? I see no attack pattern, nor any conceivable strategy rather than lucking out.

    How about that act 3, eh? Rote-learning an obstacle course with no checkpoints and a very low tolerance for recovering lost ground after failure has never been my thing.
     
  18. Tweaker

    Tweaker

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    If you make a point without valid basis, expect it to be challenged. If you don't think you can defend it, I don't think you should have tried in the first place. I made bold statements and I intend to continue backing them up as long as I see validity in them. So far, nothing you have said has swayed me; if you think you can continue to bring up solid evidence that backs up your claims, this is very subject to change at any given point in the future.

    Despite whatever popular belief is floating out there, I'm far from closed-minded—make a concise and factual point and I will very likely support it. I simply have not seen the validity in your claims as of yet. If you think you can justify it beyond blanket statements, feel free.

    No, you didn't, but it doesn't seem to matter if you did considering you have a good 1800 or so posts there. I don't really see the point in that not-so-subtle jab, though.
     
  19. Phos

    Phos

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    I don't see any validity in your points either.
     
  20. Tweaker

    Tweaker

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    Okay.

    Good job... you know, pointing out exactly what is invalid about my points and how. That couldn't possibly be the whole entire point of a debate or anything like that.
     
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