Sonic Eclipse (S2 8-bit hack)

pixelcat · Jan 17, 2018

Let me give you a bit of a backstory...

Back in 2016, I submitted a hack called Sonic 2 ReMastered to the Sonic Hacking Contest. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception I got, I felt that the hack itself did not really deserve it. Let's put it bluntly: I feel like the hack I released in 2016 was shit, and nobody will convince me otherwise. :P

However, that convinced me that I should probably continue what was essentially a rushed experiment, and do something better and more solid overall. The limited free time I have now is surely interfering with the development quite a bit, but I'm trying to finish the hack at least someday...

Well... there it goes.

Sonic Crystal Island
(ReMastered was a bit of a strange name, considering that I'm aiming for a more original experience)

The hack will consist of 4 zones (Crystal Coast, Neon Streak, Dream Gate, Death Stadium) with new art and layouts as well as reskinned badniks, and I'm planning to get into music hacking someday... but so far most progress is in the art territory. eh, you can probably tell that I'm bad at explaining things properly. Let me show you everything I've made instead...

Screenshots:

Mockups:

Looking forward to your feedback! Cheers!

Shoemanbundy · Jan 17, 2018

Wow, it's looking great! You're obviously pretty skilled at making detailed graphics for the system Looking forward to seeing more of this.

LordOfSquad · Jan 17, 2018

Very nice stuff. I love the 8-bit games and I'll surely be giving this a spin when you're done it.

redhotsonic · Jan 17, 2018

This looks amazing. Great amount of detail and shading for an 8-bit game. I hope the sea twinkles a bit in that 2nd screenshot.

As for that mock-up of that level art, if you're able to put that into the game itself, then I think you're onto a real winner. My only gripe is that the blue foreground colour is a little too dark and should be lightened up a bit so it's more distinguishable from the black background. Except for that, the attention to detail on Eggman and those flags are awesome.

Jayextee · Jan 17, 2018

DUDE YES.

I mean, I'm not fond of the tile re-use in the first two shots or the recognisably-Gimmick Mountain graphics in the mockup. But it's early days yet, and most of the rest of this is stunning. Keep it up. :D

Ravenfreak · Jan 17, 2018

This is simply amazing! It doesn't even look like this is on the Master System! I can't wait to give this a go when it's finished.

pixelcat · Jan 19, 2018

Thanks for all your kind words! ^^

redhotsonic said:

This looks amazing. Great amount of detail and shading for an 8-bit game. I hope the sea twinkles a bit in that 2nd screenshot.As for that mock-up of that level art, if you're able to put that into the game itself, then I think you're onto a real winner. My only gripe is that the blue foreground colour is a little too dark and should be lightened up a bit so it's more distinguishable from the black background. Except for that, the attention to detail on Eggman and those flags are awesome.
Click to expand...

Sorry, no twinkles as of yet; S2 SMS has no animated art support besides rings, and there aren't enough palette slots for me to add a cycling palette thing...
As of lightening the blue color a little... Master System has no idea of what "a bit" really means :P

Sadly, there's no way to lighten it up without ending up with a color that is too bright.

Jayextee said:

DUDE YES.I mean, I'm not fond of the tile re-use in the first two shots or the recognisably-Gimmick Mountain graphics in the mockup. But it's early days yet, and most of the rest of this is stunning. Keep it up. :D
Click to expand...

Those metal plates are actually created from scratch, I just found that the GMZ pattern worked the best for me...

Flygon · Jan 20, 2018

Your art skills are amazing! It does make me wish working with a custom engine was an option for you - S2SMS always felt incredibly slippery.

Mikel · Jan 24, 2018

Given the screenshots that are presented so far, the art looks great, especially with the amount of shading put into it for an SMS/Game Gear game. If anything, I hope you will provide videos of this hack soon so we can all see it in action because of how promising this looks.

I hope you will also include custom music as well, since Sonic 2 LD was able to pull that off quite well with its rendition of Emerald Hill's theme; but with all that said, great work so far.

pixelcat · May 1, 2018

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLi1Ed89CEM

Roll jump/long jump. If running at full speed, then rolling and immidiately jumping, provides a significant speed boost.

(was actually a bug within the original game, I just made it "nicer" :D)

pixelcat · May 3, 2018

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TElGjafA3ww

steveswede · May 3, 2018

I'm not a fan of the sound you did for the roll jump boost, I'm such an avid user of it in the original that it popping off like that as if I was hitting a spring would do my head in but overall super excited to see what you do with the levels. Sonic 2 SMS has a real special place in my heart so to see it getting some love brings a smile to my face.

pixelcat · Nov 10, 2018

Yeah that's coming to the SHC, under the new name of Sonic Eclipse. I, along with Yoshister and VAdaPEGA, whom have helped me greatly, hope you'll like the demo.

pixelcat · Nov 25, 2018

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUMrHkGGBz8

Now with 50% more footage and 100% more sound!

Lostgame · Nov 26, 2018

I absolutely love the art for this. Fantastic push of the system's resources.

Ravenfreak · Nov 26, 2018

Is that new music?! :D I'm more hyped for this than I was months ago! Amazing work as always Mr. Cat!

JamesRock7 · Feb 1, 2019

It is indeed a very interesting hack. Congratulations

Vangar · Feb 11, 2019

Looking great, keep it up

Nintorch · Jun 7, 2019

Man, this is awesome for Master System, i like it. That colors, that use of colors, it's just a great work.

FancyRetroR · Jul 12, 2019

Damn, this looks very impressive. Can't wait for SHC 2019 to try this baby out. I wish I can make something like this, Genesis or Master System, but I can't draw nor do ASM. Oh well... at least I can still play.

Sonic Eclipse (S2 8-bit hack)

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