Sonic X Shadow Generations thread, movie level out now

Spindash for ground boosts. Jump dash with an upward arch and momentum preservation for air boosts. Problem solved.

 

Didn't see it in purchases

However, through choosing the game in PS5 dashboard, selecting managing game content, it was only there that it was present as options to download, kinda obscure but now it's working

Now to figure out the Sonic jam code thingy....

 

I feel like the overall game structure of Shadow Generations is basically the perfect template for future sonic titles. It has what Frontiers was missing -- defined, big, full zones with multiple acts. I think augmenting these huge acts with the smaller missions that also adopt their level themes is the way to go and keeps the entire game fresh and interesting. It was fun unlocking new big levels, because it meant the missions were going to change, too. This game really does feel like a blending of the old Boost 3D sonic games plus frontiers. Really fun package.

 

Are there any reports of the Sonic Jam skin emails going out for the switch version yet?

 

I've been playing Shadow's portion of the game and damn I love it! It's much better than Frontiers and Superstars. I didn't get this hooked with either of those titles, so I never bothered finishing them but I do want to go back and play through both games at some point. I just restored Chaos Island. I'm wanting to get a physical copy of the game eventually too, but for now I have it digitally on my Series S.

 

Yeah I got my Switch code yesterday, just waiting for the game to arrive so I can use it.

 

Given how many hours i spent on White World, while still not even close to finishing half of it, them stating the game is shorter than sonic generations is straight up lie.

Sure on paper if you look at the number of stages, they are less, however, every stage is long on average, bosses are longer, that alone make a “story only” playthrough of the game longer than base Sonic Generations playthrough.

but even outside of that, looking at side content, there is a lot, lots of things to do, the whole White World open zone have tons of platforming segments, challenges, collectables, not to mention if you finish the game, + - you unlock hard mode which gives you even more challenges   , oh and also the fact that boxes in the open zones are locked behind “keys” that you collect in the levels themselves, and you have to complete the level again to get them so you can’t just grab them and exit levels like say Astro Bot for example as a recent example .

The way they were underselling the game content is crazy imo

 

You can actually download it in advance even if you don't have the game itself installed yet - might save you a minute or so if you really can't wait to play once the game arrives, haha. ; )

 

I’m hoping they put an option, frontiers style.

I’ve invested too much money to mod my switch just yet, and my better potato of a computer just died, leaving me with a fresh but less powerful potato.

 

I had a blast with Shadow Gens. The 3D level design felt really solid in length and alternative paths and the 2D stages actually felt substantial and not just like filler. The hub world felt like such a massive step up from Frontiers as well, it felt like it was designed with intentionality, not a big sprawling map with no plan as to what to fill it with. I'd love to see this design extrapolated out into a bigger area in the follow-up to Frontiers.

The challenge acts were actually fun to do too, it's kind of wild how they were able to make even the filler content feel really substantial.

My biggest gripe is Shadow's low-speed controls. His turning deceleration is WAY too high, he feels awful to try and move around in a small radius. Once he gets into his running speed it's a little better, but turning in general I wish was a little tighter, because turning feels like a downgrade from the turning in Frontiers' Open Zones. I also don't know why they are still making the jump rotation so stiff, both here and in Frontiers. It's bugged me in every game since Unleashed at this point but at least in the prior boost games to Frontiers the stages aren't really built with a lot of quick mid-air directional changes. Granted, neither is Shadow Gens to an extent, but I really would just like these 3D Platformers to have characters that feel like they are well-suited to 3D platforming, especially at lower speeds.

That aside, this was outstanding, especially because they really buried the lead on how much content they packed into this.

 

Interresting to note: the co-director of this game was Yuka Kobayashi who actually came from Dimps and now works at Sega ...granted he was not part of the golden era of Dimps (Advance 1 - Rush Adventure, rather all the handheld versions and Wii version of Unleashed). I think they may have divided up design duties on 2D and 3D according to expertise. Shigihara took care of the 3D levels due to his Generations involvement, while Kobayashi took care of the 2D due to his work Colors DS and Generations 3DS. Just a guess.

 

Shigihara directed the amazing Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games from 2012 - 2019...wait most people think those games are mediocre.

Kishimoto made both Forces and Frontiers on a tight budget (Frontiers didn't get more resources until after the movie did well and even then it didn't get as much as it really needed) and has never gotten to show what he could do with a game that has all the resources it needs to realize it's full vision.

Even colors was modified heavily from his original vision with the 2 act structure becoming 6 acts because SEGA wanted the game to be longer, so they padded it out. Secret Rings and Black Knight get a lot of praise around the fandom these days too and he was head designer on those.

Let's give Kishimoto a chance with all the resources he needs before going on about how he should be replaced ASAP because even the guy you're praising has produced mediocrity before too.

 

All that really suggests is that the Olympic games spinoffs were a waste, which we already knew.

If someone does a good job, they should get more opportunities to show off their skills. Did Kishimoto do a good job? Maybe he was struggling with the conditions he was dealt, but maybe Shigihara was too.

 

It's insane after all of this, the fanbase is insistent in the idea that there's one person involved that is responsible for everything good or bad. It happened with Iizuka, now it's happening with Flynn (ive heard idiots blame him for Frontiers' voice direction, though to be fair, they were just a grifter) and whoever happens to be the director of the new game.

It should be obvious that in general, Sonic Team is staffed better now and Sega is better at managing.

It's not one person, it's an entire team of people who have their shit together now.

Nevermind that the teams on Shadow Generations will likely be absorbed into the team behind Sonic Frontiers 2 (unless they're making another game akin to Shadow), the games are improving simply because they're allowed to improve now.

Frontiers 2 is not guaranteed to be a smash hit, a bigger scope means more problems that can occur and more to live up to, but judging by the last 2-3 years of this new status quo for the "Sonic Pillar", Kishimoto being director will mean nothing but that he'll be able to make a game how he directs it with fewer issues about rushed development or lack of polish.

 

People were taking about replacing him since Forces, even when he was announced as a director for Frontiers there were a lot of complaints, if anything, Frontiers did a 180 on his reputation amongst the fans, because of how different and ambitious it was and finally giving fans what they wanted, also how he listened to fan feedback and actually implemented them in updates for the game.
The guy had his chance and succeeded, people in general are actually looking forward to frontiers 2 from him now

 

One thing I wish the game did was have the earlier levels have shortcuts for the other Doom Powers, like using Doom Morph on Space Colony ARK.

But in exchange we got levels actually based around those powers so I can't complain.

 

Thanks for the update. I haven’t gotten my code yet but I only signed up for it on Sunday so we’ll see

 

I personally was on the anti-Kishi side. Forces made me think Colors was a fluke and when he was announced for Frontiers I was pretty upset. However, after playing Frontiers, I figured he’s not all bad. Then after seeing his responses to the community, I began to really appreciate him. I’m actually connected with him on LinkedIn where he’s put up with my crappy Japanese - super nice dude who seems to really appreciate the fans.

That said, I still don’t think he’s the best choice as director. Being overly responsive to fan feedback isn’t necessarily a good thing. While I enjoyed what it led to with Frontiers, I think it may be indicative of a lack of vision. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but I just don’t think it’s an inherent positive. It’ll take Frontiers’ sequel for me to know for sure how I feel about Kishi’s skills. I assume it’ll have the necessary budget and team size, so we won’t have too many excuses to fall back on.

 

What i find more amusing is that once upon a time, 2017 or so, people were treating Shin Nakamura like he was the devil cause he was the producer for both 2006 and Forces
Now he is actually the producer of Shadow Generations and no one talks about him anymore

 

I was so happy to see Mephiles. I can see Sonic Team either making a DLC bringing him back, or if Shadow gets a sequel, he’ll be the main villain. That’s my wishful thinking. They do need to change his voice back. Lol