Why exactly can't Sonic swim?

It's simple. Sonic never learned how to swim, because every time he gets near the water, he has to deal with that fucking whale.

 

I'd always figured it was because he had very little fat, and what air he carried into his lungs wasn't enough to let him float.

If you think about it, it makes sense. To run as fast as he does would burn calories at an insane rate, and he'd have a hard time keeping any kind of excess weight. since fat's buoyant, less of it means he sinks easier.

 

You mean all of two times?

 

Because Tails can do it for him?

 

Please direct your attention to this Sonic Short.

Scene select, 2nd page, 5th from last choice.

 

I think the question we should all ask ourselves is this: do we really want Sega/Sonic Team/Dimps to further plague the Sonic series with yet another form of non-enjoyable, watered-down, half-assed gameplay derivative?

Don't ever show Sega this thread. Plz. Next thing you know, we'd get news that Sonic 4 Episode 2 would have swimming levels...and it would be a very, VERY sad day. O.O

 

I dunno, Ristar's swimming physics were actually pretty fun.



If Sonic could do something like that, I don't think I'd mind.

 

Agreeably, those physics are pretty nice...but even when we're taking the time to platform in Sonic, it's pretty fast. I mean sure, maybe if they created some nice balance in a Sonic game between swimming, fun and speed, then it could be enjoyable. But I dunno...per-level gimmicks are fine, just when they don't entirely change the dynamic. This is why I like the fact that being underwater in Sonic games is still the same gameplay; it's still the same...just...floatier. :v:

 

I completely agree about not changing the dynamic. There's really only one necessary skill to play classic Sonic: positioning him in the air so that he lands precisely where you want him to. The gameplay never deviates from this at all; Sonic does one thing, and does it well. That's what makes it so easy to pick up and play. You've now got me thinking that the fact that there's no distinct swimming gameplay was intentional, in order to keep with that rule.

Sadly, the newer games, even the 2D ones, introduce all sorts of new skills that muddy up what it means to play Sonic. Tricks, boosting, grinding... whereas Sonic used to move at high speeds, the games never really required reacting at high speeds. IOW, though Sonic left Mario in the dust, he didn't leave Mario players in the dust.

It is sort of a shame, though, that Sonic is so slow underwater. A lot of folks dread/hate the underwater levels because of it. In a 3D Sonic game that didn't mind changing up the gameplay, a good swimming mechanic would be the one from the PS Spyro games.



The swimming is fast, fluid, and a lot of fun; it sort of feels like being a dolphin.

 

The Spyro swimming levels were pretty fun. However, if I were to ever picture a swimming mechanic for Sonic, it would most likely be the one for Zora Link in Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lzzI64l0jQ...feature=related

This was the only decent quality video I could find of it. It doesn't neccesarily need to be in race context, but the smooth controls and agility of Zora Link underwater would be awesome to see should Sega ever decide Sonic should swim.

Still, I like sonic sinking like a rock in water levels. There's just gives a sense of urgency about it.

 

In-universe(s) Reason: Sonic can't go one hour without a Chili Dog, and thusly cramps up if he tries to swim.

IRL reason: He doesn't need to.

 

*shivers*