Sonic Generations

[Tani Coyote]

No thread for it, so while it's been a while, I figured I'd start one.


Link to video.

Jaw literally dropped at 0:35. Both awesome and a total mindscrew.

Official gameplay trailers to show what the 'hog's up to:

Classic - http://www.gametrailers.com/video/classic-style-sonic-generations/714050

Modern - http://www.gametrailers.com/video/modern-style-sonic-generations/714052

The game seeks to recreate the best stages of every past Sonic game in one modern package. Each level can be played through as Classic Sonic (100% 2.5 D), whose special moves are the spindash and buzzsaw, with the old scheme of the more difficult upper part having more rewards rolled in, or Modern Sonic (mixture of 2 and 3D), whose special moves are his Sonic Boost(as seen in Unleashed and Colors) and homing attack.

The game uses the hedgehog engine of Unleashed, giving incredible beauty and detail to the game's environments as much as enabling high speed action.

The stages, they say, will be taken from the three main eras of Sonic - Genesis, Dreamcast, and Modern, that is, 360/PS3. So far, the only confirmed stage is Green Hill(obviously). What others shall there be? Angel Island? Stardust Speedway? Carnival Night?

The plot revolves around "time holes" forming that force Sonic to go backward in time to save the day. To his surprise, he meets his younger self, Classic Sonic. They must team up to defeat whoever the villain is and save not just the day, but time itself!

So far, the only 100% characters are Sonic and Classic Sonic, but it's hinted many of Sonic's other characters will have side-roles in the story. I'm suspecting that you will meet each one during their debut - read: hilarity will ensue.

Thoughts? Could this be the game to finally top SA2 for me? Will it finally catapult Sonic back to prominence?

 

[Maniacal]

No thread for it, so while it's been a while, I figured I'd start one.

Probably because you're the only fan left after all the bad games.

Jaw literally dropped at 0:35. Both awesome and a total mindscrew.

Its called co-op.

The game seeks to recreate the best stages of every past Sonic game in one modern package.

Didn't they already try to do that a year or two ago?

Plot revolves around "time holes" forming that force Sonic to go backward in time to save the day. To his surprise, he meets his younger self, Classic Sonic. They must team up to defeat whoever the villain is and save not just the day, but time itself!

Sounds like a b-movie.

that you will meet

No, no I definately will not.

Thoughts? Could this be the game to finally top SA2 for me? Will it finally catapult Sonic back to prominence?

Don't hold your breath. Maybe trying to regain the old glory is what has caused the Sonic franchise to fail. I'm surprised they are still beating this horse.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Probably because you're the only fan left after all the bad games.

Summer of Sonic.

Its called co-op.

Tried that in Colors; it doesn't work as well as one would hope. At least if you want Sonic to move faster than a snail.

And mindscrew because if you see Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic together, they are usually eating eachother's faces.

Didn't they already try to do that a year or two ago?

Sonic 4 recreated some of the Classic bosses and stages, but this will be choosing the very best from every single game, from first to most recent.

If they put Eggmanland in there, it will confirm my fears Sega is run by trolls.

Don't hold your breath. Maybe trying to regain the old glory is what has caused the Sonic franchise to fail. I'm surprised they are still beating this horse.

Actually, to my knowledge, going back to the speed-based gaming was what caused Colors and Unleashed (Day Stages anyway) to be such huge successes. My only complaint about Colors was, in fact, that they nerfed the speed-based gameplay somewhat by making it harder to boost.

 

[Thrawn]

Probably because you're the only fan left after all the bad games.

No there's at least one other, the tutor for my game dev course is a bit of a sonic fan.

 

[Omega124]

I was gone on my trip, so understandable I missed it. But this is epic. Best idea Sega had in quite awhile. But after the trailer, my mind said "If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one". Now I'm torn.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Here's hoping they put in Flying Battery.

 

[Tani Coyote]

I can imagine the shenanigans if they recreate Carnival Night. It will be Eggmanland 2.0!

It seems they are recreating stages from three eras - Genesis, Dreamcast, and HD/PS3/360. Now. Why they'd recreate the stages from the 360 games on the 360 I don't know, but whatever.

Sega is holding the Sonic Boom event at E3 on the 8th, which will feature a demo for all attending. So, I'm guessing the 8th is when E3 will show us what to expect.

Miscellaneous thoughts...

-In line with the idea of the side characters appearing during their debut, I can't imagine the fun this will be. Picture it - having to fight SA2 Shadow (as a boss) as Classic Sonic. If Classic Sonic punches Shadow in the face, I predict it will become a meme quick.

-During the interview, the designers mentioned Tails, Knuckles and Shadow, showing signs they'll have some role.

-So far, only Cream is really confirmed, since her Japanese voice actor said she's recording lines for her. Though if she is in, the Big 4 (Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Knuckles in that order) are pretty much guaranteed.

-I wonder if there will be a multiplayer feature, and what will it consist of? Will there be side-characters available for play in it, or will it just do carbon copies of Sonic? I predict side-characters will be playable in that mode, at least the speed based ones (Metal Sonic, Shadow, Jet, etc.), as Sega normally allows you to play as the sides in optional gameplay.

-If we're revisiting the old days, is it possible that obscure characters like Mighty, Bark, or Bean will have a brief re-appearance, or at least a cameo? Who knows.

 

[Omega124]

-In line with the idea of the side characters appearing during their debut, I can't imagine the fun this will be. Picture it - having to fight SA2 Shadow (as a boss) as Classic Sonic. If Classic Sonic punches Shadow in the face, I predict it will become a meme quick.

I would indeed find that quite funny, and I think they should add that. And then I'll make it my avatar. Even better if Metal Sonic did it.

-During the interview, the designers mentioned Tails, Knuckles and Shadow, showing signs they'll have some role.

Unleashed only has one playable character, even though the other characters had role in the plot. This could be the same.

-So far, only Cream is really confirmed, since her Japanese voice actor said she's recording lines for her. Though if she is in, the Big 4 (Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Knuckles in that order) are pretty much guaranteed.

Bring back Metal Sonic! Cream is a female Tails without the tech and with pets.

-I wonder if there will be a multiplayer feature, and what will it consist of? Will there be side-characters available for play in it, or will it just do carbon copies of Sonic? I predict side-characters will be playable in that mode, at least the speed based ones (Metal Sonic, Shadow, Jet, etc.), as Sega normally allows you to play as the sides in optional gameplay.

Ugh, not Jet. At least Cfeam is in the main games. Jet only apears in spin-off games, and he never is shown to be fast. He's good with a hoverboard, sure, but we never see him run.

-If we're revisiting the old days, is it possible that obscure characters like Mighty, Bark, or Bean will have a brief re-appearance, or at least a cameo? Who knows.

Or Metal Sonic. We can always bring back Metal Sonic.

 

[Abaddon]

Well that video was a total waste of my time.. it doesn't show anything!

 

[Tani Coyote]

Link to video.

City Escape has been revealed as another of the Sonic Generations stages at E3.

I am officially convinced this is gonna be awesome. 83

---

In random news, I look forward to selling my Sega stock tomorrow.

I would indeed find that quite funny, and I think they should add that. And then I'll make it my avatar. Even better if Metal Sonic did it.

Yes but... Metal wasn't canonically in SA2's storyline. Plus, that would put him on the hero side, which we all know has a problem right there.

I look forward to seeing what they cook up.

Unleashed only has one playable character, even though the other characters had role in the plot. This could be the same.

Well, it's pretty much confirmed that it's just Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic in the main storyline, but in multiplayer, the options become more open, as is usually the case with Sega.

Ugh, not Jet. At least Cfeam is in the main games. Jet only apears in spin-off games, and he never is shown to be fast. He's good with a hoverboard, sure, but we never see him run.

Well, we'd likely wouldn't see him anyway, but he's sometimes in multiplayer - he was one of the knights in Black Knight, as was Silver. (Silver ironically being the son of Shadow's character...)

Or Metal Sonic. We can always bring back Metal Sonic.

Well he's not completely obscure; he was in Rivals and Heroes. And SA2B.

Well that video was a total waste of my time.. it doesn't show anything!

Try the gameplay videos.

 

[Omega124]

City Escape was a fun level. But why do they keep adding the first level of each stage? And where's Ice Cap? (More for the music of Cap than the stage)

Anything to do with Metal Sonic

But Metal Sonic is a Good character. He represents the oppressed workers robots who finally had it up with the bourgeoisie Eggman (For he is the Walrus). Gamma had PTSD from killing his brothers, and was otherwise happy to serve Eggman, while Omega was nothing more than a crazed gunman who attacked a villain. But when Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails beat him, Eggman enslaved him, as per his role in Rivals. It was Metal Sonic who is the true force of the robots! Plus, he was first, and had his biggest role, in CD, which means he even predates Knuckles as a character!

Released a year before Sonic 3

 

[Tani Coyote]

City Escape was a fun level. But why do they keep adding the first level of each stage? And where's Ice Cap? (More for the music of Cap than the stage)

Well I do hope they do more than first stages, because they will run out quick. These stages look like they're fairly quick, 3-4 minutes, and while it seems like a bit, it will quickly run out.

Unleashed had about, what, 9 Day Stages? And the game derives its long playing time from Werehogness (obvious why this is not a good idea) and the fact the Day Stages get increasingly difficult.

Hopefully, we can have 20+ stages, like back in SA2. All in HD. This will be awesome.

The story is said to be "light," and Sonic Colors' is referenced as an example of what that means. So, not as plot-heavy as Unleashed. Nor SA2 (sigh ).

But Metal Sonic is a Good character. He represents the oppressed workers robots who finally had it up with the bourgeoisie Eggman (For he is the Walrus). Gamma had PTSD from killing his brothers, and was otherwise happy to serve Eggman,

You have it backwards; Gamma was slavishly loyal at first, but then he rewrote his own programming to define Eggman as an enemy.

while Omega was nothing more than a crazed gunman who attacked a villain. But when Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails beat him, Eggman enslaved him, as per his role in Rivals.

I do remind you MS was a slave for a long time as well... Then, after some time off the radar (cameos in SA and SA2 aside), returned as the antagonist of Heroes. Then was promptly buttwhooped back into submission by the Eggster.

Worst part about being a machine is free will is easily just programmed out of you.

Failing that, it's possible that like in the comics, all the Metal Sonics are different models of the same robot, each better than the last.

It was Metal Sonic who is the true force of the robots! Plus, he was first, and had his biggest role, in CD, which means he even predates Knuckles as a character!

Tails and Knuckles came before Shadow but he beats them in popularity, so the age of the character is irrelevant.

It sounds like everyone is getting some sort of spot, however. If my theory proves true, it will at least be fun to see Shadow as a villain again. In higher quality graphics as well, rather than Sonic O Sucks.

I do predict Eggman vs. Robotnik shenanigans.

 

[Wilks johnson]

I'll be honest, I haven't been this excited for a Sonic game in a while (sonic 4 was pretty good, although not as good as I expected it to be). I really hope this doesn't bomb.

Oh, and nice touch with the "two" sonics. Should add replay value.

 

[Tani Coyote]

I look forward to them releasing the main theme. With the trend we're setting, it will probably be the Telly Tubbies theme with how perky it will be.

And, knowing the fanbase/Sega, something will obviously be wrong with the game. Something so minor and miniscule it will damn it.

After all:

Spoiler :

Ahem!


Link to video.

Interview with Patrick Riley.

-Patrick confirms that there will be Chaos Emeralds/Special stages in the 3DS version, but not the 360 or PS3 versions. He does say, however, he won't spoil whether Super Sonic will be in the HD versions. Tease!

-He re-asserts that all of Sonic's friends will be in the game, but not playable. So, pretty much any of the characters from mainstream games will make an appearance.

-Co-op play, it sounds like, will not be in the game; he says they focused on Classic and Next Gen gameplay models in first player rather than two player models. Ah well! Doesn't mean we can't have those battle modes of old. Classic vs. Modern, anyone? Should be good for shenanigans.

-There are cameos for characters without a direct appearance, and apparently, you can guess what some of the stages are if you look at the levels and spot things. Likely small things like:

-Guess that counts as a Bark, Bean, and Nack appearance! I still think Mighty was eaten by Vector or something though.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Some more info from Sonic Boom, the event:


Link to video.

-This is a preview of what Classic City Escape sounds like. There are also gameplay videos from the event, but why spoil it? As for the poor quality, this is because it had to be recorded. Hopefully the in-game version will sound better.

-The theme song continues to elude us. What does Sega have planned?

Some of the levels:

Green Hill Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog)

City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2)

Spagonia (Sonic Unleashed) - Speculated due to Spagonia's cameo appearance in the Sonic Generations City Escape trailer.

---

The Launch Base Zone, it sounds like, will be a 3DS-exclusive, and modern renderings of the old bosses are seen in the preview.

Casino Night Zone is also in the 3DS version, and likewise, is expected to be an exclusive.

It sounds like there will be 9 stages total, which will be at least divided into two acts. This is similar to Unleashed's setup, which also had 9 stages. But, what will Sega do to make up for the loss in playing time without the Werehog, and you know, hopefully keep it fun?

 

[Omega124]

Classic City Escape music sucks hard. The guy singing is annoying.

I really hope that there aren't console exclusive stages. I do have a 3DS, and I do have a Wii/Xbox 360, but I want to be able to play all the levels with just one level. On eame for the price of one, not two.

Also, if there's only one stage per game, than Launch Base Zone means there's not going to be Ice Cap Zone. That's life, I guess.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Classic City Escape music sucks hard.

Granted, it's a rip from the Sonic Boom party, so the actual version will probably rock.

The guy singing is annoying.

How dare you insult Ted Poley!

...well no. Apart from City Escape and We Can, I do not like his music at all.

I really hope that there aren't console exclusive stages. I do have a 3DS, and I do have a Wii/Xbox 360, but I want to be able to play all the levels with just one level. On eame for the price of one, not two.

Oh, there are exclusives. This has been a SEGA forte for years now - Unleashed, Olympics, and Colors all had differences between the consoles. Olympics and Colors especially; you need both versions to get the full story!

Sega's stock didn't rise ~66% this year by it having poor management!

Also, if there's only one stage per game, than Launch Base Zone means there's not going to be Ice Cap Zone. That's life, I guess.

Or, if Launch Base is 3DS exclusive, Ice Cap can be in the HD versions.

 

[KaiserElectric]

This event better have the song of the same name.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Way ahead of you, Electric!


Link to video.

Lyrics start at 0:20!

The party was both a chance to try out the game, and where numerous songs were sung by Crush 40 and Cash Cash (from Sonic Colors). Fortunately, there was no Crush 40 Reach for the Stars or Endless Possibility cover... (plenty of videos online about the event... some of the things that happened there are just hilarious... like a live action musical - Sega, you are indeed masterful trolls in businessmen's suits)

All the fans were asked to shout in unison "Happy Birthday Sonic!" and that's going to be put into the actual game...

 

[KaiserElectric]

That's the song?