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Thanks to polago, I've been put in a position where a few sega reps want to talk to me specifically about what needs to be done to fix the sonic series. Obviously, I have volumes of stuff to talk about, and I have my own ideas about what to say. However, I'd like to get everybody's opinions on what needs to be done to help. I've already started talking to some of the bigger sonic hackers, but I'd like a casual sega gamer's stance.
Thanks to polago, I've been put in a position where a few sega reps want to talk to me specifically about what needs to be done to fix the sonic series. Obviously, I have volumes of stuff to talk about, and I have my own ideas about what to say. However, I'd like to get everybody's opinions on what needs to be done to help. I've already started talking to some of the bigger sonic hackers, but I'd like a casual sega gamer's stance.
So, penny-arcade, what should I say?
Somehow make it like Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles again.
No more ridiculous characters like the extra ones in Riders, get rid of Silver, remind them that Shadow the Hedgehog was a terrible game, and tell them to make true Sonic games.
Thanks to polago, I've been put in a position where a few sega reps want to talk to me specifically about what needs to be done to fix the sonic series. Obviously, I have volumes of stuff to talk about, and I have my own ideas about what to say. However, I'd like to get everybody's opinions on what needs to be done to help. I've already started talking to some of the bigger sonic hackers, but I'd like a casual sega gamer's stance.
So, penny-arcade, what should I say?
It's ironic, because the two suggestions I can think of boil down to the 360 Sonic and Sonic and the Secret Rings: either a return to the redeeming elements of Sonic Adventure or a completely minimalist approach. Both of them had pretty noble intentions with pretty mixed results, which therefore pegs the execution as the real problem here. I don't mind the adventure concept, and I certainly don't mind the stripped down approach, but in both cases, you need people in charge willing to ensure some quality control that's been lacking for so long.
I suppose if I had to change anything, I'd fire everyone responsible for the amount of inane plot that goes into these games. The presentation sours the aesthetic. For this genre, the amount of plot in Mario 64 is probably as much as you're ever going to need. Anthropomorphic animals really aren't a good source for compelling drama.
3 playable characters -
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles. Each should be playable on all levels, there should be no "sonic levels" or "Tails levels" although alternate routes in levels is acceptable.
No cut scenes, any story should be told though in game scripted events.
Arcadey level structure (should be able/designed to be completed in one siting)
Spinning signs at the end of levels, and Containers with animals in them after boss fights.
Extra optional stuff -
I would love a 3D graphics, 2D gameplay sonic game, but I am yet to play Sonic Wii, so maybe that is good.
I will no doubt think of more in time, but I have an exam 2moro and am off to bed, I will post more later. This is very very awesome of you/the Sonic community.
Shadow was a huge letdown. I really wanted to like it, especially seeing as how his levels in SA2 are intense. Pushing the gun mechanic into a game about him was a bad idea. Stick to high-speed madness.
I'm not up on the Sonic series enough to make any insightful comments, but I still want to congratulate you on this awesome new opportunity. Do us proud!
I can't answer this myself due to never being a Sega fan, but what exactly was the spirit of Sonic back then? People always say "going really fast", but was was there anything more to it than that?
From an outsider's perspective it seems like when played well, Sonic is essentially a fancier version of Dragon's Lair. Is that actually true, and if it is is that a good thing?
I would say have them play the Dream cast Sonic game, and then replicate that as much as possible. God damn were the Sonic levels really hearty, and there really were fucking huge, fun, fast and above all, entertaining.
Get rid of the human world story. that shit is just plain creepy and retarded.
Sonic should be saving animals not some stupid human princess or what ever he does now. ugh.
I can't answer this myself due to never being a Sega fan, but what exactly was the spirit of Sonic back then? People always say "going really fast", but was was there anything more to it than that?
From an outsider's perspective it seems like when played well, Sonic is essentially a fancier version of Dragon's Lair. Is that actually true, and if it is is that a good thing?
People who say that don't know what the hell sonic was about. Sonic wasn't about going fast. Sonic 1 was a straight up adventure game. It was a 2D Indiana Jones. You were swinging across chasms of lava, outrunning rolling boulders, being thrown into water ways while trying to hold onto poles to position yourself, etc. It was a platforming game at heart, with speed being the connecting pieces.
Giving the franchise to Bioware may be the solution to all our problems. Ill withhold judgement on the Sonic title until that game is out. It could be glorious.
Every other fucking character has to be cut and never to return.
Period.
Except Amy. But they need to ratchet back the insanity, and make her play like she did in SA except a lot faster and with actual levels rather than avoiding some stupid robot chasing her around. Unless the robot can actually chase her and keep up so you have to work to avoid it.
if they have to really go 3d sonic. for the love of god spend a good amount of development time on a good camera system. seriously, some of these new sonic wouldn't be half as bad if it wasn't for the camera.
Basically, build the gameplay first. Make the actual game fun to play. Do this before you make up a story. Do this before you design levels. Then design the levels to fit the fun gameplay you built.
1. Make a 3D platformer that doesn't suck. Sonic Adventure was OK, Sonic Adventure 2 was great, every 3D Sonic platformer since has been a HUGE disappointment.
2. Just go back to the old style of play, like Sonic Rush.
4. Screw making new Sonic games altogether and just make old ones downloadable, so we can feel like it's 1994 again, when Sonic didn't suck.
But there's one, undisputed thing that everyone knows they should do (and has already been said in this very thread): cut off the oozing slack of useless characters.
doughboyX on
Currently playing: Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
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Somehow make it like Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles again.
@Bryceforvice on Twitter Facebook
Tails
Knuckles
Every other fucking character has to be cut and never to return.
Period.
Also, can we go back to calling him Robotnik? "eggman" is stupid...
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
This... and Sonic can no longer speak anymore.
The whole series needs a "reboot", but their last attempt with that godawful 360 game was... godawful.
It's ironic, because the two suggestions I can think of boil down to the 360 Sonic and Sonic and the Secret Rings: either a return to the redeeming elements of Sonic Adventure or a completely minimalist approach. Both of them had pretty noble intentions with pretty mixed results, which therefore pegs the execution as the real problem here. I don't mind the adventure concept, and I certainly don't mind the stripped down approach, but in both cases, you need people in charge willing to ensure some quality control that's been lacking for so long.
I suppose if I had to change anything, I'd fire everyone responsible for the amount of inane plot that goes into these games. The presentation sours the aesthetic. For this genre, the amount of plot in Mario 64 is probably as much as you're ever going to need. Anthropomorphic animals really aren't a good source for compelling drama.
3 playable characters -
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles. Each should be playable on all levels, there should be no "sonic levels" or "Tails levels" although alternate routes in levels is acceptable.
No cut scenes, any story should be told though in game scripted events.
Arcadey level structure (should be able/designed to be completed in one siting)
Spinning signs at the end of levels, and Containers with animals in them after boss fights.
Extra optional stuff -
I would love a 3D graphics, 2D gameplay sonic game, but I am yet to play Sonic Wii, so maybe that is good.
I will no doubt think of more in time, but I have an exam 2moro and am off to bed, I will post more later. This is very very awesome of you/the Sonic community.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
semi 3d characters, new art, same level design.
It would sell a million.
for the ds ofc
I'm pretty sure you can't revive a franchise by doing the same thing you've been doing for 5 years
Speed-running, plus foreground-background switches? Awesome.
no.
I enjoyed SA 1&2, and I wouldn't mind seeing a third.
Though I kind of miss Amy's mallet of death©.
Shadow was a huge letdown. I really wanted to like it, especially seeing as how his levels in SA2 are intense. Pushing the gun mechanic into a game about him was a bad idea. Stick to high-speed madness.
Do not change Sonic physically.
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/flash-tub/ultimate-sonic-fan.php
From an outsider's perspective it seems like when played well, Sonic is essentially a fancier version of Dragon's Lair. Is that actually true, and if it is is that a good thing?
This made my brain die a little.
Meh.
Okay, then have the guy who did the Sonic Rush soundtrack do a CD of remixes of the original Sonic game's music.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
2d Sonics have always been better than 3d.
Change him back. Look how much he's changed, and how stupid he looks now:
new
old
See the Mario games? Princess has been kidnapped. Save her.
That works.
Animals have been captured, save them.
That also works.
Sonic has been sucked into a magical book wherein he has to save Arabia from an evil djin? That does not work. Stop being silly.
Sonic should be saving animals not some stupid human princess or what ever he does now. ugh.
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
Just play some Jet Set Radio in the meantime. That's Naganuma at his finest.
People who say that don't know what the hell sonic was about. Sonic wasn't about going fast. Sonic 1 was a straight up adventure game. It was a 2D Indiana Jones. You were swinging across chasms of lava, outrunning rolling boulders, being thrown into water ways while trying to hold onto poles to position yourself, etc. It was a platforming game at heart, with speed being the connecting pieces.
Except Amy. But they need to ratchet back the insanity, and make her play like she did in SA except a lot faster and with actual levels rather than avoiding some stupid robot chasing her around. Unless the robot can actually chase her and keep up so you have to work to avoid it.
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
that would be pretty cool
1. Make a 3D platformer that doesn't suck. Sonic Adventure was OK, Sonic Adventure 2 was great, every 3D Sonic platformer since has been a HUGE disappointment.
2. Just go back to the old style of play, like Sonic Rush.
3. Shake things up, like they are with that Sonic RPG for DS. source: http://ds.ign.com/objects/856/856273.html
4. Screw making new Sonic games altogether and just make old ones downloadable, so we can feel like it's 1994 again, when Sonic didn't suck.
But there's one, undisputed thing that everyone knows they should do (and has already been said in this very thread): cut off the oozing slack of useless characters.
How about something like the Sonic/Shadow levels from SA 2. Only a full game of them. With better boss fights.
Also, why not make a sonic/metroid hybrid? Worked for Castlevania...