Sonic the hedgehog! Once upon a time, he was SEGA’s proudest mascot – but most of his recent games have ranged from middling to awful. Sure, Generations was pretty good as was colours, but just about everything else has been borderline awful.
There’s just too much weird bloat and nonsense. Sonic’s collection of friends and enemies has grown to be a veritable zoo of odd animals, cluttering up a franchise that was once about one thing: speed. Well, speed and really fantastic levels that leverage that speed (if we forget about how bad a game the first Sonic was, of course.)
And he’s back in the news again. SEGA’s announced that fans can expect not one, but two new Sonic games soon. The first, Sonic Mania is a pure nostalgia. “Sonic Mania was born out of our fans’ love of the classic Sonic 2D platform games,” Takashi Iizuka, Head of Sonic Team stated.
The second, coming next year by the team that made Colours and Generations, is a full 3D game that will once again try to modernise the zippy blue bugger. Can Sonic successfully be modernised though? Attempts to do so have almost all been a failure – and I think that’s largely because Sonic’s defining characteristic, his speed, isn’t really novel or interesting anymore.
As a once-upon-a-time fan, I’m hoping that there’s some life left in Sonic – but a large part of me feels that SEGA should just take him out back and shoot him, putting him out of his – and our – misery.
Especially if he’s being treated like this.
Last Updated: July 29, 2016
Pariah
July 29, 2016 at 10:31
Sanic who?
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:33
I don’t think they need to leave it. I just think they should stop trying so hard to make it “new age” and go back to its roots. There are tons of brand new classic 2D style games that are absolutely excellent. They don’t have to have crisp 3D graphics to be fun.
Why are the big devs so damn afraid of going back to using 2D?
Geoffrey Tim
July 29, 2016 at 10:35
Weeeell, that’s exactly what sonic mania is.
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:40
I haven’t seen sonic mania. *googles*
In that case I think it’s good that they’re returning to that look and feel. There’s nothing stopping them from adding fresh elements.
But I still maintain that most of the big devs seem to be so damn scared to use 2D just because it’s old school.
Pariah
July 29, 2016 at 10:42
Well it’s more that we as gamers expect them to be pushing new tech. 2D is for smaller devs, according to our innate expectations. Where Ubisoft did it right is that they announced a separate team working on “several smaller projects”, then promptly released Child of Light. But if they’d done that “instead of” Assassin’s Creed 24, then gamers would’ve raged. Because logic.
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:46
Well that’s the thing, isn’t it? Valiant Hearts was one of the best games to come out of Ubisoft in many many years in my opinion.
That said, there wasn’t much marketing around Valiant Hearts, so clearly the devs are also at fault for not recognising the potential and fanbase that those kind of games have. Valiant Hearts sold near half a million copies on Steam ALONE. That’s not a figure to snort at, at all.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:00
Hehe, snort
Kaihaku
July 29, 2016 at 16:30
I think it’s more because there’s a lot of competition on the 2D platformer scene. It’s one of the genres that indies have been dominating.
Medion
July 29, 2016 at 22:00
The problem with Sonic is that we either get a game like Sonic Mania (old school gameplay, old school graphics), or the new Sonic, or Sonic Generations (an attempt to move that old-school gameplay to modern 3D graphics). Due to quick view changes, there are definitely issues with the latter games.
I’m really surprised that they haven’t taken the approach by such stellar titles like Trine or Ori – modern 3D graphics from a 2D perspective.
Avithar
July 29, 2016 at 11:37
loved the 2d had it on my sega, the 3d was absolute rubbish
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 29, 2016 at 10:34
Well here’s the trailer they attempted to show, whoever was in charge of that event should be the one that gets dragged out and shot. 2D Sonic is coming back and I’m buying it day one o/
Jac7
July 29, 2016 at 10:38
I want them rather to focus on publishing awesome games like Alien Isolation.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 10:43
SANIC!
VampyreSquirrel
July 29, 2016 at 10:43
They should just stop trying to make it 3D, seriously… so many people have said this in recent times. Sure add SOME (not many) 3D elements, but keep the platforming 2D. Like add a pinball area that’s 3D, or chuck the game into 3D for some of the cool running sequences.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 10:44
But the $$$$$$$$$$
Original Heretic
July 29, 2016 at 10:46
Oh Sonic, I used to think fondly of you…
Deceased
July 29, 2016 at 10:48
Sadly, they need to yes… Or at least cease and desist with the madness they’re doing now…
Take him back to 2D like the Original Sonic The HedgeHog or gits.
I’m obviously a massive fan, but they’re doing more harm than good with the 3D BS they ooze out… 😐
Deceased
July 29, 2016 at 10:52
After watching @hammersteyn:disqus’s trailer post, I think this is the right direction, whether it’s good or bad, I believe I’ll get it
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 29, 2016 at 10:51
Did anyone read the article? Sonic Mania is gonna be in 2D
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:52
I read it, but I didn’t translate that “love of the classic Sonic 2D platform games” meant it was also going to be in 2D. I just thought it was a style overhaul to bring it back to the classic feel. After googling it I only saw what it really is.
Deceased
July 29, 2016 at 10:53
Same
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:55
I think we’re used to devs saying that they’re going back to the old feel of a game and then not really committing to it that much.
VampyreSquirrel
July 29, 2016 at 10:54
Yep read it, just voicing my thoughts, Sonic Mania in 2D is great, the last how many games 3D games were kak? Sega should have learned their lesson ages ago.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 29, 2016 at 10:57
Agreed
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:00
Should have called it Sonic Saga HD, now with jewels instead of rings!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 29, 2016 at 11:00
LOL!
Raptor Rants
July 29, 2016 at 10:53
Sadly yes.
You can only keep a franchise going for so long. I love Sonic, but maybe take Sonic 1, 2 and 3. Release them with polished graphics and then put Sonic to bed.
HairyEwok
July 29, 2016 at 10:54
Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic…. We do not go and tell Nintendo to forget about Mario.
VampyreSquirrel
July 29, 2016 at 10:57
Mariwho?
HairyEwok
July 29, 2016 at 11:04
Sorry I meant Luigi, or was it Wario?
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 10:59
I’m not sure about the specifics of Sonic Mania, but if they integrate online leaderboards into it, it will probably attract a lot more people who would play that game without end to get the perfect scores. In this day and age of gaming you need things like that to make these kind of games interesting and appealing to many of the modern gamers.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:00
…cue the MT’s to add more speed/modifiers
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 11:02
Many indie games have successfully done the online leaderboard on their very basic 2D games and it really breathes life into replayability. Personally it’s not something I’m interested in, but judging by what the market is doing, it can only be to their benefit to consider this for Sonic Mania (if it’s not already planned).
HvR
July 29, 2016 at 11:05
Sonic poor old blue utters is dried up, give him a rest SEGA.
Why not do something Skyrimish (oo that sounds dirty) with Golden Axe.
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 11:11
Yes. I vote this.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:12
On the idea, or the Skryrimish word?
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 11:18
https://cdn1.lockerdome.com/uploads/50a375fa77002e981188dfb5f7e449920b8e6f25920cfc2d4f7de598bf59c34b_large
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:21
Skyrimish Sega gotta happen fast
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2016 at 11:11
This Video is Relevant to Sonic Mania: https://youtu.be/omKGDC4JaMU
It’s also Why I believe Mania will be successful.
Admiral Chief - Check
July 29, 2016 at 11:13
ooooh 60fps
Matthew Holliday
July 29, 2016 at 11:19
Sega?
WHAT YEAR IS IT?
Mossel
July 29, 2016 at 11:41
It’s time for EVERY developer to forget about past games and rather focus on new exciting ones. #remakesmustfall
Captain JJ off track
July 29, 2016 at 11:42
Don’t forget remasters. That shit must end.
Mossel
July 29, 2016 at 11:43
Yes! that as well.
Kromas GG
July 29, 2016 at 11:54
Sonic just needs a paper version. Did wonders for Mario. 😛
konfab
July 29, 2016 at 12:21
I know!!
They should get Telltale games to make a “Tales from Sonic” Origin story.
Kaihaku
July 29, 2016 at 16:29
It’s time for Sega to remember some of their other franchises. Like releasing a Phantasy Star or Shining Force title in North America for a change. Or making a new Altered Beast, Crazy Taxi, Ecco the Dolphin, Gunstar Heroes, or Shenmue.
The Order of the Banana
July 31, 2016 at 19:04
If Lara can come back from E-list celebrity obscurity, so too can young Sonic. I have faith in you SEGA! REALITY TV TIME! FEATURING A MIDDLE-AGED SONIC AND HIS KIDS!!!!