First Official Look at LLZ in Action
Through IGN (and strangely not on the Sega blogs yet as of the time of this article’s publication) is a short gameplay trailer for Sonic 4′s Lost Labyrinth Zone. It’s available below.
There’s a lot of action packed in the video, including falling boulders, the torch mechanic, what appears to be an endless waterfall (another classic callback), exploding dynamite, an automated mine cart, underwater caverns, and more. IGN’s corresponding preview of the zone affirms what we exclusively told you in May–that the motion controlled Mine Cart will be relegated to the iPhone/iPod Touch release:
You might have seen some leaked footage of Sonic in a mine cart where the player has to rotate the map to manipulate the movements. It didn’t look so hot. Well, none of that is in what I played (that version of the Lost Labyrinth level is only in the iPhone version). Yes, there are several mine cart rides, but the only thing you do is hop on, let them zip you around, and jump over gaps in the tracks. It’s a small part of some of the levels and kind of cool.
You can read the preview in full at the link cited above. You can watch the video below via Youtube, with thanks to Woun for sending it to us via our News Tips system. Offer your comments in our discussion area. A few fans have already commented Sonic’s jumping animation has not yet been fixed–what do you think?
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Finaly! I waas getting so freaking tired of splash hill zone!
I am anticipating this game, but I hope to be able to get it and play when it comes out (knowing that my consoles still don’t have online or Wi-Fi yet at this point). The game is looking awesome so far, despite what people say otherwise.
Anyone else notice the release date on this trailer has changed back to Fall 2010, as opposed to Late 2010? I wouldn’t put it past Sega if they released Sonic 4 concurrently with Sonic Colors.
Loving the music. The running pose, not so much. I know, loads of people have been longing for a circular running motion, so I’m not going to whine on about it, but it just seems too oval…
Fall 2010 huh…. well, I guess that’s not too much longer. I only have Wii points at this point, so I can’t afford Metroid Other M. This’ll be the only thing I can get to tide me over.
I agree, ShadowTG, Sonic’s running motion looks a little too wide, similar to the animation in Sonic Chaos, but anyway…
I just finished reading the IGN Preview, and Hilary Goldstein should be banned from writing any further Sonic articles. The article is riddled with so many terminology-related typos it’s not even funny (mistaking zones for acts, messing up the level order, overall complaints about Sonic in general). He clearly isn’t in tune with the Sonic world (his review of Unleashed cements this) and should not be the one who is giving an ‘expert opinion’ on something he obviously knows so little about, or doesn’t care enough to get right. Surely there are other writers at IGN who know more about Sonic than Goldstein, heck, fan articles do a better job explaining things than he does! =\
ALL of Sonic’s animations look so incredibly poor in that video. Seriously. The running animation in particular looks like something from a flash game. Sonic’s upper body is completely still as if he’s standing in place, and his lower body is just covered with an oval sprite. I know this is a really petty thing to complain about — these things aren’t going to affect whether I like this game or not — but it just seems so weird having a full-fledged game with a development team give Sonic animations that look so bad.
Eh, the “air bubble get” animation is pretty sweet though. Someone actually put effort into that.
Gameplay-wise, I actually think this looks pretty good! While it’s not “Sonic 4 as I imagined it” I’m sure it’ll be fun. I hope this game doesn’t break the fanbase completely.
Production valves of these trailers are so so bad, those little gameplay “recreations” they make for these are embarrassing to watch.
His jump spinning is still slow and makes him look like his on the moon, what was the point of the delay if they didn’t fix these obvious OBVIOUS flaws?
Maybe I´m one of the few, but I think graphically it looks good enough. What scares me it´s the physics.
Anyway, after watching this trailer, I wish Sega would have named something like Sonic Arcade, Sonic DLC, Sonic HD or something like that. That way people wouldn´t have expected so much, and this game would be a little better for many of us.
Untitled Dimps Sonic Project would be the best name.
I don’t know what people are complaining about, his jumping looks fine. It should be sped up when he’s moving quickly, but from a standstill or walking, it’s normally slower, like we saw in the trailer. Lookin’ good Sonic.
OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!!! This looks friggin’ awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Graphics are way better!!! and hum…. BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!!!!
I just like how about 75% of that video is nothing but ‘simulated’ gameplay.
lol, ashamed to show the real deal much, Sonic Team?
Cool, finally the second zone to sonic 4. Anyway still waiting to download this game for xbox live.
@Unknownlight
Actually, they are fixing Sonic’s running animation. And again with the complaining on how Sonic has his modern design. Goodness gracious, Sonic looks fine the way he is! Why the heck would any of you want them to change Sonic back to his classic design or his cartoon show design? The fanbase will only break if people keep complaining about the recent games and keep posting naughty fanfics and art on the Internet. In order to save Sonic the only way to do so is to stop people from complaining and posting garbage like that. I also hope the new games succeed enough that people won’t criticize nor complain anymore.
@Nomad
There just showing the gameplay, thats what trailers do, I didnt know there was a friggin rule to allow what gameplay to be shown.
Wow that was one of the best 1 min game trailers that I have seen in a while. Talk about EPIC!!! Sega has a really winner here.
@Vulpine
The problem is that the model they are using looks off on a fixed plane it’s why his head and spines looks massive in many of his animations making Sonic looks like a giant head on a stick body. Are you trolling or do you really think Sonic Team shouldn’t listen to criticism after years of making some of the most boneheaded mistakes in this industry?
@Crysore
A trailer for a 2D game shouldn’t rely on constant jump cuts, this type of game should be able to speak for itself, and those little intros they keep throwing together for these aren’t doing them any favors. It’s my opinion that they are afraid to put more than 10 seconds of uncut gameplay and tied directly in how they want this game to ride on it’s name more than it’s contents.
@Silverwind
You should watch more trailers then.
@Vulpine
When you mean they are fixing the running animation are you talking about how many seconds it takes for Sonic to get to maximum speed? Why anyone would want Sonic to remind Fat is a mystery to me. They need to get their “Fat Heads” out of the early 1990′s.
All I care is that Sonic looks great and that is it. To me, he is the coolest character out there. I have no complains and I couldn’t give a shit if people think otherwise. If I am smiling because a Sonic announcement, some gameplay from Sonic Colors or from watching this trailer of Sonic 4. Then that means that, in my eyes Sega is doing great. Period.
@Vulpine
Problem is the fandom haven´t bitched so much until at least Shadow the Hedgehog, and look what has happened since then. Eating any kind of game just because Sonic is in it isn´t going to help Sonic Team to make better games. They will just keep making worse games for easy cash. If fans hadn´t complained, Sonic 4 would be probably released by now, bashed by both the critics and the fans. That would mean the game would be a fail.
If you haven´t had a problem with any of the recent Sonic games, then why the hell are you people still angry about what classic fans thinks??? We are supposely the target market for this game. It doesn´t have to appeal YOU, it has to appeal US. Good for you if you can get fun with games like Sonic Advance 3 or Sonic Rush, there are many people out there who can´t and who want a good Sonic game at last. Many of us have been eating any kind of Sonic game just hoping it gets better, but it doesn´t. Unleashed and Colors are in the right direction after horrible games like Shadow the Hedgehog or Sonic 06, but they are still far away from being the masterpieces Sonic games should be.
@Dr.Eggfang and KMetalMind
Oh geez, people. I’m not a troll, stop thinking me as one. I like both the classic games and the new ones, but I wish people would respect both and not just one (True Sonic fans respect ALL games in the series, not just one or few), and this is why I am trying to get my point across so that I will stop the flame wars and turn everything into a more pleasant place.
@Silverwind
That is exactly how I feel. I think that SEGA is doing great and has learned many times from their mistakes back in the past, and I believe they’re doing the right thing. Don’t pay any attention to those who think I’m a troll or flamer because I am not one and I am here to express my free speech.
@KMetalMind
I will tell you why the hell “We People” are mad at you “Classic Fans”. Its because all you know how to do is be negative, are complete assholes, whine like a little bitch, and call people names. How can a little Pussy like you know that Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors are far from masterpieces. If they weren’t then so is whatever you consider to be masterpiece. Oh how I feel so sorry for you that you are not getting you way, its sooo sad….NOT!! I really couldn’t give a shit what you think the problem is with the Sonic series.
“Good for you if you can get fun with games like Sonic Advance 3 or Sonic Rush, there are many people out there who can´t”
-Like you and your little bitch Eggfag
“We are supposely the target market for this game. It doesn´t have to appeal YOU, it has to appeal US.”
-What makes you so special, everyone has played the Classic Sonic titles. The target market is for all Sonic Fans DUH. Especially the ones that can appreciate Sega’s efforts. Sega couldn’t give a shit what you think either.
“Eating any kind of game just because Sonic is in it isn´t going to help Sonic Team to make better games”
-Then you need to stop eating every Sonic game. Simple as that.
@Vulpine
Lol, they are just jealous of the fact that you can appreciate the Sonic Series as a whole. They just can’t grow up and face reality. Be just like Sonic, shrug it off, and just keep running. Thats the way I see it with these people.
(True Sonic fans respect ALL games in the series, not just one or few) I love this line because its exactly how I feel as well. I respect every Sonic game for what they are, especially Sonic 4 because of how it is a blend of retro and modern. Sega is doing an awesome job with Sonic 4, this trailer up there is soooo EPIC. What did you think of it?
One thing I really love about all of the games is the music. The Sonic series has awesome music.
Finally, i don’t really like splash hill zone, the color pallete is better in this zone =O
Finally, man! Splash Hill was getting intolerably boring. Seeing some of this new, fresh stuff makes me excited after the sort of slump I’ve been in with Sonic 4. They’ve been showing levels in Colors left and right, but for almost a year, the only thing they’ve been showing in Sonic 4 is Splash Hill. And it doesn’t help that THIS looks much more interesting. WHAT TOOK SO GOD DAMN LONG?!
@Silverwind
I may not know who you are but you always happen to appreciate my points whenever I post something here. I think the recent trailer for Sonic 4 is fantastic (They even brought back the old sound-effects) and I think the game is going to turn out to be a success.
Well I hope that isn’t a bad thing, Lol. Its fun to talk to someone when they share similar opinions to my own. You bring up really good points and I enjoy talking about Sonic and everything that I enjoy about this series.
When you said, (True Sonic fans respect ALL games in the series, not just one or few). It made me think back on the history of Sonic and I thought, Yeah, I do in one form or another appreciate the past Sonic games. Sure there were problems with previous Sonic games, but what game series, as long as Sonic’s, hasn’t had their low points. To me, Sonic is coming back really strong, hardcore strong. This game is so badass.
“True fans blabla”
Awesome, even when the game gives you the finger and calls you faggot it must be respected for the sake of being an “tured fan!!1111″
Fine, will not call myself an “Tuire fahn”, could come in handy.
The full running animation looked pretty weird to me too. But I feel, I’m getting used to it after looking at the video a few times.
There are no true Sonic fans.
Vulpine on September 2nd, 2010 7.03 pm
@Unknownlight
Actually, they are fixing Sonic’s running animation. And again with the complaining on how Sonic has his modern design. Goodness gracious, Sonic looks fine the way he is!
They’re not fixing his running animation, they’re just having it appear faster.
I never complained about how Sonic is using his modern design. I’m actually one of the (apparently) few people who prefer Sonic’s modern design. Read my post again, I’m not sure where you got that from.
Nah, he just likes to tell people what they have to like. It’s unappealing to some people like me, PLEASE understand it instead of just ignoring me.
@Silverwind
No problem. It’s fun to talk to people who share opinions as well, without getting cussed and criticized by the flamers. I also comment regularly on the Sonic Stadium’s blog. I could use a little help there because people have been criticizing me, cussing at me and calling me a “troll”. One of them even edited one of my comments into a cuss word (I was so mad about that).
Fantastic, I see a lot of changes… Most importantly, it appears in the trailer that Sonic bounces off 3 enemies continuously… Wouldn’t that imply that they fixed uncurling or is that in a different situation?
Still trying to catch on, but the animation tweets are beautiful.
@Vulpine
Whoa I had no idea that people could do that. Usually, I don’t comment on Sonic Stadium because they are not as good as TSSZ. I will see what I can do though. Pretty soon you might see me over there commenting