“I think that SFR succeeds where Sonic 4 fails because”…
One can never be too careful toeing the line between celebrity and legality when it comes to fan games. That’s probably why the current dynamic duo of SFG teams, Pelikan and Mercury, made clear finished and future releases of Sonic Fan Remix will be free when interviewed in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine, out now.
Indeed, the words of Alan Pritchard aren’t the only things inside the pages; the magazine included a full page story on the much celebrated project, the first positive exposure for Sonic fan gaming in a good while. He affirms Sega hasn’t contacted the SFR devs over the course of the game development, for good or bad. A major problem, at least concerning respect, on both interviewer Dan Ryckert and respondent is first Ryckert’s outright proclamation SFR is “visually superior” to Sonic 4, followed by a question on how Pelikan and Mercury was “able to make a better-looking game than a major games studio.” Pelikan answered with with class. Mercury, on the other hand…
I think that SFR succeeds where Sonic 4 fails because it’s more surprising. There are so many details you’re not expecting to see, and that’s what makes it more exciting.
Interesting enough, Pelikan also states the announcement of Sonic 4 nearly derailed his ambitions toward the project:
…When I heard they were working on a 2D Sonic I felt both excited as a Sonic fan and a bit disappointed. I did consider stopping work on SFR at that point as I felt there might be no place for it.
Aside from that, the other major news coming out of the interview is that Sonic Fan Remix may not completely be a remix; Pelikan plans some original stages for it. The full interview is available via a page scan below, provided to us via a News Tip from Teh Chrisizard. We thank him for sending it in. If you have news to share, be sure to share it with us by clicking News Tips at the top of every page.
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Anyone wanna place bets on how long it’ll take for this publicity to go south?
No
I really hope this game doesn’t become a massive talk-about for every magazine. If so, let’s hope no action is taken to remove this game upon completion.
After playing the demo, I can easily say that a even though SFR and Sonic 4: Episode 1 both re-use the same badniks and level themes, SFR is obviously closer to the classics. Better physics, at times nicer visuals, but overall has a more classic feel to it. Hell, even Sonic Colors is so amazing, and also in a strange way more nostalgic than S4:E1, that people are calling it THE REAL Sonic 4. XD
I don’t think it’s going anywhere, and if it does I doubt any action will be taken against the creators other than ‘take it down please, but send us updates’. Sega of America consists almost entirely of hardcore sonic fans. They’re probably all playing it in their cubicles right now inbetween messageboard posts. If anything, they’re probably taking notes.
Sonic gets the best comeback in almost a decade and what the fuck happens? His launch game gets a SAGy Award, Sonic gets kicked off the world record book for no reason at all (I’m no longer getting it anymore) and what NOW?!?!?!? Sonic 4 gets shit thrown into his face with the game that nearly destroyed his big comeback in a magazine article by a shitty publisher that game Sonic Colors a shitty review.
What happened? This was supposed to be Sonic’s big year and all this bad stuff is happening to him at once and the years not even over yet.
Dude chill, it’s only a video game series.
Pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be Sonic’s big year this year.
Sonic Colors did get overall positive reception, so there’s that.
Forgot the graphics, how did 2 random dudes program infintely better physics than a team of (supposedly) experience game developers? Its joke, and it only proves that SEGA just didn’t care enough to produce Sonic 4 properly.
@soranamineforever
Mmmm…
I don’t see any problem with different physics, I have good control on sonic 4.
But sonic 4 fail in physics trying mix new controls, with classic felling, and generate bugs, different variation of speed etc.
For sonic 4 look name SONIC 4, sega really need put classic physics.
I have to admit, when I first opened my Game Informer and saw this page I geeked out a little. I really wasn’t expecting them to cover a fan game.
@Sjmaster
You’re right I should probably chill out a bit, but with what just happened in just a short while it just boggles my mind.
@Lupo
But I think it was supposed to be his big year I mean come on he’s supposed to have a retro rebirth (that succeeded or failed depending on how you like it, for me succeeded), and a 3D game that everyone’s been asking for since 2008. SEGA went big this year and I don’t really know why it’s having such a weak effect.
Ugh, it’s exactly the same as Sonic 4 and just as bad.
Sega is really making me angry right now.
TWO people. JUST TWO FREAKING PEOPLE make a game that is on par with Sonic 4. How does that make sense? Sonic Colors is also said to be more classic than Sonic 4. A GAME THAT ISN’T EVEN TRYING!!
Why is Sega screwing up so bad? Ugh, I feel so ashamed and frustrated…
Well, on the bright side, the only direction they can go is up.
@Wilford111
Dude, Sonic 4 is the one that isn’t trying. Sonic Colors is the result of hard-work and effort.
krazeeKidd102: I agree with!!
@krazeeKidd102
I was talking about it in terms of trying to be nostalgic.
@RaggtimeSonic
According to Sega, all years since 2003 have been the best Sonic year yet. It´s called marketing, and flooding the market with Sonic games.
@krazeeKidd102
Agreed, Sonic 4 is the biggest disappointment. We already knew Sonic Free Riders wouldn´t be the best Sonic game, but at least Sonic Colors is better than most of the recent Sonic games. But Sonic 4 has been a great disappointment.
Sonic Colors feels more like Sonic 4 because it’s plot and levels feels something that could have come after Sonic 3, all the other 3D Sonic can’t really say that with their love of real world locations and monster of the week plots.
The reason why Sonic 4 didn’t have classic physics is not because the developers aren’t capable of doing so, that’s outrageous. The reason why that occurred is because of design decisions. It’s always just different design decisions to why a game turns out the way it is. I have better hope for Episode 2. I can only hope though.
Dimps has already made games with momentum based physics and many other fans have also done so. However, I believe the problem is Iizuka who is experimenting with these new physics, and it seems that he wants to stick with these new physics or else he doesn’t want change the game’s base from the sonic rush engine. Anyways, even if he decides to stick with these physics (which I do not recommend) he has to really improve them. For example, he has to set a limit to were sonic rolls on a slope and where he can do a spin dash. Spin dash and roll mechanics also need to be fixed, going off a slope and uncurling needs to be fixed, and I remember in mad gear that if I do a spin dash and the platform moves down it cancels my spin dash, that also needs to be fixed. Most of the problems except for the last two can be avoided by using a momentum based physics system.