“It won’t be the standard format going forward”
Sega’s Aaron Webber set it up at E3 this month, but the words out of current Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka pretty much seals the deal: If you’re looking for Classic Sonic to return or the dual gameplay format after Sonic Generations, don’t hold your breath.
That now known from an interview done by GAME’s Aaron Cooper, who sat down with both Iizuka and Yuji Naka at Summer of Sonic on Saturday. The duo talk about their experience with the hedgehog, and Mr. Naka specifically notes how the blue blur was solely intended for the US market. But when it got to Sonic Generations, Iizuka answered this way when asked if the format could become a staple of future Sonic games:
Sonic Generations has been created to really celebrate Sonic’s 20th anniversary. It is created to appeal to both the old school classic Sonic fans and everyone who loves modern Sonic. What we wanted to do was to ensure we had a game in which everyone can come together to celebrate Sonic’s 20th anniversary, so it incorporates everything into one game.
[....]
Because Sonic has such a long history, the starting point for people getting into Sonic will be different. In Sonic Generations we have something that is good for everyone, and to see classic and modern together is a special, one-off event to celebrate Sonic’s anniversary. So it won’t be the standard format going forward.
Suddenly, yesterday’s news becomes even more believable, and Iizuka himself becomes even more unbelievable. Thanks to Jaden for tipping us. If you have news to share, be sure to share it with us by clicking Send News Tips at the top of every page.
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Actually, not to be an Adventure-series fanboy (I remember when that was the entire fanbase XD)
But if I would as for a gameplay type to return, I’d ask for the Adventure series gameplay.
It was similar to Classic Gameplay only in 3D plus homing attack. It had more free space, more freedom. It was more vibrant, explorable, adventurous and exciting. It was more…. well more. It was basically “3D Classic Sonic and more”. xD Not that I don’t like Classic Sonic’s gameplay and all, just, I’d want it to be as good as it could, and it seems like the only things that could make it better would end up pretty much being Adventure series gameplay. lol :3 (to me XP)
@SA3 2011
Waddya mean bad characters D:? Chip was cute and so was yacker :<.
Chip was a BIT annoying in the tutorial, but hey, he isn't completely like omochao. He's hilarious and cute XD. The same for yacker.
@HeageHawg
Yeah. Yacker never really annoyed me in any way, and Chip gains points for pulling off a “Power Rangers Megazord” on the Dark Gaia battle. XD
@Heagehawq and Stephan
No actually its not my point. My point is that Sonic Team is making one time characters without character development instead of giving a chance to characters such as Knuckles, Shadow, Silver or Blaze.
@SA3 2011
I don’t think Chip was a bad character either and Sonic in his Werehog form looked really cool and awesome IMO maybe they wanted to take a break from those characters as they appeared a lot in past games….
@SA3 2011
I’ve actually gotten pretty sick of all of them but Blaze. Fangirls ruined them for me. XD
@SA3
Technically Silver IS one of those one-off characters, and god knows Shadow SHOULD have been.
I’ve always said that Unleashed could have been 100% cooler if they’d just used Knuckles for the werehog sections. A modern S&K could have made the dual gameplay styles so much more tolerable, and the story a lot less retarded.
@ChaotixFox
But it wouldn’t really make a difference and would actually make LESS sense of the story if they used Knuckles instead of the Werehog, if they didn’t have a reason for Knuckles being apart of the story. They gave a perfectly good reason for the Werehog existing in the story. The problem isn’t the CHARACTER. The problem is the GAMEPLAY of the Night Stages. It was just like a repetitive Beat ‘em up that could’ve actually been a lot better.
@ChaotixFox
After thinking about….I was disappointed when Shadow and Knuckles got scrapped from Unleashed but I think it was for the best to tone down the appearances of characters and focus on Sonic and Chip mainly….Personally I liked Sonic’s gameplay in his Werehog form once you upgrade him more it’s much more fun and relaxing (HD Version I mean) well that’s what I think IMO It’s challenging and fun for me
@SA3 2011
What r u talkin about? Those weren’t crap characters…..Chip was a special character that only made that one appearance in SU and The Werehog is still Sonic but in a different form The Werehog wasn’t that bad even though it could have some improvement and Yacker well Meh He wasn’t crap but meeeh
Plus characters like Shadow, Silver,Blaze etc were overused waay too much they deserved the break…..Think about it Sonic Adventure, Adventure 2, Heroes,Shadow,06,Secret Rings ,Rivals,Rivals 2, Rush, Rush Adventure,Sonic Riders, Sonic Riders ZG, Olympic Series,Black Knight, All Stars Racing,Free Riders etc
All spin offs, Main games , action and racing games they have been overused It’s great SEGA took of the characters they needed a break….I have a soft spot for Tails, Amy,Cream and maybe Espio and charmy
and possibly Knuckles though he’s been overused quite a bit
@Stephan
Well, the story is pretty ridiculous already, to be honest. Adding Knuckles into the mix would have forced a change in story, it’s true, but that can only have been for the better.
I’m not suggesting that merely having a Knux model with the exact same gameplay would solve anything… but using Knuckles instead of the Werehog gimmick would have changed the mindset of the developers from the get-go and geared them toward a much more positive direction.
The story would have benefited from it (anything involving established characters and themes is better than making up yet another way-too-serious cliche about “light vs darkness”), and I think the gameplay would have as well. Less stretchy arms and more gliding/climbing would have made for much more entertaining combat AND platforming, thus making the nighttime stages a much more pleasurable experience.
I think classic Sonic (the model) should only return as a playable skin in future Sonic 4 episodes and any Sonic the Hedgehog # games.
I would be delighted to see classic gameplay, physics, and other elements of the games (i.e. elemental shields) become a staple in 2D games, though. Maybe even them implemented in 3D games.
@ChaoticFox
Meh it was nice for Knuckles and SHadow not to appear as they have been overused for a lot of games and have no main role or reason to be in it…So it was a good move
@KY
Shadow is overused and worthless as all hell, I agree. Knuckles isn’t – he’s just been used POORLY (besides, when was he last seen, really?).
Shard hunting for the “power” type character? Give me a break. If anything, he DESERVED a chance to redeem himself with beat-em up/platforming gameplay, which, like I’m saying would have actually been GOOD if they hadn’t given it to a stretchy armed goofball.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually think the werehog is kind of a fun concept… but the stretchy arm gimmick totally cheapened a lot of his gameplay.
@ChaotixFox
I’m guessing you don’t like the chained swords in God of War, huh? XD
@stephen
LOL. xD
sonic unleashed = less violent version of god of war
@ChaoticFox:
The stretchy arms were based off of Ristar the Shooting Star, and even further back, Sonic’s original concept. A rabbit with stretchy ears that can grab objects and throw them.