38 replies to this topic

[N'Dea Davenport]

So is it about time Sonic learnt to swim? In the olympic games aquatic events he wears a life vest and kind of treads water to stay afloat and I think that can be used in the 3D games too so that falling in water does not cause instant death however, what about full under water exploration? There has not been any 3D under water environments since Knuckles stages in SA2 so if they were to return and assming Sonic will remain the only playable character, what if you could dive in and swim under water as Sonic?

Also can it be implemented without taking away the traditional Sonic underwater style gameplay where water resistance slows you down and the effects of gravity are nerfed making jumping higher and descents slower etc.

[Blue Blood]

There's absolutely no reason for Sonic to be able to swim. It's not needed for gameplay really, and is pretty much his only weakness. Just stick to running and jumping and leave the swimming to Tails and Knuckles.

[Solkia]

Why swim when you can fucking hydroplane?

[Punished Snake]

What's the point really? I honestly don't think it will add to the gameplay at all, it might detract from the fun.

Edited by The Scarlet Spider, 09 February 2012 - 02:09 PM.

[Komodin]

I don't really see a point in giving Sonic the ability to swim. I mean, would it really add anything substantial to his gameplay that underwater running doesn't already do for him?

[Red Cap-Blue Spikes]

There's absolutely no reason for Sonic to be able to swim. It's not needed for gameplay really

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0umzSPyPIzo



I think it'd be cool if they brought back the ability to "swim". Nothing really wrong with it either, it was just a mistake on Yuji's part anyways.

Edited by Red Cap-Blue Spikes, 09 February 2012 - 02:18 PM.

[Jayhawker30]

Sonic doesn't swim.

He runs on water. Like Athletic Jesus.

[Blue Blood]

I think it'd be cool if they brought back the ability to "swim". Nothing really wrong with it either, it was just a mistake on Yuji's part anyways.

Don't get what your point is with Colours. Sonic could "swim" in that game, but really only because the underwater areas were designed with the drill in mind. From a character design perspective it's the one thing stopping Sonic from being perfect with no weaknesses, while from a gameplay perspective is means the game doesn't suddenly change upon entering water as well as leaves things to be different for other characters. Win-win.

Edited by HYDROCITEE, 09 February 2012 - 06:49 PM.

[N'Dea Davenport]

There's absolutely no reason for Sonic to be able to swim. It's not needed for gameplay really, and is pretty much his only weakness. Just stick to running and jumping and leave the swimming to Tails and Knuckles.

Underwater access will open up the levels by allowing more exploration but of course it should not be overused and come at the expense of the running and jumping which should remain the priority in Sonic gameplay. Instead of swimming what if some kind of vehicle or fish was introduced that Sonic can hold on to the back of and the player controls that instead, similar to the koopa Shells in Mario Galaxy except make it temporary and difficult to find. I have always enjoyed the experience of underwater physics in Sonic games and the different approach required to platforming so I absolutely want that to remain but adding this extra element can be a reward for players willing to look around and also add some speed to these sections.

Tails and Knuckles have not been playable since Sonic '06 and while I cannot predict the future I think they will only be playable in side quests, missions and challenges in future games.

[Red Cap-Blue Spikes]

Don't get what your point is with Colours. Some could "swim" in that game, but really only because the underwater areas were designed with the drill in mind.

Well, it was moreso the fact that Sonic could actually swim in that game, but it also allows for more open underwater levels. So basically, what neez said. And it would also get rid of Sonic Teams excuse for not allowing Sonic to go underwater in 3D, becuase they seem to like that.

[Semi-colon e]

I dunno about vehicles, maybe as a level specific gimmick like the swimming scuba... thing that Sonic had in Triple Trouble. Say for example a vehicle in a more mechanised water level like the example in Tidal Plant.

I liked the infinite jumping in Aquarium Park, but I dunno if it would be that fun or effective in 3D. Speaking thus, we really need underwater sections in 3D again. I loved Chemical Plant in Generations but imagine how cool it would have been if the skydiving section had Sonic dive into a vast underwater 3D chemical mayhem, followed by a 3D water rising section. Or even 3D water running sections where you're not worrying about dying every second (Hi, Jungle Joyride Day!). I loved Aquarium Park but in Generations I felt the underwater sections were mostly really bland, perhaps because the only fully dedicated water level (Seaside Hill Act 1) had some really boring platforming underwater and then the rest was trying to be Hydrocity without the effectiveness (but I still enjoy the level anyway as there's a lot of paths and a multi-tiered system like Aquatic Ruin).

Edited by Semi-colon e, 09 February 2012 - 02:41 PM.

[eboni]

Sonic not being able to swim was always a great character flaw to me. It's not a fatal flaw, but it gives him personality.

Think about it? Wasn't it just adorable when that genie chick (whose name I've forgotten) in Secret Rings says, "What's wrong Sonic? Can't you swim?" She has such an air of mirth when she says it. They can continue to play on that weakness!

That thing he did in Colors was just weird. Maybe they were going to the exploration route but all I thought was, "Why is Sonic swimming?! He can't swim!"

[Diogenes]

I think...that swimming would actually limit Sonic. The swimming in Colors, whether it's the infinite jumps or the drill, didn't really benefit the gameplay. It just led to a lot of empty space, with one fast way to travel through it (the drill) and one slow way (jumping). And the root of Sonic's gameplay is in interacting with the ground; if you can swim, you aren't doing that.

[JezMM]

I think maybe giving Sonic like, 3 additional jumps in water (so Colours-esque but without COMPLETE freedom) would be interesting enough to change-up the gameplay without it being COMPLETELY different, nor just "slow Sonic" underwater.

God though, frankly I just want 3D water sections in any form.

[VizardJeffhog]

Instead of having the loveably hydrophobic Sonic being coerced into actually swimming and going against the basic elements of his character, how about SEGA just reintroduces the characters who can swim?

We're off to Tails for one, so we're good there.

[VEDJ-F]

Just so long as he still can run across water for those of us who hate going underwater, period.

[Sion-Ta]

I've actually been musing about the idea of Sonic swimming over the last few days because what better ways to spend my time.

I think something similar to the swimming mechanics in the old Spyro games would work pretty nicely with the current gameplay. Essentially its the boost, only you can maneuver up and down (and all around). It's pretty fun stuff, and probably the only instance of swimming in a video game that I would actually consider enjoyable. XD

[VEDJ-F]

Although not like the swimming mechanics in Spyro 1. In that game, touching any water = death. I don't think Sonic is that bad at swimming unless you count Unleashed.

[Vertekins]

"Sonic doesn't swim because he can't, not because he's afraid of water" has always been BS to me. Water is consistently been said to be Sonic's greatest weakness and it also happens to be a great hinderance, so I see no reason whatsoever as to why he wouldn't try to actively overcome that weakness. The only reason as to why he won't swim is because of Aquaphobia preventing him from learning to.

Sonic's run-in's with water strongly imply fear as well as shame. Fear in SatBK's Camelot Castle and SatSR's Dinosaur Jungle and shame when he leads off on his answer to Brenda in Unleashed concerning his weakness.

I don't want Sonic to swim in the games because it goes against that very long established inability and it makes him less perfect. It makes you respect water that much more as an obstacle too.

[VEDJ-F]

If he was afraid of water, he wouldn't launch himself face-first into it. In the games, he doesn't show the slightest bit of apprehension about approaching it. Contrast with Blaze, who does show fear of heights in Sonic Rush (despite also being pretty fearless) and also in the CGI trailer for Mario and Sonic London (which I believe Hunter had as his avatar for a while).