187 replies to this topic

[Barry the Nomad]

Given that Episode Metal is being touted as its own episode, a side-story if you will, I thought it would be a good idea to give the episode its own topic.

The factz:
• Metal Sonic is playable
• Episode Metal is a reworked Episode 1
• The episode is a lock-on bonus for those who have both episodes
• Ken promises that the episode will bridge Sonic CD and 4, and will follow the rebirth of Metal Sonic
•There will be four exclusive levels

So, what are all y'alls thoughts on the potential story and zone structure?

I think the promise of "four exclusive levels" is a bit confusing. Do they mean the four episode 1 zones, which are reworked, will be the exclusive levels? In that sense, they should say "four exclusive zones". Or do they mean that one of the four zones will be new, and it will contain four new acts aka "levels"?

Personally, I think the stage progression will go: Stardust Speedway (four new levels/acts) -> Splash Hill -> Lost Labyrinth -> Mad Gear

I just can't see Casino Street working in a Metal Sonic story. He's not there to goof off, he's on a mission. Just what is that mission? Well, the Sonic 4 website notes this in the story section: "What was Dr. Eggman searching for in the Lost Labyrinth? What was Mad Gear built for?". I think the episode will kick off with Eggman returning to Little Planet upon its yearly reappearance.

Following Sonic CD, Metal was defeated and left deactivated on the planet. When Sonic saved the planet, it disappeared for a year. The following year, after the events of the Death Egg Saga, the planet returned with the deactivated Metal on the surface. Eggman returned, reactivated him and sent him on a mission. Assuming Stardust Speedway makes a return, Metal must first make his way through that Zone to get off Little Planet. Next, he races through Splash Hill, either to follow Sonic or because it leads to Lost Labyrinth. Assuming Casino Street is not in the game, Metal jumps to Lost Labyrinth to find something for Eggman that he failed to find the first time due to Sonic's interference. Maybe something Time Stone or Little Planet related? Finally, Metal speeds through Mad Gear, again on some sort of mission. I assume it'll be Death Egg related. Perhaps Mad Gear is the construction site and launch base of the Death Egg parts that will be built around Little Planet?

Well, until we hear more, thats all just my speculation. What do you all think?

(I think the whole "free" vs "bonus" discussion can be avoided, it's just a waste of time)

[Megumi Hayashibara]

Metal Sonic is our (over)lord and commander, he has to be fun. Neo Metal Sonic mode for all Chaos Emeralds hopefully?

[MarcelloF]

I'm guessing the 4 exclusive levels are just a new act from each of Episode 1's Zones, Stardust Speedway being just for the cutscene and Episode 2. Those 4 acts being the only levels in the game.

Edited by MarcelloF, 06 April 2012 - 01:27 PM.

[Indigo Rush]

It sounds like the 4 exclusive "levels" are just there to replace the boss acts in Episode 1, since, well, fighting Dr Eggman wouldn't make much sense.

Also, not gonna hold my breath for any physics changes to Episode 1.

[Hogfather]

Yeah I mentioned this last night, was going to make a topic then decided against it.

This is what I saidwhich is more or less whats said in the OP.

I think the issue of Lock On is misleading, which is why some people are getting the wrong idea about it. To me, this sounds like it's own stand alone story as apposed to 'play as Metal Sonic in episode 1.' It's wrong to think of this like that, yes it uses episode 1 assests, from the whole 2 zones we've seen, but this looks and sounds like it's own stand alone story as apposed to an extra character to run as.

It does seem to be segas attempt to bridge the gap between Sonic CD and this game so I am quite interested in seeing what they'll do with it.

Also I'm quite curious to see what will happen to the boss fights, so far the story seems to show Eggman bringing Metal Sonic back to life, so if he then ends each zone fighting Eggman... the shark might be limbering up.

[Felix]

My body is ready.

[Hybrid]

It wouldn't surprise me if this is where Metal Sonic got the bad happened of betraying Dr. Eggman started from. I am curious on how this one plays out though.

[Cola]

Right, I'll be analyzing the game from a single screenshot. Watch what this can tell us.



Ok

-Metal Sonic is playable
-Episode 2 HUD is used
-There is a dashpad ON TOP OF A LOOP
-This is revolutionary
-I cannot wait to see what Dimps does next
-Perhaps a loop ON TOP OF A DASHPAD
-Plastic grass
-Metal Sonic is playable

So, as you can see, Dimps has made many an improvement.

in all seriousness i'm looking forward to seeing what they've done

maybe TWO dashpads on top of a loop

[Mykonos]

As you pointed out in the other thread Barry, this is kinda technically Metal Sonic's own game, which I think is really cool. I know most people think Metal Sonic is some over-rated deity to the fanbase, but it seems as of late they're giving the character some purpose and relevance, which will hopefully help to justify liking the character even more.

And as I just posted in the other thread (didn't know there was a topic for Episode Metal :v ), outside of Rivals this is the first time Metal Sonic will be playable in a 2-D Sonic game. Combine those two points alongside retroactively giving Episode I some plot significance and you can finally color me excited for Episode II.

EDIT: And as Blue Blood just replied to me in the other thread, if you don't want to count SADX's bonus skin and SA2's multiplayer, this is technically the first time Metal has been playable in a main title period.

Edited by Mykonos, 06 April 2012 - 02:22 PM.

[Kamicciolo]

One thing I did find rather peculiar from the reveal trailer was the clip of Metal Sonic in Lost Labyrinth. All we see is him quickly surging with energy. Unless it turns out to be a cutscene of sorts, what are the chances that it's actually a special move which could perhaps be Metal's equivalent to Sonic and Tails' combo roll move, since Metal Sonic would presumably be available in Episode 2 stages as well (that has been confirmed hasn't it, or it is something I've mistaken for confirmed?)

...In fact I just considered something...maybe the only reason they were able to make Metal Sonic playable was based on assets from the "reveal" scene in Episode 1. that might explain how Metal Sonic was feasible and Tails wasn't (since Tails made no show at all in Episode 1 and all). Then again chances are likely the Metal Sonic thing in episode 1 was probably just a picture and nothing more...but you never know.

Anyway I'm happy to see Metal getting more spotlight, he's been quite underused up until recently

[Barry the Nomad]

Metal could go two ways: either he's on a solo mission and fights Eggman along the way, only teaming up with him at the end of Episode Metal which leads into episode 2 OR they get creative and give us four new bosses. I think they're just going to have the Eggman battles again, I can't imagine what sort of "new bosses" they'd create, unless they're natural enemies like the Stone Guardian from Sonic & Knuckles.

I'd actually love to see a Lost Labyrinth stone warrior, but I doubt they'd do that.

[ArtFenix]

I wonder why would he fight Eggman? Doesn't make much sense, yeah.

[Octarine]

Metal could go two ways: either he's on a solo mission and fights Eggman along the way, only teaming up with him at the end of Episode Metal which leads into episode 2 OR they get creative and give us four new bosses. I think they're just going to have the Eggman battles again, I can't imagine what sort of "new bosses" they'd create, unless they're natural enemies like the Stone Guardian from Sonic & Knuckles.

The Egg Robo from Knuckles' story in S3&K was never actually destroyed onscreen, was it~?

[Kamicciolo]

The Egg Robo from Knuckles' story in S3&K was never actually destroyed onscreen, was it~?

It was. Mecha Sonic tore right through it and it's Egg Mobile when it tried to kill Knuckles

[Azure Yakuzu]

I wonder why would he fight Eggman? Doesn't make much sense, yeah.

Metal Sonic: You son of a bitch, you left me to die.


Eggman: The world was collapsing, I had no choice.

[Diogenes]

This would be great if there were any chance of it being fun.

The Egg Robo from Knuckles' story in S3&K was never actually destroyed onscreen, was it~?

Looks pretty destroyed to me.

[Barry the Nomad]

One thing I did find rather peculiar from the reveal trailer was the clip of Metal Sonic in Lost Labyrinth. All we see is him quickly surging with energy. Unless it turns out to be a cutscene of sorts, what are the chances that it's actually a special move which could perhaps be Metal's equivalent to Sonic and Tails' combo roll move, since Metal Sonic would presumably be available in Episode 2 stages as well (that has been confirmed hasn't it, or it is something I've mistaken for confirmed?)

I don't think Metal will be playable in Episode 2, just Episode Metal aka Episode 1 Remixed.

I'd assume the move we see in the trailer is him pulling off a Maximum Overdrive attack. Either this is his equivalent of going Super OR it's a special move that he has OR its a cutscene.

[Kamicciolo]

Ah OK, I dunno where I got the idea but I was thinking under the assumption that if Metal was able to play in the Episode 2 stages that he'd need moves similar to Sonic and Tails' combo moves to get through certain areas (unless those were simply closed off and Metal soon other routes or something).

I do wonder though, if today we'll get a blog post from Sega or something "official" annoucing it, and giving up a little more detail (and maybe a screen or two).

[Barry the Nomad]

I think the original TSS news post incorrectly said it was both episodes, thus why some people think both episodes have playable Metal.

I actually think it would have been funny to see Metal forcing Tails to play co-op with him. I'd imagine the computer controlled Tails would look sad and would occasionally hesitate when Metal calls upon him.

[Octarine]

It was. Mecha Sonic tore right through it and it's Egg Mobile when it tried to kill Knuckles

Looks pretty destroyed to me.

Well, shit. Totally forgot about that.

...and I was trying to set up for someone to make a joke about how the S4 website got Knuckles' story from S3&K wrong, too. Duuuuurp.

This would be great if there were any chance of it being fun.

Basically this, anyway. I like the idea of Sonic 4 actually being given some kind of a story, and I especially like the thought of the classics being brought together into a semi-cohesive narrative, but from a gameplay standpoint I can't say I care that much. Metal's alright, but he's not a character I'd ever have asked for, and if this episode still plays like E1 I don't expect even the brand-new levels to be much good.

Edited by Octarine, 06 April 2012 - 03:02 PM.