205 replies to this topic

[sonfan1984]

I think they could also benefit from rethinking the characters and storytelling (again); they've shied away from anything too serious after '06/Unleashed, and that was a good move, but they've settled into something bland and lifeless.

I don't agree that Generations is bland and lifeless, there's love and effort put into it. It just feels way too safe.

[Stritix]

I used to look forward to the music, the story, character development, etc. Nowadays all we get is half decent gameplay.

[sonfan1984]

^And the music.

[Rusty Spy]

I'm of the opinion that SEGA needs to, or are probably, gonna make some bold moves in the near future.

If not a revamp of the core gameplay (most logically dialing back towards the Adventure/Classics formula), then bigger story and character focus, something that'd grab peoples attention.

[Azure Yakuzu]

They need to start taking risks again, they're so damn apprehensive about having backlash, but its only hurting them in the long run.


Stop. Sucking. and actually make good on your ideas, I mean how hard is it to have an ambitous idea that doesn't go against the context of the series and is developed to its fullest ability? The current games, while incredibly fun in their own right, are really nothing special that hasn't been seen before; Unleashed was a racer with a God of War esc brawling, Colors is 80% generic 2D platforming, and Generations is just a retread at best. notice how almost none of this stands out to the public.

Ratchet & Clank is a third person shooter/platformer hybrid with some quirky weapons(and surprisingly well written stories), Jak & Daxter is a post apocalyptic world on the brink of destruction(in stark contrast to the first game, and its praised for it), and Mario has a legacy of great games on his side.

Not only is Sonic's reputation still sour, his games aren't exactly "appealing" I mean when you look at Sonic, what draws you in? People expect to go fast in a Sonic game, but that's all the last three games have been "Speed, Speed, and more speed" and that gets boring after a while, you want something refreshing; How can I use the level to go fast, what is the best route for me to take, and how can I use Sonic's abilities to do so. Players should be involved in the gameplay, have them think about their next move.


I think Sonic has the potential to be a best seller; despite his shaky reputation, he does have a legacy almost as big as Mario's and Sega should use that to their advantage. But right now, Sonic is just another platformer that goes fast as far as the public is concerned, and its going to continue unless Sega actually grow some balls and take a chance be it with stories, gameplay, characters, you name it, and not fuck it up.

Edited by The Batman, 12 May 2012 - 06:24 PM.

[743-E.D. Missile]

They need to start taking risks again, they're so damn apprehensive about having backlash, but its only hurting them in the long run.


Stop. Sucking. and actually make good on your ideas, I mean how hard is it to have an ambitous idea that doesn't go against the context of the series and is developed to its fullest ability? The current games, while incredibly fun in their own right, are really nothing special that hasn't been seen before; Unleashed was a racer with a God of War esc brawling, Colors is 80% generic 2D platforming, and Generations is just a retread at best. notice how almost none of this stands out to the public.

Ratchet & Clank is a third person shooter/platformer hybrid with some quirky weapons(and surprisingly well written stories), Jak & Daxter is a post apocalyptic world on the brink of destruction(in stark contrast to the first game, and its praised for it), and Mario has a legacy of great games on his side.

Not only is Sonic's reputation still sour, his games aren't exactly "appealing" I mean when you look at Sonic, what draws you in? People expect to go fast in a Sonic game, but that's all the last three games have been "Speed, Speed, and more speed" and that gets boring after a while, you want something refreshing; How can I use the level to go fast, what is the best route for me to take, and how can I use Sonic's abilities to do so. Players should be involved in the gameplay, have them think about their next move.


I think Sonic has the potential to be a best seller,; despite his shaky reputation, he does have a legacy almost as big as Mario's and Sega should use that to their advantage. But right now, Sonic is just another platformer that goes fast as far as the public is concerned, and its going to continue unless Sega actually grow some balls and take a chance be it with stories, gameplay, characters, you name it, and not fuck it up.

Well, I hope you guys have a few spare centuries to wait, because the really crappy media and Sonic Team thenselves is not gonna let Sonic be anything except safe.

Edited by Enigmatus, 12 May 2012 - 06:28 PM.

[Diogenes]

I don't agree that Generations is bland and lifeless, there's love and effort put into it.

Where?

Unleashed, I could see. There's settings based on all different parts of the world, tons of unique NPCs many with their own little arcs, the freshest look at Sonic's gameplay in years (in spite of the fact that I feel it's bad for the series), and all kinds of little details, collectibles, side missions, etc.

Even Colors had some of the most unique settings in the series and a new take on the storytelling (to questionable effect).

Generations...had a bunch of remixes? It's a bunch of prettied-up old levels with a story thinner than Colors' to string them together. It's not horrible, but it's just sort of...there.

Well, I hope you guys have a few spare centuries to wait, because the really crappy media is not gonna let Sonic be anything except safe.

"The Media" does not make the games. Obviously Sega would be foolish to ignore what people say completely, but in the end they decide what they make.

[Azure Yakuzu]

Well, I hope you guys have a few spare centuries to wait, because the really crappy media is not gonna let Sonic be anything except safe.

They need to stop letting the media dictate their actions, because its either: A. We stick with the current style of games, and people just eventually forget about Sonic in general. B. Sega takes a chance, and actually redefine what Sonic is, and the media loves them for it. or C. Sega take a chance, fuck it up, and Sonic will be hated for yet another decade.

[sonfan1984]

I wonder the audience that SEGA is trying to appeal to [mostly the media and non-fans] still went out and brought Colors, Sonic 4 and Generations even when SEGA is trying to make the games as inoffensive as possible (Sonic only, no playable characters, very little story, short cutscenes, etc).

[Azure Yakuzu]

I wonder the audience that SEGA is trying to appeal to [mostly the media and non-fans] still went out and brought Colors, Sonic 4 and Generations even when SEGA is trying to make the games as inoffensive as possible (Sonic only, no playable characters, very little story, short cutscenes, etc).

They probably did and just forgot about it. They're getting praise but for all of the wrong reasons; we should not be praising the lack of ambition on Sega's part, we should be criticizing it. There's no reason why anyone can't like the recent string of games and still say "Hey Sega, step it up will you?"

[743-E.D. Missile]

I know this is kinda off topic, but what exactly would be considered "ambiitious" with Sonics' gameplay? I can't really think of any...

[y cant solkia crawl]

Put the discs in Gears of War cases.

[Azure Yakuzu]

I know this is kinda off topic, but what exactly would be considered "ambiitious" with Sonics' gameplay? I can't really think of any...

Actually implementing a gameplay mechanic beyond a boost button, that's not a cheap tacked on gimmick.

Having other characters beside Sonic as a playable character with diverse, but still fairly similar gameplay.

Less convoluted, yet still interesting stories.

Edited by The Batman, 12 May 2012 - 06:54 PM.

[Diogenes]

I know this is kinda off topic, but what exactly would be considered "ambiitious" with Sonics' gameplay? I can't really think of any...

Doing something besides "Superfast Dodgeamatron" with some token platforming thrown in. The funny thing is that Sonic actually started with a really clever mechanic that they basically excised completely over time.

[Komodin]

Actually implementing a gameplay mechanic beyond a boost button.

Having other characters beside Sonic as a playable character.

Interesting stories.

He said "ambitious," mon, not "stuff that's been done before, to questionable effect."

[Jetronic]

Ignore the reviewers, surprise them thinking the title is for them with hidden goodies being for the fans. I mean, you can only play it safe for so long before people tire of that and just move on.

Another thing I want to mention if there's going to be another adventure style title like Unleashed, have something special at the very start of the game. Arcade mode and Adventure mode, Arcade being for those who just want to get through the game and adventure for those that actually like doing the adventuring.

Also the Unleashed hubs were nice.

[Azure Yakuzu]

He said "ambitious," mon, not "stuff that's been done before, to questionable effect."

Those ideas were at least ambitious on their part and showed they wanted to do something different, even if most of those ideas were done to a questionable effect. The solution here is don't suck, and try to turn Sonic into something he isn't.

You can still be ambitious without changing what the series stands for.

Edited by The Batman, 12 May 2012 - 06:53 PM.

[Steve]

I think we're all forgetting one thing here

The voice actors effect everything. If the voices aren't right then the physics aren't right. How can you be so blind? Ryan Drummond is the key to Sonic's success and nothing else.

Spoiler

If you took that seriously I feel bad for you

Personally I don't think Sonic has done anything right since 2001 and Generations was the first Sonic game since then to really get my attention. I still play it after the 6 months it's been out and that's extremely rare for me. Bringing back Classic Sonic was a brilliant move, but the game really shines with the modern gameplay finally encouraging exploration. The controls still need a lot of work.

They just really have to get that Dreamcast attitude they had and stop with this overly nice approach to Sonic. I miss when they were really trying to push Sonic to be the best he can be.

[Alexander]

I really don't know how to answer this question. It just seems like the only people buying Sonic games, are Sonic fans. It doesn't seem like Sonic is something a casual gamer is interested in anymore. Using my friends as an example, they're all into... I don't wanna say "mainstream" games, but games that are considered "big releases". Things like Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, etc. Despite that, those that own a Wii or DS will usually pick up newer Mario games. Even when they hear of a new Sonic game from me, it's always "oh, that looks cool. I'll probably just play it at your house or something". k.

I think the reason Sonic might not sell all that well (at least, with people in my generation) is because of a lack of presence during the 5th video game generation, which was when a lot of people my age started to really get into gaming. With pretty much everyone I know, Sonic isn't all that nostalgic to them. Either they played it on the Genesis at a friends house at a young age, or they were introduced to it when it appeared on a Nintendo system. With almost everyone I know around my age, they always say that their most fond video game memories are with the N64, or original PlayStation. Hell, almost all of my friends have no idea what the fuck a Sega Saturn is. Like I said, though, this is just what I see with people I know that are around my age, so these "statistics" here might not mean a whole lot in the long run.

[Diogenes]

but the game really shines with the modern gameplay finally encouraging exploration.

When did this happen?