The Sonic Generations Stages:Then and now

[KHCast]

So Sonic generations has been out for awhile now So I'm gonna attempt to compare each of the Stages in the game(including bosses) to their original counterparts. You people can also throw in your two cents. It's going to be describing each of the stages from a Visual/atmospheric, Gameplay and Musical perspective. I won't be doing the 3ds since I haven't played it. so if someone else wants to try, go ahead. So with that, lets start!

Visual: Green hill zone always looked cartoony and unreal. From it's purple rocks to it's checkered dirt. It felt so natural and open even on a 2d plane. Re-imagined in Generations, Green hill hasn't derived from what made it Sonic's iconic location. In fact, it's better! The atmosphere feels not only cartoonish, but filled with life, excitement, wackyness and filled. Nothing about this level feels empty. Even the badniks are filled with life in this stage! Classic's I would say feels more faithful and natural compared to moderns, but they both do a great Job at representing visual wise what green hill was.

Music: Green hill's music is among the most well known Sonic tracks, Hell even Gaming tracks in history. So the fact that the song for classic Sonic, instead of completely re-doing like modern, they added instruments to fill the music with more of that nostalgia just got me in a positive way. it still sounds like green hill yet fresh at the same time. Modern's take at this as well feels like Green hill. Just with Modern Sonic's take on it. It's fast, exciting and still classic sounding somewhat. So I love what they did here.

Gameplay:Gameplay wise....Green hill to me doesn't seem to stand up that well. Classic green hill I found okay as a tutorial stage. But as green hill? Not so much. Something besides the length just felt missing. It was overall a okay introduction to the game, while making me want more.

Moderns is another story however. It seemed more of a basic "learn how to boost" level. Which was not thrilling. They had dumbed down green hill into a "It's the first level so therefore super easy" kind of stage. I mean look at all those hills just begging for exploration. Exploration doesn't make the level any more challenging people. So from a gameplay perspective, no, green hill did not satisfy.

Visual: Chemical plant a good looking stage. It was okay. But it didn't honestly make me feel like I was in a big industrial factory. Now in generations! Oh boy! To say this level is gorgeous would be a understatement. This level takes "eye candy" and cranks it up to 100x. It's just awesome. It actually for both versions Made me feel like I was impacting the area around me. Not only that but i felt as if I was in a huge factory. The addition of the place exploding and the Crimson sky was a very welcomed addition. It also kept the set pieces we knew and loved. The blue bubble things, the tubes, the badniks, the pink water, all there and HDeffied. Not to mention how glossy everything looks!

Music:Honestly I never found Chemical plants original music that good. It sounded Sonic-y yes, but not that memorable compared to other tracks. Generations Classic while I found better still lacked something. I loved the fact that they somehow made it feel kinda 80's like though. Modern chemical plant. Yes. I loved it. I just loved the energy, the fastness, the bass, everything. I found this to be a excellent track.

Gameplay: Chemical plant classic was known for one thing. Speed. Seriously, that is the only reason I play that level. Classic sonic seems to focus on lots of platforming+speed action. Which I'm fine with. Staying faithful to the original. I kinda though wished some more of that crazy speed that was in the original was there. But that's where Modern comes in. That level is literally the Adrenaline of the entire game. It's fast paced. It's pretty linear, but has it's share of platforming. I also love how Modern sonic is basically destroying the place. Overall I love both Classic and Moderns versions better than the original.

Visual:In sonic 3 and Knuckles we were introduced to Sky Sanctuary. The level was outstanding from a visual perspective. The ruins and floating items from the background were graphically surreal. the level really made you feel as if you were floating. And of course, the Yellow ruins. Now Generations versions of this level*Foam coming from the mouth* Uhh...yeah the level is amazing. The Vegetation in his level is everywhere. It feels so natural and open. With the Ruins crumbling, the vegetation taking over, covering the ruins the ruins themselves. Oh and the freaking birds! yes there are birds around the level.(Nice touch sega) Little nods like the grapes and hidden palace were also welcome as well. The shading in this level was also done nicely. So this is definitely a faithful remastering of the original.

Music: The original music never left anything on me. It was another Sonic Song, okay. that seemed to be all. It also kinda got on my nerves. Classic's version as similar as it sounds, I seem to really like. I can't explain it. Probably the added instruments? Moderns version really reflects on the stage itself. Natural, beautiful,etc. A interesting take in the music.

Gameplay: Original SS was honesty boring. It didn't feel like a true real level. It mainly felt like a "HEY! RUN A LITTLE AND THEN FIGHT A BUNCH OF BOSSES!" It wasn't a horrible level. just boring. So I was happy that they made it a actual level. Now that doesn't mean I didn't want some Mecha Sonic fighting going on I would have loved him to be some sort of threat in the level, so his absence is a tad depressing. Although both modern and classic Sonic's versions wowed me. Both had plenty of routes to find to get better times, new and old gimmicks from the stage made their appearance,and moderns Sonic's openness in that stage was outstanding! Good job Sega!

Visual: Wow. Seriously wow. Generations had turned a "average looking" city stage at night into a neo-lit busy bustin city with things goin on everywhere! Yes at dawn didn't show up, but the life that was in the city I think makes up for that. The addition of a mall surprised me. But I liked it. The references through posters and whatnot around the city is always a good way to make me smile! This is seriously one purty stage!

Music:Classic Speed highway actually got more treatment this time! And it was amazing! It was perfect! It deserves all my UHFIAHFAIFS!!! I find myself dancing to this song all the time!

It's so Techno and catchy! Modern....Is bad. Not in the sense that it burns my ears. no, it's just that they took no effort to actually do anything to it. It sounds the same as the original. It still sounds rockin, but It makes me sad that nothing was done with it.

Gameplay: I'm gonna get this out of the way. The original was boring imo. I couldn't like it. Nothing seemed exciting. Moderns while a straight line through 90% seemed to fit since you were on a highway. That seemed to be the free pass for a linear sonic level. it worked. Classic was also fun, while putting the main focus on platforming.

Visual:While the stage does look better than it's original, It seems to just play it safe. It honestly has got to be the blandest looking stage in the game to me. Nothing really stands out that catches my eye, bar the truck. Everything is just really plain looking. I do however like the references scattered throughout the level. I prefer the original version I think.

Music: Again, this stage seems pretty okayish with it's music. Classics is interesting and Moderns just seems to put that "FAST AND ROCKIN!" impression on you. I like the added lyrics but it doesn't change my thoughts on the music. Still okay, and far from bad.

Gameplay:*sigh* I'll say this once more. Pretty safe and basic. It's platforming for both seems very blocky and nothing really is memorable. The snowboard section seems to take up a third of Moderns level. Which I didn't like. I like the park section. loved it actually. Very open yet you knew where to go. The truck chase sequence for modern wasn't also that special. Classics kinda surprised me every where and now. Overall the stage is "meh."

Visual:OH GOD! OH GOD THIS STAGE! This stage has got to be the most amazing looking stage in the game next to 1 other I will talk about. It's so flourished and natural. the ruins and the natural world seem to mesh so well to each other. it's also huge! The water visuals are also a amazment. Even though it's basically a green hill 2.0, I appreciate that they were able to differentiate the two levels. The level seems very full, and the life in this world, robot and real, really help out! the tree's flowers, soil, sky, etc. just astonish me with how well they were able to take this level after All stars racing and re-pretty it. I mean in heroes it was a amazing stage to look at, but here....

Music:I loved seaside hills music in heroes,It's a classic tune, but I preferred Ocean palaces more. So it disappointed me this was considered seaside hill. Although, i loved the mix of ocean palace in moderns version. Aside from that Moderns was barely touched. Yet, I still loved it.strange.:/ Classics version I hated. I honestly didn't like it. It seemed like a fan remix. It just felt to me way to different. Ugh... Yeah so music is half and half.

Gameplay:This level is the definition of open world, with modern gameplay. Seriously. I loved every second of paying this stage. Crap tons better than the heroes version. In heroes it had lots of stuff to do in it. But generations due to better gameplay took the win here. It had so many paths, and the karts and turtles were a amazing add! I liked the fact that they mixed the two stages(Seaside hill and Ocean palace). I play this stage the most I think. The multiple routes astounded me. Classic's version was to blocky for my tastes. I mean yay, platforming, boo, generic.

Visual:Now that we're getting into the more modern games, it's pretty obvious that less changes visually will be done. Not saying no changes are being done however. Crisis city plainly and obviously borrows assets from 06, but also changes much to fit with the overall cartoonishness of the game. While still seeming like a apocalyptic doomed future, It adds some of that magic that the recent entries have had and makes it and it's demon critters seem less serious. I mean it looks pretty different from 06 Crisis city even though it borrows some stuff. Oh and the Tornado looks amazing! atmosphere wise I still feel like i'm in hell.

Music:I prefer both versions to the original. I don't need to think twice. I know I like it better. And I liked that version. Modern however has got to be my favorite track in the whole game. It takes the drastic, heart pounding tone of the original and adds some modern Sonic touch and makes it epic and fast while still drastic and doom sounding. Plus the violins just sell it for me. I'M A SUCKER FOR VIOLINS!

Classic Sonic's version while drastically different is still awesome. Yes no violin, but we do get a awesome guitar player(jun lookin at you!) to do it. The drums, guitar and other instrument really bring the stage for classic to life. The solo was the best part of that song!

Gameplay:Yeah we al know 06's version is ultimate crap so I won't really explain it. I will say however both Generations versions are better in every way. They have become my favorite stages in the game. Moderns makes me feel as if I have to hurry and get away! Classics just makes me look at the destroyed city while while exploring it. Yes classic's I've heard is difficult to some, but i honestly fin it fun to speedrun. It's got some blocky platforming yes, but that last section while a troll move, Is the best part of generations for me!

I do wish however they used more things from the stage itself to effect your experience in the level. And perhaps a snowboard section.

Visual: Really nothing has been changed that much. It feels more welcoming and cheerful with the party themed twist being added. The absence of life is sad however. but it still feels very exciting.

Music:Classic's version of this kicks the originals butt so hard to me. i mean wow! Just.... It is VERY different from the original, yet still working at the same time. It works very well with the overall theme of the stage. Moderns is also amazing. The violins once again did it for me.

Gameplay:Rooftop run original was very linear. That was a occuring problem in Unleashed. But I did love generations versions. Classic was long and very blocky in some parts but I ended up enjoying. Moderns was very short yet pretty platform heavy. While still great stages, I do wish that the speed aspect from unleashed was there.

Visual: It's beautiful. Seriously. Best looking stage in the series. If you thought it was amazing in the original. You'll crap your pants when you see this. So lush, and vibrant and colorful and...wait what? The factory section returns.Ugh...and then in turns into bland factory stage once you enter eggmans factory. Nothing really special about that part. Overall pretty at the beginning but after that pretty basic.and no pa's! but...DANCING WISPS!

Music: the music blows both ways to me compared to the original. Moderns sounds like a midi file version of the original with some things cut out. Classics is a interesting bad future like version of the music. but still prefer the originals natural grand sound.

Gameplay: Hate both. Honestly this stage can burn in a wildfire gameplay wise. Moderns beginning 3d section is great. So open so explorable. But once you make it to the factory.BAM! Everything is 2d and blocky and annoying. If I wanted 2d i'd play classic Sonic.It becomes a giant maze and I hate it. Classic's is no better being dragged out to be like 7 minutes long your first time through. And it's sooo blocky! Did i mention that the wisps are both spammed like crap throughout the whole stage? Well they are and it gets annoying.(plus spike wisp is broken) I wish more wisps were usable as well.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Hedgehogs Boost

[---]

The levels are boring to go back to after you beat them, I even get bored of watching internet videos of them. The boost formula just doesn't make for fulfilling gameplay after the first romp or 2 through.

Music is still incredibly awesome, probably the best soundtrack in the series.

[Soniman]

The stages I feel surpass the originals are.

Speed Highway: For being fucking cool and aweome.

Sky Sanctuary: For being a fully developed level

Seaside Hill: For having the best 3D level design in a Sonic game.

Crisis City: For obvious reasons.

Rooftop Run: Better designed, more lively, better music, etc.

And City Escape: For having improved 3D, Streetboarding, and truck chasing.

[MachSpeed]

I love Generations. I consider Sky Sanctuary a slight improvement over the original, aside from the game's physics but who cares?

Edited August 27, 2012 by MachSpeed

[KHCast]

I'll probably do the bosses tomorrow since i'm pretty tired now.

[MachSpeed]

I'll probably do the bosses tomorrow since i'm pretty tired now.

Take a rest man, you have us a good read. I'm saving this as a pdf for when I'm bored on the train xD

[Phos]

Technicolor hallways, and as classic you have strange physics for some reason.

[Eternal EX]

*cleans off hands because hot cheetos are fucking awesome*

Boost, I agree with everything you said minus City escape's modern remix, All of RTR and well that's about it.

City Escape's remix was spectacular. True the stage in general was played VERY SAFE but I wouldn't touch that legendary stage. Back to the remix. My gosh was that spectacular. By far my favorite song in the whole game next to Crisis City classic. How they turned it up and changed it to where it fits in perfect with modern music was amazing. Nothing about it was fucked up.

As for Roof Top Run...That stage got an overhaul. You may not admit it but in generations it became very lively. Balloons everywhere, it just seemed like a huge party. The only thing that screwed that level up was the lack of human/animal life.

And yeah, Planet wisp....eh. It's an amazing level while you are still in the jungle/forest. But once you reach the factory, all the fun is instantly killed. And don't get me started on the classic version. That alone was my most hated level in the game. It was painful to play and all of the fun that the game built up to the point was destroyed.

Speed highway was played pretty safe too if you ask me. Well if you exclude DAWN. The lack of that was actually pleasing to me but it hurt the stage. Modern's remix was basically.....um remastered. That's really it. Now the version that played during the end credits was great. Just like the Crisis city remix that was also played in the credits.

SeaSide Hill is by far the best looking stage in the whole game. Why didn't sega max the visual quality of this game just for that one stage I don't know. It was a perfect modern stage in my opinion. This is hard for me to say since Jungle Joyride is my favorite sonic stage of all time. Nothing in SSH was bad. I mean nothing. The remix, the level design, the visual appearance. Perfect.

[Phos]

Gameplay:This level is the definition of open world, with modern gameplay

I don't see this, like at all.

[Eternal EX]

I don't see this, like at all.

I think he meant according to modern sonic terms.

[Soniman]

It's definitley not open world, but its still well spaces out in a good number of places.

[The drunkard from space!]

I love Generations. I consider Sky Sanctuary a slight improvement over the original, aside from the game's physics but who cares?

I'm sorry but this has to be said. You enjoy SONIC '06! You of all people can't complain about physics!

Anywho. . .

Seaside Hill Modern, that is all.

[MachSpeed]

I'm sorry but this has to be said. You enjoy SONIC '06! You of all people can't complain about physics!

Anywho. . .

Seaside Hill Modern, that is all.

I said 'who cares' about the physics. I never complained.... LOL

S3&K is my favorite game, I love the classics but I'm not one of those people who loses their mind because the physics are different.

Edited August 27, 2012 by MachSpeed

[Phos]

It's definitley not open world, but its still well spaces out in a good number of places.

It really... doesn't. There are a few spots where the level is a bit wider but there's no reason to go there.

[---]

I'm sorry but this has to be said. You enjoy SONIC '06! You of all people can't complain about physics!

Umm...that's not cool, bro. :L

[-Robin-]

Having about 5 different routes to go to in the Turtle section of the stage feels like an enormous step up, and should be implemented more often.

Speaking of Seaside Hill, I think I loved the stage because of its classic and modern themes more than anything else. The stages themselves are spectacular, but I became REALLY enamored by it because of the tune going on. The original Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace themes, I couldn't care less about, and so my perception of the stages in Heroes were rather dull. But in Generations, I felt a great need to explore every nook and cranny of the stages because of how lively the tunes sounded this time around. I loved every second of it.

Same goes for Classic City Escape. I felt a great desire to actually escape from the city because of how the song changed in mood and flow all through it. Much more enjoyable than the original SA2 mix for sure.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Bobbyjosh

[Solkia]

All of them are crap. On my first playthrough, my massive nostalgia boner pulled the wool over my eyes (except Planet Wisp, that level was shit right from the start). Later playthroughs, the nostalgia wore off, and all I saw was crap.

[MachSpeed]

I still love Generations even after my nostalgia wore off a bit. There's nothing like a good run of Modern Chemical Plant or Sky Sanctuary to put you in a good mood.

[Eternal EX]

I still love Generations even after my nostalgia wore off a bit. There's nothing like a good run of Modern City Escape or Speed Highway to put you in a good mood.

Had to correct you.

[Old dead account]

My impressions are mostly positive and I think the Generations levels mostly improved on the originals although it feels a bit unfair to compare for example Classic Speed Highway with the original since the former lacks the all important Z Axis. I'll keep them brief.

Green Hill: I feel that the design of the classic act does slightly surpass the design of the 3 original acts. Its bigger and just feels more meaty. Modern act sucked though, too straight liney and nothing interesting going on. Felt like a tutorial level that prepares you for the real tutorial level.

Chemical Plant: I'm indifferent to its classic act, it felt about the same as the original act 1, yet a bit lesser than the original's act 2 I guess. Modern act was so-so, has a few interesting bits going on but is overall still too straight forward.

Sky Sanctuary: classic act on this one was just plain awesome, a great improvement over the original's single act. More interesting platforming, more paths, just overall a good level. The modern act was a prime example of a good 3D level, big, expansive, multiple routes, a level gimmick that works, it's good for a first level difficulty.

Speed Highway: classic act was pretty interesting, had more platforming than you'd expect a highway to have. Modern was good, but I'm not sure if I can call it an improvement over the original, felt too linear in comparison.

City Escape: the truck gimmick in the classic level is just brilliant, having that thing chase you making get through the place as quickly as possible, or risk getting hit and/or losing the quicker high road because of the destruction it causes. Modern was alright, an improvent but it felt really short though, just one noticeable big new section. The skateboard section was more interesting this time around, which I liked and so was the truck chase.

Seaside Hill: paths, paths, and more paths in the classic level, probably my favorite water level aside from Hydrocity. Modern is the pinnacle of 3D design, open doesn't begin to describe this one and so many paths this time around. it rapes the original so hard.

Crisis City: classic troll post. Nuff said. Modern is a bit disappointing considering it's so linear and coming after Seaside Hill, it's ok I guess. Better than the original though it's not saying much.

Rooftop Run: classic act is fun, especially the clock tower climb. Modern act is improved over the original, it's shorter but wider in that it has more paths and sections, still feels a bit lacking though. I love the lively makeover the town got, Pinkie Pie style!

Planet Wisp: classic act can feel a bit tedious because of all the spike puzzles, but I didn't mind it. Moder is a clear improvement of the originals, although the construction zone can feel disappointing after the amazing forest section in 3D. Truly feels like a waste of potential.

And hell why not talk about bosses too?

Metal Sonic: well the objective of the original was to race him, and this time it's to beat the shit out of him so comparing them feels weird. It's too simple. Doesn't feel like an improvement.

Death Egg Robot: certainly a much more interesting fight rhis time around though, much easier too. Remeber though, the difficulty of the original battle was solely on the fact that you had no rings. So I'm going with this one being an improvement.

Big Arm: this one's in the 3DS, I think it deserves a mention. It tries to grab you again but it has a few new moves this time, I'd say it's improved.

Shadow: the original was just running in a straight path until he let his guard down and you hit him. This you have to collect the chaos orbs to gain power to hurt him. It's an improvement.

Perfect Chaos: much improved from the original, putting some real obsatcles in your way this time rather than a random clusterfuck of tornadoes and beams

Biolizard: 3DS. It's exactly the same as it was originaly except this time you play as Sonic and you have a much more favorable moveset. It's too overly simplified though.

Silver: anything is better than the original. Gotta love how you just leave him lying in a pile of his own trash at the end, and the Silver Got Served acheivement.

Egg Dragoon: This time around you actually dight him as Sonic so of course it's an improvement. It's actually a bitch on hard mode, the only boss that can dish out blows and take them too.

Egg Emperor: once again, an overly simplified version of the original.

[Soniman]

All of them are crap. On my first playthrough, my massive nostalgia boner pulled the wool over my eyes (except Planet Wisp, that level was shit right from the start). Later playthroughs, the nostalgia wore off, and all I saw was crap.

Not sure if serious.

[KHCast]

I don't see this, like at all.

I was more or less referring to the fact that It's probably the best Modern gameplay has been when it comes to open gameplay.

All of them are crap. On my first playthrough, my massive nostalgia boner pulled the wool over my eyes (except Planet Wisp, that level was shit right from the start). Later playthroughs, the nostalgia wore off, and all I saw was crap.

Not even Seaside hill or Sky sanctuary????or rooftop run?

Edited August 27, 2012 by Hedgehogs Boost

[Lady Soniko]

that's all the game is, Nostalgia, and Solkia is right, it is just crap.

doesn't matter if the stages got wider and less linear because the gameplay Modern Sonic has isn't suited for open terrain, it's an on rails boost-a-thon, further proof of this is entering the park area in modern City Escape, you turn in long arcs or use the masses of barriers & grind rails to careen into rather than having Adventure/SA2 gameplay when at low speeds, for such an agile character Sonic handles like a fucking tank and no its not fun.

i'm still bitter as fuck about how much modern roof top sucks compared the original Unleashed version, the only thing i like about RR in Generations is the festival theme, everything else has been broken and nerfed incredibly especially the quick step section in the alleys, is severely broken to the point that sonic doesn't even need to quick step because he just bounces off the walls like rubber bands, and the boost-a-thon ending is boring and lacklustre due to the lack of robots to smash.

[Solkia]

I was annoyed that they even put Sky Sanctuary in in the first place. Ice Cap, Hydrocity, Lava Reef, hell, fucking Sandopolis would have been a better choice.

But that's all dust under the rug now.

I have Unleashed. I'll play Rooftop Run on that. I don't like Generations' version.

Seaside Hill? It's fucking Heroes.

[Endy]

Modern Chemical Planet was Sonic: Directed by Michael Bay.