6510 replies to this topic

[Filno CapBusta]

In case anyone cares G4 has put a video review of generations. It's nothing new but you check it out to see for your self.


http://www.g4tv.com/...meplay-preview/

[Carbo]

I don't feel like translating and writing up the preview, but the new Level mag here in Sweden has an interesting tidbit. Apparently Sonic can explore a hub/open world between levels?

[Scar]

Carbo, on 26 April 2011 - 08:14 PM, said:

I don't feel like translating and writing up the preview, but the new Level mag here in Sweden has an interesting tidbit. Apparently Sonic can explore a hub/open world between levels?

Anything about multiple acts?
Also, if they got some new screenshots, could you please scan them? Somwbody else may then be able to translate them at a later date.

[Carbo]

The text is actually pretty short so I could translate it. It doesn't exactly have anything new, mostly it's just Iizuka musing about the project much like his other interviews. No screenshots that give us news exactly either, just magazine friendly ones with some fun perspectives. Can't scan 'em right now though.

Quote

Sonic is 20 years old. It's easy to forget when you criticize Sega for failed attempts at revival and farfetched attempts at spinoffs. Sonic broke through when platformers were the biggest genre in the world and it was enough to have a cocky face to be categorized as cool and dangerous. Since then the genre has decayed and everything less violent than Grand Theft Auto is viewed as childish. It's hard to keep the prime during said circumstances.

The most surprising thing is that Sonic survived at all. While other platform heroes have come and gone, Sonic still is still an icon. At least that's how Sega-producer Takashi Iizuka thinks we should look at it.

"Sonic deserves to be celebrated. When the first game was released I thought it'd be a dream come true to work with the series. During 2 I was a bug tester, and when Sonic 3 came along I was finally on the team. Ever since then I've almost worked non-stop with Sonic. He's meant so much for me on every conceivable field." - Iizuka

Sonic Generations is one long love letter for the games, levels and velocities. The story revolves around an unknown antagonist that has turned the entire world chalk white. It's up to the modern 3D Sonic to travel back in time to help his 2D counterpart to restore everything to its original state. Together they go through some of the series' most classic levels - all of them having been remade in 2D and 3D versions. For Iizuka this isn't just a matter of nostalgia.

"Truth is, Sonic never has been perfect. The speed has always been the series' advantage, but also a weakness. The earlier games were pure platformers that punished mistakes. It became hard with the high speeds. 3D Sonic in turn has been a lot more adventure-oriented and forgiving, but never had that same sense of speed to them. With Sonic Generations, we're aiming to keep both of the series' strengths while balancing out these weaknesses." - Iizuka

The game obviously begins with Green Hill Zone, where everything began. The two-dimensional version is made from scratch, with HD graphics, altered level design and new tools. But you still control Sonic the exact same way and it's impossible to not feel at home around the checker patterned soil and big sunflowers. The 3D version could have been picked out right from Sonic Adventure. Cranes, rails and other tools that were completely absent in the original game appear, as well as a dark cave where Sonic is chased by a gigantic robot piranha.

"Green Hill Zone was the first level we redesigned. It took ages before it was finished, because we didn't know how we'd update the level and still stay true to the original. Ever since then we've learned. For me it's far more fun to redesign the levels I made long ago. When I see them come to life with modern graphics I get pretty touched. This was exactly how I dreamed of them looking like back then." - Iizuka

If Sonic Team continues with the same linear design that is experienced in Green Hill Zone, Sonic Generations has every shred of potential to be an incredibly worthy comeback. The emerald green jungle kitsch is timeless, the music is as good now as it was back then and Sonic never stops running. While the 2D version retains the original's demand for precision, the 3D version is far more explosive. The camera moves in different angles and Sonic handles most of it on his own. The blend works amazingly. And if you ask Takashi Iizuka, anyone can have fun with Sonic Generations.

"The goal is to bridge the gap that rose between the two Sonic fans. We have on one hand the hardcore fans who think Sonic was at his best during the Mega Drive, and on the other hand those who just discovered Sonic recently. I think we'll be able to capture both with Sonic Generations. The older fans can discover the qualities that were present in the 3D games and maybe our new fans might not even know that Sonic once was two-dimensional. It's an entirely new world opening up." - Iizuka

Picture annotations:
The Green Hill theme now has two new versions. Most different is the 3D version which is very reminiscent of Sonic Adventure's more rock sound.

The Adventure elements that have been around the later Sonic games haven't disappeared completely. Inbetween levels Sonic goes around in an open world looking for the next challenge.

Just like in Sonic Colors it's possible to drift at curves. It makes the 3D levels easier, even with the high tempo.

In order to complete the game you have to finish all 2D and 3D levels. In other words you can't just play through the older or newer levels.

Might have gotten it wrong at some place but fuck it I'm tired.

Edited by Carbo, 26 April 2011 - 09:02 PM.

[Blue Blood]

FUCK YES! Open world/hub world between levels! I don't care what you all say, I love 'em.

Thanks Carbo.

Edited by Blue Blood, 26 April 2011 - 09:04 PM.

[Sion-Ta]

Quote

The Adventure elements that have been around the later Sonic games haven't disappeared completely. Inbetween levels Sonic goes around in an open world looking for the next challenge.

So Hub Worlds are back? ... Very interesting. c:

Hopefully controls won't be nerfed like in Unleashed.

Edited by Sion-Ta, 26 April 2011 - 09:09 PM.

[ChikaBoing]

Interresting stuff, didn't know Izuka was Bug-Tester for Sonic 2, seems like he was involved since the beginning.

And it's good that the Hub-Worlds are back, just have the Entrance stages from Unleashed  I don't see why anyone should complain about it, it's about as intrusive as the Crash Bandicoot Warp Hub.

Edited by ChikaBoing, 26 April 2011 - 09:19 PM.

[Torcano Havoc]

Hubs are back? Cool. Though I think some may not be happy with that.

[Filno CapBusta]

Quote

If Sonic Team continues with the same linear design that is experienced in Green Hill Zone, Sonic Generations has every shred of potential to be an incredibly worthy comeback.

Oh Hell NAW!!

Quote

The Adventure elements that have been around the later Sonic games haven't disappeared completely. Inbetween levels Sonic goes around in an open world looking for the next challenge.

Interesting didn't expect to see hub worlds in generations at all

Edited by Tredent, 26 April 2011 - 09:13 PM.

[Mordecool]

HUBs huh? If that translation is correct, maybe then that will be the place where we'll see some of the characters

[Azukara]

Oh schnap. Hubworlds? Like the Entrance Stages in SUHD or something?

I'm in love.

[KrazyBean14]

Tredent, on 26 April 2011 - 08:00 PM, said:

In case anyone cares G4 has put a video review of generations. It's nothing new but you check it out to see for your self.


http://www.g4tv.com/...meplay-preview/

It does so new stuff! This build has Red Rings...yeah, just ignore this...

Edited by KrazyBean14, 26 April 2011 - 09:38 PM.

[Blue Blood]

Azukara, on 26 April 2011 - 09:18 PM, said:

Oh schnap. Hubworlds? Like the Entrance Stages in SUHD or something?

I'm in love.

Now apart from Entrance Stages being too small to handle Sonic's slipper controls and high speed in Unleashed, they're a pretty perfect hub area. I really hope that's what we have.

There's also the possibility that the 'open world' has something to do with these menus:

[The Batman]

Hubs are back? Sweet.

[BlazingTales]

Tredent, on 26 April 2011 - 08:00 PM, said:

In case anyone cares G4 has put a video review of generations. It's nothing new but you check it out to see for your self.


http://www.g4tv.com/...meplay-preview/

Did you see the parts from 2:59 on? Modern Sonic... platforming! ...In an area not featured in the released footage. Multiple acts confirmed?

Edited by BlazingTales, 26 April 2011 - 09:36 PM.

[Scar]

KrazyBean14, on 26 April 2011 - 09:23 PM, said:

It does so new stuff! This build has Red Rings.

Nope those were there in the older preveiws as well, they're just hard to notice because you're going so damn fast. They're still showing us stock footage.

[Dissident]

If they can make Sonic control better at slow speeds, I'm fine with it. Sure, he was slowed down in Unleashed, but the controls felt so limited. :/

Other than that, I'm fine with them being included. Gives me some extra stuff to do outside the levels.

[Inferno]

Hubs? ;~;

I'm ok with them, but wow some people are gonna tear this game up now just for that alone.

I was thinking this game was gonna be a Sonic heroes type deal for awhile.

[ChikaBoing]

KrazyBean14, on 26 April 2011 - 09:23 PM, said:

It does so new stuff! This build has Red Rings.

It also confirms that SEGA Internationally are making desicions on this game. So need to worry about the Development Staff not being aware of stuff on Message Boards. And the guy on the Video was producer on Unleashed who spoke with the development team everyday and knows Japanese, from what I can remember from Interviews. Maybe he does the same for Generations?

Edited by ChikaBoing, 26 April 2011 - 09:35 PM.

[Rusty Spy]

Quote

Did you see the parts from 2:50 on? Modern Sonic... platforming! ...In  an area not featured in the released footage. Multiple acts confirmed?   

If you mean 3:00, it looks like a completely alternate path. In the background you can see the corkscrew he goes through at 2:50. I remember someone mentioning that Sonic would switch planes when going into alternate paths ala Little Big Planet, this might be a major example of this.

THE PLOT THICKENS!