Blue Blood

“These developers where lazy”

”They hate X franchise which is why they haven’t done anything with it”

“New Pokémon Snap was made as a immediate response to all the hate Sword and Shield were getting” 

I've learned that the majority of videos pertaining to "What happened to x game" to be that, but with even less facts.

The theory part is so true. They act like they know what they’re talking about but when it’s time to speculate, it becomes clear how little knowledge or respect they have for game development.

When you don't know squat of what's being spoken of, it's extremely easy to get the facts wrong.

And I'd know. I've dug deeper into Sonic Chronicles than I've had any right to, and the story on the inside doesn't quite match what we've seen on the outside. But people still peddle baseless theories.

I played it for almost 70 hours in a week, till I got through most of the content.

It's virtually endless, it's extremely good, the writing is probably among the best I've ever seen in a videogame.

As all Supergiant games it's wonderful to look at and the music is insane.

Probably my game of the year in 2020

I only got it a couple of weeks ago as a present and had absolutely no interest in playing it or learning more about it until then. 

There's so much to talk about regarding the gameplay, the story, the surrounding law... But honest to God one of my favourite things is the voice acting. The acting is just so good, and the voices themselves are really delightful to listen to. The voices don't sound cookie-cutter when they so easily could have been. 

The voice acting in all of their games is like that.

Fun thing is the composer, Darren Korb usually voices the games and he's so fucking good. I think he's the voice of Zagreus in this one.

If you havent been exposed to Supergiant games before I strongly suggest you play Bastion and Transistor.

Sorry for the double post but Transistor has this gimmick that the main character, Red, is voiceless, but she used to be a singer, so you have a whole button dedicated just to humming.

She stops in place and hums along with the tracks in the game. 
And then there's some vocal tracks that are just insane.

Gameplay wise it's a very original tactical RPG, or an hack n slash game depending on how you want to play it. Definitely one of my favorite games ever and it's usually on sale for like 3 bucks on all platforms.

The art is gorgeous.

I really need to check out more of their games, don't I?

Transistor opens with that, 'nuff said

The entire marketing side of Sega seems to have just gone out to lunch while only the Twitter is active spouting meaningless tweets 

If the game is beautiful when you play on Dolphin I want to see what they do with a proper remaster.

Maybe they'll get rid of that weird grayish filter or whatever that the Wii version has due to, well, being a Wii game.

It really does make me wish the game was more 3D than it actually was. 

Even on Wii I enjoyed how much detail they were able to bring to the first two acts of each stage. If the game had taken more notes from Unleashed and took the time to expand on each environment, we really could've had something grand. I remember a mod for Gens PC that came out a while back that basically combined most of the acts in AP into one long level and that scale combined with Gen's better controls was simply sublime.

Putting Colors on Dolphin made me appreciate it even more so I am glad that more people will be able to directly see what a higher resolution (and hopefully fps) can really do for a game.

Colours looks AMAZING!

If there's one thing Sonic Team has consistently been good at is waste incredible art and music on mediocre games.

Heroes, Colours, Secret Rings looks pretty good in some stages, Lost World has its moments (Silent Forest).

Not that serious an answer but I do earnestly like golden furred tails.

SA2 by far. 

Probably a toss up between Unleashed and Riders 1 and 2.

Come to think of it I second SA2's models. Particularly Sonic and Shadow in the face. 

Depends on the character. Unleashed for Sonic.

When it comes to just 3D models I kinda prefer the promo arts from Sonic Runners. They were slightly shorter & thicker which looked nice. Didn't care for the in-game models for it really however.

Sonic Advance games

I think Unleashed up (since they more or less look the same across the games) are my favorites I just wish they were animated better 

As far as 3D games I think the original Adventure models are my favorites. Was kind of the right balance between the original Genesis designs and updating them without being too weird even if Uekawa's art was a little different.

I'd put Unleashed above Generations just because of the weird shading that they put around the mouths in Generations. Made it look like everyone was wearing lipstick.

SA2B would get my vote anyway.

My feelings are sort of all over the place. For straight in-game models, Unleashed and it isn't even close. Promotional art, SA2. Though I do also have to give a shout out to Toei Sonic as well.

this

tho overall i'd give it to SA2. or Unleashed if you just look at Sonic and Eggman

For Sonic's model itself I really like the Heroes model cause it's the closest it ever got to Uekawa's artworks. Some characters are hit and miss in that game but I think Sonic, Tails, Shadow and Amy are pretty good

I think the Heroes models get a lot of flak for being shiny plastic looking but Idk in terms of animation I thought it always looked the best (not in cutscenes obviously but in gameplay) and they melded pretty well with the more vibrant colors in the games locations 

pretty much any modern sonic game from unleashed on is...fine, i guess. i'm not really concerned with the differences between them, they all look pretty much the same, and they're...fine. but i do still feel like there's something missing, there's not really a "spark" to them. maybe it's just because they've stuck with basically the same look for so long, i don't know.

sa2 also isn't too bad. it's a bit hard to go back to something so low-poly but in spite of that some characters hold up better than some of their later models. it's one of the last times that the hedgehogs' spikes have looked properly sharp and spiky, for one.

I, honestly, like the Sonic R models because it reminds me of a doll/plushie:

so cute 😍

But honestly, probably the Unleashed model:

I agree with the lack of "spark" to Unleashed onwards, but honestly I feel like Unleashed did have a spark at the time after the wonky inconsistent presentation that came before.  Now it's just how Sonic looks, but yeah, at the time it was incredibly refreshing to have Sonic look the way it felt Sonic should have always looked.  I think memory of that feeling is what draws so many people here to say Unleashed even though Colours, Generations, Lost World and Forces all pretty much look the same with different environment design sensibilities around the characters.

So... yeah.  Unleashed, lol.

o I misread the question. My favorite is SA2 followed by Heroes.

I thought people said Unleashed because that's simply where the models originated like no one's gonna really call them the SLW or Forces models lol

Unleashed's models are probably the most consistent, but the lack of any real update for them is probably why they feel kind of samey. 

If I had to choose, I'd probably say Unleashed for Sonic or Tails, while characters like Shadow thrive in Sonic Adventure 2. 

I will say I've never been overly fond of modern Tails' design.  Classic Sonic was a quite cute and a little cool.  Modern Sonic has occasional cute moments during comedic scenes but is otherwise just cool... that's fine, generally captures his essence.

But Classic Tails was just cute and I don't find his modern design cute.  He just kind of looks like a stretched out comparitively-lanky puppet version of his old self.  Actually, in his case I will say that I much prefer his look in Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, where he looks fairly cute still, particularly when I think of moments like his "you just told me fox boy" oh-crap face or "I'm not scared, I'm not scared, I can do this!" scenes.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact issue, since there's plenty of 2D Modern Sonic art that looks cute, and even particular modern promotional renders look fine.  Like, this:

Fairly cute, looks good.

This:

Not cute, lame looking.

I think it comes down to how big and bushy his Tails are (or rather AREN'T, in the 2nd pic) and the massive amount of empty space on his head when viewed to the side like this.  Tails is at his cutest when he's kind of occupying a square amount of space rather than an upwards rectangle, which also helps him to contrast Sonic in more than just height.

Even then it feels like the differences between these two renders are REALLY subtle... I'm not going crazy here right?  Anyone else made an observation along these lines?

(P.S. In my basic google image search of Tails I think this was the cutest modern Tails got, but it's 2D art from Sonic Rush Adventure so...)

I guess for models it's probably Unleashed. Though, recently, the lack of improvement and how limited the animation feels when the characters move and express themselves has me wishing for an update. Maybe not in the models themselves but perhaps things could stand to be a bit more cartoony.

Also yes I'm aware that the other games after 2008 aren't technically the same model. Especially not the one in Forces.

I'm actually really fond of the SADX models. I really like how they look, especially for Sonic.

Unleashed and recently the new models for Excalibur Sonic and Lancelot from Speed Battle are real cool.

...it's kinda sad that the series has existed in 3D for over two decades and there's barely a game that qualifies for this, if at all. Generations is the only one that ticks that box, and even then, that one is like two thirds 2D at least.

I'm not sure if this is the case for the majority of games

@Wraith It's certainly the case for the Adventures, Colours and Generations. All of the others weren't met too positively to begin with.

@Thigolf Generations seems to have gone down in estimations. Not much though and it's still widely regarded as the best one. But in hindsight, a lot of people seem to be more bothered by the lack of content and barely-existant story. 

Unleashed?

Imagine if they put out a game like Unleashed again. It's been over 12 years.

Frankly I think calling boost games 3D is a bit generous. 

It's the kind of bland, basic level design you'd see in a 2D platformer made by someone who has never made a platformer before. Sonic can and has done SO much better than this.

Yeahhhhh if this is more than just an upgraded port, then I'd really like them to make actually good levels, 2D or not 

This is my problem with Colors. Basic, slow, blocky platforming that doesn't suit Sonic. And because of the wisps Sonic's base abilities are so damn boring and useless. Boost is limited by wisps which is good in theory, but in practice you're left to deal with blocky terrain with no way of moving faster when there's no white wisps around which just leaves Sonic feeling weak like the kids from Nights or something. A slide that serves no purpose other than to make it under gaps and really makes you wish it was a damn roll, and you can't even drift unless you're in specific areas where it's all you can do. I feel like if Sonic isn't fun to control then you really done messed up. I'd wager this game would be leagues more fun if you had a spindash and was designed with it in mind. (So no levels like this one or the dumb bouncy yellow spring stages). 

Such a shame because aesthetically this game knocks it out of the park. It's not a bad game at all, just not what I expect from Sonic. Feels more like a basic and generic platformer you'd see some rando company you've never heard of make. Especially off the heels of Unleashed, where Sonic's movement was so fast and fluid, really allows Sonic to feel free. Colors just feels limited and barebones by comparison. Funny especially considering this game was marketed as "Unleashed but only the good parts."

Sonic is back, baybee

it's so exhausting that plenty of people (still) call this the best 3D sonic, when over half of the "3D" gameplay is summarized by that video

Quote

 (So no levels like ... the dumb bouncy yellow spring stages). 

those are good, actually

The micro acts could certainly be repurposed as optional unlockable bonus content or something, and we could get more fluid stages in place of them, but that's just a pipedream at this point.

@Indigo Rush

Turns out that was the original plan for Colours. 2 full Acts and then a boss, with optional side-missions. But we got what we have now to pad out the game.

BUT IT SAVED THE FRANCHIIIISE!!!!

I'm not ready for the public at large to go back to this and say "Sonic Colors has aged poorly/Sonic was never good" after all this time...

I didn't expect a Colors remaster to push graphical boundaries, so I'm fine with that.

I really hope the next title is on those platforms too, though.

If it's real, hope it's for PC as well.

Yeah, they only started dubbing games with Gens.

They probably would've just slapped the original dub on the remaster if one had existed.

That's actually really nice. I won't hear a word of it, but it's nice that they're going that mile. 

I'll be doubly surprised if they re-dub the English voices with the new cast now that Smith has left.

I'm trying to reconfirm some info, but basically, remember when I said something Sonic related could be dropping this week? I've reached some people from the dubbing industry here in Brazil after I've learned SEGA has a clear intention to dub their games to our language, including Sonic (they didn't started an official Brazilian Twitter account for nothing).

Who's to say the playtesters didn't say that and Sonic Team just weren't bothered about fixing it?

I think Forces was just a paycheck for everyone involved. 

What's this play testing thing about?

@Ryannumber1gamer I'm being totally facetious. Forces controls the way it does because of design. It's just about functional if you let the game play itself (which it almost always wants to do) and fighting with the controls to get one or two of the collectibles is where the game's challenge comes from. 

Also the developers playtest their own games as they create them. The developers collectively decided to make the game control the way it does.

I remember Vector commenting on Casino Park, was good stuff back then.

I've always liked in-game chatter like Heroes. Just makes the characters feel more alive. Would like it to return someday, but hopefully not the way Forces tried to do it.

My favorite was always Sonic wanting to hop in the big Canon at bullet station and Knuckles is like "can we not?"

"We're not going there, are we?"

"YES WE ARE"

@Your Vest Friend I said the idle chatter, not the limited selection of gameplay chatter. 

But on that note...

LOOK AT ALL THOSE EGGMAN ROBOTS

You seem to be loving Heroes huh. 

My main issue with Sonic Heroes is that god damn why do you need to beat the game four times to unlock the Last Story.

But other than that I have plenty of fond memories of the game. It and Sonic Riders. 

SEGA is one of the few companies that I wish did more HD Remakes or Remasters because I'd love a remaster of Sonic Heroes or Sonic Riders.

@Kuzu lol nope 

@Blue Wisp I don't mind having to beat all of the individual stories in a game to unlock the final story. For SA1 and SA2 it's fine and makes sense (although I could do without having to go fishing in SA1). Heroes however Forces you to play all 12 stages in easy, normal and hard mode and in mission mode. That's what all of the different teams amount to at least. It's gross. At least the Emeralds are shared across teams, but that's a small consolation. Team Rose bothers me the most. You're forced into a really dry tutorial with them, despite the fact that the tutorial is a menu option anyway and that you may have already played as other teams and so would have a good handle on the game. It's an easy fix, but as it stands out a big point against the game. Jt comes across as nothing but cheap filler, when it could actually be fun extra content.

That's because it is, it's just padding. Sure there's variations here and there but you STILL have to play through the entire game four times. 

The different characters in SA1 or SA2 are completely fine because while they are the same stages, besides maybe Sonic and Tails all the rest go through the stage in a completely different way.

In Heroes they did that thing that with Rose you go halfway through the stage, with Sonic you go a bit further of the stage and with Dark you go the entire stage with more enemies and like ugh it gets tiring. Well and Chaotix is Chaotix.

Another example is the first Sonic Rush, sure, Sonic and Blaze go through the same stages but in a different order with some changes here and there. 

God damn I miss Blaze whens my sonic generations 4 sega 

I still kind of think that it should have been something like Team Sonic goes to all the Act 1s, Team Dark goes to all the Act 2s and then... honestly I don't know what to say about the other two teams. But Heroes' levels are all super long. The only thing worse than their length sometimes is the prospect of going through them all over again. At least Team Chaotix' Rail Canyon is actually an entirely separate stage and totally unique from the rest. 

I always thought each team should've had at least two original levels to themselves and only share the levels where teams intersect, the ending, and the midway story beat with Rail Canyon. The Seaside Hill, Casino Park and Hang Castle levels could've been different for everyone (why didn't Team Dark just start in the Eggman base since they were the harder team anyway that would've been cool)

Your feelings about this game is confusing me :v

@Kuzu Glad I'm not the only one.

It has its good moments but yeah, it drags. 

That’s the Matt Greoning show right?

@Dejimon11 Thats the one, the exclusive Netflix show.

My usual pattern with Heroes is play the first five levels normally, exit at Bingo Highway and then play Rail Canyon and Bullet Station before stopping.

That sounds about right. Heroes is one of those games where you can really tell that the levels were made more or less in the order in which you play them. Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace are really good and there's not much wrong with Grand Metropolis and Power Plant either. But as they go on, the levels start to feel a lot less refine and much more like like they were rushed and unfinished. You get far more repetition in the level chunks and obstacles and an onslaught of cheap areas that just weren't polished up during development. I want to love Hang Castle and Mystic Mansion; aesthetically they're just so perfect and they have some really cool ideas. But they suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck to actually play. 

Is she good?

I literally only know of her from Sonic R and the Dreamcast game Metropolis Street Racer. She's alright.

Kinda funny seeing such a dated-looking contact page hooked up to her still-active twitter feed.

Lmao I was thinking her site looked ghetto too and then saw 2003 and was like - oh. Makes sense! Well, SHES more successful than I am in life albeit the shit site. 😂

@Blue Blood I know another tune from her. I even posted it on a SU a (good) while ago:

I mean... it's not bad? As someone who knows the Trance genre, it is a pretty generic 90s tune (but from 2001), and almost every non-established UK music project tried their luck on the genre. Sadly, this type of song is what most lacks on Trance today.

On the other hand, Ian Van Dahl's (remixer) Castles in the Sky is one of the most recognizable tracks from the genre. A remake of the track was voted #8 best tune last year by a radio show listeners.