Unpopular Sonic opinions!

[Naysu]

Im one of a few people that like playing as different characters!

Im getting tired of JUST SONIC now, even though i feel they have almost nailed his gameplay, and he is super fun to play as, i REALLY want the thrill of flying around as tails, and playing as knuckles again. (even the other characters, like shadow, just for the variety)

hopefully when they do rethink over their characters (as they seem to be doing according to the revamp rumour), they can then give Sonic's friends and others, meaningful parts in the games again, i definitely think Knuckles would have been perfect for Unleashed's werehog's levels(comon hes a super skilled martial artist, why not use those moves?), and i do like the idea of knuckles or tails opening up areas for sonic to explore etc. this also could bring in CO-OP which would be epic in my opinion.

also.. what ever happened to playing as the bad guys anymore?? i really loved playing as the dark side in SA2, it gave you an entirely different take on the story, and a great chance to be the great Dr. Ivo 'eggman' Robotnik!

Edited May 28, 2012 by Naysu

[Scar]

I'm talking about the base of the story. Not the final thing. The base of the story certainly is far better than anything that followed. It had a wonderful foundation. It just wasn't pulled off correctly.

What was so wonderful about it? It seemed like it was trying too hard to be dark, edgy and complex.

Also "It doesn't fit Sonic." isn't true at all. Sonic can also be serious and edgy, not just light hearted and kiddish. Take a look at Sonic Adventure, and also Sonic Adventure 2's stories. Mainly Sonic Adventure 2's story. The writing isn't perfect, but overall they pulled off serious and edgy very well.

You obviously didn't fully understand what I was trying to say.

What I was saying, is that the story is bad by any standards, not just Sonic standards. I've already mentioned before that I'm not opposed to more complex and deep stories

The way stories have been done in past Sonic games is not brilliant. And I'm not talking about Colours or Generations. As much as I enjoyed SA2's story (for what it was), I still think that it went about it in totally the wrong way.

Same with SA1, Heroes, Shadow, 06, Unleashed and Colours. In those games, the story was inescapable. In Generations, conversely, it didn't exist at all.

I also like the idea of Sonic stories delving a little deeper into the universe and maybe containing some darker material. I just want it to be done differently to SA2's "IN YO FACE" approach to the storyline.

I want a game where the environments you're running through tell as much of a story as the dialogue and cutscenes. The dialogue and cutscenes shouldn't be used just to spout expository bullshit, and should be used to develop the characters and their reactions to the events taking place. Dialogue isn't everything and the characters don't need to talk to convey emotion - facial expressions and body language exist for a reason.

Moreover the story should exist in a way that makes it suitable for everyone. Lots of the darker elements should be hidden in the level design, so that its there for those who want to go looking for it. When you find stuff like that hidden away in the game, that reveals more about the story than just the cutscenes and bleedingly obvious - it feels oh so satisfying. However, the story would remain simplistic to those who aren't interested in it.

The cutscenes themselves should be designed so that there are deeper, and potentially darker subtones coming through what the characters say, but it should be subtle. It would be mostly above what young 5-13 year old kids can understand, but they should also give late teens and adults a little more meat to work with. Stuff like satire, dark humour, sarchasm and whatnot can aid this.

The problem with Sonic 06, as I've mentioned before, is that firstly, it throws it in our faces. That's OK if its good, but it isn't.

Secondly, it is fundamentally flawed.

Again, explain what is so wonderful about its foundation. What about the stories that followed, was worse than 06's foundation? Was

I've said this before and I'll say it again.

Complexity =/= good.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Scar

[Dr. Mechano]

"Lighthearted" is not the same thing as "simple" or "shallow."

"Dark" is not the same thing as "complex" or "deep."

A work with a lighthearted tone can still have deep characterization and an intriguing story arc (The board's hordes of MLP fans will surely back me up on this). Likewise, a work with a very dark tone can be poorly-characterized and incredibly simplistic; In my opinion, Shadow the Hedgehog is a stellar example of "Dark, yet shallow" writing.

This is not to say that lighthearted stories can't be overly simplistic (See AoStH, by its own intentional design), or that darker stories can't be complex and intriguing (Sonic Adventure 2 was done well), but I'm very tired of people treating "light" and "simple" as synonymous, and the same goes for "dark" and "complex."

I'd say that counts as an unpopular opinion, given how many Sonic fans equate these two entirely different concepts when it comes to the franchise's tone and feel.

[Alice Twilight]

"Lighthearted" is not the same thing as "simple" or "shallow."

"Dark" is not the same thing as "complex" or "deep."

A work with a lighthearted tone can still have deep characterization and an intriguing story arc (The board's hordes of MLP fans will surely back me up on this). Likewise, a work with a very dark tone can be poorly-characterized and incredibly simplistic; In my opinion, Shadow the Hedgehog is a stellar example of "Dark, yet shallow" writing.

This is not to say that lighthearted stories can't be overly simplistic (See AoStH, by its own intentional design), or that darker stories can't be complex and intriguing (Sonic Adventure 2 was done well), but I'm very tired of people treating "light" and "simple" as synonymous, and the same goes for "dark" and "complex."

I'd say that counts as an unpopular opinion, given how many Sonic fans equate these two entirely different concepts when it comes to the franchise's tone and feel.

As much as I like the show, the ponies are pretty cookie cutter in personality.

But you're right.

With Shadow however, we already knew too much about him already so there wasn't much to expand upon

And most the stuff in that game felt forced.

Oh yeah another opinion.

The guns were a stretch and so were the vehicles but atleast he wasn't a complete Sonic clone.

Besides everything in that game is optional.

No one's forcing you to pick up a gun and get killer head shots.

[Rawpowered]

I always thought Adventure looked better than Adventure 2.

[Dr. Mechano]

Another opinion for the big list:

I always found Sonic Adventure's plot to be incredibly silly and full of inconsistencies. The cheesy voice acting and animation were just the icing on the cake.

Now, I love SA1. It's a great, fun game. But part of its charm is its so-bad-it's-good story presentation, and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. The plot's so mediocre that it actually benefits from all of the unintentional humor, as that's what keeps it interesting.

[Briraka]

Speaking of ShTH, I actually like the Black Arms. I think it's the way their things are designed, like the Black Comet. It has this sort of organic technology thing going on. I also don't see how they don't fit in with the rest of the Sonic-verse. If we can have roller coaster geometry and anthromorphic animals, then why not aliens? Maybe it's the fact the audience was supposed to take them seriously, or because they were too dark.

Also, I didn't mind Black Doom being Shadow's biological father; it makes sense to me. When making an disease-free, ageless lifeform, how do you go from giant freaking red lizard to small black hedgehog? ... Aliens.

[tenchibr]

I kind of feel bad for SEGA, because we are so different and hard to please. Another unpopular opinion.

[Ekaje]

Also "It doesn't fit Sonic." isn't true at all. Sonic can also be serious and edgy, not just light hearted and kiddish. Take a look at Sonic Adventure, and also Sonic Adventure 2's stories. Mainly Sonic Adventure 2's story. The writing isn't perfect, but overall they pulled off serious and edgy very well.

I wouldn't say that SA2 pulled it off well at all, and it was the start of the dumb stories in Shadow and 06.

[Scar]

I always thought Adventure looked better than Adventure 2.

I agree with you. SA2's visuals were too harsh and....it just looked ugly to me.

[Vertekins]

- Mephiles is the most overrated and most poorly-written villain in the series. The idiot plot of '06 struck him hard. If he was a truly competent villain, he'd have killed Elise without resorting to an overwrought plan of getting Silver to kill Sonic because death of the vessel of Iblis would lead to it's release. There was no reason for him to have killed Sonic in the first place.

The entire story seemed desperate to paint Mephiles as this meticulous chessmaster, diabolical in the extreme. But it fell utterly flat because of piss poor execution.

- Shade is easily the most boring and flat character introduced so far. She's the very definition of "Miss Exposition" with an incredibly bland personality. That and she utterly reeked of 'self-insert fancharacter', being broken in terms of abilities, having lines when she isn't even in the party and shunting Rouge sideways in order to take Knuckles' quasi-love/mutual interest.

- I think that the US Sonic CD soundtrack has none of the creativity, charisma and consistency of the JP/EU soundtrack. It also doesn't sound Sonic-esque. It tries so hard to mimic the JP/EU's incredibly endearing trait of retaining a general musical theme between time periods but fails epically. Quartz Quadrant GF/BF are the best examples of this. Too samey;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phO14XIdTZc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHzdyXA25MU

- Silver and Elise are scapegoats for '06's crappiness.

- I think that Sonic characters looks extremely ugly when they are designed in fanwork with aspects such as overt musculature, toes, excessively realistic textures etc.

- Sonic fandom is unfairly targeted as an object of loathing. Yes it's bad, but it's nowhere near as bad as many make it out to be. I've seen fandoms worse than the Sonic fandom and shipping wars much much worse.

[Alice Twilight]

I kind of feel bad for SEGA, because we are so different and hard to please. Another unpopular opinion.

I wish Sega didn't listen to the fans. I feel like the games are never going to progress now because everyone is scared of change.

- Mephiles is the most overrated and most poorly-written villain in the series. The idiot plot of '06 struck him hard. If he was a truly competent villain, he'd have killed Elise without resorting to an overwrought plan of getting Silver to kill Sonic because death of the vessel of Iblis would lead to it's release. There was no reason for him to have killed Sonic in the first place.

The entire story seemed desperate to paint Mephiles as this meticulous chessmaster, diabolical in the extreme. But it fell utterly flat because of piss poor execution.

- Shade is easily the most boring and flat character introduced so far. She's the very definition of "Miss Exposition" with an incredibly bland personality. That and she utterly reeked of 'self-insert fancharacter', being broken in terms of abilities, having lines when she isn't even in the party and shunting Rouge sideways in order to take Knuckles' quasi-love/mutual interest.

- I think that the US Sonic CD soundtrack has none of the creativity, charisma and consistency of the JP/EU soundtrack. It also doesn't sound Sonic-esque. It tries so hard to mimic the JP/EU's incredibly endearing trait of retaining a general musical theme between time periods but fails epically. Quartz Quadrant GF/BF are the best examples of this. Too samey;

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHzdyXA25MU

- Silver and Elise are scapegoats for '06's crappiness.

- I think that Sonic characters looks extremely ugly when they are designed in fanwork with aspects such as overt musculature, toes, excessively realistic textures etc.

- Sonic fandom is unfairly targeted as an object of loathing. Yes it's bad, but it's nowhere near as bad as many make it out to be. I've seen fandoms worse than the Sonic fandom and shipping wars much much worse.

Mephilis isn't overrated at all, He's the last person I hear anyone saying they liked.

Because he's in 06 nearly everyone hates him. infact it's taboo to say anything good came out of that game.

[Nepenthe]

Here's another one; rolling inherently involves a sacrifice in control that people tend to downplay a lot. Beyond initiation, you're left up to the devices of the landscape and the physics system, not your own active participation in moving Sonic, which seems inherently inconsistent with a character that not only possesses but constantly displays the acrobatic prowess that Sonic does. Sega should honestly be taking a note or two out of Rayman Origins' books for the next big gameplay update by expanded on Sonic's aerial maneuverability, rebound ability, and his general precision. I just really want my Parkour, dammit. ;~;

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

Sonic Unleashed had probably the most effort put in a Sonic game this generation. Which brings on to what I'm going to say:

Sonic Team/Sega must make another short film similar to Night of the Werehog. I think this is one of Sonic Team's best ideas they had in a long time. The artwork, the animation...the detail they put in to it were flawless. However next time Sega/Sonic Team, if you're going to make another short film please include more of the existing characters (and make sure Eggman's one of them!) instead of just putting Sonic himself along with some cameos we will never see again.

[tenchibr]

Because he's in 06 nearly everyone hates him. infact it's taboo to say anything good came out of that game.

The taboo part is so true.

I just really want my Parkour, dammit. ;~;

I think if SEGA keeps boost around, Sonic should have other moves that use it up. Parkour would be awesome like in Assassin's Creed. You hold one of the triggers around a tough platforming section, and Sonic does it for you at the expense of boost.

Edited May 28, 2012 by tenchibr

[Alice Twilight]

Sonic Unleashed had probably the most effort put in a Sonic game this generation. Which brings on to what I'm going to say:

Sonic Team/Sega must make another short film similar to Night of the Werehog. I think this is one of Sonic Team's best ideas they had in a long time. The artwork, the animation...the detail they put in to it were flawless. However next time Sega/Sonic Team, if you're going to make another short film please include more of the existing characters (and make sure Eggman's one of them!) instead of just putting Sonic himself along with some cameos we will never see again.

I'd love to see Ghost Girl again, she was adorable.

[Mr. Awesomest]

I personally like the concept of Mephiles. It needs reworking, so that he's a shape shifting manipulative son of a bitch who gets other people to fight for him. Also, give him a decent motive. Seeing how his name is half of Mephistopheles, perhaps they could work in so he's only half of something bigger (which he kinda was in '06 but let's make it something different and more fitting) and he wants to reunite with this thing though asking around for info, sometimes interrogating.

I'd love a sequel to Chronicles but not by Bioware for the love of God. I swear, Bioware went bad as soon as they did Chronicles. Did they get some sort of Game Dev STD or something, I mean Jesus.

And last but certainly not the least:

Ice Cap is overrated.

Music especially.

[Kuzu]

I find the artstyle for the series incredibly bland, as in most of the characters don't have all that much that makes them stand out from each other. Most of them have Sonic's body as a base, complete with his angry eyes, and then just added with some small details(Downward spikes, dreadlocks, pothead leaf, etc.)

Look at the prototype images for Cream:

You can clearly see she's based on Tails, and also where Marine's design came from. Its kind of boring to be honest. Uekawa needs to have a little variation with this designs, I mean look at Big and Chip.

[jon93]

I'm new to replying to comments here, but have followed many topics for a while now. After reading about what many of you said about Sonic Unleashed, I wanted to voice my opinion on it. I completely agree with everything said about it: After both the critics and the fans bashed the game, it seems that they started making games strictly to not only give the fans what they want, but also get back on the good side of the critics. Behind the scenes, who knows if they are really enjoying making any Sonic game nowadays. I really wish someone could tell them to do their own thing with the next few Sonic games. They know what we the fans like and don't like by now, and they deserve to create a game that they truly want to do themselves, not something to please us. They could even make a game that could end up being very enjoyable to fans. We all cant be afraid of some changes.

Also to stick with the topic:

• ShTH and SH are tied to being my favorite Sonic games from that era, much more than SA1 and 2.
  
• I prefer Sonic Advance 2 over both 1 and 3.
  
• I like Unleashed more than Colors and Generations, both for the longer length and... the Werehog. Yes I Said It. I like playing as the werehog more than classic sonic, probably due to the experience with slower games.
  
• other than CD. I don't really like the classics that much anymore, compared to the newer games.
  

[Debug Mode]

Sonic Heroes is the third best Sonic game. *runs*

[Spooky Mulder]

I think Splash Hill Zone gets an unfair rep with fans because it was the first zone we saw of Sonic 4 and the overall disappointment associated with the reveal caused people to hate Splash Hill disproportionately. I think it's much less of a Green Hill rehash than Emerald Hill is. Its nowhere near as good as Angel Island Zone, and the stage could've focused a bit more on the Splash aspect of Splash Hill Zone, but for a first zone its nothing terrible.

I wouldn't be interested in seeing Mad Gear or Casino Street recreated since they really are just Metropolis and Casino Night, but I'm actually really curious about how Splash Hill would look with proper graphics.

[Soniman]

I find the artstyle for the series incredibly bland, as in most of the characters don't have all that much that makes them stand out from each other. Most of them have Sonic's body as a base, complete with his angry eyes, and then just added with some small details(Downward spikes, dreadlocks, pothead leaf, etc.)

Look at the prototype images for Cream:

You can clearly see she's based on Tails, and also where Marine's design came from. Its kind of boring to be honest. Uekawa needs to have a little variation with this designs, I mean look at Big and Chip.

I dont see the problem here, despite Cream being based on Tails, she really doesn't look anything Tails, at least to me. I think its all in the name of consistency with the design so the series is focused on the way it looks, you can have a few wildcards like Big, but in the end you need to have focus.

Edited May 28, 2012 by The Groosenator

[Lady Soniko]

I think if SEGA keeps boost around, Sonic should have other moves that use it up. Parkour would be awesome like in Assassin's Creed. You hold one of the triggers around a tough platforming section, and Sonic does it for you at the expense of boost.

what's the fun in that? you want to FEEL like Sonic, doing all those wall jumps, vaults and break dancing moves, Mirror's Edge got the whole YOU CAN DO PARKOUR! feel right

[SenEDDtor Missile]

I feel the worst parts of the Sonic Fanbase are currently holding Sonic from being at his best. Their absolute obsession with keeping Sonic as a shallow, brainless, and soulless platformer in a vain attempt to relive his glory days ironically keeps Sonic in an eternal cycle of mediocrity and potentially obscurity.

Granted the newer games aren't bad, but they don't have that "WOW" factor that games prior to Colors had, whether it be in atmosphere (Unleashed), Story (SatBK, SA2?), or a sense of continuity (SA1; whether you like this game or not, you have to admit, at least it follows the continuity set by Sonic 3 & Knuckles pretty well.)

Edited May 28, 2012 by Enigmatus

[Your Vest Friend]

I'd love a sequel to Chronicles but not by Bioware for the love of God. I swear, Bioware went bad as soon as they did Chronicles. Did they get some sort of Game Dev STD or something, I mean Jesus.

EA bought them out during Chronicles' production, so that might be related to it.