Where do you think Sonic will go from here?

[Chaos Incarnate]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Sonic Team has three options on what to do with Sonic after Lost World, depending on how it plays out.

 

A: Lost World is well received overall, the gameplay style in Lost World shows up and is expanded on in future games.

 

B: Lost World gets mixed to negative critical and financial reception, Sonic Team either ditches Lost World's gameplay and brings the boost back( don't want this to happen), or they try to improve Lost World's gameplay/ combining it with another well known gameplay style, like the boost(most likely).

 

C: Lost World gets mixed to negative reception, Sonic Team ditches Lost World's gameplay altogether, considering it a failure, and either brings back a well known gameplay style, or creates an entirely new gameplay style.

 

Iizuka said he'd like to bring back the team gameplay of Heroes, so there's always a possibility for that to happen, fitting option C.

[StaticMania]

Hype is just a senseless mentality to have. Just be happy, while staying calmly indifferent. Or just be indifferent, while being kept closely updated on the news.

[Straw Hat]

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Sonic Team has three options on what to do with Sonic after Lost World, depending on how it plays out.

 

A: Lost World is well received overall, the gameplay style in Lost World shows up and is expanded on in future games.

 

B: Lost World gets mixed to negative critical and financial reception, Sonic Team either ditches Lost World's gameplay and brings the boost back( don't want this to happen), or they try to improve Lost World's gameplay/ combining it with another well known gameplay style, like the boost(most likely).

 

C: Lost World gets mixed to negative reception, Sonic Team ditches Lost World's gameplay altogether, considering it a failure, and either brings back a well known gameplay style, or creates an entirely new gameplay style.

 

Iizuka said he'd like to bring back the team gameplay of Heroes, so there's always a possibility for that to happen, fitting option C.

Right.... can that just happen...? Please...?

Edited September 3, 2013 by Straw Hat

[Chaos Incarnate]

Right.... can that just happen...? Please...?

It's like I said, Sonic can go a number of ways in the future depending on how well Lost World is received, we can't guarantee it'll be liked when the game isn't even out yet.

[Kuzu]

Even if it is liked, we cannot guarantee that its going to be the new standard. Because we all assumed that about the boost gameplay and look what happened to that, let's just see how Lost World does and let the game speak for itself.

[Soniman]

Even if it is liked, we cannot guarantee that its going to be the new standard. Because we all assumed that about the boost gameplay and look what happened to that.

 

It got 3 main games and a bunch of handheld titles based on the formula???

[Chaos Incarnate]

Even if it is liked, we cannot guarantee that its going to be the new standard. Because we all assumed that about the boost gameplay and look what happened to that, let's just see how Lost World does and let the game speak for itself.

The boost gameplay was removed because it had ran its course, being around for 5 years. A lot of people, myself included, wanted something fresh, and then we got Lost World announced. It seems illogical to introduce a new gameplay style that would be well liked, but not return for no good reason. I would like to think Sonic Team would bring it back at least once.

[RobotOmega]

Probably more stuff that is similar to Sonic: Lost World. I'm also expecting some more remakes. We already got the Adventure series, so it's only a matter of time until we get another Sonic Heroes port. 

[Kuzu]

It got 3 main games and a bunch of handheld titles based on the formula???

Yes, and is now being replaced despite being generally well liked by the masses, so something being well liked doesn't ensure its staying forever.

The boost gameplay was removed because it had ran its course, being around for 5 years. A lot of people, myself included, wanted something fresh, and then we got Lost World announced. It seems illogical to introduce a new gameplay style that would be well liked, but not return for no good reason. I would like to think Sonic Team would bring it back at least once.

This is exactly what happened with the boost games, everyone said they were the best part of Unleashed, part of the reason Colors was liked, and the Modern half of Generations is generally considered the superior aspect.

 

I understand people got tired of the boost games, I did too but that also didn't stop people from arguing how it can be salvaged and improved with proper tweaking. Even if the parkour gameplay does comeback, I can only assume its going to be around for 2-3 more games before we move onto yet another gameplay style. Personally I just want them to stick with something and KEEP it that way, you don't need to change your style every few games just take what you got and improve it, its not hard.

[Chaos Incarnate]

Yes, and is now being replaced despite being generally well liked by the masses, so something being well liked doesn't ensure its staying forever.

This is exactly what happened with the boost games, everyone said they were the best part of Unleashed, part of the reason Colors was liked, and the Modern half of Generations is generally considered the superior aspect.

 

I understand people got tired of the boost games, I did too but that also didn't stop people from arguing how it can be salvaged and improved with proper tweaking. Even if the parkour gameplay does comeback, I can only assume its going to be around for 2-3 more games before we move onto yet another gameplay style. Personally I just want them to stick with something and KEEP it that way, you don't need to change your style every few games just take what you got and improve it, its not hard.

The difference is that we had the boost formula for five years like I just said, meaning there was more than enough time for us to enjoy the boost. I'm expecting them to give the Lost World formula at least 2 games if it's well received, the only gameplay style they completely dropped after one game that was well received was Heroes , but that was obviously too much to handle, having three characters playable at once, in the long run.

[Kuzu]

The difference is that we had the boost formula for five years like I just said, meaning there was more than enough time for us to enjoy the boost. I'm expecting them to give the Lost World formula at least 2 games if it's well received, the only gameplay style they completely dropped after one game that was well received was Heroes , but that was obviously too much to handle, having three characters playable at once, in the long run.

You're missing the point: There is no reason for them to keep changing gameplay styles like this. What is stopping them from simply choosing a gameplay and just...sticking with it? I mean do we honestly need a new style of gameplay every five years?

Edited September 3, 2013 by Azure Yakuzu

[Diogenes]

Sometimes you go down a path and find that it doesn't lead where you want to go. If they choose a gameplay style that doesn't allow them to do something they want to do, it only makes sense to drop it.

[Kuzu]

I understand that, but eventually you have to find a path and stick to it.

[Diogenes]

Do you? Why can't you orbit between a few common points?

[Kuzu]

Because then eventually forget the destination you were trying to get to in the first place.

[Diogenes]

Maybe there never was one clear goal.

[Kuzu]

Perhaps there should be.

[Soniman]

Perhaps Sonic Team is finding what works and what doesn't and they're trying to give Sonic a definable style after fumbling around for a extended number of years....

 

Yeah imma go with that.

[Indigo Rush]

I'll still stand by my notion that there is no one true way to interpret the gameplay of Sonic. The combination of speed, platforming and exploration is so dynamic that the possibilities are never ending. I see it, I see it now and - wait, sorry.

 

*ahem*

 

...my point is that Sonic games have three or four central anchor points that have increased and decreased in focus over the years. The Classic games provided the initial perfect balance, and since the Adventure games, that balance has shifted and has gone in many different directions, some good, some bad. Sonic Unleashed, for example, had a much larger focus on speed and memorization skills, and the same goes for the Sonic Rush games. Sonic Lost World shifts away from that and focuses more on platforming and combat, but that doesn't mean that speed isn't there. It's just not emphasized as much this time, and that isn't a bad thing.

 

You can make many different kinds of Sonic games, and I think it's a bit silly to stick to "one true path." Some styles like the original "Classic Sonic" formula should definitely stick around, and I personally have a soft spot for the "Boost Sonic" gameplay, but you can put those into their own respective sub-series while still having Sonic move forward and try new things. 

 

Sonic is probably the most dynamic game series ever created, and this has been both a strength and a weakness. But you need to give credit where it's due, if Sonic never tried new things and made mistakes, we would always take him for granted. Not saying Sonic needs to suck, but I'd much rather have Sonic continue to move forward and change things up every game or two... otherwise, things could go stale.

Edited September 3, 2013 by Indigo Rush

[Sergiomonty]

It truly depends on the success of this game. Colors was acclaimed and we got the Wisps back. If parkour is acclaimed it will come back. Now, about the artstyle, I'm not sure. Mmmmaybe it will stay for good? Or at least it could be improved. With, like, simple designs but with a little more detailed textures. 

 

Is Sonic ever going to come back to realistic worlds? I don't really know. Is this a oneshot artstyle or the definitive look for the world of a cartoonish hedgehog in sneakers? well, let's wait and see how it is received. 

 

Boost-to-win may come back, but just for a few specific games.

 

60fps, though, is something that should remain intact in the franchise.

[VGamer]

I have to agree with what Azure said on the gameplay. I think that constantly changing gameplay styles is something Sonic Team needs to stop. I'll probably get hate for saying this, but I think it's something Mario does a lot better. Looking at Sunshine, Galaxy, and 3D World, they're all essentially the same gameplay, just used in different ways. Sunshine added F.L.U.D.D, the Galaxy games added unique designs and gimmicks as well as the spin attack. 3D World still has Mario, but this time the characters have different abilities, strengths and weaknesses that make them different.

The fact that Sonic has gone from Adventure, to Heroes, to '06 with it's radically different play-styles, to the boost games, and now back to the LW gameplay is something that's a bit annoying to me. Now granted I wouldn't mind a new Heroes game, but just as long as it's only used once, maybe in like a non-main Sonic game or something. Sonic Team keeps using the excuse of "we're trying to find what's right for Sonic" but either they're taking their sweet time doing so, or they just change their minds every few years.

[TitanWarlord93]

I would be interested to see what Sonic would be like on PS4 and XBONE. I'd say keep the gameplay and 60FPS but add some new elements to keep it original but not repetitive.

 

If there was a follow-up to Sonic The Hedgehog 4 like Episode III or a new one like STH5, I would prefer to have it in a modern 2D style you know that plays exactly like in the Genesis games but with realistic graphics and a soundtrack that doesn't sound like dying cats.

 

There is nothing else but I feel confident that Sonic will be heading towards a good future post if Sonic Lost World was both critically and commerically successful.

Edited September 5, 2013 by deepbluespeed99

[Mando-Whirl-Wind]

I would be interested to see what Sonic would be like on PS4 and XBONE. I'd say keep the gameplay and 60FPS but add some new elements to keep it original but not repetitive.

 

 

You know, I hate it when people say this, just because they are considered more powerful does not mean that you can instantly assume the game will be better, what is important is the development behind the game, and they make a game thats super awesome on the Wii-U as easily as they could on those systems, its just a matter of motivation

[TitanWarlord93]

You know, I hate it when people say this, just because they are considered more powerful does not mean that you can instantly assume the game will be better, what is important is the development behind the game, and they make a game thats super awesome on the Wii-U as easily as they could on those systems, its just a matter of motivation

I agree that it's all down to the motivation and development of the game but I did not technically say that it will be better and powerful though. Just saying that I'm interested to see what it's like and we all won't know whether if it's better or not until it actually going to happen.

 

I mean that kindly.

[daman825]

I have to agree with what Azure said on the gameplay. I think that constantly changing gameplay styles is something Sonic Team needs to stop. I'll probably get hate for saying this, but I think it's something Mario does a lot better. Looking at Sunshine, Galaxy, and 3D World, they're all essentially the same gameplay, just used in different ways. Sunshine added F.L.U.D.D, the Galaxy games added unique designs and gimmicks as well as the spin attack. 3D World still has Mario, but this time the characters have different abilities, strengths and weaknesses that make them different.

The fact that Sonic has gone from Adventure, to Heroes, to '06 with it's radically different play-styles, to the boost games, and now back to the LW gameplay is something that's a bit annoying to me. Now granted I wouldn't mind a new Heroes game, but just as long as it's only used once, maybe in like a non-main Sonic game or something. Sonic Team keeps using the excuse of "we're trying to find what's right for Sonic" but either they're taking their sweet time doing so, or they just change their minds every few years.

See, I agree with you, but I think Sega does too. The only reason they are changing the gameplay styles so much is because they aren't quite at the right 3D sonic style yet. I mean, the whisps were praised all around, so they have been in every sonic game since colors.

 

But the unleashed style gameplay wasn't as good as a Mario game. Mario controls amazingly, and the level design is top notch. Sega has had the most success with unleashed style gameplay. But even then, there are too many inherent limitations that it's gameplay style brings. 

 

For example, as much as I loved it, the boost mechanic was broken, and by broken, I mean it messed with the level design too much. In order for anyone to be able to not die while moving that fast, Sonic Team either had to dumb down the platforming allowing you to boost right through alot of it, or they had to insert obvious "roller coaster" moments where you could just hold boost, tap the bumpers to quick step, and enjoy the scenery.While neither of those situations lead to good level design, Sonic Team usually went with the latter. 

 

Boost is cool in theory, but it's impossible to implement it into a  platforming game and have that platforming game turn out amazing. Having a system with instant low, medium, and high speeds is way easier to control compared to a game where the main character takes ages to speed up unless you use an ability that launches you forward at 300mph. 

 

At this point, it's pretty obvious that Sonic Team is trying to create a platforming game that is of the same caliber as Mario. Implementing more platforming oriented mechanics while opening up more paths seems to be the direction they are going in now after listening to the criticisms of the unleashed style gameplay. And I think that's a good thing.