Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U)

[Willsy]

It looks pretty cool, the combat -while looking a little button mashy- has a lot of character to it and it looks somewhat satisfying, speed levels look pretty fun, and the the boss fights look fun too. I'll wait until I see a bit more at E3. I'd like to see a full level in action.

[Autosaver]

When Sonic Boom was announced, a lot of people were skeptical on how this was going to work out. Some were happy that Sonic Team wasn't producing it while others were angry that the speed part of Sonic was removed in favor of a combat heavy focus. The redesigns also caused a rift in the fanbase in that they were either cool or ugly.

 

I took a more open approach in the franchise. The rift always seem to be a deja vu on past arguments of Sonic's gameplay style. Classic vs Adventure vs Boost. Sonic has gone through rapid gameplay changes and some stuck and some haven't. Despite this, I've played through almost every Sonic game bar 06. I still had fun playing them and I didn't mind the big changes. I've also been a huge platforming fan, so when games like Lost World focused on platforming instead of speed I didn't mind at all.

 

Now with this game, I'm honestly confused on the opinion of the game. First I hear the Wii U version looks way better, than a post after it says it looks like garbage, another says the 3DS looks disappointing, then the one after it says it actually looks like a lot of fun, then there's Werehog comparisons, then there's graphics comparisons... it's so confusing.

 

I'm also having a hard time understanding what the complaints are about. The game, or the Sonic franchise? I've been reading some thoughts and they seem to be more directed toward the loss of Sonic feel toward the game. We knew from Day 1 that the Sonic elements were going to be toned down with combat thrown in. With the new previews, this is exactly what I expected. Adventure, combat, and some speed thrown in. It was highly predictable and I can't say I'm disappointed because it was quite obvious what this game was going to be.

 

It's also weird because the reception of the game outside the Sonic fanbase seems to be completely opposite. Excited for the new Jak & Daxter game, saying it's a "good" game but not a Sonic game, saying it's like Werehog but good, etc.

 

So, how do I feel about the game? Well, let me start with the 3DS version.

 

"It's not like the Wii U version!"

 

I honestly don't think it's a bad idea to make it play completely different. This means if you buy both, you get to experience two different games instead of paying twice for the same one. The graphics don't look bad at all and there's a lot of color. I don't think people should judge the graphics based on those screenshots and video previews. The resolution of the 3DS is pretty horrible and games often tend to look like shit when shown. Almost every 3DS game goes through this phase but opinion on graphics shifts dramatically when it gets released. Mario Kart 7 looks like poop.. oh wait never mind it looks great in game and in motion.

 

Lots of color, detail, runs smooth, etc.

 

The gameplay being different doesn't really mean it's bad. It was said that this version was going to focus on exploration and puzzles. Now when I'm reading complaints that there's too many puzzles and that it's too slow, I didn't really understand it. Ok, it's not like an actual speedy Sonic game but that doesn't mean it is bad. The huge exploration factor and puzzle factor actually seems interesting. A common complaint toward Sonic games is that a lot of people feel there is a lack of input. Well, here it is. You still get some speedy sections but you also get a ton of gameplay. I think the 3DS version can turn out great. I know some people are mad about Amy, but I'm guessing they wanted to limit the game to 4 characters so they had to place Amy somewhere else.

 

Overall, I'm really interested in this exploration based game. Sure a lot of Sonic elements are lost but if the game overall is great then I'm not going to be that upset over it.

 

How about the Wii U version?

 

 

 

Let's make this clear. I'm pretty sure it's Youtube or the video feed causing the graphics to be an ugly mess. The original teaser above shows crisp graphics. On the lack of color? I think it's the footage we've seen so far by GameXplain that's making this judgement. We haven't really seen any other zones such as the one seen in the picture above. A toxic plant factory lacks color, dreadful, and everything is lifeless.. isn't that the point of a toxic factory setting? As seen in the 3DS version, I think we could see more lively and more colorful areas in other areas of the game. Again referring to the above picture, you see lots of color and life.

 

 

The animation of the characters looks wonderful. Sonic seamlessly moving his body from move to move is visually awesome. The voice work seems to bring back the funny/up-lifting lines in the spirit of Sonic Colors and Sonic Lost World. This is a huge positive and can greatly enhance the experience. One thing that sticks out from Sonic Colors is the dialogue, it really does make the game better.

 

Now back to the gameplay aspect. We mostly saw combat and not too much exploration. I honestly want to play the game before I judge it completely as it's possible I may not be getting the full picture. The exploration part looks great. Knuckles climbing on walls and platforming, Amy doing her acrobatic moves, and Sonic spinning up ramps to get to higher platforms. I see no problem with this. The combat? Yeah, I understand that it breaks the pace and isn't really Sonic like but I think I may be able to handle it. I want to see more zones and more complete playthroughs.

 

What about those mach-speed zones? I saw a lot of complaints toward those but honestly, I think people are seeing them as big parts of the game instead of what they actually are - hub transports. Sonic Generations was a game focused on the whole boosting mechanic with long levels so it makes sense to make the player get into the game. Sonic Boom on the other hand is just tossing small, short speed sections sort of like a racing game. Is it a bad thing? I don't know. They seem to focus on speed exclusively with different routes. What if the one shown was just the first one in the game with no challenge? What if the input gradually grows as you go through the game? These types of questions are why I can't judge the entire game yet. It doesn't make sense to say that "this mechanic looks bad" when I have a lot of questions over it. The same thing with combat. What if there's a lot more to the process once you go through the game?

 

This game comes out in November. There's still a lot of time to refine the game. Honestly, a lot of these first impressions remind me of another game.

 

Remember this?

 

Sonic Stadium had SO many negative reactions toward this announcements but I stayed positive and knew that judging the game based on 2 levels was a bit silly and over-dramatic.

 

Then they released this video.

 

 

Suddenly the game is good and Sonic Stadium likes the game. But... it's the same game? The only reason it changed was because people saw more than the first few levels and got to see more of the game. I'm going to be excited for this game just like any other Sonic game. Success or failure, at least they tried.

 

 

Could this be the same for Sonic Boom? I need more trailers, footage, gameplay, thoughts, impressions.

[KrazyBean]

I REALLY hope that the same thing with 3D World happens with this game too Autosaver. All will be revealed next week anyway, so.

[Willsy]

GameXplain has taken their videos down for some reason. But fear not, some other dude uploaded it and I will save the day by linking it!

[Scar]

@Autosaver

 

Nintendo vs Sega.

 

Its pretty much that simple.

Also 3D world was taking an established formula and running with it. It initially looked disappointing and bland. That changed when everyone saw the rest of it.

Boom, is a brand new take on the franchise. It doesn't look as polished as even the initial impressions videos of 3D world. People have every right to be sceptical. The onus is on BRB to prove us wrong. We shouldn't have to give them the benefit of the doubt. They haven't built a reputation strong enough to warrant something like that.

[QuantumEdge]

@Autosaver.  You pretty much rapped it up perfectly.  I mean to use an analogy, when a car reviewer is given a new Ferrari to drive a few months before it's out and complains the steering needs to feel lighter, then Ferrari can still make a change to the steering with those months to the mas production cars.  Same goes for games in my opinion... Except for Epic Mickey 2....

[SonicWind]

I honestly think the games are shaping up well so far. Sure, they may be a little rough, but as previously mentioned, the devs still have six months to fix everything, so let's not be too hard on the games right now.

[Scar]

@Autosaver.  You pretty rapped it up perfectly.  I mean to use an analogy, when a car reviewer is given a new Ferrari to drive a few months before it's out and complains the steering needs to feel lighter, then Ferrari can still make a change to the steering with those months to the mas production cars.  Same goes for games in my opinion... Except for Epic Mickey 2....

 

Game development =/= car manufacturing/development...

 

What has BRB done so far, that warrants them getting the benefit of the doubt? 

[Badnik Mechanic]

PSA:

 

Gameplay videos are back... only now they don't have any gameplay... just still images.

 

Was the reaction really that bad? Even if it wasn't damage control, it sure as hell looks like it was now.

[Diogenes]

It's just a teaser you can't judge it!

It's just a trailer you can't judge it!

You haven't played it you can't judge it!

You didn't 100% it you can't judge it!

Well why did you keep playing a game that you didn't like? Obviously you're just trolling and actually like it.

[QuantumEdge]

@Scar, a lot of the guys who work there help make some pretty popular games.  I'd say that's reason enough to have faith in them.

[SIXTH-RATE SOMA]

Could this be the same for Sonic Boom?

 

Not quite. The things everyone disliked about 3D World wasn't its base gameplay, but how tame and uninspired the levels were. The problem was easily fixed by just showing that, hey, we actually really were creative with the level design after all!

 

Boom doesn't really have that opportunity. It's the very foundation of the game that people take issue with, how it plays. A great house built on sand can be easily washed away; no matter how much they expand on dull gameplay, dull gameplay is still at the heart of the experience.

[Scar]

@Scar, a lot of the guys who work there help make some pretty popular games.  I'd say that's reason enough to have faith in them.

 

We'll see with the end result.

 

I hope you're right, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Your Vest Friend]

The developer pedigree argument was also used for Bioware when Sonic Chronicles was in development. 

[Pawn]

The Wii U footage is pretty much what I expected from the game. I guess I had some small hope that it would look a bit more like a Sonic game (or just a better quality game in general) but not enough to really feel anything about this new footage. The villain's generic design is disappointing after Sticks, though.

 

On the other hand, the 3DS version looks surprisingly horrible in those screens. I can't seem to watch the actual video, so maybe it looks better in motion.

[MamboCat]

GameXplain has taken their videos down for some reason. But fear not, some other dude uploaded it and I will save the day by linking it!

 

 

Ooooh, thankyou! :3

 

Um... I have to say I like the looks of this; provided you can switch control between the characters like say, Abe and Munch in Munch's Oddysee. It's pretty much how I would imagine STC: the game to be like, in that you have a gang of characters beating the shit out of robots! Traditional Sonic it ain't, but I already knew that.

 

I like the look of Amy's agility and moveset, too! :B

 

However.... I don't like the look of Sonic. His model still looks a little odd. :/ It also looks like they've cut down on the messy spikes... which is a shame, I kinda liked the raggedy, split spikes.

[Ratcicle King]

Sigh, so much negativity. We were told the minute this game was revealed that it would be different, and now everyone's acting shocked that this isn't a regular Sonic game and proceeding to rip it several new ones. I guess you can't please everyone, especially in the Sonic fanbase.

The main problem isn't that this is not a regular Sonic game, the main problem here is that this is looking like a really mediocre game no matter how you look into it. It's not even about being a bad Sonic game, it's about being a bad game in general.

And please, don't antagonize the fanbase, not our fault the game isn't perfect and we're not loving it.

[Dizcrybe]

Was the reaction really that bad?

 

Yes. Yes it was.

[Mania Pipe]

*Long post*

I REALLY hope that will be the case for Sonic Boom.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Omega Pipe

[Balding Spider]

Aww, I didn't get to see the Gamexplain video before it was taken down. Really wanted to see it too.

[Autosaver]

Aww, I didn't get to see the Gamexplain video before it was taken down. Really wanted to see it too.

 

Halfway in.

[Badnik Mechanic]

Theres something else I've just spotted in the video which is making me shake my head at.

 

How boss fights seem to work in Sonic Boom.

 

Use the ender beam to throw object or enemy at boss.

 

Eggman throw the missiles at it, Spider thing... throw enemies at it, giant drill thing, throw enemies at it.

 

Check the video if you don't believe me, you defeat the boss by throwing something at it, you don't actually attack the boss at all.

[ElectricAngel]

Check the video if you don't believe me, you defeat the boss by throwing something at it, you don't actually attack the boss at all.

Did you miss the part when Sonic and co beat the shit out of Eggman? Because, that happened.

[Ratcicle King]

Theres something else I've just spotted in the video which is making me shake my head at.

 

How boss fights seem to work in Sonic Boom.

 

Use the ender beam to throw object or enemy at boss.

 

Eggman throw the missiles at it, Spider thing... throw enemies at it, giant drill thing, throw enemies at it.

 

Check the video if you don't believe me, you defeat the boss by throwing something at it, you don't actually attack the boss at all.

At the end of one of the videos it shows that the missiles stun Eggman's robot, then you need to attack his Eggmobile while it's on the ground.

Not defending the boss fights, I agree they're all copy paste, just pointing that out.

[Lady Soniko]

Theres something else I've just spotted in the video which is making me shake my head at.

 

How boss fights seem to work in Sonic Boom.

 

Use the ender beam to throw object or enemy at boss.

 

Eggman throw the missiles at it, Spider thing... throw enemies at it, giant drill thing, throw enemies at it.

 

Check the video if you don't believe me, you defeat the boss by throwing something at it, you don't actually attack the boss at all.

 

Funny, pretty sure I seen the 4 bring Eggman's mech down with their Enerbeams and lay the smack down on him after stunning him with his own missiles.