What NPCs would you like to see in the next Sonic game?

[SticksSuperFan14]

If the next Sonic game wants to make it's open zones more colorful and lively, I feel one factor that could contribute to that is the edition of more NPCs. Instead of just interacting with a select few of Sonic's pals and the Kocos, it'd be great to get to talk to a variety of people like in previous Sonic hub areas. Alongside new human/anthro faces, we could get some much needed attention from various familiar faces. If you could pick any member of Sonic's vast cast to show up in this way: Who would it be? What role should they serve? What sort of interactions would you want/expect from them?

Here's my example:

Sticks would, by far, be my top pick for an NPC. Amy's talk of a roadtrip with her and Cream in Frontiers got me thinking of how well she would get along with them, as well as info on how long she's known the two.

Considering her character's fondness of nature, I'd be curious on how much she knows about stuff like the Ancients and the Echidnas. And it would also be interesting, and potentially hilarious, if she says what her thoughts and experiences are on various events in Sonic lore (especially worldwide catastrophes like Adventure 2, Unleashed, Forces, or maybe even the Metal Virus if IDW lore is factored in).

Perhaps her role in the game would play into her knowledge/theories, she tells you some important information, but only if you bring her some shiny things or whatever.

[SynthSt0rm]

Honestly I would like to just see a variety of unnamed animals, humans, or even both combined! I’d love to see just more background characters in general. But I think a funny thing would be how in SA2 that Big appeared in almost every stage as a Easter egg to people who pay close attention, which I would love to see happen again!

[Technically Inept]

NPCs I don't need to stop and talk to if I don't want to in order to beat the game.

[Multikaris]

I wonder if we could also have Badnik and Zeti NPCs, as both groups are generally malicious as it appears. We have had Badnik NPCs to talk to in the past but never with Zeti. I also concur about encountering Sticks as an NPC. Some of the IDW roster could also be cool to meet as NPCs. 

[SticksSuperFan14]

On 5/23/2023 at 1:18 PM, Multikaris said:

I wonder if we could also have Badnik and Zeti NPCs, as both groups are generally malicious as it appears. We have had Badnik NPCs to talk to in the past but never with Zeti. I also concur about encountering Sticks as an NPC. Some of the IDW roster could also be cool to meet as NPCs. 

It would be cool to know if the Zeti are a thriving species, or are endangered with the Deadly Six being the only ones left. Maybe said NPCs could provide more information on the Lost Hex, cuz I don't think Lost World did a good job explaining what it was or why it even popped up in Earth's atmosphere.

[CrownSlayer’s Shadow]

The whole cast.

I’m serious. If you’re going to add NPCs into the mix, why limit who shows up?

Mind you, do it within reason—establish the factors that draw them into being present.

Some are easier than others that need more nuance to bring them about—Sticks could show up because she either got lost or was exploring (look, I actually don’t know much about Stick’s character beyond her conspiracy theory paranoia); Team Dark could have noticed an anomaly on Starfall Island and decided to investigate; the Ancient’s technology could have sent ripples in space, time, and dimensions when Sonic and Sage were fighting The End, thereby ripping Silver and Blaze from their respective timelines and dimensions; the Chaotix could have found another teleporter elsewhere in the world and wound up on the islands like Knuckles did; and why Metal Sonic wasn’t present in Frontiers I have no fucking clue, because that was a missed opportunity for Sage to see her big brother, and lord knows seeing Metal go at Sonic’s throat in front of her is something we need to see ASAP.

It wasn’t difficult to show how Knuckles found himself on Ares Island when he was guarding and exploring his own island, and provided they decide to bring him back, I know Prof. Pickle would be thrilled to explore the ruins of the ancients.

 I’m not really bothered by anyone showing up than I am them showing up with little reason an explanation, showing up because (to quote lazy Sonic fans who have no idea how storytelling and narratives are supposed to work) “they’re expected to.”

[ShinyGems]

Call me crazy, but I would like to see Professor Pickle from Sonic Unleashed as an NPC. I can imagine him helping Sonic and any other characters that are playable, mainly Sonic's friends. I can also see him offering advice on how to do things in levels, much like when you give him gifts in Sonic Unleashed (The PS360 version). I would love to see him interact more with Tails, personally.

[sonicclaasic]

I would love to see Sticks as a NPC Interacting with the other Sonic characters In the near future of the Sonic games. Because I find Sticks so funny and I love her personality as her character as well from the Sonic Boom series. She would make a great NPC.

[ZinogreVolt]

Might as well do everyone they can. People loved the cameos in Colors DS, so applying that to a larger scale game and maybe tying them to side quests and whatnot seems like a good idea.