MINECART RETURNS! (Japanese Site Update)

[Blue Blood]

I think LLZ2 now incorporates a torch gimmick instead (lol lighting dynamite) and the minecart will just play a small part of it. Check it-

The Site.

What's new:

- Lost Labyrinth screens

- Sonic now has some different lighting in LLZ.

- Torch gimmick which involes both lighting things and finding your way in the maze. Awesome

- Badniks added to the JPN site (not new to us)

- A new SHZ wallpaper

Edited August 18, 2010 by Blue Blood

[Scar]

Ahh now you see?

Lost Labyrinth looks SO MUCH BETTER than Splash Hill.

I must admit though, I kinda like the idea of the Torch Gimmick.

Mine Cart is fine just as long as its only a small section of the level.

Also inb4 Labyrinth Zone rehash.

It looks NOTHING like Labyrinth...not even close.

[Blue Blood]

It looks NOTHING like Labyrinth...not even close.

It's yellow and has big bricks making up the foreground. Nah, LLZ is the most original stage in the game, even though it's a Labyrinth homage obviously.

Also, I agree with you about the torch looking cool. I'm really excited for it now. And the stage itself looks way nicer than SHZ.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Blue Blood

[Solly]

Hot-diggity-daffodil! The game looks freaking gorgeous. I love the new lighting effects.

And the torch gimmick looks cool too. It's really unlike anything we've seen in a Sonic game yet, and I hope episodes 2 and onward are this creative in their approach.

Also, Sonic's mine cart is moving forward without the screen being slanted toward the direction he's sliding in. Could this mean that it controls differently now?

EDIT: More images from the site.

Edited August 18, 2010 by The Soldier

[Scar]

Looks friggin gorgeous.

Also, I like the new design for Orbinaut. Looks much more mechanical...

[Blue Blood]

As much as I'm really liking the level, I have a bone to pick right here:

That spring needn't be there, it just takes control away from the player. They should have to jump on the ledge, avoid the spear and jump up to the next platform. Everything else is looking lovely though.

[Agent York]

As much as I'm really liking the level, I have a bone to pick right here:

That spring needn't be there, it just takes control away from the player. They should have to jump on the ledge, avoid the spear and jump up to the next platform. Everything else is looking lovely though.

Maybe a bit but honestly I don't think it's that big of an issue since see the player holding right will ram right into an Orbinaut or it's spike balls, and he who runs too fast runs into the spring and launches into the air and then has to react to the Orbinaut spike balls before he goes bouncing again, with the spike below. On other words he needs to think about it, it's a quick instinct puzzle situation and I think the spring adds more there than takes away since the Orbinaut may not be as efficient otherwise.

I like these a lot, Lost Labyrinth was my favorite zone and it looks like they made it even nicer. Torch gimmick I actually like a lot and happy they kept Mine Cart, and it gives me hope they made the pinball stage in a lot better too. I like the visual updates as well and awaiting for more news.

[Doctor MK]

It looks... better. Very nice screens, at least.

I hope they don't go too overboard with the 'gimmicks' though, we all know how well gimmicks and Sonic tend to go together.

[Detective Shadzter]

Looks much better but I'm still concerned about the minecart, even if it only involves a portion of the level. Dark areas that you have to carry a torch through will take the speed away if you ask me, then again the Labyrinth Zone in Sonic 1 was more about puzzles and platforming than speed anyway.

[Blue Blood]

Looks much better but I'm still concerned about the minecart, even if it only involves a portion of the level. Dark areas that you have to carry a torch through will take the speed away if you ask me, then again the Labyrinth Zone in Sonic 1 was more about puzzles and platforming than speed anyway.

Well, the minecart isn't controlled by tilting the stage now. Dimps have shown in the past with Coral Cave and Twinkle Snow that minecarts needn't be a bad thing either. They just have to not be tedious, and not play like crap. Not to mention the game has been criticised for being too fast at times, so I don't think there's gonna be many nay-sayers to a slower level.

I hope they don't go too overboard with the 'gimmicks' though, we all know how well gimmicks and Sonic tend to go together.

One-stage gimmicks are different to gameplay changing ones, and they have been since day one. Any gimmick that doesn't get in the way of the gameplay is fine- compare Wisps and Werehog.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Blue Blood

[Woun]

But who should be the whole Splash from the site.

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/wounthisworld/

[Swiss]

Wow, absolutely loving the visuals update here. They've done a great job at catching that 'Labyrinth' feel, if you ask me. Also, I love the idea of the torch-lighting segments. Seems like a welcome idea to mix things up a little.

Excitement for Sonic 4+++

[Blue Blood]

In case you didn't watch the leaks, all of LLZ2 used to be a minecart stage which was controlled by tilting the level itself. Sounds fun on paper, but it was horribly executed. The torch mechanic is completely new.

[Detective Shadzter]

UK SITE UPDATE!!

Background change and more screenshots.

[Blue Blood]

Burrowbot, Batbot and Green Orbinaut have been added, along with LLZ1 music and some new screens. The screens show some different dynamite parts wher eyou have to light it from quite a way away.

[Woun]

Fons!

sonicthehedgehog4.com/assets/badniks/orbinaut.swf

sonicthehedgehog4.com/assets/badniks/burrobot.swf

sonicthehedgehog4.com/assets/badniks/batbot.swf

Badniks!

Art:

Screens:

Edited August 18, 2010 by Woun

[Djawed]

The game looks like shit,

Nah just kiddin, it looks awesome

[Woun]

Badniks:

+ :

[Drunk Michael Myers]

As much as I'm really liking the level, I have a bone to pick right here:

That spring needn't be there, it just takes control away from the player. They should have to jump on the ledge, avoid the spear and jump up to the next platform. Everything else is looking lovely though.

Highly areed with you there.

Looking at the minekart picture, it looks like it's up to 7 minuites. I hope only 1 of them are spent in the minekart.

[Marcello]

Lost Labyrinth has my favorite music in the game.I think the music is so awesome. SHZ Act 1 has my least favorite..

So, there are going to be different colored Badniks this time? We've seen a red Orbinaut and a green and yellow one. That's cool. (Edit: Wait. Thatwas in Sonic 1, too.)

I'm liking the torch lighting thing. It doesn't seem like it'll get in the way all too much.. The walking on sunshine the boulder could be cool if it's not too long.

Here's the text about it:

Eggman began his latest research in the remains of this labyrinth. Mysterious traps including giant boulders, moving walls, and endless waterways deter any curious explorers. If Sonic gets in over his head, make sure to look for air bubbles nearby!

This level is really looking beautiful. I hated Labyrinth Zone, but this looks like I could really enjoy it!

Edited August 18, 2010 by MarcelloF

[bolt7]

I salute whoever leaked the video of that horrible mine cart only level. Seriously, this looks much better. The lighting gimmick is actually kinda cool (though it was sorta done in New Super Mario Bros. Wii; and throwing fireballs to light the way was cooler.) I can actually imagine the mine cart only level actually being relevantly fun on the iPhone, but I'm still really glad we've seen rid of it from this version. I just hope they change Act 2 of Casino Street now, what they had before was unimaginative and boring. It was more like a bonus stage than a proper level. =X

[Blue Blood]

Oh I so totally agree. As much as the leaks were bad because you know, they were leaks they seem to have lead to some good changes.

[Indigo Rush]

I couldn't resist.

Imagine it in this voice.

[Drunk Michael Myers]

I couldn't resist.

Imagine it in this voice.

This one fits better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kczmDfeFN8M#t=0m13s

[Meemz]

I couldn't resist.

Imagine it in this voice.

Strangely, I was already imagining it in that voice when I started reading.

This level is starting to look very nice, and now I'm curious to see if they've done anything to the other levels too. The minecart keeps reminding me of Donkey Kong Country though (then again anything with a minecart would).

Edited August 18, 2010 by Mimi