Sonic Generations : General Hacking Thread

[Glenn]

Don't usually go in for spoilers, but forgive me... Sonic is playing pretty big in my mind right now!

The zone list is interesting. Sure, a couple of my favourites are missing, but then it was never going to please everybody. Green Hill Zone aside, I think the classic MegaDrive Era gets the right amount of love. Chemical Plant Zone was a must (one of the best zones from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with the greatest music) and Sky Sanctuary Zone seems to be a huge hit. Some people have said "No Ice Cap?" and, like me, were probably hoping for it... but think about it. When the plot involves draining colour from environments and making them look all white, how would that have worked in Ice Cap Zone?!

Two of the best come from Sonic Adventure, and the sequel, and that's great news. Twinkle Park always came across a bit "Mario" for my liking and nowhere else is as iconic as Speed Highway (save perhaps the Emerald Coast, but that's being avoided for a reason). What causes the biggest controversy is Sonic Heroes, and the choice of Seaside Hill and/or Ocean Palace. Well... depends what they do with it. Other choice environments, such as Hang Castle or even Bullet Station (man, I'd have adored Bullet Station) might have been visually interesting but the gameplay would have lacked a certain spark, maybe? There seems to be a "chase" theme involved in a lot of what we've seen thusfar... the giant badnik, the GUN truck... and Ocean Palace comes ready-made with a brilliant chase sequence. Maybe that was part of the thinking? Not only that, but think about it. This is supposed to celebrate twenty years of Sonic at his best. How many newcomers and/or casual fans would have gotten to Hang Castle, only to frown "What the...?!" and leave the controller behind.

So, not ideal, but I'm eager to see what makes it stand out from Green Hill Zone. As I am with Planet Wisp, which I found the weakest zone of Sonic Colours, so that'll be another wait-and-see-with-fingers-crossed addition. But the other selections from the Modern Era? Well, I was secretly hoping for Crisis City above all else from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), mostly for the remixed music, and there's no question that everybody'll be pleased to see Spagonia return.

Limited to three choices from each era, however, and therefore nine places overall is a little short. Okay, they're then doubled to eighteen, when you take into account the Classic/Modern gameplay division, and there seems to be a truckload (a GUN truckload, no less) of boss encounters to play through. Add the rumours of a MegaDrive emulator, bonus missions, etc. etc. and we're looking at quite a complete experience. Just a little short on the diversity, but then comes the DLC. I am no fan of DLC, but I'd happily leave my awful internet downloading Casino Night Zone for three days, just to experience it. It'll probably be on the disc already. Unlocking it with a special code or something. Cheeky, perhaps, but nothing new. They did the same with Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), after all.

Above all, this definitely makes me want the Nintendo 3DS version. With the promise of totally different content, I'm eager to revisit as many different locations as hedgehogly possible. Best start saving those paycheques, I guess...!

Overall, good news is good.

[The-Master-Board]

Dude.

Calm your tits.

Hey! My tits are pretty calm! (checks nipples) Oh.......well....it's pretty damn cold here!

All I'm saying is the information seems to be yo-yo-ing me about. One second I'm like "Holy shit! This is in there! Awesome!" and the next I'm like "What the fuck!? Why would they do that?"

The levels do seem like a pretty stupid choice to me though. They are essentially what would make or break the game for me, and whilst I like running through revamped versions of stages I love, that will get kinda tedious without representations from different tropes, I mean come on! No Casino themed zone? What is that shit?

[SilentDoom]

The dialogue for the Crisis City cut-scene has been leaked. Read at your own discretion.

Modern Sonic: I don't remember any of this stuff. Oh well, let's go little me!

Classic Sonic: ...

Modern Sonic: Come to think of it, what's that giant lava monster doing there?

(Iblis kills Modern Sonic)

Elise: Oh my god, Sonic! I can save you, please come back! For me... for us!

(Elise passionately makes out with Modern Sonic's dead body)

(Classic Sonic looks on in confusion and disgust)

(Modern Sonic comes back to life)

Modern Sonic: Thank you, princess who I never met! Is there any way I can repay you?

Elise: Yes! Take this blue Chaos Emerald which I had since I was a child!

Modern Sonic: Thank you. I will take this blue Chaos Emerald which you somehow had in your possession since childhood, even though I have repeatedly collected said Chaos Emerald since the first Sonic game.

Elise: I know! It's not like the fans will notice or anything.

Modern Sonic: Ha ha ha ha!

Elise: Ha ha ha ha!

Modern Sonic: Hey, nice smile!

Classic Sonic: ...

The laugh has to be the infamous Jason Griffith laugh...

[Indigo Rush]

Hey! My tits are pretty calm! (checks nipples) Oh.......well....it's pretty damn cold here!

All I'm saying is the information seems to be yo-yo-ing me about. One second I'm like "Holy shit! This is in there! Awesome!" and the next I'm like "What the fuck!? Why would they do that?"

The levels do seem like a pretty stupid choice to me though. They are essentially what would make or break the game for me, and whilst I like running through revamped versions of stages I love, that will get kinda tedious without representations from different tropes, I mean come on! No Casino themed zone? What is that shit?

I agree the lack of a Casino level is kind of... bizarre... but they DO have the Casino Night Zone DLC.

[Spanner]

All I can say is that I'm just disappointed that the rumoured level list was actually the true list. Why? Because there's little variation. It's either cities or grass levels with just few exceptions and if that's what people actually wanted, shame on you. What about water levels, fire levels, factories and space zones for example? Sure, the game will be worth playing, but the level list is just terrible.

Of course, the 3DS version promises to be something different and might offer remakes of the Advance and Rush games, maybe they won't stick to what happened in the console game.

[Indigo Rush]

What about water levels,

Seaside Hill and Chemical Plant will certainly have underwater sections.

fire levels

The whole city's on fire!

factories

Chemical Plant isn't a factory level?

space zones

Death Egg makes an appearance.

[#EndyGate]

Of course, the 3DS version promises to be something different and might offer remakes of the Advance and Rush games, maybe they won't stick to what happened in the console game.

its been confirmed that advance and rush are getting remakes, more than likely the advance games will be the 3DS' adventure/dreamcast, with the rush games replacing unleashed and 06 in the modern section

There was also a rumored 3DS level list somewhere, though it is heavily believed to be bullshit someone came up with (though it had quite a bit of variety in it)

[Your Vest Friend]

What about water levels

Ocean Palace [Well, it's called Seaside Hill, but it has lots of the features of Ocean Palace].

fire levels

Crisis City.

factories

Chemical Plant.

space zones

Planet Wisp.

Why is everyone suddenly looking on the surface of the levels when we've known for ages that there can be so much more than that?

Edited June 24, 2011 by VEDJ-F

[Indigo Rush]

Planet Wisp.

Objection! Planet Wisp's backdrop is a lush forest, not outer space. If anything, it's a forest/construction hybrid.

We're looking at Death Egg for space.

Edited June 24, 2011 by Indigo Rush

[midori]

For some reason, the piece of information that intrigued me the most is... Infomation Pod??? ;;

While I hate the Werehog, I admit I'd like to see what Classic Werehog would look like.

[Your Vest Friend]

Like I said, people are looking at the surface. I see Planet Wisp and see potential to be able to rocket into space, looking down on the construction site as you race through the lithosphere.

Maybe I have too much of an active imagination, but I don't care.

[The-Master-Board]

I agree the lack of a Casino level is kind of... bizarre... but they DO have the Casino Night Zone DLC.

I don't do DLC. No net that is fast enough for it available in my area, or so I'm told.

Does that mean as a fan I should miss out on content?

I beleive if it's not in the game proper then it's not part of the game. What happens if my Xbox decides to die? (and lets face it, that red ring of death is always a possibility >_<) I just prefer to have actual physical content on a disc.

Lack of ARK representation baffles me too, along with many many other level choices. Crisis City over Kingdom Valley? No Ice Cap (not that I was for it) No Sonic CD levels? No Knuckles boss fight?

[Indigo Rush]

For some reason, the piece of information that intrigued me the most is... Infomation Pod??? ;;

While I hate the Werehog, I admit I'd like to see what Classic Werehog would look like.

The Werehog icon was left over from Unleashed, as was the moon and sun medals that came with it.

Also:

DLC:

Looks like plenty of variation to me!

Edited June 24, 2011 by Indigo Rush

[Pawn]

I remember a PR guy claiming in one of the E3 interviews that they weren't going to be a slave to fan-favourites and keep it varied. So much for that. It is a bit disappointing that Ice Cap didn't make it since I love snow levels but whaddayagonnado. Maybe DLC? Although I'm a skeptic when it comes to that. =P

However, I guess they had good intentions. They look like poll winners. Sky Sanctuary's a bit of a surprise but I think of the Mecha Sonic battles and overall epicness of the level and it makes sense. I never expected a CD level to get in since relatively few fans have played it, although we might have Stardust Speedway in the Metal Sonic fight. When I saw Seaside Hill I was worried, but seeing as they're implementing a lot of Ocean Palace then I'll wait to give my verdict. Hopefully it will make a good water level; maybe something like Aquarium Park since they both contain temple-like structures.

I'm going to try to look at Speed Highway as a night level rather than a city level, since otherwise it's pretty much exactly the same theme as City Escape. Crisis City seemed obvious from the beginning, and much as I dislike '06, at least we might get some lava segments this way. I personally don't see Rooftop Run as a city theme in the same vain as City Escape, since it's a European theme rather than an American one. It wouldn't have been my choice but I guess it's a favourite. Planet Wisp is a shame because I wanted a space level. Maybe they'll toy with it a bit.

Chemical Plant is good. This talk of boss fights with Shadow, Metal Sonic, Chaos and possibly Knuckles has more than helped me through this seeming lack of variety though. Elemental shields: AWESOME.

Also I just noticed your username goes in the Sonic logo at the top. That's cool.

Edited June 24, 2011 by Lungo

[EXshad]

This list works for me... mostly. I'm a tiny bit irked at how "Seaside Hill" isn't Ocean Palace, meaning the vastly superior music and more memorable parts of the levels may not be in it as a result. Plus, there's 2 stages with "Hill" in the title and 2 "cities"....

But anyhow, this list works for me, for a number or reasons. Here's why:

-Green Hill is the quintessential "opening hill" level, 'nuff said

-Chemical Plant is industrial themed, sure, but more or less it's an Eggman base. The ground you run, the chemically infected waters, and the dark yet colorful tone set it apart from any other level they could have chosen

-Sky Sanctuary is sexy as hell. It doesn't absolve the list of it's problems simply with its inclusion (you assclowns), but it's one of THE best levels they could have chosen, next to Lava Reef, Hydrocity, or Ice Cap. Plus, it has a lot of iconic moments in the franchise's history; the Death Egg returning to the skies, Knuckles teaming up with Tails and Knuckles, and the final battle against Mecha Sonic. Great Stuff.

-Speed Highway is a city stage, yes, but you're exploring the streets and roadways, far from the portion that you'll play in...

-City Escape. Now, would I have preferred to see "Twinkle Park" and then City Escape? Yes. But it's still a great level, and they flow into each other rather well, if that's what the developers were intending.

-Seaside Hill is a great looking stage with a unique theme; water-based ruins, like Aquatic Ruin from Sonic 2. I still wish it was Ocean Palace, though....

-Crisis City is a city, possibly the same city from City Escape, lit aflame and destroyed. Again, could be great for story purposes, and to show the future of a level in the game. Perhaps it'll be the same city in the future, or something?

-Rooftop Run takes place almost totally on the roofs of a less modern-style city. Given how you explore parts of Sonic Unleashed's town stage within the level itself, I think they can do a ton of great stuff with the level and make it unique among the rest.

-Planet Wisp was a great choice for Colors AND a possible "final level". It's a green, lush world with Eggman's machine converting it to a base of his. And the music was epic. AND it represents the Colors gimmick better than any other stage ("wisp" is part of the level name). Great choice in the end. I don't even miss Sonic CD, since it (hopefully) will be represented by an epic Metal Sonic battle, and most of CD's levels were improved version of what was in Sonic 1 anyway (Palmtree Panic = Green Hill, Collision Chaos = Spring Yard, Tidal Tempest = Labyrinth Zone, Stardust Speedway = Starlight Zone, and Metallic Madness = Scrap Brain).

Overall, I wish something like this was the level list:

-Green Hill

-Chemical Plant

-Sky Sanctuary

-Twinkle Park

-City Escape

-Ocean Palace/Frog Forest

-Crisis City

-Rooftop Run

-Planet Wisp

But hey, I'll settle with what we got. Everything else in the leak is EXACTLY what I would have chosen. To the tee. So hey. I'll take the list not being perfect. Just don't be surprised when one of the complaints against the game is repetition later on.

Edited June 24, 2011 by EXshad

[Barry the Nomad]

Or there's always my compact version:

[Indigo Rush]

Knuckles teaming up with Tails and Knuckles

Knuckles 3 & Knuckles confirmed!

Or we could... uhm... yeah. Yours is better.

Edited June 24, 2011 by Indigo Rush

[Barry the Nomad]

I've actually just thrown all the original stage tunes into a playlist and am giving the whole thing a listen. I recommend it! Really makes for a great little album, and I can't wait to hear the full remixed Generations version.

[ChikaBoing]

One thing tough, this game is longer in development than an ordinary Sonic game. It's 3 Years, with the Engine already being done. But it still has only 9 Zones with assets of 2 recent Zones already being avaible. And Unleashed had only 2 Years of Development,but has 9 unique enviorments.

So what this means that I hope that they a lot with the Missions and create some truly epic bosses...at least create equal amount amount of content to SU+DLC,and more mabybe. Atleast it will have a alot of polish in terms of playabilty tough with that long of a Development cycle. SU DLC always seemed rushed and badly playable.

Edited June 24, 2011 by ChikaBoing

[midori]

The Werehog icon was left over from Unleashed, as was the moon and sun medals that came with it.

I know, I was just wondering if classic werehog could look cute.

Anyway, if those clouds you could bounce off in Sky Sanctuary appear in the game and look as appealing as they did, my life will be complete. @__@

[Mega]

Speed Highway actually has some pretty cool gimmicks, at least. I just wonder if they'll use all the different tracks for this and Crisis City or just one.

[Barry the Nomad]

One thing tough, this game is longer in development than an ordinary Sonic game. It's 3 Years, with the Engine already being done. But it still has only 9 Zones with assets of 2 recent Zones already being avaible. And Unleashed had only 2 Years of Development,but has 9 unique enviorments.

So what this means that I hope that they a lot with the Missions and create some truly epic bosses...at least create equal amount amount of content to SU+DLC,and more mabybe. Atleast it will have a alot of polish in terms of playabilty tough with that long of a Development cycle. SU DLC always seemed rushed and badly playable.

True, perhaps the three major bosses (Death Egg, Chaos, Egg Dragoon) are epic and act as almost a stage unto themselves? I'd love it if they each involved a bit of platforming and boss fighting, perhaps multiple parts to each boss? That way we'd have a space stage, a water stage and a lava stage.

[azoo]

I wonder if Speed Highway will look like the SA1 version or the SADX version. Preferably the neon gold-and-purple SA1 version.

[EXshad]

Speed Highway actually has some pretty cool gimmicks, at least. I just wonder if they'll use all the different tracks for this and Crisis City or just one.

I hope they remember that in City Escape, Sonic doesn't exactly get hurt by the cars

[ChikaBoing]

I wonder if Speed Highway will look like the SA1 version or the SADX version. Preferably the neon gold-and-purple SA1 version.

Maybe they'll inccoperate At Dawn is some way or another. Tough it'll be hard to differentiate between City Escape.