How Sega Can Bring Sonic the Hedgehog Back To Its Glory
After my rant on How Sega All But Ruined Sonic the Hedgehog, I thought it would be most appropriate to expand on how Sega can actually transition Sonic into the next-gen consoles without making their down-slide worse. I figured the best way to go through this is to take the core elements that did work of all the past games and explain how they could be pieced together to build a new Sonic classic. (BTW: I’ve updated this post since it got submitted to Digg)
Make Sonic Fast
With a Sonic game, you obviously need speed, and while the 3D Sonic games were still faster than your other 3D platformers, they still did not have the same sense of speed of the 16-bit predecessors. One of the main advantages of 3D action games is the ability to roam around and have complete directional control of your character. In Sonic, however, I believe that really takes away from the speed of the game.
One flaw that seemed to more prevalent throughout the Sonic Adventure and Sonic Heroes series is the fact that when hitting the side of a track at full speed results in the character coming to a dead halt. This is aggravating, especially when it happens more often than it should. If a Sonic game was a bit more limited in terms of 3D control — maybe to the point of putting it on two-dimensional rails, you would be able to maintain more of the high-speed feel and bring it back to the old-school roots.
Stick With Two Dimensions
When Sonic is in 2D, players had limited vision when it came to their enemies and obstacles. While at times this brought frustration, it also required players to have quick reaction time, and also rely on either quick instincts or a bit of memorization in order to succeed.
Tying this back to the previous point about speed and the limited movement, I might be advantageous to completely bring the series back to a sideways view with limited 2D movement similar to modern games like Viewtiful Joe.
Viewtiful Joe was an interesting success story. It was a franchise that came out of nowhere in a crowded video game market. What made Viewtiful Joe so successful is that it was something completely different in addition to being simple and fun — all because it was 2D.
A two-dimensional environment works best for games like Viewtiful Joe and Sonic the Hedgehog because they thrive on the simplicity of 2D gameplay. When the gameplay basics are simple, it allows both the developer and the gamer to benefit. The developer can spend less time on getting all those 3D camera bugs and other complex issues taken care and focus more on developing beautiful landscapes, amazing speed, and killer boss battles. The gamer also does not have to learn a complex control scheme or all the little quirks of getting stuck in a 3D environment and focus more on quick response time and enjoying the actual game.
Viewtiful Joe enjoyed quite a buzz in the gaming community through both critical reviews and word-of-mouth as more and more gamers got their hands on the title. But why did a new beatemup get so much attention? Because it was different. It stood out. It was basically the only new, 2D action game on the market. It combined 2D gameplay with the capabilities of modern consoles.
Make Electrifying Bonus Rounds
For me, one of the most exciting parts about the classic Sonic games on the Genesis was the bonus rounds. As fun as the main game was, sometimes you were excited to have a chance at the bonus rounds. Back then, the bonus rounds were not only loads of fun, but also a showcase for sweet graphical advancements and trippy visual effects. With the power of next-gen consoles, developers have unlimited number of effects possibilities to create some incredible bonus rounds.
Sega is also well-known (or at least they were) for making some incredibly quirky but fun games. This is an opportunity to insert some of this quirkiness without worrying about messing up the main part of the game.
Bottom line: Fill bonus rounds with an insane amount of eye candy and quirky gameplay and gamers of all ages and skills will eat it up.
Make Monster Robotnik Bosses
Sonic has benefited from a number of incredible level design. But one of my favorite parts of each 16-bit level was making it to the end and seeing what type of mechanical creation Dr. Robotnik would bring to battle me.
The original Sonic Adventure game was a real let-down with its focus on the Chaos water creature. Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes returned a bit more to the more mechanical bosses, but I really think Sega could work a bit harder to create something that takes advantage of the current generation of consoles and would actually strike fear in the hearts of Sonic fans.
Bring Sonic Back to Mobius
Just like Mario has the Mushroom Kingdom, Sonic once had a magical place of his own. His unique planet was not detailed by name in the original games, but was later expanded on in Sonic comics and animation as Mobius.
However, once Sonic went into 3D, Sega felt that Sonic was better suited on Earth and had him and the other animal-like characters to interact with humans. While many video games should obviously be based around life on Earth and a realistic setting, games that have a more fantasy element such as Mario and Sonic should be treated to a unique world/universe the gives them more personality and builds on the specials strengths of the characters.
Have Creative Level Designs With Personality
The orignial Sonic games had a ton of creative level designs that were each very distinct and featured an interesting gimick. Many themes were repeated thoughout the series, but were always given a fresh flair. Examples are the fresh-but-fast Green Hill Zones, your colorful and zany Casino zones, and your don’t-run-out-of-air Underwater Zones.
Many of these unique zones were lost in Sonic Adventure and the later 3D games. Sonic Heroes brought back a handful of these themes, which was one if its few saving graces.
Resurrecting some of these colorful level designs could not only give the Sonic series its personality back, but it would also add new gameplay elements and strategy requirements to keep the gamer interested.
Limit The Amount of Playable Characters
When more people pick up a Sonic game, they want to play as Sonic. I don’t think they by it to play as Tails, or Amy, or some fat cat with a fishing pole. They like to be Sonic. Other Sonic-like characters like Knuckles and Shadow are ok as long as the play like Sonic for the most part.
Sonic and Knuckles on the Genesis was great when it let you play as Knuckles. He did run around like Sonic, but he also had some additional powers like the climbing and gliding capabilities. His levels were, for the most part identical to Sonic’s, but it allowed you to think differently about how to approach the level.
However, in games like Sonic Adventure 2, I dreaded playing as Knuckles because you had a completely different level that, instead of blazing though and exciting landscape, you were forced to fly around until you found a certain number of jewels. I only wanted to complete those levels so I could play more Sonic afterwards.
Don’t Let Sonic Talk
I have to admit, once I heard Sonic and the other characters talk in Sonic Adventure, I was embarrassed to have anyone else see me playing the game. Back in the Genesis days, I viewed Sonic and Knuckles both as being “cool” (for lack of a better term) while each having a distinct personality. Sega did a good enough job with their facial expressions and body language to make them into a character that we could relate to. Tails was once viewed as a dependable sidekick, but once he opened his mouth, he was nothing but an annoyance.
Nintendo doesn’t have Mario speak audibly very often for good reason. If he did, it would be absolutely grading on the nerves. (Unless you are really into the cheesy Italian accent for long periods of time). A few little phrases here and there (like those used in Sonic CD) are fine, but that’s about it.
Slick Graphics Are Fine
Even though I am an old-school fanatic, I still love high-end graphics as long as they are used properly and the game does not rely on them as a crutch. When it comes to many 3D titles, including Sega’s 3D Sonic games, it seems like developers use 3D “because they can” and its what is mainstream — not because it actually suits the game.
Sonic the Hedgehog on the XBox 360 looks phenomenal. I cannot deny that it has some real stylistic potential. But as I mentioned before, I truly believe that combining those graphical capabilities with a 2D gameplay engine could really turn into a landmark game in the Sonic series.
Focus On The Core Gameplay
You’ll notice that one of the biggest differences (besides the graphics) between the 16-bit Sonic games and their newer siblings is Sega tried to greatly expand what a Sonic game included. In the first Sonic Adventure, this was very apparent with the exploration mode after the first level. I can still remember the first time I played Sonic Adventure — I was blown away by the first level and all of its excitement and beauty. I couldn’t wait to jump into the next exciting, blistering fast round. Instead, I had to wonder around some town trying to figure out where to go.
Obviously, Sega toned that element down a bit, but they still have a tendency to drift away from the core Sonic gameplay we all love. Let me clarify to those that think I hate 3D Sonic games: I actually enjoy playing those Sonic levels. Obviously, I think they can be improved, but at least they are much better than many other parts of the game.
Sega (and any other game developer, for that matter) needs to take a look at what elements are actually working well for them. Then, examine the areas that aren’t working and throw them away. If you want to experiment with one or two things, that’s fine. But don’t keep that new thing around for the next installment if it’s a dud.
Take Your Time
If you take a look at the games that have the highest review scores over the years, you can probably think back and remember that those games were in development for quite a while. Perhaps there were even a delay or two before reaching the final release date. As disappointing as delays might be for fans, they usually mean that the developers are making sure the final product is as good as it can be.
To strengthen my argument, lets take a look at the 3D installments of both the Mario and Sonic franchises. The core Super Mario series has only had three console releases in a span of 12 years (Super Mario 64 [1996] , Super Mario Sunshine [2002], and Super Mario Galaxy [2007]). Sonic, on the other hand, has had six games (if you include Shadow the Hedgehog) in only nine years. Now consider the acclaim the Mario games have received (especially, the recent Super Mario Galaxy) in contrast to the ridicule the Sonic games have received.
What Is Your Opinion?
Obviously, this is a hot topic for anyone that is interested in Sonic games. I’ve already had a large number of people (usually in their early teens) that have criticized me for what I’ve said in my previous articles, and if they enjoy these newer games, that’s just fine. Perhaps Sega thinks it’s better to cater to the younger crowd. But I would like to think that I’m not the only one that thinks that Sega should put the effort to create a game that gamers of all ages can enjoy — much like Nintendo fans are with Mario Galaxy.
I’m not holding my breath for Sega to take these ideas into consideration. But until they do, I’ll be playing much more of Sonic Mega Collection and Sonic Rush than any of the newer console installments.
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Also,play Labrinth Zone,Marble Garden Zone,and Final Hazard.
I agree with racket boy 99% the one pecent says mario sukS >:( not trying to be mean to 5 year olds but the new sonic for ps3 and xbox 360 suks I might be old school but I have a right to say the 3D games messed up sonic and sega I mean why dosent sega have their own game system lets see a five year old anser that for me…………peace out lol 😀
o yhea and im a shawdow hater 😉
anyone here hate shawdow tell me. love ya old skool friends
the only sonic character i hate is big the cat
why does he have to be fat and stupid
and his best friend is a stupid frog
i also hate e123 omega.
i hope sonic chronicles and sonic unleashed are good
In the image under the “Make Electrifying Bonus Rounds” title, it should say “Just think WHAT is possible now”, not “was”, should be “what”. It’s the image depicting the bonus stages.
After reading what all of you are saying about Sonic the Hedgehog, I simply can’t believe all of you! How can you say such things about the way Sonic and his gang are now, comparing them from the way they used to be. Personally, I’m a huge fan to Sonic and his gang, even though I don’t know much about some of them. To me, Sonic is the #1 character in the history of video games.
Even though I know a lot of stuff about Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, and even Dr. Eggman (Dr. Robotnik) and not know anything about the others like Cream and Silver, I simply love the Sonic the Hedgehog series more. I mostly play Sonic in Super Smash BNros. Brawl, and even though you guys say that he is not as fast and as cool as he was since his very first game, Sonic is simply the best and coolest hedgehog.
You may think this sounds crazy, but I’m planning that when I’m old enough to have a tattoo on my body, i’ll have a tattoo of Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles with the version from “Shadow the Hedgehog” on the center of my back. Since you all don’t like Sonic that much anymore, just back off from Sonic. That simple. Just leave Sonic and his gang to someone who is a true fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. I will be Sonic’s #1 fan forever!
After reading what all of you are saying about Sonic the Hedgehog, I simply can’t believe all of you! How can you say such things about the way Sonic and his gang are now, comparing them from the way they used to be. Personally, I’m a huge fan to Sonic and his gang, even though I don’t know much about some of them. To me, Sonic is the #1 character in the history of video games.
Even though I know a lot of stuff about Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, and even Dr. Eggman (Dr. Robotnik) and not know anything about the others like Cream and Silver, I simply love the Sonic the Hedgehog series more. I mostly play Sonic in Super Smash BNros. Brawl, and even though you guys say that he is not as fast and as cool as he was since his very first game, Sonic is simply the best and coolest hedgehog.
You may think this sounds crazy, but I’m planning that when I’m old enough to have a tattoo on my body, i’ll have a tattoo of Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles with the version from “Shadow the Hedgehog†on the center of my back. Since you all don’t like Sonic that much anymore, just back off from Sonic. That simple. Just leave Sonic and his gang to someone who is a true fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. I will be Sonic’s #1 fan forever!
I have been a Sonic fan since I was little, I do like the classic games but they didn’t have a story and I do like the 3-d Sonic games but some of the Sonic games started to go downhill after the Sonic adventure games, like Sonic Heroes I couldn’t stand that game and Sonic and the Secret rings wasn’t that good, but things started to look up. Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 looks like a promising game (I don’t own a ps3 or xbox so I havn’t played it yet) Mephiles is an actual threatining enemy, the graphics are good, I’d really like to play it, but the ending I saw on youtube sucked. It makes me mad how they forget all about it, I hate those kinds of endings. Allthough some of the newer games are going downhill I’ll still play them as long as I get to play as my favorite video game characters Sonic and Shadow, that’s all I need (except for sonic heroes and Sonic and the secret rings, I hate those games). But if you people don’t like the newer games, well play the Sonic advance games, i bet you’ll like them, or why don’t you just buy Sonic gems and Sonic mega collection? Even though all of you don’t like Sonic anymore he’ll always be my favorite video game character for years to come both 2-d and 3-d that also include past sonic games, present sonic games, and sonic games to come. By the way, if you think the sonic games the actual SEGA company makes suck why don’t you just download game maker 7 and make a Sonic game yourself, I bet your game will suck way worse than the SEGA companies Sonic games.
P.S. Sonic X sucks and Mario cannot beat Sonic!!!
Although I like all of the Sonic games Some of the newer games in other series are starting to suck, The classic legend of Zelda games and Mario games were really fun but once the era of the 64 ended those games started to suck, I would have to say Mario had the biggest downfall of all, I don’t even buy the games anymore, allthough I did buy Mario and Sonic at the olympoic games and the new super mario bros the other games suck like sh*** and I am not at all interested in Mario galaxy. The legend of Zelda might have a chance at being a good game still, once the windwaker came out I immediatly started to hate the legend of Zelda, but when I saw The Legend of Zelda Twillight princess I knew there was still hope for the legend of zelda of series. So all of you who are saying the newer Sonic games suck LOOK AT THE OTHER GAME SERIES!!! Trust me, the Sonic games will be running for a long time compared to how stupid other games series are becoming, I don’t care if you disagree with my comment, it’s only a matter of opinion and what games really do suck. You can send me as many complaints as you want, my email is [email protected] I fight for what I believe in.
I would have to agree that the side-scrolling effect was far better, but there was one thing I would like to point out.
SONIC NEVER LIVED ON MOBIUS!!!!
Sonic has always lived on earth. In Japan, where Sonic originated to begin with, it was stated that he lived on earth way before Sonic Adventure. This was not Sega’s decision, the name Mobius was a mistranslation which actually referred to the programing of Sonic 2.
I agree with everything except dialogue and characters.
I think that dialogue i fine as long as it is limited and works well to give a story line The dialogue should be in 2d cutscenes though, looks crappy with 3d game animation.
Actually i liked playing as tails, tails can fly, thats all the reason i need to have him as a character. And i like having other characters as long as they are unique. Although i agree that there should only be a few characters to play as.
I also agree with the 2d idea… take paper mario for example, that went back to 2d and was one of my favorite games.
Although I hate Sonic X I have to point out Randomass Viking’s mistake. In Sonic X Sonic lives on another planet before he goes to earth. By the way, I only know that because my brother would watch Sonic X when it came on. (He’s 9 what do you expect?)
He also lives on a different planet in Sonic advance 3 before he goes to earth.
But I’m not saying the planet he lived on was named mobius.
Forget the comment above, my brother just told me in Sonic X Sonic’s world was once combined with earth. So technicly Sonic lived on earth and mobius, so all of you were wrong and correct. Pretty smart huh.
Sorry for putting so many comments, but to translate what I was saying was that it was a part of earth but not completly, so you can sort of call it a different planet.
ok well i want to play as amy or creame or rouge the bat not sonic yeah i think we all get it he has super speed ok so just lettin u no that i would play as those characters
Alright, most of you have NOT truly answered the question to how can sega bring sonic back so I am going to try my best to anwer it from the data i’ve collected from this site and other sites.
1. SEGA shouled make the Sonic games both 2-d and 3-d but they shouldn’t make the 3-d games suck, they should make them like the Sonic Adventure games (with better cutscenes of course).
2. Make the game have bonus rounds to get the chaos emerald.
3. Make new cooler bosses such as Mephiles.
4. Keep Sonic on earth, it makes it so Sonic has to save the people. Unless it’s a handheld game like Sonic Advance.
5. Make each level have differences, such as a beach and a forest.
6. Don’t make stupid characters playable that nobody likes.It will make the game file smaller for better uses.
(Such as big the Cat)
7. Make sure people will like the game, nobody likes playing a boring game that sucks.
8. I agree that Sonic should talk yet I also disagree, I found a video that was making fun of his taunts from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, “you’re too slow” and “Come on step it up” but it also makes him sound cool. But his voice should only be used in the 3-d games.
9. Don’t make too many hedgehogs, I do like Sonic, Shadow, and Silver but it’s going to be too many if there’s 4 hedgehogs. (Not including Amy)
10. Make the games multiplayer.
11. Make sure the game has smooth gameplay, you don’t want to have a rough time playing because the controls for the character are bad.
12. Make the story different, no one wants to play a game that has the same story but it’s not completely the same.
13. Don’t make the songs too good or too bad such as Live and Learn, other shows and games will take it. My friend told me that Naruto and Dragonball Z have used the song live and Learn except it was an instrumental.
That’s the data I’ve collected from this site and others. I agree with most of it, but not all of it. If more of you post more comments on your opinion I’ll get it updated.
There is no point in arguing about this, the only way any of us could make Sonic like he used to be would be to become a programmer and make the games yourself. That’s the answer, or you could some how contact them.
Sonic Advance was pretty good; however, if you go back to the original (and I mean the first) Sonic on the Megadrive, it was good because it was a mix of fast AND delicate movements. Sonic Advance was too quick, which took away the balance of the gameplay.
Answer: Play Sonic on JenesisDS, it is perfection.
i like sonic i like the music of it but i like more tail character it is very nice and sweet ^^ i would like that sonic is with the old graphic of yesterday and many peoples could play it without spend a dime on it! i see that the time of the manual created games is ended yesterday… 🙁 and it is not so nice thing…
New info
Bring back the old voice actors! Such as Ryan Drummond for Sonic again and David Humphry for Shadow again! Join the fight to get the Sonic Adventure voices back, because Jason Griffith is making Sonic and Shadow sound horrible!!!
God you guys are like kids.
Just Kidding! Heres what i want to say