Back in May this year, Nintendo announced a worldwide partnership with SEGA, along with a brand new Sonic the Hedgehog title coming exclusively to the Wii U and 3DS: Sonic Lost World.
In the August issue of Official Nintendo Magazine, head of the Sonic Team Takashi Iizuka said that the company is hoping to "win back the platform fans" with the anticipated new addition to the Sonic franchise, after the series gathered mixed reviews with Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colours and Sonic Generations:
Sonic started out as a platform title but, as we got to the more recent ones, it changed to be a more speed-based game. Recent fans will be familiar with that speed-based gaming, but with Lost World, we wanted to win back the platform fans. We don’t just want old Sonic fans to come back, though: we want Mario players and other platform gamers to enjoy the new game, too.
You can read our Sonic Lost World first impressions, as we got up close and personal with the game at Nintendo UK's post E3 Showcase. Are you a fan of the previous speed-based games, or are you hopeful that this new entry will have more platforming thrown in? Let us know below.
[source gonintendo.com, via officialnintendomagazine.co.uk]
Comments 60
It has been a looong time since the last time I played a Sonic game, and they already got me with their trailer.
Played Sonic Lost World at PAX and it does feel more like a Mario game. Not in the gameplay sense, but with the amount of polish and precision with the controls. The run button really helps, it's still a fast game but measured. Really excited about this, it looks to be the perfect evolution of Sonic that should have happened 15 years ago.
With both Super Mario 3D World & Sonic Lost World seemingly returning to their 2D roots it looks like 3D platformers are finally moving in a direction I can get behind. So excited by both these titles
They won me back to the series when Colors came out! So far, Lost World is looking like a home run for Sega; the redone gameplay will surely be a fresh experience. October can't come soon enough! This and Arkham Origins will probably keep me busy for the rest of the year!
the past three games you meantioned got good reviews but this looks even better!
Actually NL, Sonic Unleashed got mixed reviews, Sonic Colours and Generations got generally positive reviews.
It's exciting when you think about Wii U's holiday lineup this way. Sonic, Mario and Donkey Kong all back in their purest forms.
It doesn't look that good. It looks likes you basically run down a log.
Played the game at the Japan Expo, it's awesome. That's my October purchase: as surprising as it might be for some, I already have too many games on my Wii U.
Good i got sick of all the stupid runthgh gameplay im looking forward to Sonic Lost World. Its the 1st Sonic game in a Loooooooong time iv bean Excited for
@Kewlan "It has been a looong time since the last time I played a Sonic game, and they already got me with their trailer."
Totally agree with you there!
Less speed? What is the point? If you want platforming, go to mario, if you want high speed platforming, go to sonic. I'm tired of games dumbing themselves down for demographics who couldn't care less.
Sonic should be made even faster and more challenging and less accommodating to the people who can't play it. Its an acquired taste, and if you don't like it, you have other options.
If its not fast, I don't want it.
@AugustusOxy it's still fast dude, calm down. The sense of speed is actually higher since you have more control over it.
Generations was a great game. This does look good though.
@Wesker If you say it that way, it still sounds good. It's basically a new, multi layered -circular- form of 2.5D platforming. I know I want it!
It's about time. The recent games make everything too much of a race without enough reaction time and little to no ability to backtrack.
Sonic got his start as the perfect blend of speed and platforming, and the "Adventure" duology did a wonderful job of transitioning the mix into 3D before "Heroes" and "Shadow" soured the experience not because of the basic engine but because of the terrible gimmicks that were shoehorned into them. Then Sonic '06 was a horrible buggy mess, and Sega foolishly decided they needed to reinvent the 3D gameplay system. After trying and failing miserably with a motion-controlled on-rails system in "Secret Rings" and "Black Knight," they went with the race style of "Unleashed." While "Unleashed" is a decent game, and I have much worse gripes with "Colors" (Don't ask, or I'll open up a can of worms.), I've never been fond of that approach. Generations was a step in the right direction, and now Lost World looks to be the true successor to the "Adventure" games and without the disorienting manual camera I hate so much in the "Super Mario Galaxy" games.
Well i pre-ordered after seeing the colours powers trailer so they already got me . Would like to see or have more details on the Wii U versions multi-player mode though.
platforming over speed any day, leave speed for the racing games
I have to admit that I haven't played a Sonic Game since the Dream Cast... But that will definitely change when Lost World is released.
Sonic lost world, mario 3d world, donky kong tropical freeze, pikmin 3, lego city undercover, monster hunter 3 ultimate, lego marvel super heroes, deus ex human revolution directors cut,new super dario u, super luigi u, splinter cell blacklist, assassins creed 4, wonderful 101, watchdogs, windwaker hd, mario kart 8, super smash bro's...deep breath...wiifit u, just dance 2015, wii u party, game and wario, batman arkham origins, call of duty ghosts,nintendoland
...Yep the wiiu is doomed and dosnt have any good games out for it...
@Wesker Mario ran on airborne logs in the Galaxy series...just sayin'.
@AugustusOxy ...You clearly haven't seen or played Sonic 1. Go look up Marble Zone, that stage is SO FAST. Sonic was ALWAYS about platforming since the very beginning.
In the classic games, speed had to be EARNED with skill and it was not handed over to you on a silver platter like in Sonic Unleashed with the boost. That philosophy is being translated into 3D with this game. With the parkour, spin-dash and the tier-based speed system, you can traverse the stages with speed and finesse when you've acquired the skill and memory of the stages first. Sonic games need more substance, and slowing him down to allow for more intricate and interesting platforming is the way to do it.
This game looks Amazing... Can't wait to play it
Sounds good to me.
Funny that Sonic has Takashi Iizuka and Mario has Takashi Tezuka.
well they definetly got me interested for this game
The won me be in May already.
@KrazyBean Yep i couldn't agree more and as others have sed allot of the "3D" sonic games might as well beein racing games... by your self... as all you did in most of them is hold forward... occasional jump... that's about it but this looks more like PROPER lvl design as in YOU the PLAYER actually PLAY the lvls insisted of letting the game do it all for you WOO SO FUN IMA LETTING A GAME PLAY ITS SELF!! 8D.... this is what I hate with allot of modern games... let ME PLAY IT... not some Automatic CRAP. This is why im looking forward to this with some Actual gameplay that (from what i have seen) YOU the PLAYER do all the movement comands
Even though speed has been a selling point of Sonic ever since the franchise was created, good platforming was the main reason for its early success on the Mega Drive and Master System.
As someone who enjoyed Sonic a lot on the Master System, I'm very excited about this game. It looks like they may just be able to recapture the magic.
Remember Fellas, Sonic was originally created because the creator wanted to beat Super Mario as fast as he can. That's the pure premise of Sonic. To beat it as fast as YOU can. Unleashed, Colors, and Generations are freaking fantastic. But to the premise perspective, it was a railroad boostathon. There was really no way to get...well...faster. It was a locked speed, and felt like it was a normal pace to me.
Next to colors, the premise is very well locked and located within Lost World. If you want to take it slow, take it slow! If that's how fast you can beat it, so be it! As you remember the stage more and more, you can make it feel like it's the fastest Sonic game ever!
Very, very excited for Lost World. A step in the positive direction for sure!
If I'm not mistaking, I heard this will have online play. o.o
....but no.... I want speed.... no....
The Plan for platforming sounds great maybe I will jump back in.
@pntjr It will still have plenty speed I bet. Sonic has always been a fast game
From what I've seen so far, I think the graphics could look better
i am a big sonic fan
I loved sonic adventure 2, why can't they make one like that again? Please bring back Chao world too!!
You've won me, I can't wait to play Sonic Gala... er, Sonic Lost Worlds
You don't have to worry about that, Sega. You won me back ever since Sonic Colors and Generations.
Well, they certainly have my vote! This game is looking pretty incredible.
SEGA never lost me as a fan, but that could be due to the fact I didn't play any 3D Sonic's until last year.
now can we please confirm Sonic in the next smash bros
That one comment by Iizuka just made this on to my buy list. Wasn't going to get it but will pick it up now. I've always loved Sonic from the first day he was released. That lasted up through the "Adventure" games on the Dreamcast.
Then I've missed him since. I fully believe that the speed mechanic took far too much front stage attention and, basically, put the games on autopilot. Yeah it was fun to watch the speed but not fun to play a game that pretty much played itself. I applaud Sega for realizing what has derailed the franchise and trying something to bring it back home.
@GearsOfWarU I totally agree, also your avatar is awesome! I've been wanting Demon's Crest on the VC since the Wii launched.
I've been excited since Iwata first announced it as a Nintendo exclusive!
As a fan who was once excited for the cancelled Sonic X-Treme Sega Saturn title, I'm looking forward to this game more than anything else for the Wii U this year. Yes even more so than Rayman Legends and Super Mario 3D World.
You've won me Sega, heck yeah! Day 1 buying this. Platforming is a big must in any Sonic game, and I'd take this over a New Super Mario Bros any day.
They are saying all the right things. I think after the holiday rush, I'll be this game.
Sounds great to me. I'm still hesitant to anticipate this but I've seen mostly encouraging info. Don't get me wrong, I love going fast, but I miss games like Sonic Adventure where you could stop and smell the roses instead of blurring through the environments. Now if they would just throw in a Chao garden I'd love Sega again. Well that and localize PSO2 already.
@MegaManEP3 ...thanx ... I also want Demon's Crest for Wii U !!!!!!!!!
For future titles, both fast and jumpy: Keep the damn run button. Run on one trigger, drift on the other. Generations was awesome, but man, I couldn't make really precise turns, and they knew it too, cause the level design didn't feature too many precise turns. The run button would've been swell, so I could keep my speed lower when I want to turn sharper, then boost back up when needed.
I do enjoy playing old sonic games but sega has be messing up a lot of newer games..... I just hope that this isn't a game that will disappoint.... Now let me go play Sonic R!
I've played a ton of indie platformers this past year, for Sonic to beat those, it will take a miracle IMO.
Try Giana sisters or Dust: Elysian tail. Look at the details and art, animation, innovative gameplay. Nintendo hopefully can do it, but won't be easy.
Giana sisters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxXN5JNQlKM
Dust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taRJkbnEgK4
BTW, I got Giana free as a gift from a random person on steam and Dust cost me $5 on steam.
So yea for $60 Nintendo show me what you can do I guess.....
Sega's making it, though. I'm not sure how Nintendo is supposed to impress you with this game. It's also $50. Not $60.
Anyway, this looks fun. Super-speed platforming is why I enjoy Sonic games, and I'm glad to see that is their focus this time.
@Volmun I agree with you about that. It does fell like generations and unleashed were playing themselves when your boosting and platforming just wasn't happening enough. Colars however did do a good job with platforming. But this game looks like it will remember we wont to play the game and go fast as possible.
Feels weird, looking more forward to the new Sonic game in order to get my 3D platforming fix than anything else. Who's Mario again?
I only enjoy plattormers when they are played fast.
(Only way to play Super Mario Bros is with the run button held down as fast as possible).
The best ones are ones like the lost levels where the only way to make the jumps is to do it fast. (With Mario anyway. Luigi is like the easy option).
Haven't cared about a sonic game since sonic adventure on dreamcast. Not really interested in this. I might try it as a game rented from the library or a bargin bin purchase.
~edit~ I lied. I liked all stars racing .
It's great to see SEGA finally treating the franchise with the polish it deserves! Haven't seen this amount of it since maybe even as far back as Sonic 3 and Knuckles! I'm talking about all of the recent games in general. Ever since Unleashed, the amount of polish has been unreal!
They got me back already!!! Can't wait to buy this DAY 1
they got me back with the trailer. Can't wait to reunite with Sonic and Friends
Sonic the Hedgehog meets Mario Galaxy. How can you not be stoked about this release?
I will return to being a sonic fan if this game is long and hard because all sonic games have stupid levels I hate sonic o6 it's the worst that's why I hate sonic
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...