Really looking forward to Mania, I'm positive it will sell well. My only issue with the game is that from the sounds of it, most of the game is a re-imagining. Whilst there is original content, I can't help but feel it is a game that is playing it safe. Don't get me wrong, it will be awesome but I'm wondering how it would fair if it was completely original content.
Sonic's future should be one dedicated 2D game (with Christian Whitehead's team) and one dedicated 3D game (no 2D sections like in Colours, Generations). Sonic in 3D has so much potential but it has yet to have a consistent style of gameplay, which leads to splits in the fan base.
Sonic needs to stop relying on 2D sections to carry him in his 3D games. Honestly, my biggest complaint with the 3D Modern era Sonic's (Colours, Generations) is that they're supposedly 3D Sonic games except 80% of the time, 3D Sonic is in a 2D section anyway.
This becomes even more apparent in Generations, where Classic Sonic IS the 2D section which is fine, but then 3D Sonic spends half his time in 2D as well. In Sonic Colours, Sonic spends most of his time in 2D and with Sonic Forces having 3 different characters, two of which will focus on 2D and with Modern Sonic having half of his previewed level in 2D, I'm disappointed.
This year, we have a 2D Sonic game (Mania), which will be awesome. I was expecting Sonic Forces to offer a 3D experience but we haven't had a completely 3D experience for a number of years now. The boost formula is fun, my only issues with it so far has been the slightly clunky feel to Sonic when platforming sections show up.
Sonic's 3D career has been a controversial one at that. There are numerous reasons for this but I have to say it is due to the major differences in playstyles between each 3D Sonic game. Some of Sonic's 3D games come across as Sonic Team throwing idea's at the wall and seeing what works.
Look at Mario for example. Since SM64, Mario's had a pretty consistent move set throughout. The only exception has been in SMS where FLUDD was added to the core moveset and despite SMS still being a good game, it did turn some people away. SMG and with SMO, they're all following a similar moveset with an additional element to the gameplay, an extension if you will, not a forced change.
Sonic's 3D career on the other hand, we have the Adventure series which are often criticised due to the other playable characters. Heroes for the slippery controls and bad dialogue and forced team work, 06 for being a trainwreck, Unleashed due to the forced Warehog, Colours due to the Wisps. Even Generations gets criticism for apparently being boost to win. But throughout his career, there's never been a dedicated moveset or consistent playstyle. Adventure style, slippery Heroes style, Boost formula, 3D games with 2D sections etc. Compare this with the Mega Drive games and the only real change that was added is the Spin Dash.
Sonic Team need to just stick to one formula to stop making the experience so jarring. 2D sections in Generations made sense for Classic Sonic but there's no need for it in Forces. Forces' 'gimmick' could have just been the player character whilst Modern Sonic should have had an entirely 3D section (boost formula is fine) with tighter controls for platforming similar to the Adventure series.
Comments 202
Re: Sonic Mania’s Reception Will Determine the Direction of the Series
Really looking forward to Mania, I'm positive it will sell well. My only issue with the game is that from the sounds of it, most of the game is a re-imagining. Whilst there is original content, I can't help but feel it is a game that is playing it safe. Don't get me wrong, it will be awesome but I'm wondering how it would fair if it was completely original content.
Sonic's future should be one dedicated 2D game (with Christian Whitehead's team) and one dedicated 3D game (no 2D sections like in Colours, Generations). Sonic in 3D has so much potential but it has yet to have a consistent style of gameplay, which leads to splits in the fan base.
Re: First Impressions: Running Scared from Sonic Forces
Sonic needs to stop relying on 2D sections to carry him in his 3D games. Honestly, my biggest complaint with the 3D Modern era Sonic's (Colours, Generations) is that they're supposedly 3D Sonic games except 80% of the time, 3D Sonic is in a 2D section anyway.
This becomes even more apparent in Generations, where Classic Sonic IS the 2D section which is fine, but then 3D Sonic spends half his time in 2D as well. In Sonic Colours, Sonic spends most of his time in 2D and with Sonic Forces having 3 different characters, two of which will focus on 2D and with Modern Sonic having half of his previewed level in 2D, I'm disappointed.
This year, we have a 2D Sonic game (Mania), which will be awesome. I was expecting Sonic Forces to offer a 3D experience but we haven't had a completely 3D experience for a number of years now. The boost formula is fun, my only issues with it so far has been the slightly clunky feel to Sonic when platforming sections show up.
Sonic's 3D career has been a controversial one at that. There are numerous reasons for this but I have to say it is due to the major differences in playstyles between each 3D Sonic game. Some of Sonic's 3D games come across as Sonic Team throwing idea's at the wall and seeing what works.
Look at Mario for example. Since SM64, Mario's had a pretty consistent move set throughout. The only exception has been in SMS where FLUDD was added to the core moveset and despite SMS still being a good game, it did turn some people away. SMG and with SMO, they're all following a similar moveset with an additional element to the gameplay, an extension if you will, not a forced change.
Sonic's 3D career on the other hand, we have the Adventure series which are often criticised due to the other playable characters. Heroes for the slippery controls and bad dialogue and forced team work, 06 for being a trainwreck, Unleashed due to the forced Warehog, Colours due to the Wisps. Even Generations gets criticism for apparently being boost to win. But throughout his career, there's never been a dedicated moveset or consistent playstyle. Adventure style, slippery Heroes style, Boost formula, 3D games with 2D sections etc. Compare this with the Mega Drive games and the only real change that was added is the Spin Dash.
Sonic Team need to just stick to one formula to stop making the experience so jarring. 2D sections in Generations made sense for Classic Sonic but there's no need for it in Forces. Forces' 'gimmick' could have just been the player character whilst Modern Sonic should have had an entirely 3D section (boost formula is fine) with tighter controls for platforming similar to the Adventure series.
Sorry for the long first post.