Can Sonic be saved?

I’m sorry, but what he’s suggesting wouldn’t do anything but to stagnate and kill off the entire series.

The 2D games have always held Sonic back, and a good 3D sonic game could be a BLOCKBUSTER 10/10 triple A title, but Sega’s just been really bad at making sonic games.

No, there’s nothing wrong with 3D sonic inherently, it’s just not well made. There’s glimmers of genius in SA2, (City Escape and Final Rush, particularly).

You’ll never get an absolutely amazing 2D sonic game. You just can’t do speed without being able to see ahead of yourself.

I have to disagree on principal. I believe ‘Sonic Adventure’ for Dreamcast and for the most part, Sonic Adventure 2, were excellent 3D sonic games. They’re the equivalent of Mario 64 for Sonic. The argument you’re making is that 2D games don’t work as 3D games, when the reality is that they’re just different games when you add new control complexity. They don’t play the same way. Perhaps you’d disagree but…

Mario Brothers:Mario 64::Sonic The Hedgehog:Sonic Adventure

The first level of Sonic Adventure is practically the Green Hill Zone. Obviously some people don’t care for free roam 3D - but as time goes on the number of people who don’t care for that will diminish as people begin to grow up with these now common control systems. Also there are other elements added to Sonic Adventure that perhaps some might not like, but be that as it may they are certainly done well. Sonic Team did a great job on SA and did some great things with SA2 as well, but I can’t say I understand the direction the franchise has been going in since then… Also, Mario 64 was pretty revolutionary in general, so it’s hard to compare the two games - but I do feel it’s a pretty good comparison both on gameplay and semantic grounds.

I think a 3D rails game for Sonic is certainly a good idea. However, I think it’s a mistake to say it’s the best approach for making sonic more like it used to be… it’s certainly a different approach, and maybe a good one. Only time can tell…

Yeah I agree that Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 were excellent when they were released. I still have nothing but love for Sonic Adventure 2. However, the 3D Sonic games have been frustrating to control. If they are fast you end up running into invisible walls or falling into pits and things have been getting worse for the series. Shadow the Hedgehog and the “reborn” Sonic for the 360 were a step in the wrong direction.

Racketboy’s on rails idea was interesting since you can keep the 3D feel and bring back the speed.

SEGA as #$%^ every new titles and even ported titles ever since they went 3rd party. Sonic for Wii is the last chance I’m giving SEGA before I forever put them on my black list.

I whole heartedly agree on the fact that Sega is botching up their attempts at a GOOD 3D sonic game. I also have a good solution to offer:

I think Sega should go the way of the 3D Klonoa titles and make a 3-dimensional environment that Sonic can travel left, right, up and down in. BUT they should mix it up a little, and instead of having the camera display Sonic(or whoever’s stage it is) from the side all the time, they should set up some interesting camera angles for when Sonic is speeding along, being unstoppable and completely out of player control. If they do this, and keep the camera to Sonic’s side during real gameplay of course, then Sega could end up with a truly great sonic game.

Also, don’t forget the crazy-awesome powerups that are housed inside of TV sets. For example, the magnet shield that draws in all the rings near the player. In addition to bringing back the TV sets, they should add an additional powerup that allows Sonic to become Super Sonic, allowing him to fly around the stage.

But, in relation to your additional topic, Sega has failed. They have created several monstrosities in the Sonic series, and can only redeem themselves, and thus save themselves from bankruptcy, by making a decent Sonic game. Or at LEAST a decent game. REally, any game that grossed a large profit could save them.

I agree with the above poster that there is not anything fundamentally wrong with the Sonic Adventure formula. While it’s a mistake to say its a game of the same caliber as Mario 64, the problems in 3d Sonic games can be addressed by spending less time creating new characters that no one seems to like or boring extra features (Chao breeding in Sonic Adventure) and really focusing on the problematic camera and control issues. I don’t accept that Sonic is fundamentally broken in 3d.

As for a 2 dimensional rails game with a 3d feel… is that not Nights into Dreams? I’m still waiting on that sequel Sega! The potential for a Wii Nights game is truly awesome.

That said, I am a big supporter of continued 2d gaming. While the hand-held machines are keeping the 2d flame alive, nothing would make me happier than a new 2d Sonic game in full next gen glory.

i think sonic games are ok just as they are . so what if they are a little different from mario games. if you ask me i say sonic games are way better than mario games and they should stay just as they are

Sega needs to push the limit into a gaming, not just Sonic. Free roaming games have become popular since games like GTA, Spider-Man 2 and Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, let us take super powers into entire cities. Why not take that approach with Sonic?

First, Sega would need to speed Sonic up big time. If you played Sonic the Hedgehog on the next gen platforms, you’ll notice that he feels like he’s just a quick jogger. He doesn’t move fluidly and gracefully like you’d expect. (Plus he runs with his arms straight out like he’s about to give somebody a hug).

Give Sonic something like Speed modes. In this huge expansive world, he’d have a Travel mode that is better for long distances like crossing the huge city. That mode would be used by building up speed, he’d reach his top speed in this “Speed Mode”.

Next he could have Time mode where Sonic is moving so fast that the world slows down around him (but to us, he’d be moving normally). In this mode he’d be able to do acrobatic aerials, and jump higher. Better for fighting.

And lastly, would be his Rush mode where Sonic is moving at super speeds and the player would have to navigate him using their reflexes. If you played Superman Returns then you’d know what I’d mean. Sonic could run up buildings and across water in this mode.

By moving into new territory and giving players an experience they’ve never had before a game implementing these improvements could make a lasting impression. People can actually feel like they can move at superhuman speeds.

No doubt there’d be other improvements like camera control, and an engaging storyline. Sonic’s game would be almost mission-based, and could include real-time dangers. Having to choose whether to save Amy from being abducted or saving HQ from being invaded by robots would make for an interesting take on the free-roaming genre.

Instead of doing what USED to work, why not push into something that hasn’t been done before?

i think sonic shoud still move on becose i am a fan of himand i scared that he shlude not die in the games that SGA games