Sonic 4

[Straylight]

Anyone seen this? They are making a Sonic game which follows on from the original ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTMNsna8vfg

I got pretty excited when I watched that video!

[goldenspines]

This makes me smile and brings back so many happy memories. I hope this new Sonic game will be good (it looks 3D on a 2D setting, which would have interesting results). Thanks for posting, Straylight.

Now, if only I had a NextGen console.....>_>;

[Peanut]

I like how the first comment I saw in the video was calling for Sonic Adventure 3 over a return to the original series...since, you know, the original Sonic the Hedgehog games were terrible and Sonic Adventure and all its 3D cousins were significant upgrades in gameplay.

But yes, this is exciting...though I have one concern...it says "Episode 1" under the Sonic 4 logo, implying that this game may be episodic. I really don't think the Sonic series would make for a good episodic gaming experience though I could be wrong.

[Nate]

Yeah, from the "Download it" thing to the "Episode 1" it looks like Sonic 4 will be episodic.

Let's hope Sega's attempt at episodic gaming works out better than Penny Arcade's or Half-Life's (still waiting on those episode 3's, guys!).

[Ante Bellum]

It better be good. I have an old Genesis and I can go back and play authentic, good Sonic games whenever (I finally figure out how to hook it up).

[KagayakiWashi]

I hope it's good. I'm a HUUUUGE fan of the original games and I just hope this game takes us back to the feel of the Sonic the Hedgehog - Sonic & Knuckles games. This may very well be SEGA's last attempt to redeem this franchise.

[KeybladeWarrior]

Hasn't the franchise had its ups and downs even in the past? Isn't this like the second or third time Sega has redeemed the Sonic franchise?

Anyway, this game looks alright but nothing overly exciting. The game looks fun and enjoyable.

[TGJesusfreak]

I really want this game.

[Azier the Swordsman]

I'm really excited about this. Wait, I can't do that. If I get really excited it might suck and I would be really disappointed. Like Shadow the Hedgehog. Or Sonic and the Secret Rings. Or Dark Chronicles. Or... Sonic the Hedgehog 2006. *smashes the latter with a sledgehammer and beastial roars of primal rage*

I must go into it expecting to be disappointed.

Then if it's just another mixed bag like Sonic Unleashed I can take my scraps from Sega's table and taste just a small flavor of some passive enjoyment as I weep for the days of old school Sonic long past.

[Ante Bellum]

Lucky me, I haven't played many of the new Sonic games. I played Shadow the Hedgehog. It was disappointing but I did like the fact that you could choose which path you went. But still, disappointing. Sonic Heroes, to me, was really laughable. I did like Sonic Adventure Battle 2 (Or however it's called, I still get confused by the placement of the words in the title.), but I think it was about the last one I did.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

I think it would be hard for buyers to justify sixty dollars for a sidescroller they will beat in four to six hours, if this is a true return to Sonic's roots. With that in mind, I kind of support the episodic format. Or at least a sales format outside of hard retail in a brick and mortar location.

[Nate]

I agree that making it a download is a lot better than selling a hard copy if it's truer to the original Sonic games, but I still think that it should have been a complete game, not episodic.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

I won't really agree or disagree on that point. I think I'd feel better passing judgement once we find out how long the episodes are supposed to last and what their price point will be.

[KagayakiWashi]

Perhaps the episodes are meant for different characters? Or maybe it's like Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles (one could say Sonic and Knuckles was part 2 to Sonic 3).
I think what's hurt Sonic the most recently is the fact that SEGA has been abusing their biggest icon putting him in environments he's not supposed to be in as an effort to make new games. When Sonic is taken out of his traditional 2-D Zones and flung into a game that requires you to go fishing, embrace glitches as just another obstacle, or weird control schemes thanks to the wonderous invention of the Wii mote, that's when it gets messy. I liked the Sonic Adventure and Heroes games just fine, but the "extra" stuff just gets in the way (Big, the shooting stages of SA2, The Chaotix of SH). Same goes for Sonic Unleashed (I've heard the Sonic levels are fun, but the Werehog levels are a mess). Some of you may have liked some of those, but if the SA games were JUST Sonic levels, I'd be perfectly happy. Because of all this rubbish that's been around lately, it's easy to dismiss the franchise as a whole as lost, but I don't think that's the case (the Sonic Advance games, which I've spent some time with recently, are proof that SEGA can still make normal Sonic games, though they are a bit older).
My point is, I am fully confident that SEGA, if they leave out any "extra" things, can pull this one off and we will all be happy that we can play yet another traditionally styled Sonic game (unless it's a trilogy and all the episodes comprise of two zones).

[Fish and Chips]

I like how the first comment I saw in the video was calling for Sonic Adventure 3 over a return to the original series...since, you know, the original Sonic the Hedgehog games were terrible and Sonic Adventure and all its 3D cousins were significant upgrades in gameplay.

The problem is by this point we have people who grew up with the 3D games, people who don't recognize classic Sonic when they see it, and think this is a step backwards for the franchise. If only they knew.

It's like having a bunch of people living in a pit, then when you shine a light on them, they complain that you're blinding them.

As for my feelings on the subject, I was raised with classic Sonic, so I want to be optimistic...but the truth is my cynicism has taken over. Sega has promised a return to form so many times only to botch it, either in the little details or the big picture. When it comes out and it's awesome, then I'll believe it. Until then, I can only watch.

[Nate]

Perhaps the episodes are meant for different characters? Or maybe it's like Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles (one could say Sonic and Knuckles was part 2 to Sonic 3).

Maybe, but what I've read, this is an official statement from Sega:

"Today, we are about to break the trend that has continued on for many years. To the thousands of you out there asking for a game where Sonic is the only playable character –]

My point is, I am fully confident that SEGA, if they leave out any "extra" things, can pull this one off

Man how many times have I heard that in the past few years?

[Ante Bellum]

Oh, and another advantage: NO new characters for people to recolor!