Sonic 2011: Sonic Generations

[Mew Master]

It may be old news for some, and I'd imagine that DL (who's as big a Sonic fan as I am) has probably heard about it already, but for the rest of you, here's the news.

April 18, Sega officially unveieled the latest Sonic Game to celebrate the Hedgehog's 20th Anniversary. The Game, Sonic Generations, promises to use both 2D sice-scrolling along with 3D PoV shots between both the Modern Sonic, and the Classic Sonic. Here's the official release by Sega, from TSSZ

SEGA America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd., today announced details of Sonic Generations, the highly anticipated video game title in development to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th Anniversary. Delivering the definitive gaming experience for Sonic fans old and new, Sonic Generations sees Sonic the Hedgehog playable as both the much loved classic 1991 character, and the modern day video game hero he has become in this exciting new fast paced adventure. Sonic Generations will speed into stores for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system for Holiday 2011.

Set across three defining eras from 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog video game history, the instantly recognizable environments of Sonic Generations have been re-built in stunning HD and are now playable in both classic side scrolling 2D from 1991, as well as modern 3D style found in Sonic’s most recent adventures. Each incarnation of Sonic in Sonic Generations comes complete with his trademark special move, Spin Dash and Spin Attack for Classic Sonic, and the Homing Attack and Sonic Boost for Modern Sonic. An innovative new interactive menu system allows for complete immersion in Sonic’s universe with favorite characters and hidden treasures gradually being revealed throughout the game.

“Sonic Generations will certainly be a fitting celebration for Sonic’s 20th Anniversary,” commented David Corless, Global Brand Director for Sonic. “By having the classic 1991 Sonic that many fans know and love team up with his modern day incarnation, we are bringing back the nostalgia of the early days of Sonic and combining it with the innovation and stunning HD technology of the modern gaming era. Sonic Generations will bring to life the last twenty years of Sonic’s universe in a truly unique and imaginative way.”

Sonic’s universe is thrown into chaos when a mysterious new power creates ‘time holes’ which pull him and his friends back through time. As a result, he encounters some surprises from his past history including Classic Sonic, Sonic as he was in 1991.

Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic must defeat this strange new enemy, save their friends, and find out who really is behind this diabolical deed…

So far, what I've seen of the game is getting my hopes up. For one, the 3D stages are more like the Day-Time stages of Sonic Unleashed, which were my favorite part of the games to be honest. The sure sense of speed and split-second timing required to blast through the stages gave Sonic the sense of speed that I could really only get while traveling so fast the camera couldn't follow you on the Genesis classics.

Teaser Trailer:

Official Release Trailer:

So far it looks awesome, though all that we're seeing are shots of Green Hill Zone. I'm excited for this game, as I hope it'll bring back some good feelings of Sonic's past, present, and maybe a possible future.

As enthusiastic as I am, the fanbase is as bitchy as ever.

[Blademaster]

Well this certainly looks promising.

Shame I haven't played StH4 or Sonic Colors yet, though. I'm so behind...

[Mew Master]

I haven't played Sonic Colors because I don't have a Wii, but I do have Unleashed, and Colors uses the same basic principles as Unleashed Day Time Levels, which makes me presume I would like it.

EDIT: Instead of Double Posting I'm going to edit this post with some screenshots, also posted on TSSZ

[DarkestLight]

:/ So this is what the Comics are doing. I was trying to forsee this. Ok. Yeah Im not keen on Modern Sonic. I'm getting tired of rails...but SALKDFASDKJFASKFAS yes at Classic Sonic in GHZ. Teaser Trailer was hot.

[Mew Master]

I rather like modern Sonic myself. Sure, classic has the nostalgia, but he just looks off in the trailer for some reason... I think the proportions are off... hard to put my finger on it.

Besides, Sonic's supposed to be a super-fast x-treme athlete. Rail Grinding, running, half-pipes, parkour, and boarding all included.

[Telume]

So wait, this is going to be a compilation game?

[Jeff]

So wait, this is going to be a compilation game?

New Sonic game with sidescolling sections (classic Sonic) and 3D sections (modern Sonic).

[Blademaster]

Besides, Sonic's supposed to be a super-fast x-treme athlete. Rail Grinding, running, half-pipes, parkour, and boarding all included.

Sigh.

[Telume]

New Sonic game with sidescolling sections (classic Sonic) and 3D sections (modern Sonic).

Thanks for clearing that up, this actually sounds interesting.

[Link]

Sonic colors is also on the ds. I bet you could buy it for that if you have any variation of the DS, including the 3ds.

[Mew Master]

I know it's on the DS, but I'd rather try the Wii version myself.

[DarkestLight]

Thank you Blade. Parkour -xtreme athlete? He already WAS that since Sonic 1. He just looked more like a hedgehog back then, chubby blazing fast string noddle armed. Not weird human stretched chest and oversized feet as he is now. :/

AND GIVE HIM BACK HIS SOULESS BLACK EYES!

[Mew Master]

Don't think so. He really didn't start feeling like an athlete until Sonic 3 when he got the snowboard in Ice Cap Zone.

I like the Modern Design. You don't, Fair nuff. We could be arguing politics for all the good it'll do, and mind's we'll change.

Granted, I've been playing bits of Sonic Mega Collection on my GC to try and unlock Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and it's bringing back old feelings of goodness. I'm not sure how much I'll like the 2D side-scrolling bits of Generations when it comes out, but watching the gameplay trailers I have to say it all looks gorgeous. I'll try and dig that video back up...


You'll have to fast forward to the... 4:30 mark for the footage..

[Blademaster]

I know it's on the DS, but I'd rather try the Wii version myself.

^That. It may scream "Graphics whore!," but considering people laud Colors as the best Sonic game since Adventure, I think it'd be... kinda missing out to play the DS version, which is most likely inferior.

[Mew Master]

And it gives me more excuses to get a Wii now...

[DarkestLight]

I haven't played Colors. I stopped after Unleashed/Black Knight, truthfully cause hell...I got pissed at Sonic and the Secret Rings for borking the damn system(still never got all his powerups in that game)

Is it really that hypeable. And dun get me started on Advance/Rush. Everyone loves them but...they're all kinda Meh to me :/ This...this is shaping to get me back into true Sonic spirit. Sadly ...still can't do the S&K special Stages with Perfects anymore. The S3 ones, I still have hammered in my head, but S&K floated outs omewhere along the line. Its hard to practice them too, when you can't replay them over and over w/o starting new games, lol

[Mew Master]

I bet I can probably get perfects on all but one S3&K stage, the Final Super Emerald Stage is always the hardest to do for me, but I can get all the others in one shot.

Like I said previously, I enjoyed Unleashe'd Speed Levels during the day. The Night levels would have been better if you played as someone else besides a werehog... like Knuckles.

[PNT510]

This is the first Sonic game I am looking forward to in years. Colors looked like fun, but the fact that it wasn't on Xbox/PS3 turned me off of it.

[Drago]

I still haven't quite gotten the hype for Colors. I've played through a bit of it, and it's ok. Will try to reserve judgement until I've gotten a bit further, though.

Generations looks more promising... But we'll see. If nothing else, I truly appreciate the revival of the classic looking Sonic.