Topic: Sonic megathread - New S4Ep2 trailer plus Episode Metal (Read 2207 times)

The Herculossal · « **on:** December 30, 2011, 01:42:12 am »

Since multiple games in the franchise have come out lately and more are on the way, it seems prudent to condense it all into a single thread.

Gamespot has brought in Sega brand manager Ken Balough and his terrible facial hair for an interview about Sonic 4 Episode 2, complete with teaser trailer. Given the "stellar" display we got from Episode 1, I'm not holding my breath.

Dlanor A. Knox · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2011, 01:51:03 am »

Holy shit! Is that Tin foil?

Why do they keep making sonic games anyways? Would some new IP be such a dangerous idea?

Garlyle · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2011, 02:27:04 am »

I'm still expecting disappointment, but from the sounds of it they're at least going to make an effort to fix some of the serious issues S4E1 had. Whether or not they fix them enough, well, that might be another thing entirely.

巫女パン Trade Shrine · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2011, 02:53:29 am »

Doesn't look too promising, alas, but at least Sega is giving some effort.

Playing the iOS version of Sonic CD in the meantime, and it's excellent. Granted it's not too fair to judge the classic Sonic to the modern, but the controls are spot-on and the special stages are a hell of a lot smoother than on the original Mega CD version.

Still stuck on Metal Sonic in Stardust Speedway (good future), though, but it's one of the best (and most rage-inducing) bosses in the series

ふねん1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2011, 06:08:07 am »

I never did play Sonic 4, so I don't really have an opinion about Episode 2 yet. Plus I'm still entrenched in playing Generations, which is freaking awesome. I could tell Sega was on to something when they made Unleashed's daytime stages way back when, and the following 3D games have not disappointed.

Oddasseus the Indestructable · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2011, 01:09:39 am »

Quote from: Umi-Chan on December 30, 2011, 01:51:03 am

Holy shit! Is that Tin foil?

Why do they keep making sonic games anyways? Would some new IP be such a dangerous idea?

Money, dear boy. The last few games (Colors, Generations, and to a lesser extent, Unleashed, not to mention the handheld enteries) have also been legitimately good, putting Sonic back on the road of being a viable franchise again.

I'm going to keep an open mind about this one. This is Sega and Sonic Team's big chance to redeem themselves from the mediocre clusterfuck that was episode one. Sequels are always a chance to improve upon originals, and I've seen excellent sequels to games that had originals that were completely shit (Midnight Club, and this one indie-platformer, the name of which I have long forgotten both say hello).

The 'disappointment imminent' bity in the thread title is incredibly cynical even for me.

The Herculossal · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2011, 01:26:55 am »

Quote from: Oddasseus the Indestructable on December 31, 2011, 01:09:39 am

I'm going to keep an open mind about this one. This is Sega and Sonic Team's big chance to redeem themselves from the mediocre clusterfuck that was episode one.

Sonic Team wasn't really involved in Episode 1, the development was outsourced to Dimps (which handled stuff like the handheld games and the Wii/PS2 version of Unleashed). Given that I actually liked the Advance/Rush games and 4 was the first real disappointment I saw from that studio, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

Just Simply Solais · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2011, 09:58:39 am »

It's just in, Episode 2 won't come for the Wii for some reason.

Garlyle · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2011, 10:41:13 am »

Quote from: The Adjective Colossal on December 31, 2011, 01:26:55 am

Sonic Team wasn't really involved in Episode 1, the development was outsourced to Dimps (which handled stuff like the handheld games and the Wii/PS2 version of Unleashed). Given that I actually liked the Advance/Rush games and 4 was the first real disappointment I saw from that studio, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

Dimps is kind of a weird company. It's rare they put in original effort when they can just reuse materials, but at the same time they've made some absolutely awesome games (They were actually involved in making Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, for instance) even when reusing things. So I don't even know where to put my hopes.

I will say that I hated S4E1 though. Everything about it felt... fake? Bad physics, music felt like it was sitting in that atrocious "half-assed fake retro" sound, and so many gameplay elements were reused from previous games that I couldn't really forgive it. I do hope S4E2 comes out a lot better.

The Herculossal · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2011, 04:28:45 pm »

Quote from: Just Simply Solais on December 31, 2011, 09:58:39 am

It's just in, Episode 2 won't come for the Wii for some reason.

I'm assuming it's because of the WiiWare limitations; they have a pretty significant size limit for downloadable titles, and even Episode 1 had to make a lot of compromises to get under that, likely to the game's detriment. If jettisoning one platform means they can deliver a better game, I'm all for it.

Paper Conan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2011, 05:37:06 pm »

Quote from: Umi-Chan on December 30, 2011, 01:51:03 am

Holy shit! Is that Tin foil?

Why do they keep making sonic games anyways? Would some new IP be such a dangerous idea?

Oddasseus the Indestructable · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2011, 08:30:24 pm »

Quote from: The Adjective Colossal on December 31, 2011, 04:28:45 pm

I'm assuming it's because of the WiiWare limitations; they have a pretty significant size limit for downloadable titles, and even Episode 1 had to make a lot of compromises to get under that, likely to the game's detriment. If jettisoning one platform means they can deliver a better game, I'm all for it.

Either that, or its due to the fact that the Wii's successor, the WiiU is also due out in 2012 as well.

KimikoMuffin · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2011, 10:02:13 pm »

I'll just keep playing Sonic Generations, which has a PC version~

The Herculossal · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2011, 10:07:26 pm »

Quote from: KimikoMuffin on December 31, 2011, 10:02:13 pm

I'll just keep playing Sonic Generations, which has a PC version~

Speaking of which, what happened to that Casino Night DLC we were promised? It was said that it was supposed to come out on Boxing Day but I've seen nothing of it

Also, weren't we supposed to get the HD version of Sonic CD for PC as well.

Oh well, I still have SADX to finish. I hope whoever at Sega thought adding "fishing minigame" to "fast-paced platformer" got fired. Out of a cannon.

Garlyle · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2011, 11:54:02 pm »

You're also supposed to be getting S4E1 on Steam. ...Eventually.

Speaking of which, Sonic CD is still awesome, it's just still Sonic CD. As in oh god where do I go these stages aghghghg

Just Simply Solais · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2012, 12:15:46 pm »

Well, I just hope that Sonic Generations sold really well on Steam, so SEGA will consider releasing new titles for PC as well.

The Herculossal · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2012, 03:51:09 am »

Quote from: Just Simply Solais on January 01, 2012, 12:15:46 pm

Well, I just hope that Sonic Generations sold really well on Steam, so SEGA will consider releasing new titles for PC as well.

Oh, did it ever. When the price was reduced during the holiday sale, it was the #1 seller for a while, even outdoing Modern Warfare 3. I imagine Sega's at minimum going to be giving Steam the titles they release for the other download services like XBLA and PSN, but if we get PC versions of their flagship titles in the future like we did with Generations, I will be pleased.

Anyway, I've just recently cleared Adventure for the first time. It obviously hasn't aged well, but I like a lot of the ideas they put into it, like the varied gameplay styles (with the exception of ONE certain character) and the level designs which capture a decent amount of that classic feel. I do think there's a lot that unfortunately breaks the flow, though, such as the puzzles in the hubworlds.

At the risk of being contrary here, can I say I prefer the newest set of voice actors (from Colors and newer) to the older Adventure-era ones? The more recent ones feel like they're actually acting in the roles rather than just reading their lines, and it really adds a lot to the characters.

ふねん1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:03:20 am »

Yeah, I'm warming up to some of the new voices too. A good chunk of the characters haven't really had a whole lot of time to showcase their new voices yet, and considering some of them have already had their stories fleshed out by now, I wonder if they ever will, outside of another Adventure-like game.

As for Generations progress, got all S-ranks and offline achievements. Is it just me, or is getting S-ranks in the main stages a hell of a lot easier than in Unleashed?

The Herculossal · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:13:55 am »

Quote from: ふねん1 on January 03, 2012, 04:03:20 am

As for Generations progress, got all S-ranks and offline achievements. Is it just me, or is getting S-ranks in the main stages a hell of a lot easier than in Unleashed?

I wouldn't know about Unleashed, but S-ranking in Generations seems to be "get to the end in a reasonable frame of time and don't die doing so".

Now if only all of the challenges were that easy. Some of those doppelganger races...

Lunar · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2012, 06:31:37 am »

Got Sonic Generations for X360, and is enjoying it overall. (Though Planet Wisp is full of rocket and spike-spam, it's getting tedious really fast) I still think in story aspect Unleashed is better, it has some interesting sidequests, and more epic final battle IMO. (Seriously, only 3 hits? And Sonic friends screaming "Looks like a homing shot" the entire battle?)

Also yes, Unleashed has much tighter requirements for a S-rank. I've reached the goal with only about 3 rings, and still got S, while in Unleashed I will get B for that at best. Time and reaching the goal without dying is the only things that matter for S.

ふねん1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:19:24 am »

The difference between Generations and Unleashed, I believe, is that it's specifically the time requirements for the latter that are much stricter. Both have the "no dying" aspect, though in Generations you can afford to be more cautious and you'll be just fine. This is why the hot dog missions in Unleashed are so much more useful, since they are the perfect way to practice for the real thing later.

True, Unleashed had more semblance of a story, but I wasn't too fond of how it was executed, so that balances out with Generations' more bare-boned story. By Unleashed, one had to wonder just how many "massive legendary world-destroying/civilization-ending creatures" Sonic's world had. Yeah, the Time Eater was a lame boss to fight, but Dark Gaia didn't "play" that well either IMO. I do give props to Sega for having the Eggmen be in control of the Time Eater though. About time they started legitimately reversing the trend that's been in place since SA1.

KimikoMuffin · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:25:58 am »

oh, hi, my head is bruised from fruitlessly banging my head against Generations!Egg Dragon.

also the composer for Egg Dragon's theme was totally the composer for Phantasy Star Online.

Garlyle · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2012, 09:39:26 am »

Quote from: Lunar Chaos on January 03, 2012, 06:31:37 am

Also yes, Unleashed has much tighter requirements for a S-rank. I've reached the goal with only about 3 rings, and still got S, while in Unleashed I will get B for that at best. Time and reaching the goal without dying is the only things that matter for S.

Unleashed has crazy strict requirements for an S in its day stages. It's not just your imagination - score from rings counts for a lot in that one, specifically, is why it matters, but you also need a lot of speed, so... asdfgh

Quote

Yeah, the Time Eater was a lame boss to fight, but Dark Gaia didn't "play" that well either IMO.

Hey, I'll give you Dark Gaia being atrocious because half the fight required you to learn brand new controls and timing that was trial and error because of the perspective, but Perfect Dark Gaia was actually a blast and has an incredible theme.

Quote

I do give props to Sega for having the Eggmen be in control of the Time Eater though. About time they started legitimately reversing the trend that's been in place since SA1.

They've been reversing this since Sonic Colors as EVERY boss in that game is a robot made by Eggman, although that is specific to the Wii version. The DS version has you fighting Nega Mother Wisp as a bonus boss if you get all the emeralds but otherwise holds this true.

Quote from: New Year's Alcoholossal on January 03, 2012, 03:51:09 am

At the risk of being contrary here, can I say I prefer the newest set of voice actors (from Colors and newer) to the older Adventure-era ones? The more recent ones feel like they're actually acting in the roles rather than just reading their lines, and it really adds a lot to the characters.

There's actually three voice actor sets for the video games. The early Adventure eras were one, then 4kids took over Sonic X and forced their VAs in the series for a couple games, then Colors got a finally new set after 4kids' deal broke or something like that.

And yes, the Colors voice actors are fantastic and there is no shame in enjoying them.

ふねん1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2012, 09:57:46 pm »

Quote from: Garlyle on January 03, 2012, 09:39:26 am

I'll give you Dark Gaia being atrocious because half the fight required you to learn brand new controls and timing that was trial and error because of the perspective, but Perfect Dark Gaia was actually a blast and has an incredible theme.

Too many QTEs overall in both halves of the fight, which really brought it down for me. I'm pretty sure that the hitboxes for the large rocks in the second half are off-center too, which while obviously something you can adapt to, still doesn't deserve to exist.

Quote from: Garlyle on January 03, 2012, 09:39:26 am

They've been reversing this since Sonic Colors as EVERY boss in that game is a robot made by Eggman, although that is specific to the Wii version.

I say "legitimately" in the sense that Colors wasn't just an anomaly here. Of course we don't know if Sega will keep this up until they do release more games, which might make Colors and Generations "together" an anomaly. I'm praying that doesn't happen.

KimikoMuffin · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2012, 06:15:41 am »

Jaleel White will always be Sonic's true VA in my heart ...

Arcengal · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:15:28 am »

The thing that got me into Sonic Generations, after my initial rage that Classic Sonic wasn't, was all the nice little touches that the team put into the game. Things like:

Sonic: Didn't that place (Green Hill) seem familiar?
Tails: Not to me...

and

Classic Tails: Dr Robotnik!
Classic Eggman: No-one calls me that anymore!

Lunar · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:15:06 pm »

Well, that glitch when some achievements doesn't unlock at all is annoying. I wondered what was that locked achievement I didn't got, but turned out it was "SEASIDE HILL RESTORED". Will starting a new game and restoring SH again help?

Just Simply Solais · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2012, 05:08:59 pm »

Actually a tooltip does say so in Generations that for S-rank, you have to do an A-rank without dying, and that's it.

And yeah, one thing I missed that Generations didn't had an epic Last Boss Second-Phase theme, that was the norm ever since '06.

Actually, maybe it is an era change again, if you notice: The three "Genesis era" games, Sonic 1, 2, 3&Knuckles all had unique but kinda "normal" Final Boss Music. The "Dreamcast era" games, Adventure 1, 2 and Heroes, all had rock-ish themes for the Final Boss. And then the three "Modern era" games, Sonic '06, Unleashed and Colors all had the epic orchestrated version of their main themes as the Final Boss Second-Phase theme. Interesting coincidence imo.

KimikoMuffin · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2012, 06:01:53 am »

I guess Sonic Generations didn't particularly have a "main theme" for them to orchestrate. The title screen music was just a remix of Sonic 1's theme.

Also I basically have the Generations version of the Egg Dragoon theme trapped in my head.

The Herculossal · « **Reply #29 on:** January 07, 2012, 06:29:42 pm »

So a recent ad for Progressive auto insurance has come to my notice.

This is... certainly a strange bit of marketing right here. Amusing to watch, at least.