A Revolution release hasn't bee mentioned yet, probably because Nintendo is trying to keep Revolution game information secret, including what games are going to be on it (from third-party developers).[snapback]13125[/snapback]
Sonic The Hedgehog: First Look
Fast, intense, and spunky, Sonic hits the next-gen running. First details and shots.
by Douglass C. Perry
May 4, 2006 - At SEGA's pre-E3 event in late April, IGN grabbed its first look at the newest version of Sonic the Hedgehog. After Sonic's re-emergence from his rather somber Saturn days to the initially exciting Sonic Adventures revitalization on Dreamcast, followed by a mind-numbingly odd Shadow The Hedgehog, a dark version of Sonic with guns, Sonic is a tough nut to crack -- and an easy one to break. Think about it for a second, after his stunning debut as a 2D furry mascot with an attitude in the Genesis days, Sonic has wavered to and fro in the 3D landscape, an environment that's not his natural habitat, per say. That's why, when we watched the first live, in-game footage of Sonic, we knew SEGA was listening to its critics.
The key to re-introducing Sonic on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, a crowd of journalists was told at SEGA's San Francisco, Ca. headquarters, is focusing on the impact of his speed and sense of control from Sonic's early Genesis days, and the wild aerial jumps introduced in Sonic Adventures. In its 15-year anniversary, SEGA's new Sonic is one in which crisp high-res visuals, 60 frame-per-second gameplay, and an evolution of the hedgehog's general form will set the tone for his new games.
Sonic is no longer the stubby, kid-like bullet of blue spiky fur. While retaining his general form -- smirky smile, giant blue head spikes, and classic white and red outfit, replete with white gloves -- SEGA has grown Sonic into an adult by means of a few simple techniques. The team has basically stretched his legs and arms to relatively human proportions. Thus, Sonic still looks just like always did, but now he's about 5'10". In fact, all of the characters we saw, Dr. Robotnik (Eggman) and Sonic's new nemesis, a white hedgehog, retained a relatively human-sized height. The effect is a little alarming at first. Sonic looks like a skinny dude in a Sonic suit now, at least when he's standing still. Once he starts running, it's all different. But still, you'll need to take second and third glance to get accustomed to his new look.
Due on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this fall, Sonic's new game follows a simple narrative premise. In a pristine kingdom holding a royal family, a certain Princess Elise retains a chaos emerald -- and a deep secret. In an inevitable turn of events, Dr. Robotnik learns of the emerald and kidnaps the princess, and thus the emerald, and Sonic is compelled to retrieve her and the precious stone. The new rival, basically a cream-colored furry that looks remarkably like Sonic, appears in the following cutscene, looking down from an overlooking hill into a village, and proclaims, "I've finally found it, the Iblis Trigger." The Iblis Trigger we're told is Sonic, and this new rival is going to cause him great pain due to vaguely revealed supernatural powers. You'll also be able to play as the new character.
It's all a little cryptic at this point, honestly, but Sonic has, no doubt, got to rescue the princess, fight this new punk hedgehog, defeat Eggman (like always), and set the record straight on who the bad-assiest hedgehog in town really is. We all know it, but in a world of super-hero hedgehogs and all-powerful emeralds and techno-savvy fat men, well, things just work a little differently in that universe. You just have to go with the flow.
Sonic's new game is split into two types of gamelay: action and town stages. The action stages are gorgeously laid out sections of creative track, 3D aerial sections, loops, jumps, racing sections, and platforms floating in space, in which Sonic must ping pong through, race as fast as hedgehoggedly possible, and defeat simplistic enemy AI to reach a final goal ring. If you've played any of Sonic games at all, you'll notice the camera is closer and lower to the ground, helping to create a better sense of speed. The paths feature split sections, meaning that you can pick entirely unique branches, each with their own surprises.
Sonic appears to move with quick arcade-like controls and simple mechanics. He can walk and run freely, burst into a sprint, slide-stop, spin-attack enemies in air, and perform switch-stance skateboarding-like slides along invisible aerial paths. He can run onto walls Shinobi-style, grab onto nearby eagles for transportation, and quickly alternate from one action to another without a hitch. The action stages are a mix of familiar Sonic Adventure-style 3D platforms, mixed with new designs, aerial maneuverings, and Sonic moves, and they all take place while running at full speed. You'll still find speed bumpers, zip sections, breaking boxes, rings to collect, double air jumps, and danger zones.
The other type of stage is the town stage, which SEGA hid from us, so that we'd come by its booth at E3. Sneaky! The town stages are apparently open and free-roaming, giving Sonic the ability to mingle with other characters, explore and do things that heroic blue hedgehogs normally do… (I wonder if there are chili dog vendors in this new town…)
Which leads us to E3. Sonic the Hedgehog (temporary name) for Xbox 360 and PS3 looks fast, colorful, and like good arcade-style fun. We're hoping the town stages make an excellent complement to the action stages. We'll soon see!
Notes:
-Sonic's now about 5'10" it seems. Apparently he's at a relatively human height. Looks like he's matured.
-The plot involves a captured princess and a stolen chaos emerald due to Eggman, and "a cream-colored furry that looks remarkably like Sonic" who proclaims Sonic is the "Iblis Trigger", and will apparently be a "rival" and a playable character. Maybe this is the 4th "rival" that will appear in Sonic Rivals?
-It appears that Adventure Fields are returning in the form of "town stages".
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