Sonic Wild Fire (Wii) Screens

[RainOfTerror]

Sonic Wild Fire stars the Blue dude with the ‘tude on his first solo adventure since the original Sonic The Hedgehog in 1991. This intense and exciting action game takes advantage of the Wii controller as Sonic combines his trademark high-speed action with easy to play controls to offer a brand new experience!

Sonic's new adventure unfolds from a storybook of the classic tale, Arabian Nights, the last several pages from the book have gone missing, and it's up to Sonic to re-create the story. The vibrant environments provide for a refreshingly new look to the franchise filled with brightly colored mosaic tiles, glistening oases, swaying palm trees, and crumbling stone columns. Sonic activates specific areas in the prismatic environment to pull off new tricks and stunts, in addition to interacting head-on with various obstacles by jumping, dodging, and dashing.Check out 10 new Sonic Wild Fire screens (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=35910) over at WorthPlaying.

[Deadend]

I am slightly concered with how interactive Sonic will be, but I am just going on screenshots here.

[camberiu]

The garphics don't like special at all. Nothing that the old Xbox could not do. Hopefully they will make it up with exception gameplay and controls.

[SexualChoc]

It's been far too long since a decent console Sonic, so I hope this delivers.

[Talltale]

The garphics don't like special at all. Nothing that the old Xbox could not do. Hopefully they will make it up with exception gameplay and controls.
And that's what the Wii is all about, is it not?

[Blade]

The gameplay is the focus, clearly. The graphics look GameCube or sub-GameCube.

[thecrazyd]

Watch the gameplay video. It looks a lot better in motion.

[Mike Jones]

Must be the PSP port

[EternalGamer]

I'm glad they are going with this new "tilt" control mechanism. Good Sonic games have always depended heavily on linear track based gameplay. So I don't care at all if it is just completely linear, all on rails, as long as it is fun and challenging. I don't want a Sonic game that plays like Mario 64. Sonic should stick to what Sonic games do best. New Sonic games should be something like Monkey Ball on speed.

[Zanzibar]

Watch the gameplay video. It looks a lot better in motion.
What gameplay video? Linky linky??

[Kamalot]

What gameplay video? Linky linky??
I'd like to see gameplay video too. From what I read, people at E3 were really impressed with how fun the game was.

[Zaro]

There's some here:
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/800/800277/vids_1.html

[cppcrusader]

...his first solo adventure since the original Sonic The Hedgehog in 1991.

That right there is reason enough to check it out.

[thecrazyd]

What gameplay video? Linky linky??
There is a low quality video from E3 here. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4826984731464300043&q=sonic+wildfire)

[EternalGamer]

That right there is reason enough to check it out.


Damn straight. I actually like some of the play mechanics of some of the other characters from the Sonic Adventure games, but they just belong in their own game where they can be refined (I especially like Big the Cat as a character). Having them in one game killed the momentum, and having them just repeat the same levels meant that the levels weren't really taylored to a specific character and it just felt like filler.

[Manzy]

Thank God for a solo adventure. Tails was fine, but after that the addition of a million characters just annoyed me.

[Chang3]

The game looks repetative, you just do pretty much the same thing realy, move the controller up-down, left-right, and thats it through the game.

[Worldcrafter]

The game looks repetative, you just do pretty much the same thing realy, move the controller up-down, left-right, and thats it through the game.
Yeah, because that control sceme really ruined it for the likes of pong, pacman, frogger, breakout... :rolleyes:

Seriously, the challenge comes from the level design and gameplay, not the controls. Have you been paying any attention to what Nintendo is trying to do with the Wii?

[Abednigo]

Looks pretty sweet to me. But why don't they just make another 2D Sonic game? It could be pretty sweet, like New SMB. New Sonic the Hedgehog. :)

[thecrazyd]

Looks pretty sweet to me. But why don't they just make another 2D Sonic game? It could be pretty sweet, like New SMB. New Sonic the Hedgehog. :)
They are making one for the PSP, but it looks like total ass.

[EternalGamer]

They did man, it's called Sonic Rush for the DS, and it's pretty darn good.

[Worldcrafter]

I'm glad they are going with this new "tilt" control mechanism. Good Sonic games have always depended heavily on linear track based gameplay. So I don't care at all if it is just completely linear, all on rails, as long as it is fun and challenging. I don't want a Sonic game that plays like Mario 64. Sonic should stick to what Sonic games do best. New Sonic games should be something like Monkey Ball on speed.
Agreed. Sonic games don't translate well to fully 3D controls. They play too fast, and the camera just can't keep up in a way that is meaningful to the player. By reducing Sonic's controls to the bare minimum again, and making the entire game a reflex based experience, I think they have a shot at actually creating a true Sonic game in 3D. I'm hoping it's the sort of game where you finish a level and realize you've been holding your breath and not blinking the whole time.

[Wyrm]

The levels in Sonic Adventure that are straight up running are a complete blast. They should never have added in the "Adventure" mechanic. Let us run on rails all day long!

[Nessus]

Looks pretty sweet to me. But why don't they just make another 2D Sonic game? It could be pretty sweet, like New SMB. New Sonic the Hedgehog. :)

They did, Sonic Rush on DS. By most accounts the best 2D Sonic since Sonic And Knuckles.

The PSP one isn't a real Sonic game, it's like a racing competetive game or something.

With regards to Wildfire:

no Hum-Vees - check
no human anime inspired princesses - check
no completely jarring juxtaposition of cartoony Sonic against ultra-realistic backgrounds - check

[Kamalot]

Agreed. Sonic games don't translate well to fully 3D controls. They play too fast, and the camera just can't keep up in a way that is meaningful to the player. By reducing Sonic's controls to the bare minimum again, and making the entire game a reflex based experience, I think they have a shot at actually creating a true Sonic game in 3D. I'm hoping it's the sort of game where you finish a level and realize you've been holding your breath and not blinking the whole time.
Woo! I hope this turns out great.

I picked up Sonic Rush for the DS and loved it long and hard. The music was very much like Jet Set Radio too. If you like 2D Sonic, run to the store and get yourself some Sonic Rush.

Sonic Adventure had some spectacular moments. Once, in a Sonic-induced fever, I beat the game without losing a single man. My brother came over and saw it on my shelf, about a year after I got it. "Is it any good?" he asked. "Sure is" I replied. "I'll show you. Lemmie play until I die, then I'll give you a shot." Next thing I knew, I beat the damn game. :D I was on the Egg Carrier before I got hit once and lost my rings. I tell you, it was a moment of pure gaming zen, one of the best gaming moments of my life.

[jeffbax]

I'm glad they are going with this new "tilt" control mechanism. Good Sonic games have always depended heavily on linear track based gameplay. So I don't care at all if it is just completely linear, all on rails, as long as it is fun and challenging. I don't want a Sonic game that plays like Mario 64. Sonic should stick to what Sonic games do best. New Sonic games should be something like Monkey Ball on speed.
I don't know what Sonic games you grew up on, but Sonic has *always* been about exploration and multiple paths to the destination.

I'm extremely worried about how "on rails" this is. So far I've been somewhat left down. I was all psyched to hear about a solo sonic.. but then in such a wierd settting (where is green hills & co? whats this arabian nights stuff?) and the seemingly lack of sonic-ness.. I'm really pretty off on it now. I really wish Sega would just do a viewtiful joe styled Sonic 2D game instead.

Sonic Rush is good, but Sonic has yet to hit the glory of his Genesis days - and Sonic is far and away my favorite video game character.

[YoungAlCapone]

I think this looks pretty cool, maybe it will be an actual Sonic game in 3d, rather than a shit 3d platformer that just happens to be staring Sonic.

Sonic Rush was good times, and now that it has been mentioned, I must find my copy. I know it is in one of these damn boxes, moving is balls.

[EternalGamer]

I don't know what Sonic games you grew up on, but Sonic has *always* been about exploration and multiple paths to the destination.

I'm extremely worried about how "on rails" this is. So far I've been somewhat left down. I was all psyched to hear about a solo sonic.. but then in such a wierd settting (where is green hills & co? whats this arabian nights stuff?) and the seemingly lack of sonic-ness.. I'm really pretty off on it now. I really wish Sega would just do a viewtiful joe styled Sonic 2D game instead.

Sonic Rush is good, but Sonic has yet to hit the glory of his Genesis days - and Sonic is far and away my favorite video game character.


There were multiple paths, but there were always always literally that--just as split with two or three linear path ways to follow that ended up rejoining each other. They they were still very much "on rails" for the most part. And while I liked some of the sophistications they put in games like Sonic & Knuckles, the core of all Sonic games were those exilerating moments of linear track based crazyness. The first level of Sonic adventure had the right idea (though the camera was terrible). It was tighter and more limited inexploration than some of the other levels, which didn't work well at all.

[Zeal]

So I guess it's safe to say that every game is gonna look like a N64 port.

[thecrazyd]

So I guess it is safe to say that you are going to troll every Wii thread ever made.

[Zanzibar]

Zeal, give it a rest.

Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo was EXCRUCIATINGLY CLEAR about where their focus was for their next console - GAMEPLAY.

It's not like Sony or Microsoft in promising X and delivering a shoddy, hollow facsimile of X.

[Lutheran]

The graphics look fine to me , especially in the video. I mean who gives a crap as long as the game is entertaining and fun. I don't much care about Texture size and trilinear filtering.

[Zeal]

Is that really any kind of excuse for their games to look worse than their previous console.

But yeah, I guess it is "EXCRUCIATINGLY CLEAR" that the Wii has extremely weak graphical capabilities. I mean, this is just uncalled for.

[Zanzibar]

Is that really any kind of excuse for their games to look worse than their previous console.

Honestly, do you guys have eyes.

'They'? Who is this 'they' you speak of? Sega, or Nintendo?

You do realize who is putting this game together, right? Are you blaming Nintendo for Sega's dev team putting together substandard graphics?

[thecrazyd]

Except... they don't look worse then the Sonic on the previous console. It looks a good deal better. Did you see the video? Also, are you allergic to question marks?

[Zeal]

A question mark implies a question, rhetorical questions and statements do not. Zeal never questions.

Anyway, 'they' as in the whole of Wii developers. What the hell is up with the extremely muddy textures and low polygon models. The games are honestly making the system look like a Gamecube portable.

Someone already commmented that it has PSP graphics, which it does.

[Chang3]

This new sonic is possible on the ps3, I can name a few Wii exclusives that are possible using the PS3's controller, and yet you get the same experience.

[Zeal]

This new sonic is possible on the ps3, I can name a few Wii exclusives that are possible using the PS3's controller, and yet you get the same experience.
That's actually a really good point. I had a chance to try out the PS3 controller at E3 and you're probably right.

Even though Sony sucks, at least their controller doesn't stop working if you step outside the sensor range. They were able to take the same idea and make it much more practical.

[Zanzibar]

I should have put substandard graphics in quotation marks, because I don't agree they look worse than the Gamecube. Seriously, though, give it a rest.

Most Wii games had Gamecube dev kits as their first kits for the Wii. As such, since this game relies so much on speed, it would not surprise me if they had 'low res' Dolphin geometry created so that the gameplay and sense of speed was intact early on in their prototyping. Now that they've gotten their final Wii kits (which most of us didn't get until shortly before E3), they'll continue improving the graphics. The Wii can handle a lot more than the GC could, worry you not.

Zeal, you're just trying to troll. Let. It. Go.

[Lutheran]

Does anyone really give a crap what Zeal says in a Wii thread? Its like asking Hezbollah what their thoughts are on Challah bread or Matzah ball soup.

[Kamalot]

Does anyone really give a crap what Zeal says in a Wii thread? Its like asking Hezbollah what their thoughts are on Challah bread or Matzah ball soup.
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[Bydo_Empire]

The previews have been promising, and I think the 'back to the roots' gameplay is a good move. But after the last X years of sub par 3d Sonic games I'm not holding my breath. Come on Sega, do yourselves proud with this one!

[tombofsoldier]

Because all Sonic games are about the graphics, the only thing they should add is motion blur to make it look faster, other than that whatever.

[Sl1pstream]

at least their controller doesn't stop working if you step outside the sensor range.
Does this mean that I can control your PS3 from over here?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

My excitement for the Wii has dampened somewhat, but that's mainly because there hasn't been much to keep the hype going since E3 (a good thing, I don't want to get burned out.) I still can't wait to see how the system turns out.

[aversion2k]

sonic games keep getting worse :(
The gba sonics were good, and sonic rush was kinda ok.

[jeffbax]

360 could do this game too... anything can, you don't need tilt to move a character left and right. I think it'd be easier with analog sticks.

[Snoy Cracken]

sonic games keep getting worse :(
The gba sonics were good, and sonic rush was kinda ok.
I played the first gba sonic game and it was so slow compared to the genisis games it made me want to cry. :(

[Achilles]

360 could do this game too... anything can, you don't need tilt to move a character left and right. I think it'd be easier with analog sticks.I agree. It looks like they’re mainly using the controller to replace the left and right movement of the D-Pad. I’d think it was for leaning, but the one screenshot doesn’t seem to have any of that going on. Unless it’s somehow more accurate and reliable than the D-pad, I wouldn’t call that an improvement in control, and I'd probably rather play the game with a standard controller.

[gspot]

A question mark implies a question, rhetorical questions and statements do not. Zeal never questions.

Anyway, 'they' as in the whole of Wii developers. What the hell is up with the extremely muddy textures and low polygon models. The games are honestly making the system look like a Gamecube portable.

Someone already commmented that it has PSP graphics, which it does.
Yeah man totally!

The Wii killed my father, and raped my mother! Fuck the Wii!

[Nessus]

[quote]Is that really any kind of excuse for their games to look worse than their previous console.[quote]

Except if you watch the video it looks better than a GameCube game. Also, no fucking way PSP could pull graphics that good.

In any event, what the hell is the point of arguing about Wii's graphics? Do you honestly believe that if Nintendo had wanted to they couldn't have just produced a super powerful console like everybody else? It's not like they accidentally did this.

Also, if I had to choose between Wildfire and the "good" looking PS3 Sonic game with Hum-Vees, realistic looking humans, etc. I'd pick Wildfire in a second (pending reviews).

[Majster Wichajster]

Fanboy alert! Fanboy alert! Fanboy alert!

Let's just say that you, Zeal, may go to hell and check out all the COOL graphics there. Yeah, I know, gameplay sucks but LOOK at them flames! How much anti-aliasing do you need to get THAT kind of stuff?

[shnastybiznastic]

360 could do this game too... anything can, you don't need tilt to move a character left and right. I think it'd be easier with analog sticks.
Yeah, and a console dosent really need to have a new method of input, but if it makes games more interesting and moves developers from "appeal to the 18 - 30 demographic" to "find an addictive and fun method of play that is simple and pleasing" then it's worth it.

Think about it though: Yeah, you could do this with your thumbs, but wouldn't it be more fun to have a method of play that is new and built around something you havent ever tried before? You can cut a tree down with a shovel, but wouldn't it be nicer to have an axe?

[Chameleo]

your analogy is right - but analog sticks are the axe....

it'll probably be much tougher to control this game - but then isn't that what all console-whores crow about when we compare FPS' to PCs etc?

"but the pad ups the difficulty and makes it more fun!" -idunnowhosaidthisbutitsbeensaidmanytimes

the Wii control seems to be fitting into that glove.

[benig]

This game looks gorgeous and I don't know what planet you are from to think otherwise.

[shnastybiznastic]

Yeah, it might be easier to not have to master a new control scheme, but if it's more fun and immersive, then it's worth it. I mean, if we just wanted to give people the easiest scheme in order to make them win, we could just hand out .50 cal rifles with a zapper stuck inside.

[Achilles]

Yeah, it might be easier to not have to master a new control scheme, but if it's more fun and immersive, then it's worth it. I mean, if we just wanted to give people the easiest scheme in order to make them win, we could just hand out .50 cal rifles with a zapper stuck inside.When the Revolution's controller was first revealed it was supposed to be intuitive and so easy to pick up and play that anyone could play the games and do well, even people who have never played games before and were frightened of controllers. Now it's all about immersion I guess.

[shnastybiznastic]

When the Revolution's controller was first revealed it was supposed to be intuitive and so easy to pick up and play that anyone could play the games and do well, even people who have never played games before and were frightened of controllers. Now it's all about immersion I guess.
Hey hey hey, I'm definitley not a Wii apoligist (probably because I think there's nothing to apologise for), but this guy's going on about how Sonic Wildfire has a simplistic looking gameplay style that could be done on an analog stick. Yeah, and Duck Hunt could be played with a D-Pad, but who the fuck would want to.

edit: what bugs me is that he's taking a video of an unreleased game, trying to extrapolate what the gameplay is like, then assuming it could be done better on an a traditional controller.

[Kamalot]

You can play DDR on a regular controller too.

[Achilles]

Hey hey hey, I'm definitley not a Wii apoligist (probably because I think there's nothing to apologise for), but this guy's going on about how Sonic Wildfire has a simplistic looking gameplay style that could be done on an analog stick. Yeah, and Duck Hunt could be played with a D-Pad, but who the fuck would want to.

edit: what bugs me is that he's taking a video of an unreleased game, trying to extrapolate what the gameplay is like, then assuming it could be done better on an a traditional controller.That's fair. My statement was more directed at the shift in marketing direction for the Wii rather than your comment. At first it was all about being easy to use, then it was all about playing together (We), then it was all about immersion. I don't know how much more immersive it is to tilt a rectangular controller sideways than it would be to press an analog stick to the left or right, but unless the Wii controller works better I’d rather use the analog stick.

About the simplistic looking gameplay. A Sonic game should have simplistic gameplay. Run and jump were all the original Sonic had. Since then they've added a dozen or more mechanics in various sonic games, none of which were as compelling as the running and jumping at high speeds which is what they kept getting away from.

[shnastybiznastic]

About the simplistic looking gameplay. A Sonic game should have simplistic gameplay. Run and jump were all the original Sonic had. Since then they've added a dozen or more mechanics in various sonic games, none of which were as compelling as the running and jumping at high speeds which is what they kept getting away from.
I agree that a sonic game should have simplistic gameplay, but when you think about the range of motions that you can make using just your wrist that are considered simple, it becomes evident that simplistic gameplay could mean anything.

As far as the mechanics of that level, I didn't like the sidleing, it made me wish he was running again.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

That's fair. My statement was more directed at the shift in marketing direction for the Wii rather than your comment. At first it was all about being easy to use, then it was all about playing together (We), then it was all about immersion. I don't know how much more immersive it is to tilt a rectangular controller sideways than it would be to press an analog stick to the left or right, but unless the Wii controller works better I’d rather use the analog stick.


To be fair Nintendo's marketing so far has been focused on making the controller simpler (more accessible to various types of people and not just gamers) and playing games together. The "more immersive" thing has come from the media and some of the fans - especially with games like Metroid Prime 3. Still, Nintendo hasn't said much about making games "more immersive", at least that I know of.