New Sonic Secret Rings Footage (Wii)

[Kamalot]

IGN is showing off some new gameplay trailers for Sonic and the Secret Rings (http://media.wii.ign.com/media/800/800277/vid_1910012.html). The upcoming Wii title focuses purely on Sonic the Hedgehog. Shown in the gameplay trailers is a lot of classic Sonic ring collecting and dash attacks, but also magic carpet riding, cannon shooting, crystal hourglasses, rigging grinding and surfing.

Lord help me, I'm actually looking forward to a Sonic title again. Is this the real deal, or simply a setup for massive disappointment?

[Tricky Thumb]

I'm going to bet on the trend and say the latter, Kamalot.

Although I'd love to be proven wrong, since it's Sonic and all.

[Gorvi]

Is this being made by the same team that did the awful 360 and PS3 Sonic games? If so, I doubt there's much hope for it.

[Heretic Machine]

Well, most previews are saying it is pretty good... But you don't control Sonic's running, and both Tails and Knuckles are not playable. Doesn't sound like my kind of Sonic game.

[Ultima Thulian]

I hope this game is good...I haven't played the latest Sonic, but I've heard the worst. What in the fuck happened to Sega and Sonic Team? Used to be a real talent. Oh, I want this game to be good...but my faith in the 3D sonics is shatterd.

[MrTyzik]

I'm glad it's only Sonic. However, I did not know that you do not have control of Sonic's running. Suddenly this game sounds awful.

[Kamalot]

Is this being made by the same team that did the awful 360 and PS3 Sonic games? If so, I doubt there's much hope for it.
From what I understand, it is not Sonic Team developing the new Secret Rings game.

[KidCactus]

By the looks of it, I don't see why this would be any better than the last crappy games.

[Gorvi]

From what I understand, it is not Sonic Team developing the new Secret Rings game.

Good, then there's hope for Sonic yet. It's funny, 15 years ago I never thought I'd say that the only place Sonic would be flourishing would be on Nintendo consoles (as the DS Sonic is the only decent game in recent memory).

[Abednigo]

You don't control forward movement? I'm not going to get too bent out of shape about that. If you have to worry about dodging back and forth to grab rings and hit enemies (and you can make Sonic backtrack if you need to according to a Gamespot preview) it might be preferable to not have to worry about getting him moving forward. I'll hold off on judging that gameplay mechanic until I see some reviews. Based on those videos that game looks fun (and very fast).

[Kamalot]

Good, then there's hope for Sonic yet. It's funny, 15 years ago I never thought I'd say that the only place Sonic would be flourishing would be on Nintendo consoles (as the DS Sonic is the only decent game in recent memory).
I agree with you. Sonic Rush on the DS was a good Sonic game, the only one in recent memory. I remember liking the Sonic Adventure title on Dreamcast a LOT. Although it had issues with the camera that prevented it from being an 'exploratory' platformer game, if you ran straight ahead at breakneck speed, the title had a nice rhythm to it.

I recently purchased Sonic the Hedgehog on Wii's Virtual Console and am amazed at how unusually excellent the title is, even after all this time. What the hell happened to Sonic over the past 8 years?

[Draconis]

Put simply, 3d Gaming. Most of the issues with the Sonic genre Post Dreamcast have been solely with the Camera. That combined with the speed of the game in general leads to ALOT of frustration and deaths.

From what I understand, and mind you, I've only glimpsed at Interviews etc. This new Sonic Game is a sort of 'On Rails' thing. Where you only control general direction (Left or Right to grab rings) and do jumps etc. The camera stays fixed, thus my rails comment. Meaning, Hopefully, alot less deaths and frustration.


I have to be honest, after seeing this videos, I am SERIOUSLY Psyched for this game.

[Headcase]

This game is a total wildcard. On one hand, you're looking at only one good Sonic game since the Adventure years, which is Sonic Rush (actually I never played Sonic Advance 1 or 2 so I can't vouch for those). 3D sonic games started with the Adventures, which were ok, and have declined horrendously since.

On the other hand, this one focuses on Sonic and keeps everything pretty linear, and the controls look simple. I agree with what Draconis said about the camera too.

Predicted score: somewhere in the 0.0 to 10.0 range. But if I had to guess, 5.8. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

Edit:
From what I understand, it is not Sonic Team developing the new Secret Rings game.Upping prediction to 6.5.

[Draconis]

A gentleman by the name of Ogawa is working on the title for the Wii, and has had a TON of interviews recently. I'll post the link. But the general knowledge is the fact that the individual responsible for running Sonic into the freaking dirt, I.E., the recent 360 and PS3 embarassments and the past games, is NOT, I repeat, NOT working on this game.

ONM did an review of Sonic, and gave it 82/100. Which is very good IMO. Things are looking up. Preliminary reviews of the game that are cropping up thus far have stated that it is worthwhile and overall very good.

Some information for you guys to consume.

Impressions - http://www.sonicstadium.org/articles/116/

Review by ONM - http://forum.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=57096

[CapnBob]

Well, most previews are saying it is pretty good... But you don't control Sonic's running, and both Tails and Knuckles are not playable. Doesn't sound like my kind of Sonic game.

What do you mean, "you don't control Sonic's running?" You do, it's just that instead of constantly pressing forward the entire level like you did with the 2D sonic games you just have to NOT press backwards. I mean, if you want to waste a finger by holding one button constantly for a whole game, be my guest, but if there was a reason to not constantly be running forward in a sonic game then it'd be a pretty shitty sonic game.

[Klunka]

This sonic will play more like a starfox type rail shooter then the traditional sonic game. Though you do control speed bursting and slowing down.

[protocol_image]

What do you mean, "you don't control Sonic's running?" You do, it's just that instead of constantly pressing forward the entire level like you did with the 2D sonic games you just have to NOT press backwards. I mean, if you want to waste a finger by holding one button constantly for a whole game, be my guest, but if there was a reason to not constantly be running forward in a sonic game then it'd be a pretty shitty sonic game.
I have to disagree. The best Sonic game, in my opinion, was Sonic 3 + Sonic & Knuckles (cartidge piggy-back)....and that game had plenty of moments where you stop running. Sometimes you need to push a block, or hang from a switch to turn lights on or open a door, or sometimes you are presented options with multiple paths.

I do agree that the focus on going fast has been greatly lost with the addition of 3D exploration, but Sonic isn't just a one-trick pony that runs really fast.

[Kamalot]

I have to disagree. The best Sonic game, in my opinion, was Sonic 3 + Sonic & Knuckles (cartidge piggy-back)....and that game had plenty of moments where you stop running. Sometimes you need to push a block, or hang from a switch to turn lights on or open a door, or sometimes you are presented options with multiple paths.

I do agree that the focus on going fast has been greatly lost with the addition of 3D exploration, but Sonic isn't just a one-trick pony that runs really fast.
Check out the videos. It looks like there are 'block-pushing' type moments where Sonic is sneaking past spikes on a tiny ledge. It slows the pace of the game considerably but still falls into the Sonic theme.

[protocol_image]

Check out the videos. It looks like there are 'block-pushing' type moments where Sonic is sneaking past spikes on a tiny ledge. It slows the pace of the game considerably but still falls into the Sonic theme.
If so, I am definitely in the camp of people that desperately want this Sonic game to own.

[Kamalot]

If so, I am definitely in the camp of people that desperately want this Sonic game to own.
I'll apologize in advance for helping spread hype... if the game ends up sucking. :D

[Cubfan]

Great Music :rolleyes:

[Majster Wichajster]

Well, some of it is good.

[Draconis]

I'll apologize in advance for helping spread hype... if the game ends up sucking. :D


That's cool Kamalot. I'll be sure to put you down on my list of 'People to feed to PS3 Zombies' Outside of the mall doors. I'll do you a favor even. I'll drop you from the roof! :D

[parallels]

Speedy-looking gameplay: Plus.
Abysmal rock soundtrack: Minus.
Spiffy graphics for a Wii game: Plus
Obnoxious voice acting: Minus
RPG-Lite character customization: Plus
Fighting the same three enemies over and over: Minus.

*shrugs*

[Kamalot]

Speedy-looking gameplay: Plus.
Abysmal rock soundtrack: Minus.
Spiffy graphics for a Wii ghame: Plus
Obnoxious voice acting: Minus
RPG-Lite character customization: Plus
Fighting the same three enemies over and over: Minus.

*shrugs*
From what I understand, the game will include the original Japanese voices and the option to use them with English subtitles.

[parallels]

From what I understand, the game will include the original Japanese voices and the option to use them with English subtitles.

Yeah, but I can't be the only one who prefers their heroes silent, and their supporting casts unobtrusive. I just want to grab some rings, man, not be babysat by relentless pre-recorded "suggestions".

Honestly, if a team can't be bothered to hire decent vocal talent, they shouldn't put spoken content into their game.

[BlackPete]

As long as this game is in 3D I'm not holding out much hope that this will be any good. I'd love to be proven wrong (please please PLEASE prove me wrong...) but I've yet to see a decent implementation of a 3D Sonic.

The fact that they dropped the other characters and are focusing on Sonic only *is* promising though. At least that's getting back to the basics -- pure speed and pure fun. At least that's what I hope...

[Majster Wichajster]

To tell the truth the VA actually matches Sonic quite well in terms of character, but it's still cringe-worthy. Now, if you had Lothar there, THAT would be a different set of laquerware.

[protocol_image]

To tell the truth the VA actually matches Sonic quite well in terms of character, but it's still cringe-worthy. Now, if you had Lothar there, THAT would be a different set of laquerware.
Lothar? ....of The Hill People??

[Majster Wichajster]

No, this Lothar. (http://exterminatusnow.keenspace.com/) I mean, a game based around this hedgehog might be a lot better, what with killing babies and burning down orphanages.

[Headcase]

One huge plus is that targets are shown when you can do a homing attack. In The SA games you had to guess and if you jumped too early, your life could be forfeit. In the last levels of SA2 this drove me nuts.

Occasionally you could be close to an enemy but it still wouldn't register as a target. Hopefully this game fixes the problem entirely but at least if it doesn't, it shows when the homing attack is ready.