All-new 2D Sonic rolling out in 2010

[Rob-Bert]

You know, I could point out that the Chao World and Pokemon use vastly different systems and that Panzer Dragoon doesn't involve walking and jumping in addition to shooting, but eh.

[Dr. BUGMAN]

But how will we get our money's worth without boring time-sinks?

[G.Silver]

You know, I could point out that the Chao World and Pokemon use vastly different systems and that Panzer Dragoon doesn't involve walking and jumping in addition to shooting, but eh.

Panzer Dragoon also doesn't let you turn around. Also, what kind of heartless bastard doesn't want more Panzer Dragoon?

I agree that the Eggman/Tails segments really would have made an awesome game on their own, as a kind of stampy-robot platformer with an original IP. I would love to see that expanded on.

[Rob-Bert]

Even if they didn't go the original IP route, it would've been perfect for an Eggman solo game. I've always wanted to see that happen.

Come to think of it, the whole beat-em-up thing they had going on with the Werehog would've probably fared better as a Knuckles game, and the three-player team idea they used for Heroes could've easily been a 3D follow-up to Chaotix starring only Espio, Vector and Charmy.

Also, have I mentioned I'd kill a man to see a sequel to Tails Adventure?

[Crazy Penguin]

Eggman felt too underpowered in Sonic Adventure 2. Every pit fall death just seemed like a huge lie after using his trademark hovercraft in every other Sonic game.

[G.Silver]

Couldn't the Tornado walker that Tails used also fly? Or obviously he could have jumped out and flown to safety on his own. The whole thing was ridiculous.

[Rob-Bert]

I imagine if Eggman had his own game he'd likely have access to other vehicles besides the Egg Walker, up to and including the famous Eggmobile.

Hell, they could go the extra mile and have every vehicle be a shell that fits over the Eggmobile just like all the bosses we've fought over the years.

[K2J]

To repay the favor of including (one of) their mascots in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Rare has declared that Eggman will now feature in a special edition of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

[gr4yJ4Y]

Am I the only one who would be interested in an Espio spin-off? It'd be like Sly Cooper, but more Sonic-y.

[G.Silver]

So apparently someone leaked almost the entire soundtrack.

http://soundcloud.com/bigthecat/tracks?page=1

I'm not impressed at all. And I like all kinds of crappy music. Some of it's ok, but when I think of what rich, diverse soundtracks previous Sonic games have had, this is just pathetic. I'm sure it will be better when experienced "in game," but sure this is quantifiably not up to the previous standard.

[K2J]

"Boss #1" sounds very similar to an unused boss track for Sonic 3D Blast (probably also written by Senoue). Comparison - Sonic 4 in left ear, Sonic 3D Blast in right.

[Segaholic2]

Yeah, the music kind of sucks and the "instrument" selections are probably the most disappointing part. They all sound the same, with way too much of that stupid synth shit.

Does anyone know where this leak comes from?

[K2J]

The guy who posted it on Retro didn't really cite any sources. It doesn't look like he was the one who leaked it, but if the game is currently being tested on Microsoft's PartnerNET, it wouldn't be too hard to extract assets.

[Neo]

Can't wait until (...) starts defending this. They still have time to fix it!

Some of it's ok, but

Which part? All I heard was an annoying synth going bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and then the Special Stage music played and then more bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Also, what the fuck! Boss #1 is an unused track from Sonic 3D! Mind blown.

(I took forever on the reply page)

[FlashTHD]

Played Boss #1. I'd be happy never hearing anything else from this game for the rest of my life. I'd struggle to even fucking classify that racket as music! Good god.

[Opa-Opa]

Sounds like early third-party Megadrive games...

The compositions kind of suck.

[Rob-Bert]

There must be something wrong with me. I have no problem whatsoever with the soundtrack other than the fact that all the songs use the same instruments. Maybe I'm tone deaf. Who the hell knows...

[G.Silver]

Some of it's ok, but

Which part? All I heard was an annoying synth going bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and then the Special Stage music played and then more bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzz bbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

There must be something wrong with me.

That and maybe Casino Street Act 1? It at least didn't sound exactly like every other track on there, like it was actually trying to have some personality. I am probably more generous with my "ok"'s than most people, regarding music, and even that doesn't mean I think it's that good.

[Neo]

Generally I classify something as "okay" when it doesn't make me want to stop listening to it.



That's roughly half of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, guys. (Or Episode I, at least.) We've got the general idea of the visuals and the sound, now we're down to the gameplay and level design. Or maybe the other three zones will be incredible compared to Splash Hill?

(lol)

[Malchik]

There must be something wrong with me. I have no problem whatsoever with the soundtrack other than the fact that all the songs use the same instruments. Maybe I'm tone deaf. Who the hell knows...

It's not your ears, it's those rose-tinted sunglasses your wearing.

So... the graphics are half-assed and the music is half-assed... we're left to controls and game dynamics, Sonic's biggest failures as of late.

[Radrappy]

yeah wow those were terrible. I thought you guys were exaggerating. Senoue did these??

[Esrever]

I think you guys are overreacting a smidge. Honestly, I think they nailed the classic "sound". The instrument selection is limited, sure... but no moreso than it was in Sonic 1, which is obviously what they're trying to evoke. Seriously, play some of the new tunes and old tunes, one after the other. I think the instrument selection sounds very similar!

Personally, I think it's the melodies that are lacking. They just aren't as catchy or as distinct as the classics. They remind me more of the Genesis Sonic 3D Blast soundtrack. Like, a lot! Not terrible, but not especially memorable either. When you strip back your sound to only a handful of simple interlocking parts, absolutely everything rides on your melody, and these tunes just aren't strong enough for that.

[K2J]

The bottom line is that the average gamer is going to look at and listen to this project and think, "Oh yeah, retro! Totally." And that's all they're aiming for. It's too much of an investment (and probably outside of Sega's quality control) to make a Genesis-level game when they could just slap on some synth and make it evoke feelings of fake nostalgia from people who only vaguely remember the games.

If you don't approach this game as being Sonic 4, but as "New Sonic the Hedgehog", then I can forgive most of these oddities.

[P.P.A.]

I actually somewhat like the first Act of Lost Labyrinth Zone, at least in comparison to the entirely dull and hollow rest of the soundtrack.

Also Chao were awesome, I credit most of the 210 hours I sank into SA2B to them. I had 3 memory cards full of those little guys, and a few neat bred colour and opacity variants!

[G.Silver]

They remind me more of the Genesis Sonic 3D Blast soundtrack.

Seriously?