I’d never thought I would be writing that there is a fourth Sonic the Hedgehog game coming out. At last. Maybe. Just maybe, we’ll get a true sequal to the original three, three games that have been replayed many a time by myself and countless others, who just keep gazing at the Sonic the Hedgehog 1 level select Cheat screen, marvelling out how well designed and classic the stages were, and still are…
Right, I’ll shut up my silly talk about games most of you don’t care about and explain why you should care a little bit more about the video I’ve posted above. I’m no “Sonic” fan boy, I find 80% of the games that have ever existed the biggest load of garbage every to clutter the bargain bin. I mean, seriously, Sonic is not meant to fall in love with a human. He’s a damn Hedgehog. However, ever since I found out about “Project Needlemouse”, being produced by a newly rejuvinated Sonic Team, I thought there may be a chance for the days of Sonic being abandoned to the 3D cesspit were over.
So the trailer above doesn’t really tell us much at all about the game, other than it’s going to be downloadable and produced in an episodic format. As well as this, as you may of gathered from the way the trailer was structured, it is trying, according to Ken Ballough, who is the associate brand manager at Sega, to be a:
“critical first step to bring back Sonic to his roots”
Moving things forward is great, but aknowledging what people liked about Sonic in the first place is, in my view, the best to try and make these games relate to the modern world, and downloadable episodes may be the best way for them to do that. Sega also are not shying away from making this a big event, as Alton Towers (a UK theme park for you guys abroad), is renaming one of it’s rides to be called “Sonic Spinball”, with Sonic’s new design featuring around it.
Well this looks familiar
Back to game talk, they are also going to be trying to make Sonic fast. Like he was supposed to, in another quote from Ken, he said:
I think one aspect to keep in mind is this game is truly a labor of love. A lot of us grew up on the Sega Genesis console; in fact, I remember vividly the first day I got mine with Revenge of Shinobi and Moonwalker. Ever since Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been a game classic Sega fans have always wanted to see. It was the right people, at the right time, getting together and finally making this game we’ve all wanted to see.
Sounds a good concept to start at, building on something that was popular. Only took you around 16 years for a game like this to be produced, but maybe it’s the best time. Downloadable games are pretty much accepted as being a viable way to release a small game, as trying to release a game like this too early as either a boxed game would of mean that people felt ripped off, and the economics of downloadable games are still finding their footing.
Yes, there are a few little things I noticed that made me cringe. A more 16Bit look for Sonic would probably not have quite so big…Hair?!?… Also the music of a Sonic game is nearly as important as the way it plays, so there plans to pull off a mix of throwback Sonic music with the more modern stuff will be a test. Anyway, it’s nice to see that they are trying this direction and if this episode comes out and it’s a good, modern side-scroller (don’t think I’m that blinded by nostalgia that I’ll accept a load of fan service) I’ll let you know.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is due for release later this year on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, Wii Shop and iPhone.
If we haven't bored you, here is some more:
- Retro Review: Sonic the Hedgehog
- Another Sonic game? Sonic Colours announced
- Video of the Day: Mega Man 10
- Bulletstorm Debut Trailer
- Video of the Day: Muscle March
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Retro Review: Sonic the Hedgehog | Game Engine | sonic the hedgehog music on 08.08.2010
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