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Don't worry, 'many' of Sonic's friends will be in Generations (but not playable)
We know that Sonic Generations represents a sort of back-to-basics approach, with a focus on classic and modern Sonic gameplay. But is it so back-to-basics that it's devoid of Sonic's extended cast of characters? We asked director Hiroshi Miyamoto if Sonic's friends would show up in the new game. "We really wanted to encapsulate 20 years of Sonic characters," Miyamoto told Joystiq, "so we've got those really memorable bosses, we've got memorable rivals as well that you can play against; so far we've announced Metal Sonic and Shadow." In addition to those adversarial characters, "There's many friends in there as well." He added something that almost made us really scared: "We've tried to include as many friends as possible." Oh ... "They're not playable, but there are many friends." Oh!
Sonic 4 Episode 2 rolling into place in 2012
Sega has apparently joined the effort forged by Valve to change the rules of how long you can go between episodic releases, while still being allowed to call said releases "episodes." In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Sonic Team's Takashi Iikuza talked about Sonic 4, explaining, "This year, 2011, is the anniversary, so we're focusing on the celebration title." He later added, "But moving forward to 2012, Sonic will still be going, so I'd hope to provide Episode 2 then." In other news, have you guys seen this new show, Best Buds Living It Up In New York? It's this great new NBC sitcom. The first episode aired last night, and the next episode is going to air in about eighteen months.
Sonic Generations footage: Chemical Plant Zone and City Escape
After so many disappointing Sonic games, Sega is picking a safer formula and remaking chunks of old Sonic games, almost pixel-by-pixel. At least, that appears to be the case in this Sonic Generations video from Gameswelt.tv. Behold: The Chemical Plant Zone (and City Escape, if you want something more modern).
Indulge your phantasies with new Phantasy Star Online 2 info, screenshots, and videos
Anyone with fond memories of jumping into Phantasy Star Online back on the Dreamcast (may it rest in peace) will surely be excited to hear that a bevy of new information, screenshots, and videos have been released for Phantasy Star Online 2. In PSO2, the player is part of a planetary investigation team known as the Arks. It would seem that the Arks are tasked with flying about the galaxy to strange new planets, meeting the inhabitants of said planets and killing them. Sounds fun, right? Right. Right now, there are four confirmed weapons: swords and wired lances for Hunters, assault rifles for Rangers, and the gunblade-esque gun slash for all classes. Battlefields are randomly generated for each mission, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting, and can include a variety of random events that are sure to keep players on their toes. PSO2 also introduces multi-party areas, which -- as the name would imply -- allow multiple parties to venture forth for fun and profit. Players are allowed a main class and a subclass, and instead of having overall character levels, the game utilizes class levels for each class the player has taken. There's much more information where this came from, so we recommend any players who are looking forward to PSO2 (or who are just feeling a bit nostalgic about the original) go check out the full posts. And lastly, for your convenience, all of the new screenshots have been collected in the gallery below, and the new videos are just past the cut. %Gallery-122190%
Sonic Generations screens visit the Chemical Plant Zone
Sega has revealed yet another all-too-familiar playground for Sonic Generations' twin Hedgehogs: the hazardous, pipe-permeated Chemical Plant Zone. Check out Sonic, Sonic and Metal Sonic's escapades in the new-old level in the gallery below!
Nintendo Power cover confirms Sonic Generations 3DS, new Shinobi
We've recently seen some evidence of two Sega 3DS projects that have yet to be officially announced: a 3DS (and PC) version of Sonic Generations, and a new Shinobi game. It turns out that the latest issue of Nintendo Power announces them both before Sega has a chance to fire up the press release machine. The cover of the June 2011 issue, as found on NeoGAF, specifically notes that Sonic Generations "speeds onto the 3DS" just in time for the sometimes pudgy hedgehog's 20th anniversary. Shinobi, however, is only listed as a "classic revival." Additionally, a teaser of the forthcoming Shinobi game appears to have leaked on YouTube, posted yesterday by user "greatshow482" -- the user's only upload. Beyond affirming Griptonite Games as the developer, the teaser confirms a Shinobi game "re-imagined for the Nintendo 3DS."
Sonic Generations demo classified in Australia
Though Sonic's new outing Sonic Generations may still be a ways off, it looks like we may get an early double dose of hedgehog. Sega is planning to release a demo of the game, according to Australia's Classification Board, which recently awarded the demo a family-friendly G rating. It would seem like good news for Sonic fans, though it's unusual for most game rating organizations to assign a rating to an individual demo. Ratings are usually reserved only for individual retail products. One possible implication is that the demo could (could, mind you) be a paid product of some sort, or perhaps bundled with an upcoming Sega game.
Sonic Generations footage has something old, something new, and two blue things
Didn't get your fix of Sonic Generations' new school-meets-old school gameplay yet? Well, junkie, you can get your hands on even more of the platformer's expedient, multi-dimensional action in the video posted just after the jump.
Sonic Generations trailer takes a second look at Green Hill Zone
Are you having a hard time wrapping your noodle around the perspective-shifting gameplay we outlined in our recent preview of Sonic Generations? Sounds like a visual aid is just what the doctor ordered -- check out the gameplay video below to see Generations' two distinct angles.
Sonic Generations preview: Chubby reign
Sonic the Hedgehog may easily outrun a spring chicken, but he's not exactly "young" anymore. The blue dash turns 20 this year, having only lost weight with age; and to celebrate the big two zero, Sega is releasing Sonic Generations for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It's a full price retail game, coming this holiday, that pays homage to the storied history of Mr. the Hedgehog. Late last week I played through the first level of Sonic's cross-generational platformer on Xbox 360 -- a "reimagining" of Sonic's Green Hill Zone -- using both old (chubby) and new (skinny) Sonic. Here's how the pairing works: each level of Sonic Generations is playable with either character, and both offer different routes and perspectives.%Gallery-121375%
Sonic Colors review: A bolt from the blue
Believe me, I'm as surprised about this as you are. Sega has shoved its mascot character into so many wretched games over the past dozen or so years that the phrase "good Sonic game" may as well be akin to saying "don't touch that fire; it'll freeze your hand." Yet here I am, trying to make the muscles in my hands type the words, "Sonic ... Colors ... is ... is ... good." Not just good for Sonic, but good good. %Gallery-95227%
Sonic Free Riders review: Board to death
On paper, Sonic Free Riders probably sounded pretty cool. Actually, on second thought, it probably sounded like a cheap and easy way to make a Kinect launch game. I can see the instructions to the developer: "Hey guys, you know that third game in the universally panned Sonic Riders series that we shelved a few years back? Well, take it, make it work with Kinect just well enough to get past Microsoft, and get it out the door by November 4th. But don't, and we can't stress this enough, put any work into making it worthwhile." Or at least that's what one would imagine transpired after devoting, as I did, entirely too much time to this mind-numbing mess of a game. %Gallery-106558%
Sonic Colors trailer grants your greatest Wisp
The ever increasing cavalcade of secondary characters in Sonic the Hedgehog is an often reviled issue. So, how do you keep Sonic interesting without adding another Big the Cat? Easy, in Sonic Colors, the blue blur actually transforms into other characters using Wisps. Pretty sneaky, Sega.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 review: Spin-dashed hopes
Sega is giving the people what they want. Sonic's lips are sewn together tightly, his pals have been laid to rest in a shoebox somewhere in the garden, and the world is nice and two-dimensional again. This is the 16-bit sequel you've been craving for sixteen bitter years, one that sidesteps every pitfall introduced in Sonic's 3D outings. Finally, the cycle is over! But there's a problem. If you've been on the verge of starvation for 16 years, you might be a tad too eager to swallow any crumb that's flicked your way. And if there's one thing that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is, it's crummy.
Sounic 'Colours' trailer actually loouks awfully amousing
In honour of the Euroupean Sounic Colours proumoutiounal videou pousted below, we've decided tou stand aloungside ouur ouverseas couhourts, and their inexplicable manner ouf spelling. Check ouut the trailer, which features soume of Sounic's new pouwers and ould, ould foues, like Douctour Rouboutnik.
Sonic Colors preview: Wisp you were here
We can all agree that Sonic Unleashed had some pretty deep lows -- specifically, the Werehog. But the daytime segments in the game showed promise; almost a return to form. These areas of the game, for the unaware, combined Sonic Adventure-like 3D free-running elements alongside more classical, 2D elements from the series' past. It was easily the highlight of that game. And Sega knows it, which explains why Sonic Colors is pretty much nothing but those portions of gameplay. That alone would make for a pretty serviceable Sonic game, but Sega has also added Wisps: small alien creatures who imbue Sonic with one-time-use powers.%Gallery-95227%
Sonic Colors to (maybe) spin dash our hopes on November 16
Your next opportunity to feel pleasantly surprised or expectedly disappointed by Sega's azure mascot will come November 16, the recently announced release date for Sonic Colors on Wii and DS. We know you've been hurt so many times in the past, but we suggest watching the new trailer posted after the jump before deciding how you really feel about the Hedgehog's upcoming outing. Hey, at the very least, this one comes with a special hat for pre-orderers. That's gotta count for something, doesn't it?
Phantasy Star Universe updated on Xbox 360, expansion now free
Sega has announced that an update is now available for the Xbox 360 version of Phantasy Star Universe (the PS2 and PC versions are kaput, remember). Entitled "GUARDIANS Advanced Content," the update includes new items, new missions, a new character customization system and tweaks to existing classes and abilities. The update is free for all subscribers and will be applied automatically on login. Sega also reminded players that the Phantasy Star Universe expansion, Ambitions of the Illuminus, is now available free of charge. Originally costing 800 MSP ($10), the expansion features its own set of additions including new weapons, locations, enemies and more. If you grab the update and the expansion and squint your eyes, you just might be able to trick yourself into thinking it's a real Phantasy Star sequel. %Gallery-97918%
Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode One
There really isn't a lot to write about Sonic the Hedgehog 4. It's everything Sega promised it would be: just Sonic without all the cruft. I got to play through the game's Splash Hill Zone, and it's pure, unadulterated Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a new coat of paint and a handful of new features. And there's no Tails, of course (not in Episode One at least). There are a few new wrinkles. Sonic has his homing attack from Sonic Adventure, for example. As with most of the 2D Sonic titles, there are also a few interesting locomotion mechanics sprinkled throughout the levels: vines to swing on, ziplines and, of course, the beloved corkscrews and loops. %Gallery-95668%
Sega: Sonic is the only playable character ... 'in Episode 1'
Visiting Sega's booth for a little hands-on time with Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, a representative told us something that fans may find a little disconcerting. Someone asked the representative if Sonic was the only playable character, to which the rep replied that Sonic is the only playable character "in Episode 1." While he wouldn't confirm if future episodes will have other playable characters, he certainly hinted at the possibility. Consider our fingers crossed for Big the Cat.
