A blog describing my collections and the things that make them interesting.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sonic Generations
This page contains content from Sonic-News-Network, so credit where credit's due.
I rate this game:8.75(xbox,playstation)9.50(3DS)
If you are a newcomer or want to get back to the classics I recommend this game.
Sonic Generations (ソニック ジェネレーションズ,Sonikku Jenerēshonzu?) is a game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS and PC via download. The game was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The Japanese version has different subtitles: White Time and Space (白の時空,Shiro no Jikū?) for the home consoles, and Blue Adventures (青の冒険,Ao no Bōken?) for the 3DS version. [1] This game can be played in 3D on the 3DS and on the console versions also, but a 3DTV as well as a pair of 3D glasses are required for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Iizuka says the 3DS edition will only feature Sonic's friends "who are integral to the story" - a contrast from the console counterparts. The 3DS version will use some handheld game stages while the console versions will use games from the console main series. "For the PS3 and 360, none of the stages we're selecting are going to be from the handheld." Iizuka said. "However, on 3DS we're looking at picking stages from handheld as well." The 3DS will have minor story changes as well. The writers for the story are credited as Ken Pontac and Warren Graff of Happy Tree Friends fame. They also worked on Sonic Colors and MadWorld. Tetsu Katano, who directed Sonic and the Black Knight and did work on the Adventureseries, is directing the 3DS edition. Sonic Team and Dimps are co-developing the 3DS edition.
Plot
Console
Sonic's friends throwing a surprise birthday party for Sonic
The story takes place some time after Sonic's last encounter with Eggman in Sonic Colors. In the past of Green Hill, Classic Sonic is exploring when he hears a noise. Suddenly, a monster known as the 'Time Eater' appears in the sky and he notices it as the screen goes white. In the present day, Tails and his friends are having a surprise party for Sonic's birthday until the Time Eater appears in Sonic's time and sucks all of them back into different periods in Sonic's history. Sonic goes to attack but is instead attacked himself; he looks up before he passes out to see that Tails is the only one left struggling to resist the Time Eater's vortex. Sonic wakes from his unconsciousness in a white world and wonders what's going on. Sonic first frees Tails when he was in a frozen state. Sonic and Tails first decide on finding their friends first, while Sonic wonders how Green Hill Zone looked so familiar. Tails tells Sonic to go check Chemical Plant out. Sonic quickly sets off, but a few seconds later, Tails sees Classic Sonic and mistakes him for Sonic.
After Sonic brought Chemical Plant back to its color, Tails reaches Sonic and explains how he will never forget the annoying pink acid the place is filled with. Sonic agrees and tells Tails that he feels that he is experiencing deja-vu. Meanwhile, Classic Sonic encounters Classic Metal Sonic guarding a Chaos Emerald, battles him at the bad future of Stardust Speedway, and destroys him. Later on, Modern Sonic is in a black and white hall with a glass with Classic Sonic at the other side of the glass. Modern Sonic mistakes it for a mirror, along with mistaking Classic Sonic as his reflection and vice versa. The two started setting their hair and looking at their teeth, concerned about their looks. When the two Sonics touch their bellies, Modern Sonic noticed how his reflection's belly is rounder, and gets the feeling that the reflection is not him. The two then hear Dr. Eggman's voice, with Modern Sonic shouting his name; Classic Sonic looks at his Modern self through the glass and realizes that it was not his reflection the whole time. Classic Sonic runs towards Eggman's voice while Modern Sonic tries to catch up, but instead has the door close on him, resulting in being locked in the room. Sonic was surprised to see his "reflection" running and he wasn't, and realized that his "reflection" was actually another "Sonic".
After Classic Sonic destroys the Death Egg Robot, he sees the same monster that appeared at the beginning of the game kidnapping Classic Dr. Eggman, with Classic Dr. Eggman crying out Sonic's name. Modern Sonic then sees his Classic self to find there's two of him and asks why are there two Sonics. Modern and Classic Tails tell Sonic that they are traveling through time and space, which is why Sonic is experiencing all of his past encounters along with seeing Classic Sonic. The two Sonics quickly get along and run towards the other places to bring them back to its color. The two realize that the faster they go through the areas, the more time and color will be restored.
After restoring every friend and only one more place to bring back to its colors, the two Tails' find out that the Time Eater dislikes Chaos Emeralds and tell the two Sonics to collect the seven Emeralds. The two Sonics restore Planet Wisp and race each other to the Emerald. Modern Sonic beats Classic Sonic in the race because he's had more experience (using the Sonic Boost in the air). After beating the Egg Dragoon, Sonic gets confused to see Eggman inside of it, as he thought that Eggman got kidnapped. However, strangely, the monster comes again and kidnaps Eggman once again, leaving the gang confused.
The gang then chases after the Time Eater and find it to be a supernatural being converted to a machine being piloted by Modern and Classic Dr. Eggman. When asked, Modern Eggman explains that when he was in trapped in space with Orbot and Cubot at the end of Sonic Colors, he found a monster with a unique ability to erase time and space. His plan was to undo all of his past mistakes whilst kidnapping Sonic's friends to use as bait to get Sonic to chase after him. However, he had the help of Classic Eggman in order for all of it to work. The monster tries destroying the two Sonics; though they put up a decent fight, it quickly managed to throw them off the ground and crush them with its arm. With the two Sonics weak and passed out, they get support from all of their friends along with Shadow and Silver, allowing the Chaos Emeralds to glow and activate, transforming them into Super Sonic. The two defeat the Eggmans, their monster, and their plan, and return back to where Sonic had his birthday party.
At the party, Modern Sonic got to enjoy the rest of his chili dog as Classic Sonic and the rest of the gang reappeared, including Shadow and Silver. After a few conversations between the two Sonics and two Tails, Classic Sonic tries out one of Modern Sonic's newer abilities (one which was a little bit of the Sonic Boost) but slightly fails to keep up. Modern Sonic claps for Classic Sonic, saying that he will get better. Modern Sonic and Tails share a few high-fives and wave good-bye as Classic Sonic and Tails jump back to their time-line.
A post-credits scene shows the two doctors lost in a blank and timeless existence. The two argue as they search for an exit, discussing whether or not they have ever defeated Sonic and contemplating if they should go back and get their teaching degree, as opposed to continuing their misdeeds.
Handheld
The story begins with Classic Sonic in Green Hill. After completing Act 1, a purple vortex appeared and surprises Classic Sonic. Then it goes all the way to the present day. Sonic is invited to a party by Tails. Sonic
and Tails were having chili-dogs until a vortex sucks Tails in. Sonic jumps in but is "attacked", though he manages to get in anyways. Sonic sees a white world and wonders what's going on. Lat
er on, Sonic meets his past self. After a surprising meeting, the two realize that the world is losing color and the time-line has been messed up for unknown reasons. The two Sonics team up to bring the world into its colors, learn how to fix up the timeline and save Tails.
A Sonic Generations demo was playable at 2011's E3 Expo, under the name
Sonic Boom. It was the first major American Sonic event, being hosted by SEGA, and took place on June 8th, at 6pm PT. At E3, Sonic Generations was playable in both console and handheld versions. Although only Green Hill was playable for the console versions, City Escape was shown; Green Hill was playable, including the boss Big Arm, was playable for the 3DS version. There was also a Birthday Song for Sonic sung at Sonic Boom and the ending of the song, "Happy Birthday Sonic!" will appear in Sonic Generations. This song appeared at the Tokyo Joypolis event and at the Summer of Sonic event in London. It appeared at the Gamescon 2011 event in Germany, and at TGS (Tokyo Game Show) 2011.
Demo Release
The Australian government’s OFLC rated a multi-platform demo release of Sonic Generations, and SEGA formally announced at E3, that they will release a demo for PSN and Xbox Live on Sonic's 20th Anniversary, June 23rd. The demo only contained Green Hill, and only the Classic Sonic playthrough. The demo was only available until July 12th, at which point it was no longer available, including for players who had already downloaded it; the file has essentially locked itself. In the Xbox Live version, one has to be an Xbox Live Gold Member to download the demo. The name of the demo is "Sonic Generations Green Hill Zone Demo #1", indicating that a Modern Sonic demo is on the way. SEGA confirmed on their blog a second demo released in Europe for PSN and Xbox Live on October 18th and was released in North America for PSN on October 25th. [2] The demo contains both classic and modern Sonic playable in Green Hill Zone, and has no time limit.
Gameplay
The game features levels derived from 20 years of Sonic history, ranging from the Classic era, through the Dreamcast era, to the Modern era[1]. There will be a level taken from each other Sonic games to represent the different times. Each level can be played with either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic, each taking their own routes throughout the level. Classic Sonic's levels are strictly two dimensional side scrolling stages, using classic moves like the Spin Attack and the Spin Dash. Modern Sonic's levels, on the other hand, carry on the modern 2D/3D gameplay of recent titles such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, featuring Homing Attacks, Combo Tricks in the air, Drift, the Stomp Attack, Light Speed Dash, and Speed Boosts. There is going to be a new interactive menu that allows for complete immersion into Sonic's universe, as the player completes the game, extras are unlocked such as favorite characters and hidden treasures.
Hub worlds like the ones in Sonic Unleashed have been confirmed in an interview with Takashi Iizuka. He said that the hub world starts out as the white space, but opens up more as the Sonics pass through more levels. The Hub worlds will only be playable in 2D, so they are not free roam like they were in Unleashed. Also, characters rescued in that stage will stand outside the entrance to the stage, and they can be talked to. Also, there is an area above the entrance to the main stage where the payer can access extra missions and boss stages. Patrick Riley, the Director of Sega America, has talked about updated gameplay issues.
The speed boost on Green Hill inclines was enhanced and fixed, among other physics issues, a few were noticed when Generations gameplay was first revealed to the world. The handheld version, unlike the console versions, makes the Modern Sonic gameplay similar to Sonic Rush, while also featuring Special Stages based on Sonic Heroes. Some bosses are played as Classic Sonic and some are played as Modern Sonic. This game, like most other Sonic games, features acts, with Act 1 played as Classic Sonic and Act 2 played as Modern Sonic, along with 10 missions per level.
Classic Sonic
Classic Sonic in Green Hill
Classic Sonic stages consist of him running in a permanent 2-D perspective, platforming all the way towards an end sign post, just like in the original games. Patrick Riley referred to Classic Sonic levels as "Momentum-Based Platforming". He can also use the Spin Dash.
The handheld 3DS version uses stereoscopic 3-D to give a sense of depth. Classic Sonic also has an unlockable homing attack. Classic Sonic does not talk at all in the game.
Modern Sonic
Modern Sonic in Sky Sanctuary
Modern Sonic's console stages consist of running extremely fast through the stages while the perspective switches between 2D and 3D such as in his more recent games, Sonic Unleashed (PS3/Xbox 360, daytime levels) and Sonic Colors (Wii version) specifically.
There are also new Combo Tricks, which are performed in the air, and fill up the Boost Gauge. There is a new visual element to all returning levels, such as the cave in Green Hill. There's a bit more platforming involved, like the sections after the cave in Green Hill. Also, the camera is immovable, unlike how it was in Sonic Unleashed and invisible walls can hinder the exploration aspect.
In the handheld version, Modern Sonic's gameplay is similar to Sonic Rush and Sonic Colors (DS version) and will have the Sonic Boost, the ability to slide under obstacles, jump off walls, and use the Homing Attack. After the Dreamcast Era, Modern Sonic learns the Stomp . Modern Sonic levels use the 3-D effect of depth on the handheld version more actively, although the console versions are 3D TV compatible.
Genesis/MegaDrive
Sonic the Hedgehog is avaliable to unlock. To play the game, you have to buy the "Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Controller" for 7777 skill points from the Skill Shop.
There is local wireless and Wi-fi 2-player race mode in the 3DS version of the game. In the multiplayer mode, you can use Download play to send a signal to another 3DS user or you can challenge the world by using the wifi connection. There's also online leaderboards between your races and world-wide races.
StreetPass (3DS only)
Example of a Profile Card.
StreetPass is used to unlock special content and challenges as one pass by someone else. You can also use the Nintendo 3DS "playcoins"(which cost 5 coins each mission) system to buy said content in case that you are unable to StreetPass. With StreetPass, you can trade "Profile Cards" where you describe how far you have progressed in the game, which Sonic characters are your favorites, etc., as well as adding 3 missions to exchange with other players. Once you StreetPass somebody, your profile card gets upgraded in various ways.
Chao - Speed Highway/City Escape/Crisis City/Radical Highway ("Chao in Space" billboard in Speed Highway, "Chao in Space 2" billboard in City Escape, "Chao in Space 3" for Crisis City, neon sign for Radical Highway)
Perfect Chaos - City Escape ("Chao in Space 2", also a boss)
Extra Life (A 3D icon of an extra life appears in the Modern gameplay)
Boss Keys
Media (Music, Art, and Videos)
Soundtrack
Soundtrack cover for History of the First Stage: White Edition
The soundtrack for Sonic Generations is called "Sonic Generations Original Soundtrack: Blue Blur" which will include the Soundtrack for both the HD and 3DS versions of Sonic Generations[6]
Green Hill: Remix of Green Hill Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog. The classic remix is similar to the original tune, but with a techno beat. The hub world music is a violin mix.
Chemical Plant: Remix of Chemical Plant Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The classic remake is almost identical with a techno beat. The modern remix is more of a soft rock.
Sky Sanctuary: Remix of Sky Sanctuary Zone from Sonic & Knuckles. The classic remix-as expected-is a nearly the same with a techno beat. The modern remake is a soothing-almost relaxing remix, but still retains a past pace.
Speed Highway: Remix of the first section of Speed Highway from Sonic Adventure. The classic remake has a techno beat. The modern tune is very similar to the original, but has a heavier use of the guitar.
Seaside Hill: Modern is a mixture of a rock remix of both the original Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace, classic only has Seaside Hill.
Crisis City: Modern has a violin based remix that is close to the original with a faster beat; Classic has a heavy rock and techno remix of the original but it still sounds similar.
Rooftop Run: Modern is based on the original theme, with some violin modifications and a new piano introduction. Classic has a disco-style remix.
Planet Wisp: Modern has a Drum and Piano remix whilst Classic has a Guitar and Techno Remix.
Radical Highway: (3DS version) Classic and Modern remix of Vengeance is Mine.
Water Palace: (3DS version) Classic and Modern remix of Back 2 Back.
Tropical Resort: Modern is a faster, guitar rock remix of the original Tropical Resort Act 1 theme, classic is identical to the original Tropical Resort.
Hub Worlds: Separate violin renditions of each stage's music will be played in the Hub of that Zone.
Metal Sonic Rival Battle: Almost the same as the original Stardust Speedway (Bad Future) from the Japanese/PAL soundtrack. The US version of the theme is a techno remix.
Death Egg Robot Battle: Orchestral version of the final boss of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Invincibility: For both Modern and Classic is based off the original Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) theme.
Speed Shoes: For Classic Sonic only, when the stage's original music is played, the music speeds up. If a different music track is played (such as Endless Possibility from Sonic Unleashed or Splash Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1), the Sonic Adventure (1 & 2) Speed Shoe track plays.
Drowning: Orchestral remix based on Sonic Adventure' s drowning theme.
Special Stage: (3DS) is a remix of the Special Stage from Sonic Heroes.
Super Sonic: Remix of Sonic 4' s Invincibility theme and Live and Learn. It first starts with the intro of Live and Learn and the rest is a remix of Sonic 4' s Title theme.
End Medley: Medley of every stage from the game, containing slightly modified versions of the original themes of each stage, similar to "Medley Rush" from Sonic Rush. It starts off and ends off like in the ending theme of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991).
Music
Music can be unlocked by completing some missions or collecting a number of red stars. You can view your music by going to the collection room and you can use music for stages. There is a total of 50 unlockable songs:
Skills are items both Sonics' can use in acts and some missions. They can be unlocked by doing a certain mission, buying them at the skills shop, or collecting five star rings in an act. Here are the skills they can get, along with their skill point cost:
Classic Sonic
Aqua Shield- Enables Bound Jumps and eliminates the need to get air. (70 SP; can be used 1 time per life)
Boardmaster- Hop on a skateboard whenever you want. (70 SP; can be used 1 time per life)
Breath Holder- Stay underwater longer. (20 SP)
Flame Shield- A Shield that enables midair dashes. (70 SP; can be used 1 time per life)
Homing Attack- Enables the use of Homing Attacks. (100 SP)
Invincible Start- Start the stage with temporary invincibility. (40 SP)
Long Spin Dash- Your Spin Dash will carry you further. '(30 SP)
Power Sneakers- Run faster, plain and simple. (60 SP; can be used 2 times per life)
Ring Time- Turns enemies into Rings for a short time. (60 SP; can be used 5 times per life)
Shield- A Shield protects you from a single hit. (60 SP; can be used 2 times per life)
Thunder Shield- Enables double-jumping. (70 SP; can be used 1 time per life)
Treasure Scanner- Allows you to see hidden items and Springs. (40 SP)
Twin Spin Attack- Allows you to attack in mid-jump. (30 SP)
Modern Sonic
Acceleration- Increases speed when starting to run. (10 SP)
Auto-Gauge- Boost Gauge fills automatically over time. (30 SP)
Blast Off- Press a button when "GO!" appears for a free Boost. (10 SP)
Boost Gauge Up- This extends the length of your Boost Gauge. (60 SP)
Direct Jump- Increase the speed of your Wall Jumps. (30 SP)
Endless Boost- The Boost Gauge stays full but you can't get Rings. (70 SP)
Gauge Rebooter- Begin with a full Boost Gauge upon restart. (30 SP)
Power Stomp- Creates a shockwave when Stomp is used. (30 SP)
Quick Slide- Enables Quick Step when on a skateboard. (30 SP)
Ring Energy Bonus- Collecting Rings fills the gauge faster. (40 SP)
Serial Homing- Perform sequential Homing Attacks faster. (40 SP)
Smasher Bonus- Breaking enemies, etc. fills Boost Gauge. (30 SP)
Speed Up- Increase Sonic's speed. (20 SP)
Trick Mastery- Perform Tricks faster. (60 SP)
Both
10-Second Rings- Dropped Rings take 10 seconds to disappear. (30 SP)
Athleticism- Lost less speed moving uphill and in water. (20 SP)
Infinite Continues- Get infinite continues on the Sega Genesis!
Last Chance- Get an extra life when you're out of lives. (50 SP)
Life +1- This gives you one extra life. (Can be purchased as many times as wanted/needed)
Power Brake- Stop on a dime no matter how fast you run. (10 SP)
Safety Net- Begin with 10 Rings after a restart. (40 SP)
Sega Genesis Controller- Play "Sonic the Hedgehog" on the Sega Genesis!
Super Sonic- Collect 50 Rings to become Super Sonic. (100 SP; can be used indefinitely per life)
Sure-Footed- Land on your feet after getting damaged. (20 SP)
Time Brake- Slows down time temporarily. (80 SP; can be used indefinitely per life)
Secret Statue Room
In the media room there lies a secret area where you can collect many characters with various codes, even characters who didn't appear in the game otherwise.
Stages are divided into 3 eras. Classic, Dreamcast (including Sonic Heroes), and Modern. Levels and Bosses are different between the console and 3DS versions with the exception of Green Hill.
Special Stages will appear in the 3DS version. The style of the play is akin to the Special Stages in Sonic Heroes. A Chaos Emerald will be achieved if the stage is completed. Super Sonic will be exclusive to the final boss[8]. It was called "Unlockable Special Stages" during SEGA's press conference regarding the 3DS version of the game. For the console versions, you collect the Chaos Emeralds by defeating the 3 bosses and 3 rivals, plus one more that is automatically given when both Acts are cleared on "Planet Wisp".
Reception
Since its release, Sonic Generations has received generally positive reviews, with most reviewers praising the different game styles and feel of nostalgia, but criticizing the over-responsive controls and extra levels with Sonic's friends. IGN gave the game an 8.5 out of 10, praising the overall gameplay and the level design, whilst disliking the few boss battles and the occasionally clunky controls. They also criticized the storyline for being superfluous, although they praised it for paying "homage to Sonic games of the past." Destructoid's Jim Sterling gave it an 8 out of 10, noting that "If Sonic Team can keep this up, then the blue blur will most definitely be back on top." Computer and Video Games gave it a 7.5/10, commenting that "the balance of intensity and fairness is just about spot on" from a design perspective, but arguing that the game occasionally moved too fast for the player to respond well to obstacles and that "the framerate dips dramatically" in the 2D sections, which can be jarring. The review added that "it's a shock how much easier on the eyes" the original Sonic the Hedgehog is, "with its thumping great pixels and velvety-smooth parallax scrolling," and that the 3D sections run much smoother because "there's so much action going on in every direction that jerkiness on a single plane is far less noticeable." Finally, the review criticized the addition of characters like Amy, Knuckles, and Cream for side missions while praising "the level of effort and creativity" that went into the "immense" levels. 1UP gave the game a "B" score, writing that "Generations' liberal borrowing from Nintendo's school of game design stands as one of Sega's smartest decisions in years," its "challenges feature an amazing amount of variation" and concluding that it "has quite an array of impressive and fun-to-play levels, full of interesting set pieces that draw from Sonic’s past." Their only complaints were that many levels featured on-rails or auto-pilot sequences "which can be frustrating and often jarring when control is suddenly thrust back into your hands" and that the warning signs which prepare the player for pitfalls are "easy to miss." PlayStation Official Magazine gave it an 8/10, stating that "each act is a masterpiece of platform game design... it’s sprawling and focused all at once, every pixel placed with the express purpose of making you go really, really fast" and noting that the difficulty was so perfectly balanced that "no matter how many times I missed a jump or drowned Sonic (I remain convinced that hedgehogs can swim), I blamed my slow thumbs rather than the game." However, the review felt that "the more stationary challenges – digging for medals with Knuckles, for example – are tedious."
Gallery
Artwork
Modern Sonic
Modern Sonic
Classic Sonic
Classic Sonic
Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic
Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic
Modern Tails
Classic Tails
Omochao
Dr. Eggman
Dr. Eggman
Mega Chopper
Classic Metal Sonic
Classic Metal Sonic
Shadow
Shadow
Silver the Hedgehog
Time Eater
Modern Sonic, Classic Sonic, Modern Tails and Classic Tails in Green Hill
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