Sega is giving their classic and famed mascot Sonic the Hedgehog (known around town as “the Blue Blur”) a complete makeover in his newest console game, simply dubbed “Sonic the Hedgehog”. As the title suggests, no subtitles or numbers have been added because this truly is marking a new beginning for the speedy hedgehog, and in his re-imergence Sonic Team wanted to avoid confusion while wiping the slate clean by disconnecting this new title from anything Sonic-past. No “Adventure” or “Heroes” connection here. GameSpot recently tried a playable version of the game at Sega’s E3 pre-show, and here are the details:
– Sonic, Eggman and other characters (that have yet to be shown) have gotten a complete visual make-over, as has the graphically impressive game. Sonic the Hedgehog goes for a realistic look style-wise, with a realistic looking world and characters that are less exaggerated. Sonic is now slimmer & taller (like a runner should be), whilst Eggman has dramatically lost weight yet still sports his classic outfit.
– A PS3 version of the game will be playable at E3, no word yet on a Wii release but you know it has to be coming.
– This being Sonic’s 15th b-day, Sonic Team decided to celebrate the occasion with this new Sonic by taking the series back to it’s roots, focusing on blistering speed, fast levels with multiple paths through them, and platforming instead of adventure, though the game will retain adventure elements and will be deeper overall than games of the past. Sonic Team also pointed to the visuals as a key component to the Sonic experience.
– Debuting in 1990, Sonic has gone through all manner of styles, from mascot to extreme dude with attitude and back to being a more kid-focused series. Sonic Team hopes to re-invent by targeting the new Sonic at a middle-of-the-road demographic, hoping the realistic style will appeal to adults while still keeping the game fun and kid-friendly.
– The game apparently focuses on a princess (who’s character model is realistic and human-like) named Elise who lives in the seaside town of Soleanna and whom keeps hidden an important secret, (one that she guards with her life) knowing that if discovered it could effect the world. Eggman somehow finds out and kidnaps the princess, leaving Sonic to the rescue. Okay, so it sounds like a basic Mario “save the princess” plot, but Sonic Team insists there is more to the story and that it’s deeper than the norm, and details have been slim until they show the game, so we’ll find out more on the exact plot later.
– The game will feature all the familiar Sonic mechanics you know and love. Platform jumping from platform to platform and landmass to landmass, bouncers, rails, destroying enemies by jumping and dashing into them, and I’m sure corkscrews and other roller-coaster style craziness will be plentiful.
– Some new mechanics sighted include riding gusts of air, riding atop an eagle and riding trails of rings. Sonic also has a new skid attack in addition to his standard home-in on enemies.
-Sonic Team hopes to make this the fastest Sonic yet, both gameplay-wise as well as frame-rate wise, with top-notch graphics and effects.
More on the new Sonic game will be shown at E3. But so far, so good.