Sega, I Dare You!
Yes, Sega, I am daring you to go 2D. Not on a handheld — you’ve done that very well already. I’m talking about going 2D on a console. By the looks of Sonic Rush and your Sonic Advance games, you still know how to make quality 2D Sonic games.
When it comes to many 3D titles, including Sega’s 3D Sonic games, it seems like developers use 3D “because they can” and its what is mainstream — not because it fits the game best. You need to listen to your fans and critics. I rarely hear anyone say that the 3D Sonic games were better than their 2D counterparts.
Now, look at the success of Viewtiful Joe — a franchise that came out of nowhere in this crowded video game market. Why did it succeed? Was it because it had ground-breaking gameplay? The gameplay was great, but it was nothing that was revolutionary. What made Viewtiful Joe so successful is that it stood out and was simple and fun — all because it was 2D.
2D works best for games like Viewtiful Joe and Sonic the Hedgehog because they thrive on the simplicity of 2D gameplay. When the controls and gameplay basics are simple, it allows both the developer and the gamer to benefit. The developer can spend less time on getting all those 3D camera bugs and other complex issues taken care and focus more on developing beautiful landscapes, amazing speed, and killer boss battles (monster-huge Robotnik!). The gamer does not have to learn a complex control scheme or all the little quirks of getting stuck in a 3D environment and focus more on quick response time and enjoying the actual game.
Viewtiful Joe enjoyed quite a buzz in the gaming community — not only leading up to the launch, but through the initial reviews, and via word-of-mouth as more and more gamers got their hands on the title. But why did a new beatemup get so much attention? Because it was different. It stood out. It was basically the only new, 2D action game on the market. It combined 2D gameplay with the capabilities of modern consoles.
Seth Godin’s Purple Cow
If you bring 2D Sonic to a major console, utilize all the video and audio capabilities, and step up the gameplay and boss battles, you will have a game that WILL be talked about and purchased many times. Listen to the older Sonic fans that know what makes a good Sonic game. I’m sure many, including myself can tell you what features would make the game great.
Just take the chance, Sega. You won’t regret it.
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I agree that they should take a chance and make a 2D title, the only thing that has made the 3D Titles ( Excluding Heroes and Shadow as there completly rubbish)was the Story and the music, if Sega made a 2D title with 3D cut scenes and a strong story line like the Chaos and Shadow in Adventure 1 and 2. Crush 40 and whoeva done the music in Sonic R and CD should do the music, and then make a new strong story line, Sega should do it, just for the real Sonic fans!!!
Yeah, I completely agree.
After seeing Sonic the Hedgehog on 360/PS3 I can’t help but feel all the effort went into the trailer, adn advertising, rather than the actual game.
Maybe that’s the problem… Sega feel Sonic should be all about image, and a 2D game won’t be enough to wow the crowds. But surely after the success of Wild Fire and Rush, they’re willing to take a bit of a risk.
Doing a 2D Sonic would hardly be more of a disaster than the 360 game… Shadow and Heroes sold well because they tried something a bit different (or at least gave the impression of having done so) But StH360 did badly in the charts (after a brief initial success) because it was all the same rubbish we’ve had to put up with since Sonic Adventure 2…
Please please please Sega. Make a proper full on, massive 2D Sonic Game (with mute characters again, please!)
I agree fully! I’ve wanted a 2.5D Sonic game for as long as I remember… Amazing visuals and awesome sound packaged with the old “pick up and play” gameplay would be the flagship game for Sega…
Do it already!
i absolutly agree a new 2d game will be ace, they should put chaotix in it aswell, the music in sonic 3 and knuckles was ace and they should have similar style music in a new one.
Please bring back Sonic in 2D.
I can only imagine how amazing this would look using todays technology.
Beautiful detailed backgrounds with great depth. Colourful, exciting with great catchy tunes is what makes this game.
My friends kids aged 6 can testify as to how much fun sonic is on 2D.
I would personally go out and buy a console for the first time in 10 years just to get this game.
absolutely agree.
Keep it simple in the Gameplay dept, bring back all the elements that made the game so successful.
Shiny graphics that you could eat, with great music and SFX
Guess you’re happy with yesterday’s news then 🙂
I was glad to see the news, but I’m a little nervous on how they do with it. Hard to say until I’ve played the game 🙂