Continuing the slow drip of information on Sonic Generations, a few nuggets of joy were dropped in an interview on G4 conducted by Morgan Webb.
While there’s no new information on other levels aside from the already confirmed (and naturally expected) Green Hill Zone remake, Patrick Riley, director of international production at Sega, confirmed that the poll recently conducted by Sega on what stages fans loved was used as feedback for the development team to gauge which stages to include. Sega has also been scouring the forums of popular video game and Sonic sites (COUGH) to see fan reactions on the game and discussions on the series.
Coffee’s behind the logo, Sega reps.
One new nugget comes in the confirmation that Sega is using the Hedgehog Engine from Sonic Unleashed in this game as well. The Hedgehog Engine was designed to offer dynamic global lighting effects to levels, giving levels a certain luminescence in how lighting angles and shadows are handled.
Gameplay wise, Classic Sonic looks not too far from how he played in Sonic 1, including easily bouncing off enemies one after another and his continued mid-air run.
“For the first time since Genesis-era Sonic, we’re trying to basically reproduce the Genesis experience,” said Riley. “Momentum-based gameplay, stop-and-go platforming, speed is a reward, the multiple levels of exploration and paths that players can take throughout the game.”
Sonic 4 was unavailable for comment.
Modern Sonic combines a hybrid of Sonic Unleashed‘s day time stages and Sonic Colors‘ 2D segments. In other words, the boost segments may be as long and fast as in Sonic Unleashed, but they will be broken up every so often by a 2.5D platforming segment to make sure the player didn’t fall asleep holding the X/Square button.
The last interesting hint came in the confirmation once again that “three” generations of Sonic will be represented in this game: the Classic Genesis era, the Dreamcast era, and the Modern era. No word if this flatout confirms that Sonic Adventure 2‘s City Escape will be a level in the game, especially with Tony Harnell, vocalist in Sonic series themes “We Can” and “It Doesn’t Matter”, confirming on his Facebook page that he’s working on a new version of the stage’s theme, “Escape From The City.”
Color us completely unsurprised if and when it’s revealed.
What levels would you guys be interested in seeing? Sign me up for Sonic 2‘s Chemical Plant Zone and, of all things, Flame Core from Sonic 2006. Lava-infested wastelands need more love.
101 Comments on this post
Leave a CommentUh, so… wasn’t overhalf of this stuff already said? Awesome though, toobad DirectTV doesn’t get G4
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Nickster99
Yeah, most of it was repeated info, which is why I just highlighted the new stuff.
Reply left on 4.27.2011 by GeneHF
I want Flying Battery Zone. That’s all I want. It’s all I ask for SEGA. Please include it.
And I’d also love to see Classic versions of Modern/Dreamcast era titles, like Classic Sonic running through Escape from the City will be very interesting.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Jeffrey C.
+1
To me, I always look forward to the second zone of a Sonic game. Like Marble Zone, Chemical Plant Zone, Hydrocity Zone, and Flying Battery Zone. They were so challenging and filled with different paths, not to mention, great music.
I am hoping some kinda level comparable to Starlight Zone from Sonic 1. It remains, to this day, my favorite zone. lol.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Antonio Garcia
That would be awesome, Sonic and Shadow's stages from Adventure 2 were pretty fun, I bet they'd be even better in classic mode.
and kudos to SEGA for finally finding the right formula for modern Sonic games. No more catastrophes like Sonic 2006, please!
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by kenpei
Well, does that mean that the Modern Sonic won’t be a “hold forward to win”? If so, that would be great.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Zero Dozer
It doesn't look good from the looks of Green Hill Zone, but it's also the first stage. It might become less and less so in later stages, but part of me says to not count on that too much.
Reply left on 4.27.2011 by GeneHF
That’s a pretty cool Video
I’m probably in the minority here but I would be so completely happy if Mystic Cave Zone from Sonic 2 were in this. It was always my favorite stage of the genesis era, even above ones like Ice Cap zone, which would be next on my list. And something tells me that the Modern version of Mystic Cave Zone would kick a lot of ass, music and all.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Nagoshi
There are certain levels like that I'd want to see in the game just for the sake of hearing an official remix of the music. Chemical Plant, Ice Cap, Mystic Cave, etc...
Reply left on 4.27.2011 by Burtzman
Wave. Fucking. Ocean.
Why? If they put the awesome music of The Inlet in Unleashed style that’ll make my day. Even if it’s just that one stage and even as a bonus unlockable; it needs to happen. :
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by HSX
I’d love Chemical Plant Zone but only if the music was very similar to the original. I’d point them to OCRemix’s take on Sonic Megadrive (Genesis) music.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Luke
We need… THE DEATH EGG AND ANGEL ISLAND BACK IN BUSINESS!! X3
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Dragzilla66
Everything that I’ve heard from Patrick Riley’s mouth from 0:25 to 0:38 I facepalmed. How can they be so focused and dead on with what they want in an anniversary game, but not so much for a classic epic series that started Sonic and made him well known? Need to share the wealth of generations “Classic Sonic” style with Sonic 4.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Demise the Hedgehog
Don't blame Sega ENTIRELY, that's only part of Sonic 4's downfall. (See: physics)
(also see: Dimps)
Reply left on 4.29.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Lava Reef. Modern Sonic’s not too much for caves: real massive, enclosed spaces with twists and turns don’t mesh so well with the high-speed boosting, but I bet they could make it work well from what I saw so far.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Knux’s Lost Hat
th-th-th-THIS YEAR!??!?!? =D
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Foxeh
Anyone else notice the Sonic CD music in the background. (At least, I’m pretty sure that’s what it is.)
Eh, I’m kinda excited for this, but I’m still expecting them to fuck it up, again. It’s all the same sound bytes as Sonic 4.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Scripten
I need me some Hydrocity. Especially if it has a remix similar to Walk On Water.
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by Vandelay
The remix should BE Walk on Water. Nothing else.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by HSX
Think Chemical Plant Zone instead.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
We already know Chemical Plant is comin’ back. It just seems pretty obvious to me. I can’t explain it…
Comment left on 4.27.2011 by combustionman
Me too, Sonic Generations was hinted to the public weeks before the game was actually confirmed. And I beleive that Chemical Plant Zone is naturally the first zone ANYONE would include if they attempt to include a Sonic 2 stage.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
Oil Ocean.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Marko
...
WHAT THE HELL
I don't think many people would approve of it (despite it being long over) due to that damn oil spill. I know I wouldn't, at the very least if it is included its inclusion remains questionable to me.
Reply left on 4.29.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Nnnnnaaaaa, when I think of Oil Ocean Zone, I think of sinking in oil and robot sea horses puking sh*t ball at you. But when I think of Scrap Brain Zone, I think of razor blades trying to slice you in half, giant spiny balls, and flame throwers. You're wrong about Oil Ocean. Scrap Brain Zone is the way to go!!!
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
Spring Yard half-pipes plz.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by LevelSelect
I agree with Gene. Chemical Plant all the way!
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by AnonUmust
Well yes, but aside Labyrinth Zone as well!
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
Labyrinth zone or gtfo.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Mr.Fuild
I'm with you all the way. Labyrinth Zone is essential.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
WHAT?!?!
A NEW VERSION OF ESCAPE FROM THE CITY!?!?!
WHAT THE FUCK?!
/ragequitguy voice
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Haru
UMAD?
But really, as corny as the song was, I liked it.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by DustinVgmaster
I can’t wait for the OST… so much music to use for my remix channel.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Getsuga
Am I the only one realizing that Sonic Colours No Wisp Edition Feat. Claddic Sonic in Green Hil Zone probably plays quite similar to regular colours? I read somewhere the controls were rather crap and the physics only look marginally better than Sonic 4.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Redhot
i’m all for Flame Core “and White Acropolis” from 2006, but i wonder if we’re gonna see some of the 8Bit levels too, Gigalopolos Zone?
“For the first time since Genesis-era Sonic we’re trying to reproduce the Genesis experience Momentum-based gameplay” <- i thought Sonic Advance 1 did that well!
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by sonictopfan
Sonic Advance made no attempt whatsoever to recreate the Genesis style gameplay.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by I'mSonic#1
Hmm… Crisis City & Final Egg to name a couple
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Knuxfan24
“For the first time since Genesis-era Sonic, we’re trying to basically reproduce the Genesis experience,” said Riley. “Momentum-based gameplay, stop-and-go platforming, speed is a reward, the multiple levels of exploration and paths that players can take throughout the game.”
Sonic 4 was unavailable for comment.
-That, my good sir, is the kind of blogging that becomes the stuff of legend ;P
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by D00dlebug
It also shows, quite evidently, the apparent* lack of involvement in the game by Sega themselves in the development of the title. Or I could be wrong here.
Someone tell me...?
(apparent because I may not be too sure)
Reply left on 4.29.2011 by FieraDevilWings
FUCKING ICE CAP!!!
I know I’ve said it a lot but the thought of having an HD remake of ice cap give me Gamgasms.
Although I wouldn’t mind Hydrocity, with it’s awesome music and act 2 crushing wall of death, either.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Scarletdark
I'm pretty sure I played this already, it was called Holaska
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Shadix
BASICALLYBASICALLYBASICALLYBASICALLYBASICALLY
Couldn’t watch the whole damn video without that pissing me off.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Imadjinn
Before Sonic Generations was even announced, most Sonic fans (if not all) were hoping for a sequal to the Sonic Adventure series: “Sonic Adventure 3.” But now, because Sonic Generations is confirmed, there simply MUST be a dreamcast-era Sonic. It is absolutely essential. It’s as important as classic Sonic. In my opinion, I think that dreamcast-era Sonic is even more important than classic Sonic. But, the question that faces most Sonic fans about this topic is: If classic Sonic has the 2D-style gameplay, and modern Sonic has the Unleashed-style gameplay, what kind of gameplay style will the Dreamcast-era Sonic have? Well, one thing I’m dissapointed at is that Dreamcast-era Sonic made no appearance in the trailer. I think that the recently released trailer for Sonic Genearions is the Beta version. YES, the Beta version. Half of the objects in the video were discolored, and Dreamcast-era Sonic was missing. So there has to be another “official” trailer to be released to the public soon. Bottom line is, if Dreamcast-era Sonic is not included in Sonic Generations, that would be the biggest flaw that Sega could ever possibly make. Period.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by I’mSonic#1
Modern Sonic (despite the few changes to him up until his current design right now) has been the same character since Adventure - so Adventure-style Sonic is not plausible enough to make a seperate character.
PLUS, look at the story! There clearly wasn't any indication that a third Sonic would join the other two (as it is Modern Sonic who gets sucked in the time portal or w/e in the first place!)
Reply left on 4.29.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Aren't Dreamcast-Era & Modern Era Sonic the same thing?
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Knuxfan24
"It’s as important as classic Sonic."
Sorry, but no.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by TidalTempest
In my opinion, the most important stages that should be included in Sonic Generations aside from the already confirmed Green Hill Zone are: Labyrinth Zone (Sonic 1), Chemical Plant Zone (Sonic 2), Speed Highway (Sonic Adventure), and City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2).
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by I’mSonic#1
Speed Highway would be awesome.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by DustinVgmaster
Honestly, I cannot wait for this game!
I’m really curious to see what levels they remake. I think Marble Zone, Emerald Coast, Speed Highway, City Escape, Final Rush, and Wave Ocean need to be in this game. I’d love to be able to finally run through Wave Ocean with a fast Sonic.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Andrew K
2D Era: Chemical Plant, Ice Cap, Lava Reef, Stardust Speedway
Dreamcast Era: Emerald Coast, Red Mountain, City Escape, Metal Harbour, Green Forest, Final Rush
Modern Era: Crisis City
These are what I want/predict
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Jack
THANK YOU SIR! I say the same. You named the ones I want to see remade. Launch Base Zone would be great too!! I think its available for reserve already at Gamestop. Gonna go do that soon!
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Urban Flow
Chemical Plant Zone for sure. I think that Stardust Speedway or another Sonic CD level would be nice to see again.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Coco Hutzpah
I think lava reef from S&K would be a better choice than Flame Core (it would also test them on how far they are willing to go with gameplay gimmicks). Flame Core had some spunk visually but it was a bit boring.
As far as levels, arbitrary levels I’d like to see recreated might be Toxic Caves, Mystic Mansion\Hang Castle, pretty much any level from Sonic CD, Sky Deck Zone, etc.
For some reason despite the fact that the allure of this game is classic sonic playing through redesigned classic levels in an unleashed style has got me more excited about this game than the other way around haha.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Shadix
Personally, I think there will be just a level from each game: S1: Green Hill. S2: Chemical Plant. S3: Ice Cap. S&K: Death Egg. SCD: Stardust Speedway. Etc. Picking more than one from each canon game wouldn´t be possible in the timeframe they have.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by KMetalmind
I personally Hope Metropolis Zone, Aquatic Ruins Zone & Mystic Cave Zone (StH2), Star Light Zone (StH), maybe Collision Chaos or Stardust Speedway? (StHCD), Icecap Zone & Launch Base Zone (StH3), about most if not all of Sonic & Knuckles Zones, Final Chase, Radical Highway & City Escape (SA2). That’s about all I can think of at the moment.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by JonahTHD
“Hmm… A grass level. Interesting.”
It looks as if this Woman has never played Sonic before. XD
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by DustinVgmaster
This could be the chance to push for lost levels… lets go Hidden Palace, Cyber City, Dust Hill, Wood Zone…. *shot*
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by travelsonic
Saint Maria, it’s so overwhelming! OK me, chill out, stick to your top 5 (Note: the order is random) :
1. Angel Island, because the last time we saw it, it was the size of a backyard
2. Death Egg, because all these space headquarters, cool as they may be, need to pay a bit of respect to the Big Daddy
3. Sky Deck, because I love SA1 (and the Sonic that it accompanies…) and Sky Deck keeps you excited & aware
4. Night Palace, because the theme is just so cool with palace, the flying carpet, and of course the spirit side of the level
5. Rail Canyon & Bullet Station, because you just do a lot in this pair, with all the trains to dodge and sometimes ride on, and the switch-rails are good material
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by negiWDJr
Angel Island wasn't the size of a back-yard! Everything from like, the inside of that cave / the jungle with the echidna temple and emerald shrine are on there and thats implied to only be a small part of the island
thats why you play 'Ice Cap' on there in the cave, it's Ice Cap from Sonic 3&Knuckles
Reply left on 4.30.2011 by Limey
Actually, thinking it over in my head… can you guys who played Sonic R imagine a full proper Sonic level based off of Radiant Emerald?
Sonic Colors would be drab in comparison.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by GeneHF
Seizure Zone then?
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by Knuxfan24
I’d love to see them do a whole Death Egg Zone tribute from S3&K, boss included. The Classic stages need no explanation but for the Modern, perhaps we could see Sonic running through the stage as the Kyodai Egg Robo destroys the entire zone in a fit of rage. As for the Dreamcast era, I’d love to see Egg Carrier’s stages make a comeback or the Radical Highway or even the Green Forest from SA2. This makes me think though, are we going to see a bunch of Sonic Heroes stages or Green Grove Zone be remade? If so, SEGA better add in Rail Canyon Zone or perhaps something completely new to suprise us.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by PreStalnic
I can’t believe Nintendo is getting a shitty minigame collection for Sonic’s birthday instead of this masterpiece.
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Grant
Hedgehog Engine. It seems to be too advanced *despite being able to work on the Havok Engine* to work on the Wii, despite Sonic Colours proving that it can work without it. Maybe it's the control scheme (It'd be hard to figure out how they'd fit in Unleashed-style play into the Wii unless you remove what Sonic Colours added after the PS2/Wii version of Unleashed, and that's the option for Wii Remote alone).
Don't speculate that the London 2012 game's going to be shitty straight away, GAMEPLAY FIRST!
And what does it matter to me? I recently had my Wii's disc reader inside being busted due to my copy of Brawl (I racked up over 600 hours on that thing!) so I don't have a console that can play ANY of those games!
One thing that can support why Nintendo should have this game as well is the fact that the 360's discs are the same space as a Dual-Layer (I think) Wii Optical Disc.
...I don't trust those things anymore, as I said, Brawl ruined my Wii
Reply left on 4.29.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Sonic 2′s Chemical Plant
Sonic 3′s Ice Cap
S&K’s Sandopolis
Sonic Adventure’s Windy Valley
SA2′s City Escape
Sonic Heroes’s Egg Castle or whatever it’s called
Sonic 06′s Emerald Coast or whatever it’s called
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Jack
Hang Castle and Wave Ocean on your last two.
Reply left on 4.28.2011 by GeneHF
Chemical Plant is a must. And Hydrocity. And Lava Reef. Oh, can Lost World be in this one, too?
Comment left on 4.28.2011 by Megane
Chemical Plant and Hydrocity are a must to me too, but I'm afraid to say that Lava Reef and Lost World don't stand out of the bunch. I'd say Sky Sanctuary Zone and Speed Highway would do.
Reply left on 5.3.2011 by #1SonicFan
flying battery would be pretty interesting to see in ‘modern mode’, as would eggmanland in ‘classic mode’. i’d personally perfer metallic madness over scrap brain. the crazy-ass saws, shrink ray, and all.
Comment left on 4.29.2011 by dann
I’d love to see Aquatic Ruin Zone, especially an enhancement of that amazing music.
Comment left on 4.29.2011 by Sonic62
sonic 2: chemical plant
sonic 3: hydrocity,ice cap
sonic & knuckles : flying battery,lava reef
adventure : windy valley
Speed highway and city escape could be both in an metropolitan themed zone,
plus we need something like death egg or the ark.
About modern levels they can pick whatever even from 06, as long as they are playable and they aren’t clones of other levels.
Comment left on 4.29.2011 by omntt
Sonic 1: Labyrinth Zone, Starlight Zone
Sonic 2: Chemical Plant, Mystic Cave, Hidden Palace
Sonic 3 & Knuckles: Hidrocity, Ice Cap, Flying Battery, Lava Reef
Sonic 3D: Gene Gadget (The soundtrack of this zone is very epic for me)
Adventure: Emerald Coast, Lost World
Adventure 2: City Escape, Green Forest
Heroes: Hang Castle / Mystic Mansion
2006: Crisis City, Kingdom Valley
Unleashed: Spagonia, Adabat (Imagine both playing with classic Sonic)
If I were the programmer, I would add all Genesis levels
Comment left on 4.30.2011 by Asdex
Scrap Brain Zone
Reply left on 5.1.2011 by RinRam
Here’s a better, more specific list in my opinion:
Sonic 1: Labyrinth Zone
Sonic 2: Chemical Plant Zone
Sonic 3: Hydrocity Zone
Sonic Adventure: Speed Highway
Sonic Adventure 2: City Escape.
I were the programmer, I would add new, enhanced levels because I'm sick and tierd of fans like you saying that the genesis Sonic games are better. We're in the year 2011, we want innovation, NOT renovation!
Reply left on 5.3.2011 by #1SonicFan
Sonic 1: Marble Zone
Sonic 2: Chemical Plant Zone, Casino Night, Wing Fortress
Sonic 3 and knuckles: Ice Cap Zone, Flying Battery Zone, Lava Reef Zone, Death Egg Zone
Sonic Adventure: Ice Cap, Speed Highway, Sky Deck
SA2: Metal Harbor, Green Forest/White Jungle (They are both about the same to me), Crazy Gadget
Heroes: Hang Castle, Casino Park, Ocean Palace
2006: Crisis City
Unleashed: Rooftop Run (Daytime, obviously. Any of the daytime stages will work for me)
Comment left on 5.1.2011 by Chaos Swissroll
And no-one mentioned sandopolis zone?? not really on the speed side but Act 2 of that zone was quite the challenge first time round, and a more powerful egyptian boss
Comment left on 5.1.2011 by RinRam
Sonic 1:
Starlight
Springyard
Marble Garden
Labyrinth
(Scrap Brain would be insane in 3D)
(I just named all the sonic 1 levels didn’t I heh)
Sonic 2:
Chemical Plant
Mystic Cave
Aquatic Ruin
(Oil Ocean would be interesting to see in a modern level)
Sonic 3&K:
Hydro City
Icecap
Flying Battery
Sky Sanctuary
Launch Base
Lava Reef
(Marble Garden might be interesting to see)
Those would be my favorites I’d love any of those remade.
Preferably all heh xD
I hope the special stages make a proper return in both classic and modern.
I’d go for the Sonic 2 stages over Sonic 1 but I miss Sonic 3
I mix of Sonic 1 and 2 for special stages in Classic and a mix of Sonic 2 and 3 for Modern special stages.
That would be rather interesting to see.
Comment left on 5.1.2011 by shadow1w2
This game really looks promising. I admit. It looks like it has the potential of being called the “true” remake of 16-bit Sonic in HD.
Comment left on 5.3.2011 by #1SonicFan
what i want to know is will the dreamcast era games play like the dreamcast…or will it play like unleashed? i’m thinking some how they are going to adapt them to unleashed because they said all levels will be playable by modern and classic sonic, so why would modern sonic not boost like crazy in the adventure levels?
.
although sega did say they have a lot more game play surprises for us, so i guess we’ll just have to wait and see
Comment left on 5.3.2011 by billy adams
Wait a minute…. I know everyone’s been mentioning levels from Sonic 1 – 3, but what about a remake of one of the levels from Sonic CD? Like, that music zone where you had to save Amy in a race against Metal Sonic? (sorry, can’t remember the name for some reason)
But, THAT would be awesome to see in today’s graphics in HD.
Comment left on 5.4.2011 by AngelJump
That would be Stardust Speedway. It's certainly a possibility, especially with Robotnik's instant-kill death beam following behind you. Modern Sonic would make a mockery of that race, though.
Reply left on 5.4.2011 by GeneHF
I’d like to see a different version of Classic Sonic on the box art depending on the region. Seeing Modern and Classic Sonic wagging their fingers in front of Green Hill Zone would really make my day.
Comment left on 5.6.2011 by Some Dude’s Hand
Oh-SE-GA
FUCK YEAH.
Comment left on 5.8.2011 by Panzer Oceania