It’s technically not a “complete” run, as a section of Classic Sonic’s section is missing, but you get to see all of Green Hill here in this video, uninterrupted by Takashi Iizuka, Honorary Conquistador. You can hear the in-game audio, soundtrack… everything.
That part where Classic Sonic is in the cave and the bird sound effects kick in… that’s a real nice touch. Total zen moment. On the other side of things, you get to see the redundancy of boosting on boost pads and grind rails. Tons and tons of grind rails.
103 Comments on this post
Leave a CommentI am officially stoked. Take all my money! Though having said that I kind of like Modern Sonic’s section more mainly because of the grind chase. I’ve noticed they still havn’t worked out how to make him turn properly in high speed; He keeps running into the fences.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by cenaris
Looks really awesome, especially Classic Sonic’s part. I don’t know if I’m just seeing things, but around 0:20, he seems to slow down as he is rolling down the hill. This was the same thing in Sonic 4 that I hated with a passion.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Medj
Yeah, rolling is still all fudged up, which is a bummer.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Slingerland
Sonic stop grunting for a second and let me hear the music.
…
Yeah that’s great. <3
I'm glad Modern Sonic will still have some 2D sections, so basically more Sonic Colours, sans Wisp abuse for S Ranks.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Streak
I’m really digging that C.Sonic GHZ remix. It’s changes are subtle but it adds so much to the music. Definately the BEZT GHZ remix I’ve ever heard. Also, I love how awesome this game looks. Hopefully, this game’ll get the Video Game critics on our side once more!
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by grimchief
you should youtube Video Games Live, an orchestra that does game music (or arrangments) of game music. look for Sonic 1 Medly at London. that's the best arrangment i've heard so far with clearest sound quality and best orchestra performance. then see what you think.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by masterluke1986
Well, you can choose your way at your leisure there, even with the Unleashed “ultra-speed of doom” style. But that roll into the tunnel, at the Classic Sonic act, it kinda remembered me of Sonic 4. Y’know, he’s just walking and then he boosts up from nowhere when he enters the tunnel. Kinda at 0:16, I think. And yes, after the second tunnel, he seems to slow down at rolling down the slope. And he UNCURLS from the ramp.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Zero Dozer
It looks beautiful. ’nuff said.
The only part that’s bothering me however, is some of Roger Craig Smith’s sounds for Sonic. I find this lack of Drummond disturbing…
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Sacorguy79
Oh shut up with the voice acting issue please.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Dragzilla66
I don't see anything wrong with Sacorguy79 having an opinion. If you don't like voices, that's fine too, and I accept your opinion. I'm personally neutral to the situation, but if the characters must be voiced, they might as well sound good, am I right?
Someone can make the same case for the music or the graphics - it's not like they enhance the gameplay in any way either, although they happen to be really nice (especially in this game).
Now, when it comes to voices, I love Roger but I'd be absolutely stoked to hear Ryan Drummond back too. So I'm not going to be very picky. Quite frankly I don't care if Sonic has a voice or not, as long as he sounds good.
Reply left on 4.21.2011 by XD375
0:17 – 0:21 – The spin tunnels make you go fast instantly
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0:21 – 0:22 – That’s a bit slow for a big launch like that.
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0:49 – 0:51 – It looks like it wanted to launch him forward and said “nah, stop here at the platform.”
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1:12 – 1:14 – Nice touch.
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A few tweaks wouldn’t kill Classic Sonic’s sections, but I did like most of what I saw.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Miles3298
...Screw that automatic smiley. I didn't want that.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Miles3298
Does anyone else notics how the beat changes depending on whether M.Sonic is boosting or not? Very nice touch, SEGA. And much better than just drowning out the sound.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Dee
Wow... never noticed that! I say that's pretty epic.
Although I also noticed that the song skips the slightest bit forward when boosting, and back when he isn't. I guess they still have to correct the synchronization between the two variations.
Reply left on 4.25.2011 by sandwichbars
I feel really bad because I can’t look at this footage without several red flags popping up in my head during Classic Sonic Time. Modern Sonic looks identical to in Unleashed, so I’m guessing that if I liked the daytime stages then, I’ll like them now or if not, then still not.
But in regards to classic Sonic, are there going to be multiple paths like in the classic games, because I don’t see the options to choose these paths from the gameplay footage? There are a couple raised platforms, and one visible alternate selection around 0:45, but other than that it seems like there is no real complexity to the zone.
Uncurling off ramps also makes no sense. Why would a creature come out of it’s defensive posture in it’s most uncontrollable state and flail its legs around like it’s still running on solid ground?
I also hope that there won’t be invisible walls preventing me from going back in a level to explore alternate paths, but if there are no alternate paths then I guess this point is defeated, and I should go play Sonic 3 yet again.
Several years of abuse has trained my eye to catch these things, and while I hope for the best, I certainly don’t expect it. On the positive I like the old SFX and music, but that shouldn’t be news to anyone on this site.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Battletoad_Alpha
Okay, let's start off with some comments about Classic Sonic in this game.
WHY are you even questioning about Sonic uncurling off ramps? ... Wow. Okay. I understand that in the games, that's never happened, but, have you ever noticed how ABUSIVE that move is? It's very abusive. You know that you can beat the Zones in the old games by Spin Dashing straight to a ramp? Oh, well that's easy: Spin Dash, still remain in defensive position, kill every Badnik in sight. It makes the game way easier. Also, you haven't even played the game yet to know if there's some specific controls that permit you to remain curled or just keep running. Besides, that's old shit. Sonic did that too, when he didn't Spin Dash. But nonetheless, I get your point, but maybe Sonic Team just did that to avoid people from pwning the game so bad with the Spin Dash.
... I can see you haven't seen this footage completely. I started to play ORIGINAL Sonic the Hedgehog all these months and superficially, it looks identical. It even has the same bridges, same group of rings suspended in the air, etc.
This game is exactly like Sonic Unleashed. If you never liked Sonic Unleashed's Daytime stages, then yeah. You're gonna have to suck it up and wait for more C. Sonic gameplay. That is, if you're even interested at all, which from the looks of it, you won't purchase the game.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Tatsumaki
I really hope that they don’t have him uncurling when he comes off of ramps in the final game. At least you could go from uncurl to homing attack in Sonic 4 so that you could defeat badnicks immediately after coming off of a ramp. With this, you would just be a sitting duck since there is no homing attack for Classic Sonic. All I want is the physics to be like classic Sonic, is it really too much to ask?!
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Narles
I like clasic sonic from the look of things but it dosen’t seem like Green Hill zone has much of a challenge like the first game on the genesis.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Metal202
Uh, of course. In Sonic 1, you could never hope to BE fast, because the Spin Dash didn't exist. Technically, you couldn't go fast. At all. All you could do is what they called at the time Spin Attack, which is while you move, you press down. Then again, you probably know that. '^^
In this game, of course it's easy. Spin Dash made Sonic the Hedgehog games a million times easier. Sonic 1 was a living hell for me. As a matter of fact, I don't like Sonic 1 much because it can get slow, which makes it harder and more boring. And, I frankly don't like that. So, the only games I've beaten from the 16 bit era were Sonic 2, 3&K, and CD. And if you've noticed, all of them had the Spin Dash. But hey, that's just me. I did love Sonic's sprite in that game. It was the best. But, I'm currently trying to gather up my patience and beat Sonic 1. :D
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Tatsumaki
I love it! Especially the GHZ curly bridge things!
But where did those grind rails magically come from?
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by coder12
Uncurling?
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Marko
I’m sorry to say but Modern Sonic’s speed was faster and his levels looks more fun because of that fish chase going on lol. I still perfer classic sonic though. XD
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Dragzilla66
I don't see anything particularly fun about watching the character run and grunt. I like platform games.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Kaiser
So this uses the Hedgehog Engine, right? Let’s hope it won’t be as bad on PS3 as Unleash was (choppy framerate, sometimes 5 to 8 fps at best).
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Miles
Mm, that was for both 360 and PS3, the framerate issues.
And actually, the PS3 had better framerates than the 360 in some cases.
Reply left on 4.21.2011 by Jin
This game is definetly looking awesome. I just hope they clean up the graphics a bit.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by metalriders
They should use the recording of Video Game Live’s Sonic 1 arrangment. that would be perfect!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Je8Faq3HQ
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Luke
I’m kinda glad this isn’t going on a Nintendo console. This is Sega’s party and Mario’s not invited ; )
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Shakermaker55
At 2:31, the life count goes from 7 down to 2 lives. The timer goes down too. Did they re-cut the footage to make up for the 5 failed attempts agianst the fish?
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Shakermaker55
Despite all the MINOR issues, this is a good game and when it’s out I’ll be the first one 2 buy it. Only problem I had was the HUD glitch in the Modern Sonic Stage.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Icee
Am I the only one who felt the new sonic looked too linear and bland – level/gameplay wise, and they actually made Classic Sonic look beyond kickass?
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by travelsonic
Err. Sonic the Hedgehog has different kinds of gameplay, but the one people usually go for is linear. So quite frankly, I don't mind. I like linear games like this. I might play one or two times, because of the pretty graphics. BUT, with Classic Sonic, I'll enjoy it much more because of the nostalgia and the option to have more than one way to play through the Zone. In general, M. Sonic's gameplay was AMAZING, but like you've said, it's linear. I thought it was sorta like Adventure, but looking on it more carefully, it isn't. :(
But hey, like Iizuka said: these aren't the only characters. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, NO BIG THE CAT, MY GOD)
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Tatsumaki
I joined during Secret Rings, and was easily able to adapt to Colors' slower gameplay.
I'm excited for both.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Ryan
I think Sonic Unleashed day stages are the perfect way to put Sonic in 3D, so not really.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Jack
Nope, I'm with you entirely. Everything about the Modern Sonic run looked like the same shit Sega has been shoveling for years.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Kaiser
Slingerland it seems like you’ve been nothing but smiles about this game. After reviewing this video I’m very worried about the level design of classic Sonic’s stages. As pretty as it looks it looks like there are a lot of scripted events and the platforming segments look pretty simplistic. As someone who has designed several Sonic style stages I’m curious about your thoughts on the level.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Overbound
I'm just happy they're fuckin' TRYING it. From the extended footage, I can see that rolling is still gimped and that quarter-pipes remain automated. I'm going to get to play this thing in June, so we'll see if I heel turn on this project in due time.
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Slingerland
JIZZ IN MAH PANTS!
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Foxeh
0:30 – 0:33
Excuse me, but WTF do you think you’re doing Classic Sonic? Running upside down against gravity is Modern Sonic’s thing. I would have expected more from you.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by DaMan
Similar stuff (hell, same bullshit) happened in classics and fan games of 16 bit Sonic, so I really don't get you.
Reply left on 4.21.2011 by Tatsumaki
Oh, yeah, remember when Unleashed came out and everyone thought Unleashed day stages were awesome? Now this comes in and they think it looks like shit.
No, don’t even try to defend or explain it. There’s no excuse. You’re being fucktards.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Jack
there's an easy explanation: Sonic colors came out. It made us realize the unleashed day stages were shit
Reply left on 4.20.2011 by Radrappy
Looks smashing. I love all Sonic games, and this one looks like it’s gonna be a blast. Sega doesn’t disappoint.
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by Ray
*COUGHING FIT*
Reply left on 4.22.2011 by BlueBlurSonic
i really liked this video, fascinating!
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by sonictopfan
I don’t have a high-def console but I’m pre-ordering this game when the date is confirmed. I won’t buy a high-def console. I have friends who have those to buy on anyway. Take that, Sony and Microsoft! >:D
Comment left on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 by PreStalnic
sorry to say but this is gonna suck. Green Hill again? Come on sega we need something new! Cork screws and loops are great!, but we need something else added to the mix! Classic type games need a new gimmick! Let’s check out what made every classic sonic game different shall we?
Characters:
Sonic The Hedgehog: Sonic
Sonic The Hedgehog 2: Sonic & Tails
Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Sonic?! (come on you need to bring back tails and knuckles PLUS add a new character in the mix with a whole new ability and not just a clone like shadow is.)
Level gimmicks:
Sonic The Hedgehog: Loops and spindash drill holes.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2: Loops, spindash drill holes, corkscrews, slots, that fighter airplane level, and speed boosts.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Loops, spindash drill holes, corkscrews, upward corkscrews, vines, snow boarding, and a few others.
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: has basicly the same things that sonic 2 has, but added the mine cart?! WE NEED MORE GIMMICKS THAT WILL MAKE US GO WOW!!!
Look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEm-pB0Cs7c The level design where you can fly to the background or forfront is awesome! THIS IS A NEW GIMMICK THAT SCREAMED LIKE A NEW SONIC GAME!
I can go on and on with what they need to do. It just seems like they’re going backwards and messing it up at the same time. Who else agrees?
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Hmm
Going backwards is what the fans wanted. So give to the fans what the fans want.
Reply left on 4.22.2011 by BlackNigga1832
No one. Ever. Get the hell off Sonic Retro.
Reply left on 4.22.2011 by DaMan
I sure as hell don't and I'm glad you're not on the development team.
Reply left on 4.23.2011 by Haru
Let’s hope he’s got some fresh grind plates. Seems like Sonic’s going to need ‘em if he’s going to get through the new GHZ!
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by FieraDevilWings
1. This looks official, considering it uses the same cut as the gameplay footage from the interview.
2. WHY does Modern Sonic start with a full boost bar? That’s the main frustration I have with this.
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Emerl
It was probably just to show off the game. It will probably be empty in the final.
Reply left on 4.21.2011 by GeneHF
Hmm, I’m digging what’s shown so far. I agree about the grind rails and over-boosting for Modern Sonic though
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by AnonUmust
Anyone else notice the life reduction at 2:31? Player lost 5 lives to that fish. ._.
The game time even increases by a minute. And the ring count decreases too.
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Jin
Eh. Developers and game testers CAN suck in a game. I mean, can you tell me one AI ghost made by a tester or developer that is awesome and owns? Don't say Mario Kart. (-shivers- so painful... Why are they so good at racing?!)
Reply left on 4.21.2011 by Tatsumaki
Love it Love it
I think i’ll enjoy the Modern Sonic sections a bit more 
but both are good I’m more attached to MS though…
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by C.J
Im surprised, nobody noticed that M. Sonic wasn’t drifting or side-steping during the stage at all. It’s either the person playing didn’t perform either or thos two abilities are exclusive to certain areas, like Colors, which I really hope isn’t the case.
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Model M
Looks like Sega finally got the spinnylegs back! Oh, and the music was great, too. Personally, I think a retouched and sped up version of the SA2 Green Hill track would fit Modern Sonic nicely.
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Some Dude’s Hand
Classic Sonic’s signpost has CLASSIC ROBOTNIC! Really, pause it. It does. Also, Classic Sonic looks like he doesn’t jump high enough. Still great.
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Starguy256
This is looking pretty exciting… Because i have not had a system since dreamcast, the modern sonic stage reminds me of Adventure 2 which I thought was tolerable if not fun.
Additionally , if they do Stardust Speedway which i guess was a level that won a certain number of votes in poll, … Metal Sonic race in either classic sonic or modern sonic format??
That would be soooo good it’s not even funny! : )
Comment left on Thursday April 21st, 2011 by Echo_visavis
Woah… Did I just see Modern Sonic able to collect lost rings again?
Comment left on Friday April 22nd, 2011 by Rarex
I just hope the story doesn’t suck. I mean we’re talking about Sonic going back and meeting himself when he looks much different. They need to have an explanation for how he looks now, something OTHER than he got older.
Comment left on Saturday April 23rd, 2011 by Jack
Classic sonic is way too small for the stage imo, also is anyone else getting a huge little big planet vibe from this?
Comment left on Sunday April 24th, 2011 by Wireframe
I’m very encouraged by what I’m seeing.
Sonic Unleashed had a great concept with day stages, they improved it in Sonic Colors, and now are including it with Sonic Generations but also adding in Classic gameplay to give the game more value, great idea.
Classic Sonic stages also look a lot better than Sonic 4 as far as fluidity and animation. The art is also better. I can’t wait to see more stages, and I like that classic sonic seems to be aiming more for a sonic 3 feel in a sonic 1 stage.
It makes me wonder what Sonic 4 Episode 2 is going to go for as Sonic 4 Episode 1 was basically a re-imagining of Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 with strange physics.
looking forward to seeing more stages and parts.
I don’t mind the uncurling on the loops, I do wonder what holding down will do.
What I’m more concerned about is losing speed when in a ball. It is an OPed move but it is the way I’ve always played sonic side scrollers until Sonic 4, and Sonic 4 didn’t really convince me that it was better to not have it.
The Modern stage looked great and the reason they started with a boost bar is because it wasn’t the beginning of the level. The video was cut at several points so you never really see the beginning of the level.
I think the modern stages are going in a good direction, I still think I like Sonic Adventure 2 stages a lot.
Modern Sonic Stages feel like a mix between NiGHTS: Into Dreams… for the Sega Saturn and Sonic Adventure 2.
It is a cousin of Sonic Adventure 2 in style with rails, homing attack, etc. but is very much like NiGHTS in being a mostly 2.5D game and being about the race, score, and split times. It measures your speed at each checkpoint, just like NiGHTS checks your time at every lap.
In that way you have to be a fan of NiGHTS style and/or racing games to enjoy the modern stage areas.
That doesn’t mean that there is no skill to the modern stages.
I actually think Sega is striking a good balance. The Modern Stages will be good, but would fall flat if that’s all they had. The Classic stages give you some good old sonic platforming, while the Modern stages keep it from being just a rehash.
Personally I’m really happy, even though they seem to be intent on gimping sonic’s roll.
Keep up the good work Sega, I’m behind you, you keep hitting it better and better. I think they’re finally finding what makes a good 3D Sonic action game.
Comment left on Sunday April 24th, 2011 by panzeroceania
as for the Story, it’s a sonic game, as long as the game is good, and the story doesn’t get in the way, that’s fine. There have been some great Sonic stories, but if it just keeps me from playing the levels fuck it.
if it doesn’t make any sense but stays out of my way I’m fine. If it’s a great story and isn’t tedious, that’s also fine. The main issue isn’t making sense, but not ruining the game segments.
I don’t care if it’s silly as long as I can keep playing the gameplay segments.
Comment left on Sunday April 24th, 2011 by panzeroceania
Sonic falls in a time hole. He meets his younger self.
They go to find the guy who made the time hole.
Sounds simple to me. :)
Reply left on 4.27.2011 by DustinVgmaster
Am I still the only one who just sees Sonic Colours featuring Classic Looking Sonic in New Shitty Green Hill Zone with dickspeed, dickspeed spindash(?!), 9001 grinds, mediocre physics etc? Really? Sega reuses the unleashed engine again and throws in Classic Sonic and all of a sudden everyone who hated the controls in Unleashed/Colours is talking about placing preorders? WTF?
Comment left on Sunday April 24th, 2011 by Redhot
yup that’s pretty much the size of it.
Also there were plenty of us who liked those games.
Sure I hated Heroes, Shadow, and 2006, I hated werehog Sonic but liked Unleashed and really like Colors.
It’s not the same game as old school sonic, which is what makes Generations even better.
Whether you like the physics or not, the classic sonic part of the level isn’t anything like unleashed or colors, it is just a regular at your own pace level. Only the Modern Sonic part is like Unleashed and Colors.
Comment left on Sunday April 24th, 2011 by panzeroceania
It looks like the game will use the PS3′s version of the day levels from sonic unleashed rather than the Wii’s version, I liked the Wii’s version better.
Comment left on Monday April 25th, 2011 by Hyzoran
Why? The Wii/PS2 versions were straight runs with barely anything in the way. At least the HD versions had substance to them.
Reply left on 4.27.2011 by Jack
Someone said, “i want to play the game at it’s full potential, not only part of it.” And i agree. Although hard to please everyone, why even with two gameplay SEGA appears to yet doesn’t get it right? As far as i read and played, SEGA would do an awesome Sonic game with just few upgrades. Classic Sonic should be 90% the same sonic 2-3 physic/control (Why not 100%?); enemies that try to hurt you, not help (and with it’s own defenses and attacks); without easy-life-up-getting; few speed paths, more speed platforming and strategy platform; many paths to take (GHZ from Sonic Advance 3 not only it was good and not-linear, it wasn’t just run and jump!); and, above all, new things! NEW! Wasn’t cool the shields in Sonic 3? Or the partner action in advance? Those things boost the entire game!
As for modern Sonic is quite hard. Most what i said applies. But classic Sonic fills many aspects, so modern Sonic would be almost the same gameplay. The difference is on the 3D gameplay, and focus on speed. They could make it speedy, but speedy exploration, challenging, boost as a very special skill (hard to get), penalties for only running the entire stage (like, missing secrets, points or something). I was even thinking about quick-gameplay-change between, something like “all-range mode” from Star Fox, where Sonic gets a better control to a platform gaming and defeat enemies, something not too slow or boring, then change to speed paths to proceed the stage. Yes, i’m going too far, so i’ll stop here.
But, overall, i really like what i’m seeing until now. Can’t wait to play this game. Everything shines there, from the mechanic of Classic Sonic, to the gameplay of Modern Sonic (hail colors), to the weird story, to what they’re planning to do. Can’t stop seeing this video. And my hopes are very high just to see that, as slingerland said, they’re at least TRYING! Make this game go top SEGA, to top 1!!
Comment left on Sunday May 1st, 2011 by SkySlider