However you feel about Sonic the Hedgehog, SEGA's mascot has been going strong now for 30 years. The games have a turbulent track record, but the fan base is so large and so widespread these days that even the weakest entries in the series are fiercely defended. Whether you enjoy the modern 3D iterations or not, the Dreamcast's Sonic Adventure reinvented the blue blur, and it seems as though the franchise's creators are looking for the next major step in the character's evolution.
Speaking with The Sonic Stadium, Takashi Iizuka — who's worked on the series since Sonic 3 & Knuckles — was asked about the next major title, which was teased a few weeks ago with a super brief trailer. Iizuka says that it isn't really an anniversary game, seeing as it'll release after this year's milestone. However, he does tease that the developer is hoping the title "lays the foundation for the following future Sonic titles" in the same way that Adventure did back in 1998.
A lofty goal, then. It sounds as though Sonic Team is aiming to try something new this time around. The franchise has attempted to change things up a number of times, but perhaps this next entry — rumoured to be named Sonic Rangers — can bring some truly fresh ideas to the table. "Through a lot of trial and error the team is looking to present to everyone a new Sonic game," Iizuka adds, "and I hope your warm support of their work can motivate them to really deliver against that challenge."
What do you want to see from this next Sonic title? Are you excited to play it next year? Go fast in the comments section below.
[source sonicstadium.org]
Comments 18
The avatar creator from Sonic Forces. Tho it is just an unlikely wish.
anyways i have so much hope for the new sonic game now after hearing this
I might be in the minority, but I prefer the Sonic games that have hub areas to explore, games like Sonic Adventure, Sonic Unleashed and yes even Sonic 06. So my hope is that hub areas make a return.
just keep doing sonic mania....simplez!
I just hope it doesn’t suck. I love Sonic but his games have always been hit or miss for me. Unfortunately there are a lot of of misses.
I want all of Sonic’s friends to be playable.
@scottdevine48 I want a new hedgehog who has based on Sonic and Amy with lightning, speed and strength.
Based on the persistent rumors, open-world Sonic sounds cool on paper but considering Sonic Team's last 3D Sonic game wasn't even that good as a super linear experience I have some pretty big reservations
They also REALLY need to get Sonic's control right in 3D. He felt simultaneously too stiff and loose at the same time in Forces. The momentum was all over the place
Hoping this is equivalent Sonic’s Rift Apart in terms of quality, expecting it to be closer in terms to Crash Bandicoot 4 though, which is still fine, but wouldn’t be shocked if it ends up in the Balan Wonderworld (Wonderland?) tier of games.
Even if it ends up as "Okay" I hope they don't chicken out and refine it in the following game.
Sonic Lost World had potential to be evolved and they just wimped out but when Unleashed was okay and had potential they refined it in the next game.
I grew up with the Master System/ Mega Drive/Genesis and Sonic Team were good at making those but 3D Sonic? not so much. They should make another Mania style game and scrap 3D Sonic altogether IMHO.
He's definitely confirming that this and all future Sonic games will be turn based RPGs. Finally there'll be a reason to play them, and not just begrudgingly add it your library when it hits PS+.
@Milktastrophe If it's anything like Sonic Chronicles that's a future I don't think anyone wants a part of
There is one thing all these overwhelmingly high praised fan demos have in common and I hope SEGA has taken note, they are all momentum based. After Sonic Adventure they seem to have forgotten the whole fun of Sonic wasn't his speed, it was the weight he carried at those speeds and it was felt on slopes, if you hit a roll at the right angle you could achieve speeds not possible running.
But Sonic Adventure didn't lay the current foundation...? You could make the argument that Heroes was technically SA3, but every game after that has been mechanically quite different from the Adventure games. I don't really get what he's saying here.
Just have both Tails and Knuckles playable as well. Create levels that play different with each character. With Sonic you can have fast levels full of speed. Tails platforming and exploring levels. And with Knuckles more action/combat levels. They tried something with adventure like this, but they could really improve this and lay a working foundation for the future.
one of these attempts has to stick, lol
Sonic Adventure & Sonic Unleashed are the 2 foundations .
The only reason 2D(pixelated) sonic is still a thing is because of how bad they've handled the franchise after the 90's so they keep going back to it.
Hope this game turns out well, we don't want another Sonic Forces...
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