"No gimmick necessary"?
Those guys floating around him tell a different tale.
In any case, it looks like it will be aesthetically pleasing at least. But then again, Sonic usually does that right.
Why is it that When I hear the title, I think of a DS painting game or something?
That doesn't make it a gimmick. If the game's gameplay is focused around them as they say, they'll just be part of the gameplay instead of a "gimmick". I'm expecting something quite different from normal Sonic games here. Make me proud, Sega.
...and for all you peoples' information, Sonic Unleashed's daytime levels had a worse design than the nighttime levels, and the gameplay was atrocious. You couldn't walk, you just started to run with the slightest motion, the whole thing felt like you were pressing up all the way with painful trial-and-error dangers that popped up from the worst places possible, and the levels were so damn atrociously designed, I can't think of a way to describe them.
A level where you begin by travelling along a VERY steep path at high speed and are forced to suddenly remember that sidedash move you rarely use or you'll DIE for the whole screen is a bottomless pit with a tiny path, is not good design. It's more like a romhack.
But enough about discussing Sonic's past. I don't want to ignite flamewars or anything, we all know he's sucked for awhile, and no matter how many people like his mediocre and bad games, it's unexcusable for one of the most popular gaming characters, whose games used to rival Mario's.
So, what are you wishing for this game, everyone? I really, REALLY want in it, something that'll bring quality to the game instead of just focusing on "game needs classic Sonic roots" or "NO FRIENDS BLAAARGH". This is supposed to be a brand new thing, so whatever's new, including friends, we must at least hope to be good. I, for one, would love a fresh new style of gameplay. Maybe not as fast as the other titles, but as the press-release said, focusing more in getting through obstacles and the like. Having places where you can switch color elements so you can get through those obstacles would be cool. And color-specific enemies, maybe with color-specific weaknesses would be awesome.