[spoiler=wall o' quotes because I really have nothing better to do and really miss having actual conversation on this place]
So we're not allowed a "darker Sonic story" anymore? That's so narrow-minded and shallow thinking there buddy.
I never felt that "dark" and "serious" EVER fit with Sonic. This is the kind of thing that gave us Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic 06. where it's all srs bsns and both are not generally regarded as high points. Sonic has always been a somewhat whimsical character, who's "edgy" personality was to the extent that he wagged his finger and gave you a smug grin. I mean for pete's sake, it's a series about busting little woodland animals out of containers and robots, while chasing a fat scientist who looks like Teddy Roosevelt. The Adventure games tackled darker themes, sure, but they were also very much a product of their time. And those times change. in the late 90's and early 00's, edge was the order of the day. if you can make it darker, do it. But even then, there's a difference between Sonic running through Metal harbor, which despite the setting, is bright and cheery, or tails driving on a not-san fransisco highway, and running through a burning spagonia under seige.
tl;dr my point is, dark and serious never worked too well for sonic. SA2 was about the limit of what was acceptable, but again, within context.
I mean, even in the grand scheme of things, the "dark" stories are pretty few. There's SA2, ShTHH, Sonic 06, and we'll see- but seemingly Forces too. Sonic doesnt work well with deep drama stories because he's a blue cartoony anthropomorphic hedgehog.
The reason for the "talking during the gameplay segment" is to convey the serious of the situation they're in
they can do that without annoying me during gameplay. I want to listen to the music and pay attention to whats happening around me. I don't need 5 characters talking at me while I do that. It's annoying and distracting. I didn't like it when it was just vector screaming about computer rooms, I didn't like it when Generations final boss did it, and I especially dont like it when they aren't even present around me and are just floating disembodied voices.
and communication is key to direction their advancements and information to topple ol' Egghead of his newfound reign of the world.
is that a gameplay thing? no? Then it isn't necessary. That's a story element. And that has it's place, but not during gameplay, unless I'm hitting a question mark for hints. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me lose hope in the game. it's not a cutscene, or an in-game cutscene or some small dialog at the start/end of the level, it's a full blown conversation between SEVERAL characters over the gameplay. I mean come on, even Sonic 06 did this right. I sincerely hope that this is a unique thing to one or two intro levels and doesn't represent the whole game.
Characters can interact with each other both in and out of cutscenes which is neat.
opinions, but it's really not. Unless they are interacting in a meaningful story related way in, say, a cutscene, or, unless there is a hub where I can talk to characters, then having disembodied voices talking at me over gameplay is not great. Especially for a Sonic game. Again, context matters. in an RPG, or say, a MGS game, you expect this sort of thing. But not from Sonic.
Also I like how the characters talk to the Avatar as well in the stages.
I assume the avatar is mute due to logistics issues with choosable voices etc, but it's going to be really awkward and is going to make the writing even more one sided than it was in Generations, considering classic sonic isalso mute, and we now have a game with a more meaty plot than generations did. That's 2 mute MAIN characters interacting with modern Sonic.
It's cool to see Knuckles believe in you and seems like a mentor of sorts which I like and how you empress the other characters like Espio and Charmy as well.
I think we'll never agree on our tastes, but I still feel that this is something that could be accomplished in other ways instead of during gameplay. Show, don't tell. Just having character dialogue boxes over the gameplay talking is the lazy way out.
I don't find anything wrong with the level designs.
over reliance on springs and speed boosters, at least thats how it seemed to me. And... I dont know, I can't put my finger on it, but it just seems off. Speaking strictly classic here mind you. Modern has his own issues, which stem less from the physics or anything, and more from just the general gameplay style having grown somewhat stale, as well as it's reliance on 2D segments being redundant with Classic Sonic.
They look epic and really illustrate the world is falling apart and becoming a ruin with Eggman in charge.
matter of taste I suppose. Just goes back to my feelings on dark in Sonic stories. I mean, Unleashed did the "eggman gets his way" thing better in my opinion. Eggmanland was a nice show of Eggman in charge, without needing to have disaster porn in a sonic game. (despite the whole split the earth thing)
Music is great as well as it's a throwback to SA2 with vocal tracks as well which I love as SA1 and 2 were my second and third favorite Sonic games.
I suppose music is entirely subjective, Im just not a fan of some of what I've heard. That green hill zone particularly grated on my ears.
Physics are off? I don't see it, maybe not as accurate with the Sonic Mania but they're two different kind of games and uses two different engines so some things need to be change to fit the tone and gameplay style of the game.
it's not about tone or style, it's about modern Sonic team literally not knowing how to do momentum based physics. Yknow, the one thing vitally important if you are going to actively try to incorporate "classic" Sonic gameplay. I mean I get it, this game probably started development right after Generations and they just ported over the classic physics, but it's a tough break having to live up to Mania's near perfect classic physics.
And Infinite? Well aside from his song, I don't see anything "edgy" about him. What is edgy anyway?
He literally looks like a deviantart design of the "HE'S THE MOST POWERFUL!!!" variety. he has an over the top 'dark" design, a tryhard name, he floats, I mean man, Mephistopheles seriously has nothing on this guy.
Everyone throws it around like they know what it means
people know exactly what it means. Edgy is Shadow with a gun with metal blaring in the background. Edgy is a super powerful ancient evil being that looks like an evil version of Shadow, impaling Sonic through the back.
Honestly, Shadow himself was fairly edgy in his own origin, complete with government cover ups and murder. Though he's of the more tame variety. (by today's standards anyway)
He's sinister no doubt, cunning, clever, powerful, prideful given his attitude towards Sonic. To me he knows can't be beat and is mocking his enemies around for fun. I guess a tad arrogant to beat.
that's kind of why he's edgy m8. That, coupled with his design, I mean, I would almost believe it was parody if I didn't honestly think Sega is playing this 100% straight faced.
He's an interesting character
he's literally a cliche
why does he have these powers?
this at least, we can possibly confirm where, though spoilers-
[spoiler]He has the weird emerald from Mania. Mania basically ties into Forces[/spoiler]
So far I'm more interest and excited for Forces than Mania. I like Mania, I'm enjoying the game... but ultimately I want to play Forces more than Mania. Mostly for the Story and the Character Creation and I'm loving what I'm seeing of the game.
well good for you. Something for everyone this year at least. I do still think the character creator is a genius move on Sega's part, considering the fandom's penchant for creating OC's since the earliest days
Though I wonder if Forces well outsell Mania? Mania is a love letter to old fans well Forces is something new and for both old and new fans so Forces make get more sells.
Forces has an immediate advantage in having an actual physical copy, which makes for easier marketing. (AKA grandma seeing it on the shelf) But I think you really overestimate the "new fans" thing. I would argue that while that is a nice marketing line, it's not really the case. Sega knows it's Sonic fanbase. And this is a game that answers both the request for Generations 2, and for the friends to come back after being gone since 06. I mean what really about this game would appeal to a "new" fan, someone who's never played Sonic, any more than any other recent Sonic game like Unleashed or Colors, or Generations even? The character creator? because that would be about it, but that's not exactly a great way to bring in new fans, considering they would be in it for the OC, something that probably won't be in future games, instead of bringing them in by selling them Sonic himself.
Kids like imagining their own characters and Character Creation might cause the game to sell more, but then again it looks fun as well.
I honestly don't think the creator is aimed at the kids. I mean, I'm sure kids might love it, but again, Sega knows their audience, and they are just cashing in on the decades old OC fandom. I don't see Sega going out of their way with a character creator just to try to bring kids on board. If Sonic isn't good enough to sell them, I don't know what is. Might as well make something else then.
Then again I don't care if Mania or Forces sells more than the other
In the grand scheme of things, it's all just videogames so who cares, but I'd say more than sales, critical reception matters. AKA how people reacted to it, because already, Izuka was surprised by the positive reception the Mania announcement got. He wasn't expecting people to react positively to it. And we know basically everyone loves the game. Remains to be seen just how much love or hate Forces gets, considering Mania has basically stole it's spotlight
So if you don't like Sonic Forces that's fine, but keep the toxic attitude and comments to yourself. If you got nothing nice to say then don't say it at all.
I was voicing my opinion man, don't have a cow. This IS the [sonic slicer] about Sonic thread after all. It's par for the course.[/spoiler]