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Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 video game)

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Sonic the Hedgehog
Next-generation sonic
Developer(s)Sonic Team
Publisher(s)Sega
Designer(s)Shun Nakamura
EngineHavok
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
ReleaseNovember 17, 2006
Genre(s)Platformer
Mode(s)Single player
multiplayer

Sonic the Hedgehog (also called Sonic Next-Gen or Sonic 360 to differentiate it from similarly-titled games) is the name of the next-generation video game featuring Sonic to be released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. SEGA has said the release date for the game will be the same day the PS3 comes onto the market (making it a launch title) with the Xbox 360 version releasing on the same day.[1] This would set the U.S. release date at November 17, 2006. It is being developed at Sonic Team, directed by Shun Nakamura.

It was revealed during a press release on September 9, 2005; Yuji Naka hinted that this game will be a recreation or a retelling of the original Sega Genesis game Sonic the Hedgehog, using speeds "only capable on next gen systems", though his comments could equally refer to the design-process and not the storyline itself (which appears to be an all new story rather than a remake of any kind) returning to its roots. Its release will mark the 15th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, just as Sonic Adventure 2 marked the 10th.

Among the new innovations revealed are the incorporation of passing time, including the realistic movement of the sun, as well as highly detailed characters and landscapes (in one demo, a tree was shown in-game with mushrooms growing on it). Yuji Naka has stated that the general theme of the game will be "What if Sonic were real?".

However, Naka had recently departed from Sonic Team and Sega on May 8, 2006 to form his own studio, PROPE. It is unknown about how this Sonic game will progress without his supervision and whether Nakamura will carry on designing the game himself.

Although a separate project is in development for the Wii, it is nonetheless unknown at this time if there will be a version of this game for that system.

Plot

In the City of Water, Soleanna, lives Princess Elise. Elise is the keeper of a dark secret, the "Flames of Disaster", involving a mysterious jewel known as the Chaos Emerald. The evil Dr. Eggman learns of the Flames of Disaster and kidnaps the Princess. When the world-renowned hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, learns of this, he sets off to save the Princess and the Chaos Emerald, but his quest is interrupted by a strange white hedgehog, called Silver the Hedgehog, who talks of the "Iblis Trigger",[2] an event that leads to a great disaster and is somehow caused by Sonic during his rescue attempt. According to this source [1], it has been revealed that the "Iblis Trigger" is, in fact, responsible for the deaths of many, and it has come to be known as the "Flames of Disaster", which will kill many people. Sonic must save the princess, stop Dr. Eggman, and figure out what the mysterious Silver wants.

Shadow the Hedgehog will also be featured within the game, but his role within the story is currently unknown.

Characters

Playable

A recent trailer revealed that it is possible to play as several other characters on top of Sonic. The known cast is:

  • Sonic the Hedgehog - The Hero of the Story, who, after befriending the Princess Elise,[3] takes it upon himself to rescue her. When controlling Sonic, the player will get to experience high speed, Sonic Adventure-style gameplay. Sonic also gets faster in speed the more rings he collects.
  • Shadow the Hedgehog - It is currently unknown how Shadow fits in to the game's storyline. In the official E3 trailer and screenshots, Shadow is seen driving an armed four-wheeled vehicle, suggesting that his gameplay may be similar to that of his spin-off title, Shadow the Hedgehog. According to the game's marketing director on the E3 2006 Show floor,[4] Shadow will be able to drive vehicles to get to new areas. It is also possible that Shadow's gameplay may be similar to Tails' or Dr. Eggman's gameplay from Sonic Adventure 2 which was machine and shooting gameplay.
  • Silver the Hedgehog - Silver is a time-traveling Hedgehog who has returned to the past in order to stop Sonic from causing a global cataclysm known as the "Iblis Trigger".[5] Silver has psychokinetic powers, which are the main feature of his gameplay. Using his psychokinetic powers, Silver is able to pick up objects around the playing field and throw them at enemies, including projectiles like missiles. He also possesses the ability to levitate in the air for differing amounts of time (using up his energy bar), he also gains more abilities the more rings he collects.

Non-Playable

  • Dr. Eggman -The main villain in the Sonic series and (presumably) this game. He appears to be after the secret called the "Flames of Disaster". Apparently only Princess Elise knows what the secret is. His appearance has also noticeably changed from the style established in Sonic Adventure.
  • Princess Elise -The Princess of Soleanna, and Eggman's kidnapping victim. Having stopped the destructive "Flames of Disaster" 10 years ago, only she knows their secrets, and their relation to the Chaos Emerald.
  • Disaster -The creature of the "Flames of Disaster".He may be powered by Chaos Emeralds like Chaos.

Expected

  • Amy Rose -She will be chasing Sonic around like always.
  • Rouge the Bat -She be hitting on Knuckles and being a thieve again.

Rumouered

Stages

Although each character will play the same levels, Sonic Team have stated that each character's unique abilities will allow them to get to different areas of each stage, and deny them from accessing certain items.

Action Stages

  • Kingdom Valley (Official Name): A large, grassy canyon containing the ruins of an old castle.
  • Crisis City (Official Name): A giant, decaying city visibly under attack from forces both mechanical and supernatural.
  • Jungle Stage (Unofficial Name): A large jungle that seems to have overgrown an ancient civilization. It has only been seen in some extended gameplay footage. In a recent screenshot, it had been shown that this stage will feature water. A long branch can be seen extending into the water and a dash panel placed on top. It is unknown if this will allow Sonic to run on water (as seen in Kingdom Valley) or if he is able to actually roam underwater.

Town Stages

  • Soleanna (Speculative): Seen in the extended trailer. Cobblestone streets, fountains, and a large human population, comes under attack by Eggman during a ceremony in the trailer.

Known Features

  • The detail level and draw distance have been upped considerably. High resolution textures are utilized, in combination with effects like bump and normal mapping.
  • A Day/Night cycle has been implemented. As the player progress through the game, time passes by from dawn, noon, dusk, night time, and back to dawn again in real-time. Everything in the game casts lighting and shadows based on the position of the sun or moon.
  • Yuji Naka stated that this game will capture the most realistic sensation of speed ever, a feature only possible on next-generation systems. This may be seen as a parallel to how NiGHTS Into Dreams was designed: capturing sensation of flight.
  • The Havok Physics Engine has been implemented, giving robots and debris realistic physics as objects crumble, fall and bounce around the playing field.
  • The basic features of previous Sonic games return; classic objects like springs and dash plates, as well as newer features like rail-grinding, sliding and the homing attack, were all shown in the demo, whilst adding new elements such as Sonic catching a ride with an eagle, grinding on a jet stream of water, and using spring ropes to proceed to the next area. As of yet, Sonic has been seen doing his spin dash ability.
  • In previous Sonic titles, character models were constructed with about 1,500 polygons. While there is still debate over the validity of the claim, a recent issue of GamePro said that player models in this game will be composed of over 1 million polygons each.
  • By default, the camera is closer to Sonic, and lower to the ground than the previous Sonic games, to help emphasize the sensation of speed.
  • Gameplay is broken up into two gameplay styles, similar to the original Sonic Adventure: Action Stage and Town Stages. Action Stages are primarily where the bulk of the gameplay takes place, whereas Town Stages are free-roaming locations where the player can talk to non-player characters and explore, similar to Sonic Adventure's Adventure Fields.
  • Certain areas in the levels, dubbed "mach speed areas", allow Sonic to reach speeds that would be unattainable elsewhere.
  • Sonic Team is currently considering online content for this title. It is unknown if they are planning multiplayer modes, or simply extra, downloadable levels.[6] According to the Sega Europe website, the game will have a multiplayer co-op aspect.[7].
  • Rings have expanded functionality. Rather than simply being a measure of life, they can now be used to purchase items and abilities in the Town Stages like the Black Market in the Chao Garden. In addition, the more rings Sonic carries, the faster his top speed is - similar to the Sonic Advance titles. The more rings Silver carries, the more powerful his abilities become. It is currently unknown what effect rings have on Shadow (possibly the potency of his vehicular weapons).[8] Sonic doesn't always lose all of his rings in one go either. Depending on how he is attacked, he loses amounts varying from 1 ring to all rings.
  • Levels are far less linear than previous 3D Sonic titles, offering up many alternate pathways through each stage.
  • Like all post-Shadow the Hedgehog games, this game utilizes the 4Kids Entertainment voice cast from the anime, Sonic X, rather than the voice actors from the previous Sonic Adventure titles.

Casting

English

Confirmed

Japanese

Expected

Music

Thus far, the only audio for the game revealed are (a) the music for Kingdom Valley (as heard in many gameplay movies on IGN and other sources), and, (b) the (possible) main theme that can now be heard on the Official Japanese Site [2].

Rumors

  • It has been rumoured that Naoto Ohshima (the original character designer for Sonic and Doctor Eggman) is returning to provide some form of input on this game as well.[9] Masato Nakamura (the original music composer for Sonic 1 and Sonic 2) was implied to be involved in an IGN preview mentioning a "Nakamura", but it turned out to be Shun Nakamura instead.
  • There is a possibility that Super Sonic may be fully playable, considering his appearance in the initial demonstration video. In previous 3D Sonic titles as well as Sonic Rush and the Sonic Advance series, Super Sonic was only playable during the final boss encounter. In the classic games, Super Sonic could be playable at almost any time, assuming the player had at least 50 rings and all seven Chaos Emeralds.
  • A scanned brochure Sega was to hand out at E3 appeared to feature a "PC" Icon next to the logos for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. However, as of yet, no PC version has been officially announced, and Sega has yet to confirm a PC version of the game.
  • When someone questioned a member of Sonic Team about Shadow, they stated that they can't reveal anything about his plot, but that he'll be able to use 'military vehicles' to get to new areas.
  • Previously stated that some characters will return, one rumor suggests that all Sonic characters will be making an appearance as Non-player characters in the Town Stages. Whether this means characters created post Sonic Adventure, or across Sonic's entire history, remains to be seen.
  • The demo shown at E3 gave the mission, "Reach a goal ring". This could suggest that there are multiple goal rings in a level, and thus multiple endings. What effect this would have on gameplay, if any, is unknown. This could simply be a translation error.
  • The May 25th edition of Famitsu suggests different features between the Xbox 360 Version and the Playstation 3 Version. [10]

Technical Demo from Tokyo Game Show 2005


Before E3 show screenshots


E3 Screenshots

Notes and References

  1. ^ GameDaily BIZ, Sega's Scott Steinberg Talks Next-Gen
  2. ^ The "Iblis Trigger" could be a reference to the Islamic devil of the same name to tap into existing mythology, or simply a plot device
  3. ^ Sega.com, Sonic the Hedgehog game information at Sega of America, URL Accessed May 12, 2006
  4. ^ Gametrailers.com, Sega E3 2006 Video Tour
  5. ^ Kotaku, Silver the Hedgehog: Telekinetic Time Travelling Rodent, URL Accessed May 12, 2006
  6. ^ Gamespot.com, E3 06: Sonic the Hedgehog Preshow Report: Sonic Goes Next-Gen
  7. ^ Sega-europe.com, Sonic the Hedgehog official information at Sega-Europe
  8. ^ Gametrailers.com, Sonic the Hedgehog Gameplay Extravaganza
  9. ^ Gamespot.com, PS3, 360 Sonic leads wave of Sega announcements
  10. ^ Sonic Stadium, United they stand, divided they fall
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