The Problems With The Series Go Back Further Than I Thought

[Pete Holland Jr.]

In the rush to make video games 3D, one series that I feel has
irretrievably suffer is Sonic The Hedgehog. I was a fan from the
moment I played the original, but the jump to 3D, not to mention the
attempts to rework Sonic into games that just aren't "him" have cost
me a lot of enthusiasm.

Today, I'm pointed to a YouTube link. Supposedly, games like Sonic
The Fighters weren't the only "huh?" attempts being made. Sega
Technical Institute, which did Sonic 2 and jostled the formula a
little but not too badly with Sonic Spinball, was working on a game
following the continuity of the ABC Saturday morning Sonic The
Hedgehog cartoon. I saw the footage and thought it was a very
elaborate hoax, but I'm turning up other links suggesting this is not
a hoax, this is actually demo footage. So, assuming this is true....

Man, and I thought Sonic Labyrinth was the biggest loss of Sonic magic
in the series.

For those who haven't seen it, I can sum it up in three words --
"Metal Gear Sonic." You are sneaking around the city of Robotopolis,
hiding behind pillars and such to get past the robot guards (Sally
does make an appearance in the demo footage). Part of the reason I
thought the footage was fake was the magic rings -- not only do they
dot the landscape (Robotnik was after at least one to study it and
learn its secrets), but Sonic in the footage has an attack where he
spins in the air and fires his spikes like missiles (and he instantly
regrows them before he lands. Whotta guy!).

Now, don't get me wrong, I can see where the Sonic series could have
laid the groundwork for a good adventure game. But starring, say,
Princess Sally or one of the other supporting characters. My
enjoyment of Sonic games is based on a tradition -- it's about racing
as fast as you can to the right. I can tolerate some changes to the
formula (Sonic Omega, an unofficial fan game where he scales walls
like Ninja Gaiden is a little tough for me to swallow, but I get why
the guy is trying to incorporate it), but this is not a Sonic game as
I remember it. A Sonic game without the promise of blazing speed just
isn't a Sonic game to me.

Let's just say, I'm hoping this is an elaborate ruse.