Wahey! A new Sonic game for the Wii’s been announced…oh wait, cancel the party, throw away the balloons, lower your party streamers, I forgot, there hasn’t been a good Sonic game for the past 5 years.
So, here’s the thing: first we had secret rings, then we had a Werehog and now we have a sword. These are all things that recent Sonic games have contained, in a desperate bid to revive the series and draw in new players.
The question is, why does the Sonic Team constantly feel the need to include something unusual and different in their games? Surely they could attract new players and please old ones by just creating a good, old fashioned, back to the roots, 3D Sonic game. I mean, a Werehog? Really? Where did that even come from? Why a Werehog? It’s, the most random idea possible, and it really doesn’t make much sense in the story driven Sonic series. Yet here we are once again,with another silly, yet slightly more obvious, idea. We’ve had guns, albeit without Sonic wielding them, and now we have a sword, named Calibur, which should let Sonic slice enemies in a gory, blood-filled manner.
Or something like that.
First of all, let’s watch the debut trailer.
Epic.
What did you think? Feel free to let us, and the world, know in the comment box at the end of this post. But don’t comment yet! The article isn’t over!
A poster at NeoGAF has got lots of info on The Black Knight from Nintendo Power, so I thought I’d just run through all the facts, giving my opinion on each one.
Developed by the same people as Sonic and the Secret Rings
Meh and meh. The game wasn’t particularly great, nor was it shockingly bad. I’d imagine we’re going to be nearer the latter category this time.
As Sonic runs along, a simple flick of the Wii remote will execute a basic slash, which is enough to dispatch most low-level grunts.
Or, more simply put it, shake your Wiimote to complete the game.
More advanced swordplay consists of the ability to thrust, parry, and even pull off a buzz-saw maneuver midjump.
See above point.
During out demo, we saw the hedgehog leap from a high precipice, then thrust the blade into a wall to slow his decent, sparks flying impressivly as steel cut through brick
The blade probably wouldn’t cut the wall, thereby meaning the game suffers from inaccurate physics.
Combat is integrated in such a way that most of the time you can slice through any who stand in your path without even slowing down
See, my point below the second fact.
Sonic is controlled with the Control Stick.
Thank you, something good about the game! Finally, I don’t have to tilt my controller in order to gain some small chance in direction.
His sword, a talking blade named Calibur, serves as a mentor
Well done Sonic Team. *claps hands once as tumble weed rolls across the screen*
If you help civilian townfolk in need of assistance, you’ll earn points toward knighthood. If you smite one of those civilians, your reputation will take a hit. At the end of each stage, the game tallies your good and not-so-good deeds and updates your rank accordingly.
Hmm, this could be interesting. I hope there are rewards for playing as an evil Sonic.
You can purchase items from residents. “Sonic can acquire everything from gauntlets to magical tomes to new swords and, when equipped, each article bestows him with a unique benefit.. About 200 items in all, with some being able to be combined with others to make new ones.
/sarcasm
Well, at least they’re not over-complicating anything.
You have the option to go online and trade items with friends.
“Hey Tim, do you want to swap this Magical Tome for your slightly different Magical Tome? Cool, what’s your 12 digit friend code? Tim? Tim? Hello?”
Each stage has multiple branching paths and searching for townsfolk and treasure chests provides an element of exploration that recalls Sonic’s early Genesis days.
This could be nice, there was quite a lot of exploration in the earlier games.
The camera will occasionally pan to a side-scrolling perspective for a quick dose of classic 2-D action
Nice! Maybe some kind of Sonic Rush-esque platforming?
Other characters beside Sonic are playable, but it is entirely optional to play as them. Knuckles, who can hold two swords at once, and Shadow have been confirmed so far.
Yes! Shadow’s back! His ‘get out my face’ attitude really contributed to his appealing character…and I mean sexually appealling.
Ta Da! Now you can comment in the box below.
Source: Nintendo Wii Fanboy
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Chronoslayer // Oct 12, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I am going to remain cautiously optimistic for this game. While the items part isn’t too appealing, the sword may work out in the end. Is it still possible for this game to be MotionPlus compatible?
*crosses fingers*
2 Jarrett // Oct 12, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I posted about this months ago, and got a lukewarm response. Maybe this will turn out well, MAYBE…
3 anonymus // Oct 12, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I think it’ll be cool, or maybe thats just cause I’m a fanboy
4 Phantom // Oct 12, 2008 at 8:36 pm
i think that this is alittle far too be honest, but i think that sonic unleashed looks like it has alot of potential.
5 FEZ // Oct 12, 2008 at 9:31 pm
this game will probably suck but i’ll get it anyway…damn you sega!
6 grimmjawtiger // Oct 12, 2008 at 10:36 pm
i got to wonder, if the calibur serves as a mentor, what would happen if you switched to a new sword? does calibur’s spirit switch to the new one?
7 Alchemist // Oct 13, 2008 at 1:23 am
I cannot wait until I get to equip my Knights of the Round Materia on Sonic and upgrade to the Buster Sword! I always wanted to omnislash Tails.
I thought we learned from the Zelda series that you don’t need 200 items to make a main character interesting… 3-4 swords, some bombs… a bow and arrow maybe? Come on Sonic, get with the times!
8 Yousty // Oct 13, 2008 at 8:04 am
Just stick to the DS games. They’re actually good.
9 BoxOfFun // Oct 13, 2008 at 12:39 pm
No good Sonic games for the last 5 years? If you meant, “No good Sonic Games for the last 5 years excluding Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventures and Sonic and the Secret Rings”, then yes, you’re right.
10 Picafico // Oct 21, 2008 at 4:14 am
And I thought Sonic don’t use weapons. I’m pretty sure he said it in some games. I don’t no what to say. I doubt about this game well be good or at least decent in a good meaning. >Sight< Well I give every game a try but after so many disappointing games.( Alone in the dark to name just one) Could I really take another hit into the stomach? At least the Ds games was good. And I’m enjoyed Sonic Riders 2 allot. Even Secret Rings was fun. He I’m guest I’m one of this stupid fan boys. Oh Sega. Don’t use Sonic to draw in new players. Just let him die with respect. Seriously make a Sonic game. Image Nintendo would set in a post apocalyptic world and had just a Mp6 to defence him self. But jump around with yahu and his funny and clumsy body while he kill tons of undead Mushroom being’s. That would be ridiculous! And I hope Shadow did not forget his memories this time. I have nothing against some changes, how about an mature story? That would be interesting. But don’t losing the path the game is based. Well I better stop talking. They don’t read this. But I’m so frustrated many game from my childhood get raped. Sonic, Crash, Spyro, Need for Speed even Mario. I’m mean why all Nintendo games are nowadays so easy (Wii)? I beat all Zelda Bosses without dyeing. I beat Mario in a new record. every thing changed. I feel so old. And I’m not even twenty. Nintendo and Sega? Crazy…
11 Atman // Oct 30, 2008 at 9:03 am
Its the same thing we’ve gotten the past few years, where it looks like it has the potential to be good but we don’t have a friggin’ clue til it comes out and we’re playing it. Speed is Sonic’s mainstay, and while the combat looks simple to perform, it does keep the speed…at least in the trailer. Honestly, is anyone seriously thinking there is going to be an overly elaborate combat system in this thing?
I won’t mind caliber talking to me mid-game so long as they put a ’shut up OH MY GOD SHUT UP’ option in the game like they should have for the genie in Secret Rings.
Speaking of annoying characters, Shadow is in this too? I mean, Knux will at least be cool as always, especially wielding two swords, but whats Shadow’s special trait? Using a razor blade to cut himself while he whines about his past, or being the ultimate life form, or Maria, or whatever has his panties in a bunch this time around? I’m glad they had the good decency to not force him upon me this time. (Read: Will have to use Shadow for a ‘real’ ending or some such nonsense)
If the game has speed, decent controls, a camera that is not being wielded by a child riddled with ADD, and dialogue that doesn’t make ears bleed, that would be an excellent start to fixing the franchise.
12 danny // Oct 31, 2008 at 9:44 am
Does anybody besides me smells a stench of Zelda anywhere near this?
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