Five Reasons We're Going Fanboy Crazy for Sonic Generations

Sonic Generations is just a few short weeks away. And while we want to talk all about it, we figure it's probably best for you to experience it yourself. So we boiled down the preview to the few key things that really stuck out; the features that melted the huge layer of ice around our Genesis kid hearts, long since frozen by games like Sonic and the Black Knight. This is why we're excited Sonic is back (again).

There are no Big the Cat fishing minigames Sonic Generations. Knuckles the Echidna will not be rapping about shiny collectible rocks. Gone is the inexplicably banal hub world that merged anthropomorphic neon animals and human morning commuters. But that's not to say that the Sonic Adventures era will be totally forgotten in Generations. No, SEGA opted instead to focus on the really memorable parts of Adventures, namely trucks and killer whales. But more on that truck later.

As for the dock-shredding, hedgehog devouring killer whale from Sonic Adventure, well, it seems age has made him more of a passive, docile comrade these days rather than a murderous psychopath. We bounced around the beautifully revamped Seaside Hill stage with the ferocity of a perfectly planned pinball game, with Sonic looking and feeling better than he ever has in 3D. That is, until the inevitable moment of dread in a Sonic game occurred – we took what seemed to be a wrong turn and suddenly careened towards doom. It was then that the orca whale leapt up out of the sea to swallow us whole, only to…gently bounce us back in to the safety of the stage with the tip of his nose? What the hell, SEGA! He's supposed to be a killer whale? But hey, as long as we're still alive then no complaints here.

Orcas, Trucks, and Hedgehogs

Let's be honest, both Sonic Adventure games peaked on their very first levels, but those levels stick out as iconic stages in the hedgehog's history. So it's awesome to see City Escape return, only on a much grander scale. Modern Sonic shreds down the streets of San Francisco on a makeshift shrapnel snowboard. It all feels very familiar, but as Sonic busts tricks and grinds on telephone wires, it becomes much more epic. And that's before a giant malicious mack truck starts chasing you up the side of a building.

The level shows off a sense of humor and over the top action we haven't seen from a Sonic game in a long time. It's an awesome WTF moment that we're hoping is just a small glimpse into the tone of the game's story.



SEGA has spared no expense in regards to Sonic Generation's retro presentation, down to nearly every detail. In fact, the brilliantly presented main hub world almost manages to play like a side scrolling stage itself, with Sonic platforming all around stage and boss fight entrances via platforms and spring boards scattered about. The hub is also the place where you'll be swapping from classic to modern Sonic (and back) and you'll watch the mostly white environment around you quickly become populated by tons of interactive imagery as you progress through the game and unlock new areas.

We managed to sneak a bit further past where the demo's boundaries allowed and caught a quick glimpse of some very awesome secrets that old school Sonic fans are sure to go crazy for, but we're bound by silence to not mention them, even if we've seen them with our own eyes. Looks like you'll just have to wait a few more weeks. But trust us, you won't spend those weeks worrying.

Modern Era Trailer

Remember the cheesy, but fun pop rock song from City Escape? Stop lying, it's on your iPod. So, of course that song is in the City Escape level for Modern Sonic, as he shreds down hills and jumps over cablecars. But what about when you switch to old school Sonic? The song gets a low-fi remix for the Classic Sonic level that embodies the feel of the Genesis era. The easiest way to describe it is an Owl City cover of the song, except cool and not garbage like Owl City. Likewise the 16-bit levels get grander, orchestrated rocking versions of their songs for the Modern versions. Recognizable tunes like Chemical Plant are awesome in their modern renditions.



In all of video game history there is one sound effect that stands out more to Sonic fans than any other. More than the sound of Mario getting a mushroom. More than any level up noise in any RPG. It's the sound of Sonic getting a desperate breath of air from an underwater bubble as the panic alarm counts down to zero.


It's cathartic, it's iconic, and it's in the game.

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So are you excited yet? If not, read the article again.

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