How to Reboot Sonic The Hedgehog

With all the rumors of Sonic going in all kinds of different directions, I’m here to propose how I would take the series in the direction of a soft reboot and how I would go about doing so, enjoy!
Twitter: / itsnickforshort
Music:
• Original Song - "A Fig...
• SONIC FORCES COVER - S...
#SonicAdventureRemakes #SonictheHedgehog #SonicReboot

[@bullymaguire1046]

No one talks about Black Knight enough. That is PEAK Sonic story telling

[@ItzMisterBlitzer]

IKR! The way I see it Black Knight was to Sonic's character what 06 did for Shadow, it perfectly encapsulates how sonic is cool, quick, and experienced. It shows how Sonic's rebellious it a way that means he always does what he thinks is the right thing and I. LOVE. THAT.

[@justswift5369]

Black Knight was one of the best Sonic games ever in my opinion, definitely the best one that came to the Wii. Learned from Secret Rings' horrendous mistakes, and toned down the motion controls. Definitely top five for me, but that might be nostalgia talking lol

[@TheShuuman]

Its such a shame that people didn't realize that until years later when it was relatively safe to say so. Imagine a timeline where people recognized at the get go that the story for Black Knight was pretty solid and imagine how things could have gone from there. But nope peeps were still raw after 06 and almost immediately propped up everything negative about the game which drowned it and while I am happy people are starting to recognize what it has done well these days (thus making it much easier on my sanity to explain it) I feel the damage has been done. Its probably going to be a while before we get anything like that again and honestly even if we did it will probably get kicked into the firepit before anybody has a chance to really study it.

[@labronthesuperninjayasin2203]

Literally everyone talks about black knight story because it's the main thing going in the game's favor imo.

[@ItsNickForShort]

Turns out I just talked about it recently 🤣

[@veggsbacon1891]

Funny enough, 06 has a great balance of level design and gameplay styles. The mach speed sections could easily be boost sections instead, for example. Sonic Team should not be afraid of looking at 06 because they are plenty of good ideas.

[@Kaederyn]

Totally agree with everything here. The way the stories and characters have gone is my absolute biggest problem with the franchise right now. I want Shiro Maekawa back so bad.

[@SuperSonicWarrior93]

So do I. And personally, I want someone else to be the head of Sonic Team. One who doesn’t disregard the Adventure fans, like Iizuka does.

[@thelegendaryman5504]

its not as simple as him coming back. there are the mandates. largely the biggest thing responsible for sonic's lackluster storytelling and characterization, completely responsible for assassinating shadow's character post-shadow the hedgehog and really backed sega into a corner.

[@labronthesuperninjayasin2203]

What about gameplay you know the most important thing in a video game?!?

[@thelegendaryman5504]

@@labronthesuperninjayasin2203 the point here isnt about gameplay, as thats its own seperate discussion, but rather the story of sonic games.

[@labronthesuperninjayasin2203]

@@thelegendaryman5504 he said it the biggest problem with the series

[@mcmistle9892]

I just want a good game. It doesn’t have to be Adventure, it could be boost for all I care. I just want a game where I can look at it and say “Wow, they really cared.”

[@spartanwar1185]

Man i just want sonic to not make me feel depressed every time i look at him anymore lmao

[@sepherioth5568]

Funny how back in the day saying “another adventure” was a crazy idea, and now its like “well yeah of course another adventure game” it’s started to become so mainstream, i hope sega notices, or I’m sure they do, but like i hope they care

[@AutZentus]

I wouldn't hold hope on sega revisiting anything from sonic adventure 1 and 2. After they fucked with sonic 06 they're too scared to do anything relating to those games as if they have PTSD over them. We've been telling them we want another adventure style game and they still ignore us. And honestly something tells me that this year will be the death of the sonic series and it will be between sega's lack of care, passion, and interest along with yuji naka and naoto oshima's upcoming balan wonderworld which gives out the same feeling of old sonic team that will kill sonic (except for fan content of course).

[@sepherioth5568]

@@AutZentus Theve been saying that for years, its been nearly two dedcade, if there still scared than thats there bad

[@AutZentus]

@@sepherioth5568 yeah they can't ignore the adventure style forever and if sonic 06 is still the reason they refuse to revisit then they need to just grow some balls and toughen up. The adventure style and even heroes' style has been ignored for far too long.

[@blazefa519]

This is something I definitely agree with. A remake of SA1 and 2 that is successful could lead us to getting an SA3 and putting us on track in terms of 3D Sonic. Of course, I don't want elements like the boost or even the parkour of Lost World to go away, but I feel like those styles are best left towards spinoffs which I think is where they should be experimental with. If there's a gameplay style that's well received there then they could work that into the main games instead of just randomly switching gameplay styles on us, which is in fact what they did with taking the Boost with Rush and making it the main gameplay of Unleashed. One thing in the video to clarify though is that 06 is definitely not a hard reboot. Shadow being a G.U.N. agent is directly taken from Shadow the Hedgehog where in a mission he went through an entrance exam for it and 06 is the proper follow up to that, especially considering his whole character arc in both games. Plus the entire cast being familiar with one another is another thing. A hard reboot would be something like Sonic Boom, where all the characters are still there but they're backstories and sometimes personalities are changed.

[@ItsNickForShort]

Thanks a bunch for the comment! The idea of using the boost for spin off is actually a really good one maybe using another character for the boost if they wanted like Shadow or Blaze! But in interviews with Yuji Naka he calls 06 a hard reboot, apparently to capitalize on the big scope of movies at the time, but either way they probably left the characters dynamics the same cause that’s familiar but would expand later if the game did well.

[@SweaterSwagg]

You should upload more often, dude. You have great content.

[@ItsNickForShort]

Thanks a bunch for the comment! I’m hoping to get a new video out sometime next week!

[@SweaterSwagg]

@@ItsNickForShort Oh you'd better 👊👀 Lol keep it up man

[@vocalcalibration8033]

FINALLY SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT REBOOTING THE FRANCHISE WHOSE KNEEJERK REACTION ISN'T TO JUST AXE ALL OF THE CHARACTERS!! This video is a bresth of fresh air!

[@megaman15ish]

2000s Sonic is my favorite era as well. Long live my boy Jason Griffith

[@GVTheRedStar]

If they do continue to use the boost formula they should replicate it like Sonic Unleashed or Generations. What i liked about it in those games was that it felt so exhilarating and powerful when you went fast especially in unleashed and it felt satisfying when you’d perfect a stage. But in Sonic Colors / Forces this isn’t really captured, it just feels like you’re running fast and that’s it.

[@firestorm2699]

Don't agreee with colors

[@darknightmike10yearsago]

There needs to be higher stakes for boosting, such as falling out of the level if you boost carelessly. The fact that the hardest challenges in Forces were changing rails on time, and fighting the crappy controls (especially in the 2D Sonic levels) is terrible.

[@acethemain7776]

rooftop run where you're running through city streets, literally at the speed of sound

[@cliffordbatteau5824]

"The Saturday morning cartoon vibe doesn't fit Sonic" Me: *looks at the Saturday morning cartoons Sonic had in the 90's* I don't disagree, but some self awareness in that statement would help y'know....

[@noahmations1425]

Sonic has never died for me

[@JuanDiaz-jo1rw]

Damn right.. I just discovered Hyper Sonic in the genesis.

[@retron99]

Yeah. but my faith in sega has.

[@SonicSkillsMUGEN]

One thing I really hope that they bring back is having multiple characters to play with. If they could pull something like an Adventure style "Every character has an individual story", and then have the amazing storytelling of Sonic & The Black Knight, that would be a dream come true.

[@TB_3300]

I agree with a lot of this, however I do really enjoy the boost formula as well, maybe have different games with different styles. Like a classic style that mostly goes off Mania, an adventure style that goes with the others, and a boost style for other games.

[@jennisgurung2760]

The story should be like Unleashed, a nice blend of seriousness and childish humour. Gameplay should be like Sonic 06 because it is fully 3D and out of the 2 adventure games, the levels have multiple paths and are massive.

[@demigodstudios]

Here's a thought, make the boost gameplay into a racing series, just have an excuse why they can all run like Sonic for some reason

[@prestonanderson1719]

When talking about if the boost should stay or not I think you should talk about the whole boost formula in all aspects and not just the 3D games, I really think that Boost Should be Given a 2D Game just like Sonic Rush or Sonic Colours for the DS or Sonic Generations 3DS, I'm sure it wouldn't as much as making a full 3D Boost game and I think that it would show the potential the Boost really has in 2D because in my opinion Boost gameplay in Generation was just restrictive and when you are boosting you can barely control sonic, unless you're using that weird drift that I don't like it's just clunky in my opinion and they should make Another Sonic Rush Style of game but with new graphics and a new art style to give it it's own personality, it would be cool

[@KStarPR]

Boost was born from 2D, and has mainly been 2D. As much as I love seeing Sonic boost in 3D, boost probably should just stay 2.5D with occasional camera angles for spectacle. Though I'd like a game similar to the boost formula in 3D but scaled back to be more like Sonic Riders, but with the characters running on foot. A story based game or a racing game, either would be fine by me, but I'd absolutely love if there were 1-on-1 races between Sonic and his friends/rivals. Imagine a 3D race with Metal Sonic, or Jet using his Extreme Gear to keep up with Sonic on foot. Riders was practically a boost game anyway, play it as Shadow with rollerblades and you have almost exactly what I'm looking for.

[@1234_Flux]

Adventure style gameplay with boost sections in Sonic's levels.

[@baddworld]

It can all be so simple

[@FrankieFrak-Frakityfranker]

@@chaclon1114 I think if the mach speed sections were replaced or fused with the boost gameplay it can alleviate the need to make every level gigantic, and they can save the really huge levels for those specific boost sections.

[@EdgyQueen]

@@chaclon1114 Boost is better because you won't suffer if you accidentally hit an enemy. Boost should be done like Unwiished did

[@Muigio44]

This is exactly what I was thinking. As a fan of both gameplay styles, I think this would be great.

[@hwanniggles187]

@@chaclon1114 why not both. Have some Adventure Style levels and the Mach Speed sections return as the Boost Style. So big levels like 06 especially with the current hardware we have now

[@SonicPAJ]

3:49 Ironically, the actual Saturday Morning Sonic Cartoon (SatAM) had a lot of great writing and ideas in it.

[@blakeleyland6481]

In terms of a soft reboot, I'd like to see characters that were exclusive to the classic era (such as Mighty, Ray, the Hooligans, etc.) and make them a part of the modern era cast. I know there's a lot of fans who have appreciation towards those type of characters, and it's pretty frustrating knowing that SEGA/Sonic Team refuses to bring those characters back into the spotlight. Aside from the classic era characters, Infinite's backstory should be rebooted as well.

[@phoenixford8221]

I agree so much! Seeing other fan made games like Sonic GT or even Sonic Momentum they use other characters from the classics and made them really good into fitting them in the modern cast so cool! I wished to Sega would just take recognition for once knowing what fans want and probably make the series better for old and new tho!😎😄😤🤯

[@qwertyzillaofficial2969]

On one hand, I agree, but on the other, the Archie stans would be even more annoying.

[@core6831]

3:23 I KNEW THAT WAS THE CLIP YOU WERE GONNA USE! Ugh, I hate the new Sonic they've made. I also grew up on the storybook games and series' like Sonic X, even though by the time I got a console Gens was the newest game, I still remember the lets plays and stories of those amazing ones.

[@sonicfreak0722]

This video was just amazing, this perfectly explains why we need to bring back the Adventure formula and also improve the story and the level designs as well.

[@murkymurk]

So glad someone is praising Black knight

[@JuanPablo-su6vw]

Of the game you say represente well Sonic, i would put Sonic riders. That game is more a story when Sonic is more casual than saving the world. It like colors but done well ¿what you think?

[@x-mighty7602]

0:34 me too... I love Sonic and the Black Night. "A knight never flees his foes".

[@Eldarin]

100% agree! The stories and characters are what make this franchise so great! Along with the music ofc

[@trashcanconnoisseur2586]

I’ed want something like adventure gameplay with afew really fast sections like in 06 but with story like archie and sonic during the dark ages and SA2 and for characters to be written good again while not taking itself to serious and having good jokes

[@somerandofromoregon]

I personally feel like Sonic Team should mix both the Adventure style and Boost style of gameplay and level design into the games and perhaps try and go back to the deep and serious storytelling. Maybe even having Takashi Iizuka work on the games again as well as bringing Shiro Maekawa back or some other writer who worked on the games from 2001-2009. That way it can go back to the Adventure games while at the same time sticking with the current game's style too. We'll see what happens this year with it being Sonic's 30th Anniversary and all. Also, we'll see who SEGA finds to replace Roger Craig Smith and Cindy Robinson and to voice Sonic and Amy now. Great video as usual, Nick! I know this is late, but I just watched this last night lol.

[@thundercat9427]

I love the sonic from Sonic unleashed. The opening cutscene of the game is the most epic I've ever seen.

[@lee_hyorin]

cant we talk about the background music?? i’m living for that remix!!

[@kindasomeviews]

i think after Sega puts out a few really good platforming sonic games, then rebooting SA1 and SA2 to do SA3 can work. it's a bit more than what i initially thought about, but to ensure that SA3 is the best it can be, this might be what it takes so they could possibly make the best game in the series, if not and hopefully, it'd still be a great game

[@MLPPixel727]

SA1 and SA2 are so epic! They were revolutionary and their stories still stand as memorable classics.

[@Richforce1]

I don't think Flynn would be the best choice of writer, he's talented but he's also divisive. Not everyone liked some of the changes he made to the Archie comics and many felt he dragged out the Zombot storyline in the IDW books too long. Flynn also made some comments on Twitter that were critical of those who were worried about the current direction of comics in general, granted this never affected his work but he works mainly in comics, I don't think the transition will be smooth. My advice to Sega, if they really want to appeal to a western audience than strange as it is the answer is to make Sonic even more Japanese. Find someone good locally and just trust him or her to do a good job.

[@SmashGamer728]

My ideal idea for a Sonic formula would be a mix like we see in Sonic 06, keep the Adventure style gameplay overall but have segments like the Mach Speed sections but the key difference is using the Boost. Smaller scale spectacles at high speed so that both styles have their chance to shine and not require as much time and money to dedicate an entire game to boosting

[@catcocomics1601]

0:25 ah yes, the BEST Sonic. The Sonic who will pick you up by the hand and tear down a dragon just to see you smile again.

[@shivansh3387]

tbh I used to be a mario fan as a kid but when I became a teen, I noticed that sonic franchise had great story writing, dark moments, stake and great characters which mario franchise could never have and hence, I became sonic fan

[@freyaljones7368]

I want sonic to go Back being shonen like sonic 3 and knuckles and the adventure games

[@TwisterTH]

Dude, this video is pure wholesome. I love it.

[@shawnheatherly9219]

My favorite part about the sonic games and their releases for the most part is that anything you see sonic do whether it's in the trailer or a CGI cutscene you're always able to do exactly what you watched

[@SwampLad1019]

Problem with boost formula these days is you barely have any freedom and very linear (sonic forces level design) Unleashed and generations had the best boost design since you weren’t just going down a linear path, there’s multiple paths you can take to get to the goal faster, a risk and reward type of gameplay, but I do feel like there needs to be a mixture of boost and adventure

[@RobotGlovesArt]

Colors also, though multiple paths aren't for shortcuts but alternate routes that provide similar experience as the other one, like the best Genesis levels.

[@fructuous7242]

I think there needs to be an new gameplay style that compliments both his speed and his slow platforming, like a hybrid between a racer and a 3d platformer.

[@PiggyPooPro]

This is a really well put together video 👏👏 You got a new sub

[@Dmanrizz]

Dude thank you. I’ve been saying this on multiple videos and you articulated it better than I could ever. Just when people think it’s the end of sonic, he will rise 10 fold. (If they go through with this)

[@Made2Express]

Dude, I'm telling you man, after Black Knight, THAT Sonic, went straight to the IDW comics. Even he knew where the franchise was going. Sega replaced the real sonic with the 20 year old happy go lucky baldy mcnosehair sonic.

[@RavenRedcrow]

I'm watching this with what little we know of sonic rangers and I must say, you nailed it with this.

[@SonicRasengan]

It sure would be interesting to see Sonic actually COME BACK after a decade for Sonic 2022!! Hopefully a darker more serious story is told with Sonic 2022!! Also it'll be exciting to see Roger actually voiced in a Sonic game with a non Saturday Morning Cartoon Tone!! I wonder how Roger would sound if he actually got the chance to voice Sonic in his ORIGINAL AND TRUE PERSONALITY!!!

[@shatteredscry]

They’ve made sonic into some children’s special on Vic 😫 he used to have heart and spunk!

[@uzer141]

Thank you for making this video. Early 2000s and late 90s Sonic games/stories were my favorite eras and never missed a beat. You hit the nail when you said that Sonic used to be written like a shounen protagonist.

[@MLPPixel727]

Your video essay is awesome!

[@yourmomlol1476]

your videos are always so good, I can't wait 'til you make it big. keep up the good work

[@elecspark]

What I've always wanted, was to switch the Biolizard and Chaos, keep the backstory, but Biolizard attacks the city setting up for the REAL ultimate lifeform. Chaos is on the Ark, representing LITERAL Chaos control!

[@starrush1818]

Right now, I'm growing up in this Era. The Era where tails is scared and only depends on sonic and everything else. I'm going back and playing the older games and discovering how great Sonic was back then and how cool it was then. Remember Adventure 1 Where tails said at the ending he can't depend on sonic forever? Well sega probably doesn't. With the 30th anniversary soon, hopefully sega realizes what made sonic well, *sonic.* This series means so much to me, and many others, and I hate seeing it going into a terrible turn. This 30th anniversary might be the only hope we can have for sonic.

[@samtheshowman8532]

Dude, honestly I super agree. Sonic needs a change for the better, Sonic Team needs to get there stuff together.

[@kakashivoo]

Someone tell me, why this hasn’t blow up yet this is a amazing video. Keep up the good work you get my sub.

[@doubleR2D2]

How do you only have 60 subs? Loved the vid man

[@ItsNickForShort]

Thanks a lot! I’ve got lots going on but I’m trying to have more video essays up for people to enjoy so I won’t disappear any time soon!

[@LeBasth]

A video ackowledging Black Knight, you got my attention. I loved that game

[@Azinaut]

Amazing video! I hope to see your channel grow!

[@adny02]

How to reboot Sonic The Hedgehog.... Put it BACK in the hands of Yuji Naka!

[@praiseosa-ogunbor3510]

Balan wonder world says hi

[@jalslair1229]

Buddy, I love the way you think!

[@markhiggins4677]

...SEGA needs to watch this. Enough said.

[@mj_player6440]

166 subscribers?! Dude how can you make a video this good and have such low sub count? You deserve more cause you got the characters spot on.

[@ItsNickForShort]

Thank you for the support!

[@CommandPromptGaming]

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. Adventure style weight and control is the way to move forward. And I would go ballistic if they gave up back the optional characters like Shadow or Knuckles with their own unique abilities. Nice video, dude❤️.

[@MLPPixel727]

Your conclusion was so cool!

[@spartanwar1185]

4:51 Ehhh nah i disagree, It feels more like it's just trying to find it's footing 06 was a game that was sheer ambition, they took risks and would've actually landed pretty damn well if it just had more time Also you're completely forgetting one of the strongest points of the boost games, that being the spectacle

[@seasidecolors5277]

I'm late to this video but man I agree with virtually everything said here. A reboot would be interesting even though it's unlikely. Restarting from Adventure sounds cool. I've been neglecting my KZbin channel so I might do a video on this topic. Great video, man!

[@dr.killjoy4161]

I agree with a good 95% of what you say. Definitely NOT having Flynn write for the games; he's actually really NOT a good writer. The only reason, in my opinion, people think he is, is because all we really have to compare him to are Penders and Bollers. Totally on board with retiring boost. Not sure how "dark and serious" I'd want Sonic to be, though. I definitely don't want the zoomer humor "meta" stuff we've been getting, but I wouldn't want a return to early 2000s angst (SA2/06/Shadow). That makes me cringe. I think Unleashed and, to a lesser extent SA1 achieved a really good balance in that regard. At the end of the day ... we all have to consider something though. Like it or not, Sonic is one of those things with many camps in regards to what fans want it to be in tone, narrative and gameplay. Even if Sega does get their shit together and do a proper reboot (let's not hold our breath), it's not going to please everyone nor please anyone 100%. And it couldn't. The definition of a successful compromise is a situation where nobody is 100% happy lol.

[@ItsNickForShort]

Definitely won’t please everyone and I personally enjoy Flynn mostly for the IDW line and his later years in Archie managing to pull that series out of a serious rut. I agree that shadow is too dark and 06 needy more levity but in my opinion Unleashed nailed the more, not dark but, mature themes of the adventure and 06 era and lighthearted whimsy of sonic and that’s a perfect tone I think just with adventure gameplay and no werehog padding. Thanks a punch for the comment!

[@thepigvillage1197]

Honestly, from how I see it, Colors and onward seem like the kind of things that a well-written Sonic the Hedgehog would dream up. It would be really cool if we find out Sonic had been captured as a part of Eggman’s newest evil plan and Sonic had been dreaming all those games and his friends have to come save him. Maybe a better-written Infinite could be a secondary antagonist or an antihero in this game I’m proposing!

[@DarkDyllon]

My main issue with the "newer" games of Sonic is that gameplay wise it's just "press button to go fast" but then force you to go slow in certain sections (i don't mind 2D sections mind you) Sonic Adventure (which is my favorite era) had fast gameplay but you could go faster and slower depending on your skill level, you wanted to go fast? you could go fast, you need to go slower since you don't know the level? go slower, nothing is stopping you. Classic Sonic is just that, a nice 2D platforming (not Sonic 4, that wasn't "classic") Classic Sonic doesn't need to have a good story. story though, they started to cater to the children way more than in the DC era, they wanted to carry over the cocky attitute that Sonic displayed in Sonic 1-3 and Sonic CD and they did it perfectly in Adventure, the 1st scene you see Sonic in is him fucking hopping over buildings while seeing an police chase, he's cocky but deserved. Then meets Chaos and challenges him without a 2nd thought (Cocky nature) In Sonic Adventure 2 he's also cocky, same for most other Sonic games, but when it goes from cocky into childish, it's not a fun transition, he went from taunting Eggman at every turn into just throwing bad insults at him.

[@AlexAlex-er5ek]

I'm happy to have seen this video of yours. I too have long thought that Sonic needs to be rebooted. I have my own ideas about this reboot. These are some: Making Mobius the home planet of Sonic and his friends. Changing Shadow's age to eighteen. Having Blaze as a princess (I say this because in games she is sometimes referred to as princess and other times as queen). Taking some elements from other Sonic the Hedgehog sources, like the Freedom Fighters from the Archie comics and Sonic who was raised by Longclaw in his early life as in the live action movies (keep in mind that I've only seen the first Sonic movies). Having Sonic and his friends go to school (keep in mind that they are mostly teenagers around fifteen/sixteen). Rewriting the character of Dr. Eggman from scratch except for having a grandfather he always looked up to.

[@theonewhosellspeace]

Damnnn this is an absolutely amazing video, I agree with everything you've said and you clearly put so much effort into this! Let's hope Sega listens to the true fans like us and saves the franchise

[@jpc-273]

How to reboot Sonic the Hedgehog: Canonize the universes of SatAM, Archie (Pre-Reboot), Fleetway, Underground and Sonic X. So we would have games with different stories, with a different Sonic in each universe. #Rally4Sally #SaveCosmo

[@Razur1]

Sonic 06 was a rushed adventure 3 I believe if they actually developed it, it would've been a masterpiece

[@HerooftheWild]

You speak the truth but people are blind to it

[@MLPPixel727]

You shared some great points.

[@ChannelIsntGonnaPostAnymore]

Here is my way to remastering sonic: “Add modern sonic and other sonic characters that are very high quality Add remastered fresh and amazing levels of games from the past including the present Making the controls amazing and controlling well unlike sonic 4 And finally Adding soundtrack, concept art, beta screenshots/footage, cancelled games, and history “ And that is how you make the ultimate remastered Sonic game

[@Gianluca_YouTube]

Tbh, the only reason why I like the boost over adventure games is the speed. The boost effects let me feel that I'm going at sonic speed. With the bang at the start, hearing the wind and the effects around sonic while boosting, it feels so GREAT. In generations, it literally looks like I'm a comet with the stardust particles behind him, and I'm just flying over the ground. I would love an adventure, momentum-based game but plz, if I'm going at top speed, I want that feeling of going fast with sonic speed. The adventure games never gave me that feeling. Having the choice to go slow and explore and going super fast from A to B would be amazing.

[@ItsNickForShort]

I’ve actually talked to a couple of my friends about that speed factor too cause I also love that top speed in boost but I think it’d be really cool if you had an adventure formula with momentum and parkour but your top speed could reach boost levels I think that’d be sick!

[@RobotGlovesArt]

Adventure 1 had a different level design philosophy than the other Adventure games, where the latter became less open. But even then, the Adventure games' level designs were open through finding well hidden shortcuts or items. Yet it was a good start at experimenting with more open level design, especially with beta Windy Valley. Generations and Colors had open level design (the latter more present in its 2D sections) where you can choose multiple pathways that are in clear site, to make each playthrough feel different, with Generations' Seaside Hill being one of the most open in Sonic 3D platforming. Also the problem with long levels also applies, maybe even moreso, to the later Adventure era games, as it takes around 7 or 8 minutes to finish, and most of the level designs are much more linear with speed sections that while automated are around the same speed as the boost. And usually they feel longer due to some repeated sections or gimmicks, like the two cart sections in a Mystic Mansion. Boost is pretty much a dash panel you can carry. Generations and Unleashed feels faster than the previous games, mostly because the level design are designed to keep the fast pace. I'd argue that between Heroes and Unleashed, there was even more of a padding problem, since even if the gameplay is fun, the level design in the alternate gameplays were less designed around platforming and more on combat or finding the switches. Especially combat if it results in relaying on a repetitive action like the homing attack. It might not be a problem to some, but I just think a more platformer focused direction in level design offers more and is more willing to experiment and grow the gameplay. If future Sonic games are going to go back to a full 3D adventure, I think Generations' 3D areas are a better model. Boost platforming helps with the size problem as their slower platforming (disregarding Forces) at least compensate with multiple paths, a good alternative to large level designs. I think what what needs to be changed with the Boost gameplay is the moveset. In 3D platforming, Sonic is limited to jump and slide since the boost is too risky to use outside of 2D sections, or 3D hallways. Bringing back the Adventure moveset would complement the platforming better. If you combine P-06 gameplay, including improvements it made to the characters, with the best of Unleashed, Colors and Generations' level design and speed, you'd have a pretty good 3D Sonic game at hand.

[@Medroizz]

This was so convincing, I was so shocked when he said to give up the boost since it gave such a great sense of speed and enjoyment, but I found myself enjoying the smaller, less speedy designs from the classic acts, where your main move was the spin dash and I guess more platform-y finish to it's level design. However I do find the levels from modern acts much more fun interms of replayability and can have you engaged for hours while you try to get the lowest time with the most shortcuts. If you find this a bit messy, bare with me.

[@MLPPixel727]

The Sonic eras I like the most are the classic days to Sonic Heroes. The Archie comics, Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic X were major to me.

[@thegamingwolfkingofthemult37]

So... Adventure philosophy, Unleashed Opening levels of animation, and Black Knight story telling are the key words in creating The PERFECT Sonic game.

[@risso2309]

What Sonic needs is a HARD reboot. The lore and continuity is all over the place, and the details on how the world works are almost completely absent. The easy fix is to ditch the old continuity and adapt SatAM/pre-reboot Archie and go from there. The games are fine, but they have a lot of flaws in terms of writing, such as not giving real backgrounds for the characters, including Sonic, with the exception being Shadow. We know how they are, but we don't know WHY, and that's fundamental to understanding a character. Personality is good, but we also need to know how that personality formed, you at say, 10, would be very different when you're 20. As for writers, I agree that Maekawa needs to come back, but he NEEDS to give these details. I wouldn't be opposed to someone new if they're good and experienced. But no, Flynn should NOT write for the games after what he did to Archie. He killed off everything the fans of the comic loved, (and, no, it had nothing to do with the lawsuit, he started doing this waaaay before then,) and caused the longest running comic based on a video game to die. And if that didn't sway you, he was the one who wrote the first draft of Forces script, and it was so bad PONTAFF AND GRAFF had to fix it. In terms of gameplay, a friend of mine proposed a good way to fix it, make it a reward for building up speed and not getting hit while doing it, you could also make it so enemies can hurt you while you boost so the level isn't one big straight line and the enemies in your way actually matter. The "wacky" level design....yeah no, that needs to go, Adventure 1 and 2's levels were still somewhat grounded in terms of aesthetics and it should stay that way, I'm not saying there can't be surreal levels, but they need to be a both tied to the plot and unique, instead of being there just because. I'd advise you look at the games' writing more objectively, because while not bad they still do leave a lot to be desired at times and have their own flaws, even the good ones.

[@flamingoodness4923]

I’m pretty sure literally everyone can agree this is the obvious route to go to make sonic actually good again but permanently, but it’s a matter of how much sega and sonic team actually care. We can act like these guys are super passionate about sonic and making it a phenomenal series but the long and short of it is these are just business men looking to make money off a product while keeping expenses low. Sonic colors proved they can aim low and make a good enough amount of money without going above and beyond, and from there we just saw the bar constantly lower with lost world, sonic 4, and forces. The honest truth is there isn’t passion from the developers, since aside from izuka, practically all of them don’t even work at sonic team anymore, or it’s just old suits at sega. Yeah sure, we might get that good game here and there, and there are some genuinely passionate workers SOMEWHERE in the sega branch like Aaron Webber, but that’s not enough to make this series something truly special again. Why do you think mania was such a good game? It was made by fans, meanwhile sonic team themselves just did the least amount of work as possible with forces and acted like it was a best seller when everyone hated it. That’s what it means to be a sonic fan at this point, and it sucks

[@domebreakerpodcast1387]

I totally thought 06 was a sequel. You sure its a full reboot? After Shadow the hedgehog, it makes sense he joins GUN.

[@SLGayming]

I completely agree with the fact that Sonic needs some kind of refresh or something similar. I also aggre that an adventure 1 remake could be that (also childhood nostalgia speaking but the point still stands)

[@starfalchion4404]

Great video. Agree with nearly everything in here. One thing I want to also bring up is the terrible stories and bad characterization wastes the talent of the current voice cast. I know the actors in Sonic games right now are talented because of the work they’ve done for other series I’m into, but they are given nothing to work with. Roger Craig Smith, in his 10 year run as the character, has hardly been able to portray the character of Sonic the Hedgehog. And people blame him for this. I don’t think that’s fair. I want these current actors to be able to prove themselves to fans. Kirk Thornton I feel is a good example of the potential. People say he did pretty good in Forces. Why? Because he got to portray a characterization closer to the Shadow we all know and love. Yes he still has that infamous Infinite scene in his story, but Shadow in Forces wasn’t being a condescending Vegeta rip-off like he’s been portrayed as since 2010 throughout the game. When Sonic and Shadow talked in Forces, it wasn’t petty rivalry like in Free Riders and Team Sonic Racing. There was a sense of mutual respect between the two. However, that is the only compliment I will ever the writing of Forces. So, please SEGA. Bring in some good writers that understand these characters. Not just for the sake of having engaging stories and likable characters again, but also so you don’t waste the talent that you have in your hands. I know this is sort of a hot take since people really don’t like the new voice cast and are always clambering for people like Jason Griffith to come back, but I genuinely want to see Roger voice a well written Sonic. He’s proven that he can voice well with good writing because of Sonic Boom. People say that’s because he fits Boom Sonic more. Yes, that may be true, but I’d like to say it’s because the dialogue is more natural.

[@SeleDreams]

I couldn't not cringe for years when watching the cutscenes of new sonic games which is a problem as before this was my favorite moments to learn more about characters

[@redhood7778]

"So many alternate paths." You do know you can in Sonic Generations

[@Matzu-Music]

YEET THE BOOST

[@OmegaChase1002]

No. The last thing Sonic needs is yet another reboot. All Sonic needs is a game dev team that stops throwing ideas out the window the first time the tiniest thing goes wrong and actually acknowledges past working game mechanics and plot elements (and I'm not talking about rehashing classic sonic for the billionth time.)

[@phoenixford8221]

I agree so much! Seeing other fan made games like Sonic GT or even Sonic Momentum they use other characters from the classics and made them really good into fitting them in the modern cast so cool! I wished to Sega would just take recognition for once knowing what fans want and probably make the series better for old and new tho!😎😄😤🤯

[@keirjarvie6998]

Seems like everyone seems to be under the assumption that the potential Adventure remakes might act as a Soft reboot of the series. I’d love to see that. I even pitched a version of Sonic Adventure 3 that combines story elements from Heroes, Shadow and 06. Shadow was revealed to have survived the fall to Earth, Team Sonic are on an adventure to stop Eggman, The Black Aliens are invading alongside Eggman and Team Dark are trying to purse their leader, Black Doom, for answers on Shadow’s past and Silver has came from a future where the Black Arms have fully taken over and Amy Rose assists Silver on his mission.

[@red-fy8si]

I'm so happy somones acknowledged black knights brilliance by far my favorite sonic game I wish for the love of me black knight would get a remake as the start of a new and fresh story book series seeing as the last one failed so they'd have to start that series over so people would be familiar with it again

[@yoavssj5893]

As someone who also grew up with the “dark age” I agree with everything in this video. Great job my friend

[@MLPPixel727]

I agree that Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic and the Black Knight and Sonic Unleashed did well.

[@dylanayup34]

Well, That doesn’t mean we have to get rid of the boost formula all together, Sega could easily make a continuation of the Sonic Rush games.

[@LilflipGaming]

Hey nice content nice to know I'm not the only one to like sonic anymore

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

I hope we see characters from the Satam in this Reboot

[@theidwsonicfan2018]

Nick: what era of Sonic did you love. Me: the games and the idw Comics I love them both even also the Sonic character and all the other characters too

[@jhollo]

I agree the adventure-style levels need to be brought back, but something needs to happen to the controls. I remember BlazeHedgehog bringing this up in his own video. One of the main difficulties with 3D Sonic is how he handles speed; Adventures 1 and 2 have a slower speed and faster thumb-stick response, but Heroes has a faster speed and slower response. It makes sense because slight movements at a fast speed tend to be amplified. My fix for this would be to have the right trigger act like a gas pedal, giving Sonic a small boost at first and letting him build speed up over time. With the 'gas' down, you don't need to worry about pushing forward and can control going left and right easier, that way we can still do precision platforming and have sections like the mach speed parts from 06. He wouldn't be able to be invincible here though, so a new way to attack enemies without losing speed would need to be thought of.

[@justswift5369]

I think that the boost is too fun of a formula to completely retire, but I also would love to see adventure-style gameplay. They could do that same boost padding that you mentioned, but with adventure-style gameplay for different characters. They could also do it for just Sonic as well, splitting up the game into Sonic blitzing through levels at breakneck speeds when he needs to, and jogging and exploring at other times. Stages that replace the "mach speed" concept with the boost formula would be amazing.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

It's been recently confirmed That Rodger Craig Smith is stepping down From the role of Sonic