More Sunset Heights updates - Sonic Forces Re-imagined

[@saminallcaps6982]

The bomber and rails sections in particular add so much to the stage, and it finally feels like the level is a proper length! Can't wait to see what else gets added to this project as a whole, fantastic work!

[@Izhen_UwU]

1:31 The First auto-running,plane-dodging section looks ALOT like the Ginormica Levels in Monster Vs Aliens The Game!

[@tylersubscriber3741]

The mam himself said fantastic work.

[@ianrennebohm8294]

I really like how the bomber section introduces them alone and in an action set piece to show the player how they work, then surprises them on the rails. That's very well done level design. Well done.

[@zainahmed4172]

*level design buddy

[@zainahmed4172]

But you ar web right I am very happy for this

[@ctpp64]

I feel like it goes on for a little too long considering how simple it is, but otherwise I agree

[@LateNightHalo]

It really says something about fan creativity that-with limited mod tools, limited resources and a relatively inflexible level design-they were still able to creatively expand on and improve the initial levels of this game. There’s not much you can do to save the dull “hallway” design of Sunset Heights but everything after the new Bomber sequence was just excellent!

[@Derrakuzu]

holy shit, this looks absolutely STUNNING. this is what we needed in forces. literally. thank you man.

[@AYTM1200]

Projects like this are the reason I'm still a fan of this franchise.

[@nisaiahcampbell8390]

Me too

[@Doodle1678]

At this point the fans make better games than Sega I mean look at Sonic Mania

[@C_Yo]

@@Doodle1678 I want a 3D Sonic fan game developer to get the Mania treatment so badly

[@notredboi]

@@Doodle1678 Remember that Sega has other franchises along Sonic like the Yakuza series

[@xnortheast1106]

@@notredboi Yakuza is dead

[@kaio-k5781]

This redesign is way more than just some extra platforms in the sky, this is amazing

[@BRoboto1]

Awesome expansions like these are what make Sonic Forces so impossible to defend in the state Sonic Team left it in. Not because it's bad & irredeemable, but because it could have been better and SHOULD have been better. my nerdy rambling aside; your work is excellent.

[@kevin_kevinson]

Could have been a sick title with multiple characters and everything. Charmy with customizable boots!

[@creativeguy1martinez693]

Forces could’ve been the Infinity War for Sonic, having multiple story arcs, playable characters, etc. It’s a damn shame that the product didn’t capitalize on that potential when the teaser came out

[@SoniaSpectrum]

I still love Forces though it wasn't that great

[@jerooski]

It’s what angers me. Something like 06 is just bugged and the kiss is a little too much but you can tell Sonic Team put their hearts into it. Forces just feels a little unfinished and sometimes mediocre.

[@apothisiii5549]

@@jerooski thats the frustrating thing its so absolutely meh throughout, its not terrible, but its not great either. I unironically enjoyed lost world's level design more, at least it felt like a game.

[@reapeashooter2]

I think you make the best "improved levels" mod out of all of them to be honest. A lot of modders tend to use the base level design and add walls for you to jump platforms over, which will make the level take longer to beat, but via a way that breaks the flow of the game. You on the other hand expand the levels and make it so that the new level design fits well with the Boost formula!

[@mythosinfinite6736]

Aside from the occasional pop-in errors, this is a complete glow-up. 66% of this stage is entirely new modded content. And they actually utilized the unnecessarily complex background geometry! Genuinely really impressed at what this project has accomplished here.

[@CharlieCreedonWells]

I was expecting this to end after the 2D section like many other mods I've seen, but then it just kept going and adding new features. Great work!

[@SuperUnknownPerson]

i bet you sonic 2022 will finally bring us back over 4 mins long levels instead of the short 1 min levels we got. great work!

[@terrencekworld]

Wait. Isn't sonic 2022 rumored to be an open world game

[@123shish]

@@terrencekworld yes but some leaks say that we will have to get chaos emerals and that to get them we will need to do special stages with generation/unleashed level design

[@ctpp64]

probably will, considering how strongly sonic team reacts to fan criticism. tho only time will tell if other problems won't occur

[@MarioYoshi4723]

Judging by Colors Ultimate’s release. Yeah, it’s gonna suck

[@SuperUnknownPerson]

@@MarioYoshi4723 we shall see

[@Sovic91]

Man, I'm just blown away. This shows some incredible ideas and their implementation is just as good. You're a very talented level designer and I wish you the best of luck at this year's SHC.

[@RobotnikUnit]

This level feels very similar to stages like Sonic Unleashed for Wii, good stuff

[@kirayoshikage_handenjoyer]

And Eggmanland in PS3

[@comicfan1324]

I have a soft spot for Sunset heights but this is definitely an improvement. Keep up the good work!

[@cadetw1376]

i love sunset heights, but it's so short i can no longer have any fun with it. Pretty unfortunate, if only it was bigger and better designed it could've been one of the best Sonic levels

[@ratherradicaldan]

I've never been so excited to see barbed wire on a grind rail. my dude...THANK YOU for using a hazard that suits the stage instead of just plopping down generic spikes

[@HardDanX]

This is unbelievable. Never thought that somebody would add THAT much to the level. Yeah, I see roughness by used assets of the level, but the level design is similar to Sonic Unleashed which had the best level design for boost gameplay. Keeping it up and Sunset Heights will be great as it should.

[@DangerousArmyGuy]

Totally agree. Unleashed should have been used as the main basis for Boost levels instead of constantly being based off only Colors all the time.

[@thebombingsoda]

A stage that looks fun and engaging, you can tell it’s a forces mod

[@inkchariot6147]

Wow, a level with actual branching paths.

[@raptorzeraora2632]

The boost still sucks tho, but the stage was improved atleast

[@Signerdragon123]

@@raptorzeraora2632 Now if only we can get the Drift back in.

[@imperialny2739]

@@Signerdragon123 And the life system... if we can.

[@OctyDrawz]

Oh. My God. This gives me so much inspiration for my future stage, this is AMAZING!

[@misterpocho4628]

Imagine

[@chillycoldchomper9389]

@@misterpocho4628 ok I will

[@yetanotherhankhill1032]

I really like how instead of the traditional spinning spikes on the rails, they're instead wrapped eith barbed wire

[@IncrediblyUnfunny]

It's been a while since I've checked in on this project, and holy shit this is amazing. One of my biggest gripes with vanilla Forces is that you'd have all these amazing looking environments in the background but they'd never get incorperated into the level design, and it's really nice to see that getting rectified.

[@hotchocolate8008]

Okay, this is amazing! I thought it'd be generic hazard placement but this is insane! I love how the segments give a sense of sonic's speed as the camera zooms out to show his placement. The only gripe I have is mostly the rail grinding segment. It's a little too long, and it'd be awesome if there were mini platforms that sonic could interact with to kinda cut up that long rail grinding portion. This honestly reignited my excitement for this game, can't wait to see more!

[@xoriatis7146]

Spectacular. It's crazy that fans have a stronger desire to work on Sonic than Sonic Team itself.

[@conductorjbutters7457]

This, this looks so good. Thank you Brandon for repairing sonic forces stage by stage. You are truly a legend. If I have one criticism, I think that the bomber birds could be used for more challenges. They’re so godamn underrated and I think they should get some more justice, Maybe you could do the Freight frenzy thing where they come from the sides instead of the front. Overall, this looks extremely good.

[@amo500]

Man from the moment I saw that checkpoint at the end of the 2D section I knew this mod would be like no other I’ve seen for Sunset Heights. You made Forces look fun and the level a good length. You should be very proud of this, seriously well done.👍🏻

[@icyyyy7350]

There's only so much you can do with background elements but holy shit this somehow works despite everything and it's honestly kinda surreal to see.

[@hankunis2051]

You know what would make the stage better? Having shadow run above the city at high speed before standing with you fave to face at the end.

[@ModBros8434]

This is pretty great, it has quite a lot of depth. Judging by footage alone, I wouldn’t say it’s quite Sega Hire This Man™️ material, but it’s pretty close.

[@TheHedgehogest]

this got my attention,i really loved those extended area ideias and level layout,and that rail section that goes around the DER,geez,amazing

[@addambleu654]

When I saw all the pathways and the setpieces, I knew this was a REAL Sonic level. Amazing job

[@Eichro]

Wtf, this looks actually appealing! Never thought somebody would actually EXTEND the stages instead of just adding obstacles.

[@heehomgee4671]

I've always been a fan of Sunset Heights and was massively disappointed when they only turned it into 2 levels... Glad to see that it's spirit will at least live on here!

[@freezeblast4563]

This makes me want to actually play forces. I can’t believe those words are coming out of my mouth. Just by having good level design makes sonic forces a completely better experience

[@seanimo8579]

This actually feels complete! The new 3d section makes you feel like you're exploring an actual city rather than just traveling in a straight line! Great work again Brandon!

[@brinst_ar]

Well this is a nice expansion, the level finally has a good length and the additions don't feel out of place either, the section on rails looks a bit weird but i can't tell what is it. Also looks fun to play

[@solidusgadget]

Rails section looks empty, it lacks details and environment.

[@kholdkhaos64ray11]

This is the first Forces level mod I've seen that I think is genuinely really well constructed for the limitations of the game. Decent length, nice alternative pathways, some reasonably creative sections, and even good to parts of the stage that are normally out of bounds for Sonic to boot. I'd give it a 👍 If I get a PC version, I'll definitely mod this is. Looks like some nice, replayable fun

[@melon6444]

Everyone is talking about the level design being better, and while that's 100% true, I'd like to acknowledge that this fits the tone of what's happening in the plot better to. This gives off a higher sense of urgency to it with it's consistent flow and movement, as well as stronger feeling of Eggman's control and power, with the bombing segments in particular reminding me of Sonic 3's Angel Island Act 2, which has a very similar segment near the end in which Sonic has to run from an airship bombing the jungle. There's just so much soul crammed into this.

[@AYTM1200]

Wow, that's so true.

[@VirtuousAezon]

This is really cool! Hopefully you can manage to maybe make the rail sequence a bit more interesting by maybe adding the flying laser guys?

[@justryan6480]

Other modders: Adds spikes, a lot of spikes, and randomly jumpy things. This guy: Adds a whole stage to the stage. Well done bro, really! Keep it up!

[@loziclec.1295]

I love that the level still seems to accommodate the kind of players Sonic Team was trying to reach, even as the level gets expanded. I also really like the quick-step section with the bombers and how it gets a short encore on the grind-rails.

[@ThibautMahringer]

In most levels of Sonic Forces I thought "The stage is already finished ? But it's only the beginning !" and you guys are basically fixing that. You're all awesome !

[@Kaplykos]

2:57 my man really be trying to make up for the lack of drifting

[@mastertjt56]

This is how should've been, this level alone was amazing. It shows how dangerous of a state their world is in. I love how you added more scenery, can't wait for more man so keep up the great work

[@shindu4150]

Nobody would've hated the game if all the levels were something like this This is how you make a fun stage , not running in a straight line for 1 minute

[@silverus3617]

wow, a "forces improved" mod that doesn't end up making the level design worse!

[@CurryTheBunVT]

Wow, that's amazing, I'm glad you made this. It surely takes a lot of willpower and determination to make it this far into a mod-ing project like this. Now the stage has a lot more variety and player implemented choices. Which basically changes the level design to be something more like Sonic Colors in terms of level design. Awesome work, Keep doin' what you're doin'!

[@nviox5720]

I like how sections are differentiated to break up the pace it's really well structured

[@JuanCAvi94]

This is amazing. The level design and alternate path are top tier. Very well done.

[@Mathiasxd148-]

Man, seeing this totally improves the game, it literally changes completely, the duration of the level reminds me more of Unleashed!!!

[@debopoporhypersaiyanidc6718]

Wow, Sega needs to make a Sonic the hedgehog maker. Let the fans make games in either the classic, Dreamcast, or modern era

[@lootria]

I love that it was full 2 minutes longer than i expected it to be, honestly every level *shouldve* been this length to begin with Edit: i am actually impressed at how many alternate routes there are and how many is possible with this game, and how little they actually did, wow. Although i will say that the railgrinding section looks very bland as of now, but still way better than original level, jesus christ

[@EdgyQueen]

2:30 Now those lines makes sense

[@Sharff514]

Incredibly designed. This is a real sonic game right here. Even the dialogue lines up with whats happening on screen. Like damn.

[@MartanisIV]

Holy moly, that was SO COOL! Well freakin' done!

[@medicindisquise4271]

Wow... this is a LOT more expansive now! My only complaint is just the few bugs and some of the terrain can feel a bit empty, but that's obviously stuff you're still working. The rail grinding section is so nice and has a lot of alternate paths to go through, it's rather crazy!!

[@relves.editss]

The stage takes more than 3 minutes so it’s already better, also the design is so good with that section with the bombers, and all those other shortcuts, you should be hired as a level designer

[@blackdot105]

WOW!! That was, like, an actual level. Amazing.

[@Hypershadic23]

I can't believe how much u managed to add to this stage, it's looking awesome so far. If only they gave Sonic more moves and animations. I could totally see him doing that sorta drift/turn thing he did in Secret rings around corners and shit if you know what I'm talking about.

[@mann-nova9392]

Feels like an actual Sonic level now! Love that you used the unused walljump mechanic too.

[@austinreavis4226]

WOW! This is literally an expanded version of Sunset Heights and I'm loving it!

[@Bulbasquirtle]

I love how you actually go into the city, gives me sa2 vibes. Good job!

[@amiiinafedora2318]

WOW I was surprised. And the best thing about this was the fact that when the level finally ended(after 2 minutes no less) it ended where the cutscene should have began. Interesting. O course, some times the background can feel bland, like it needs more stuff in the background but otherwise, this was the best re-imagining I saw. Not a video trying to "fix" Forces stage levels, but to extend them, and improve, because the original was far from perfect. Kudos man, kudos.

[@theextremeanimator4721]

The background is still barebones, i know But the level's layout should be the one to be prioritized on

[@amiiinafedora2318]

@@theextremeanimator4721 I get that. This is still a WIP so you can prioritize design later. The level looks enjoyable and I liked how good the mini level cutscenes looked. Can't wait some more updates.

[@phantomblue2798]

Sonic community creators are just amazing!

[@laudj_art]

This is literally what everyone expected in 2017

[@ajbanimatedstudios5014]

Can't believe there is this much stage left out of bounds.... Unless this is all fan made then, amazing work y'all!

[@StanleySophana]

Now that’s what I call a level. Wish Sonic Forces had longer levels like this

[@nematodes23]

This is awesome! Everything flows together so smoothly If possible, for the skydiving section, could you make hazards be the Death Egg Robots extending their arms attempting to break buildings?

[@Temzy]

Thank you so much for this, amazing work🙏🏿

[@hola-gy8te]

The expansion really shows how short the actual level is. And finally thank fucking god this mod isn’t one of those “better” sonic forces mod that just adds 2 random spikes to the level. Also a suggestion that on the skydiving section at the end add some obstacles like missiles and such.

[@UnlovedZetsu]

Maybe shorten the Rail a bit at 2:35. That's what's causing Sonic to clip through the map lol

[@THENAMEISMEGAMAN]

I was hoping to see the stage combined with Park Avenue like in the beta, but that bomber section just felt so natural!

[@JustJohn43]

This is epic. The stage feels and lasts how I should expect!

[@isaacfields7923]

Man this looks like a game I’d wanna play… …Is something I never thought I’d say about Sonic Forces…

[@amirgarcia547]

I never thought I’d say that about Sonic ‘06 until I played Project ‘06 lol.

[@skycreeper0173]

This is looking very exciting so far!

[@GustavoSuperSonic2001]

This is passion, this is love, this all I wanted from Sunset Hights

[@Vantoxify]

WTF THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN FORCES MAIN GAME LEVEL DESIGN

[@StarNiGHT_W1zard]

Dude my mouth just dropped when I see him wall jump and rain grind a lot

[@jokesplays4059]

Literally working on a Video essay on how to improve Forces (at least level wise) and I see this and it’s pretty much how I imagined it. amazing work!

[@arivivith4375]

I love this idea. It just needs a bit more work and this would be the perfect stage

[@Switchell2]

My only criticism is the rail grind section towards the end seems to last too long with not much happening, but otherwise the level design here is a stellar improvement!

[@segafan1316]

Good fucking lord my guy. This is so fucking good it gives me chills. I can't wait to see this completed and polished

[@SuperSaiyanSonicYT]

Yooo this is coming along very nicely! 👌🏻

[@Temzy]

You 👁️

[@umcoelhocolorido5260]

i love this so much! the only complaint i have is that the camera turns too fast to see the badniks in 1:29 Edit: here's other strange camera angles i found: 0:39 2:33 2:39 2:55

[@SoarPro]

Amazing mod! Definitely wanted to try this out. Good way to explore the paths of this level!

[@Moister356]

I literally forgot Forces exist, this looks great

[@purrfectisepic]

This is so cool, 1 minute in I was confused why it wasn't over cuz it's normally like that lol

[@leanhung7214]

First few minutes: Nah this just like every other “Re-imagined” mods 1:21 : HOLY SHIT THERE’S REAL 3D SECTIONS AND PLANES BOMBING THE CITY

[@firsencounterassault]

THIS IS A BOMB!!!!

[@Ausholliday15]

This looks really fun now. Though that last segment of the talks could use a bit more refinement, overall great

[@RogueInfern0]

Major improvement since the last showcase! Keep up the good work!

[@anothergamer112]

I once thought Forces was too fundamentally flawed to be salvaged with mods. You just made me take that back.

[@charlescastillo9018]

The level design felt so much like unleashed its spine chilling

[@Muito_Nice]

Maybe you could put more meteoros in the scenario, maybe some of them could damage Sonic or something like that, but I understand this is hard and you already made a great job. I'm so excited to play It!

[@brandonj_300]

I'm planning on adding more of those kinds of elements to the stage ultimately although i'm not sure if i'm going to be able to add something like them hurting you since the stage wasn't really designed around a mechanic like that.

[@hashi.]

This is nuts especially the grinding section

[@BiggusWeeabus]

I like how not only the original parts seem less automated, but an entirely new section got added as well. Out of every Level Improvement mod i've seen for this game, this is the first one that actually looks like effort was put into it, not Just the original level with roadblocks

[@goldslip-ons]

This looks amazing so far!

[@douglas4610]

Although the rails section looks a bit "empty" (which is understandable after all given that it is a work in progress) I must say that I have been impressed, it's amazing how much has been added to the original level taking into account for example how the original Sunset Heights design was split into 2. I think the most remarkable thing though is the vision, the fact that with just a few modding tools you can throw in new ideas and set-pieces to bring it up to the level of greats like Unleashed and Gens. TL;DR: ERES LA VERGA DE TRIANA.

[@AJax4123]

First time I’ve actually seen someone extend the level lengths and not just throw extra objects and platforms on the levels

[@eljugger4317]

I don’t want to go with the tippical “This is how sonic forces should’ve been” comment…….. but this is how sonic forces should’ve been

[@XDhar74x47]

I can't believe it!! It's just AMAZING!!!!