In keeping with the theme of Sonic Team dredging up pop punk vocalists whose popularity climaxed around 2003, the Sonic Forces vocal theme ‘Fist Bump’ features Douglas Robb from Hoobastank. This is pretty in keeping with mainline Sonic Team-developed Sonic titles as we’ve previously experienced themes by Zebrahead and Jaret Reddick from Bowling for Soup.
Okay so Bubsy is not a SEGA property but the original 2 games did appear on the Mega Drive and publisher Accolade are intrinsically connected with a big part of SEGA history (click here to read more), so we have to let you know that Accolade are back and they’re publishing a brand new Bubsy title called Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back. Yes, really.
Developed by Black Forest Games who are responsible for the rather good Giana: Twisted Dreams, Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back is clearing riffing on the first two Bubsy titles and offers a 2.5D aesthetic, a whole host of yarn-based gimmicks and a snarky attitude to boot.
Check out the announcement trailer by clicking below:
Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back will launch on PC and PS4 in Autumn 2017.
Another classic Sonic stage is making its way to Sonic Mania in the form of a remixed Chemical Plant Zone.
The new version of Chemical Plant Zone brings a whole host of new gimmicks with it. We’ve got mega-mack that can change colour which gives it different qualities like making it more springy, we’ve got sticky surfaces that you can launch yourself from and we’ve also got a new DNA-style transporter for launching Sonic/Tails/Knuckles onto higher paths.
Check out the trailer below to see the new stage in action:
We’ve also got a new image of a Green Hill Zone act 2 boss which you can view by clicking here (WARNING: SPOILERS). This image comes courtesy of tech site Venture Beat and they may have leaked this image early as the caption doesn’t match up with what it’s showing.
Sonic Mania launches on PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch on the 15th of August 2015.
The inevitable Shenmue III delay has arrived! Shenmue III will now release in the 2nd half of 2018.
It had previously been slated for a December 2017 release but as was previously revealed, Shenmue III was not scheduled for an appearance at this year’s E3 which put a 2017 release into doubt.
Yu Suzuki announced the delay himself in the latest Kickstarter update and has said, “By utilising new technologies, we have been able to discover new possibilities and expressions. In many ways, the game has become bigger and more beautiful than I initially expected. We do, however, need more time to deliver the game to you.”
Shenmue III will not be published by SEGA but instead by Sony. The game will eventually launch on PC and PS4.
There is also a gorgeous new trailer full of hand-drawn animated sequences by Tyson Hesse and it also includes the reveal of Stardust Speedway (past) as a new stage. Check it out:
In one of the most self-aware moves I’ve ever seen from SEGA, Sonic Forces will include a customisable character that you can create. This custom character is the third playable character option that was teased for inclusion in Sonic Forces and they come with additional abilities that include a grappling hook and a flamethrower.
The customisable character will have 7 species for you to build your character from and each of them has specific extra abilities. The 7 species are listed below:
Rabbit — Has longer invincible time after receiving damage
Wolf — Automatically draws in rings when near them
Cat — Keeps one ring after being hit
Dog — Restarts with five rings after the player dies
Bear — Blows away enemies with a homing attack
Bird — Flies high with double jump abilities
Hedgehog — Collects rings when getting damaged
You can check out the first footage of the customer character in action via the trailer below:
We also get an extended look at the custom character in action in the dilapidated city stage which is now officially known as Park Avenue. Check it out below:
The official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel has uploaded some new footage of Sonic Mania which showcases Knuckles doing his thing in the new version of Flying Battery Zone.
There’s lots of nods to the original stage layout from Sonic & Knuckles as well as entirely new areas to explore. Check out the new footage via the embed below:
Sonic Mania launches on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later this year.
Platinum Games’ over-the-top, third person shooter Vanquish will launch on PC on May the 25th. This new port comes with enhancements like an uncapped framerate and support for 4K displays.
Pre-ordering on Steam also gives you access to a Digital Deluxe Edition that includes a digital art book, a downloadable sample soundtrack, avatars and wallpapers. Owners of the recently released PC version of Bayonetta are also entitled to 25% off when they purchase Vanquish. Check out the announcement trailer below:
The final title for Project Sonic 2017 has finally been revealed at SXSW. The game will be called Sonic Forces and will follow a similar gameplay style to Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colours and Sonic Generations. The first footage of the game in action is currently only available via off-screen recordings from SXSW but you can view it in the following SEGA News Bits video:
The gameplay shows a ruined city that is interspersed with scenery that appears to have been taken from Green Hill Zone. This has lead many to speculate that the game will follow a plot that sees Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic’s worlds colliding and creating stages that look like they’ve fused together.
Sonic Forces will launch on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC in Winter 2017.
Those lucky North Americans are getting a limited Collector’s Edition of Sonic Mania which includes a massive box with new classic-style artwork, a 12″ statue, a metallic card with the download key on it and a replica Mega Drive cartridge that’s been cast with a gold ring on it.
If you’re lucky enough to live in North America or want to pay a big postage and packing fee, you can order the Collector’s Edition from the official Sonic Mania hub by clicking here.
BE WARNED: the Collector’s Edition plus shipping to the UK as well as import fees will set you back a whopping $107.35 which currently works out at £81.32 and that’s only if you don’t get a customs charge on top. Also, Xbox One and PS4 download keys are region exclusive so you’ll have to go for a PC version to make sure you can actually play the game.
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