The release of a new Sonic game has become a somewhat sad affair over the course of the last decade, right after it seemed like he was finding his footing with games like Sonic Colours and Sonic Generations. So after nearly two full run-throughs of the game, it brings me great joy to say that Sonic Frontiers is the best Modern Sonic title released in the past 10 years. In fact, there’s elements of it I think I enjoy more than Generations! It’s also, however, a game with no shortage of issues; in ways that often feel much like ‘first game syndrome’ for the ‘open-zone’ concept that Takashi Iizuka believes could form the future of Sonic games.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
SEGA has released a new trailer for the upcoming Sonic Frontiers, launching next month. This time, we get a look at the various ways Sonic will be able to sock it to his foes.
The trailer notes that as well as the typical Sonic fare, such as homing attacks, drop dashing and the stomp, Sonic’s combat has been massively expanded with a skill tree system implemented. We also get a glimpse at how this stuff’s upgraded – Skill Tokens from defeating enemies (giving incentive to actually go after them instead of waltzing by as you might be tempted to), and Seeds of Power and Defense from completing other tasks. We also get to see the Cyloop yet again, with emphasis put onto how it can be used in combat – and the Phantom Rush, a powered-up state where afterimages of Sonic fly around the enemies, laying on the hurt. It actually reminds us of the Sonic OVA a bit!
Finally, we get a look at the cosmetics included with the game’s digital deluxe edition – some very brown shoes and gloves. We’re personally not too sure the fashion justifies the Digital Deluxe approach we’ve called out in the past (nor the included bonus items, which just seem to be a means to… play less game?), but at the very least there’s no early access included this time – presumably they’ve learned their lesson on that detail after Colours Ultimate.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
As part of the latest Nintendo Direct, SEGA has revealed our first look at Sonic Frontiers’ linear ‘cyberspace’ levels.
Via SEGA PR:
Entrances to Cyber Space made by the ancient civilization of Starfall Islands can be found all throughout the map. Sonic fans will solve puzzles and complete challenges to earn Portal Gears to unlock these entrances access Cyber Space levels featuring the traditional, fast-paced, speed running action platforming. They’ll need to complete the challenges in each Cyber Space level to receive Vault Keys to progress further in the game.
To the joy of probably very few people, one of the cyberspace levels has Sonic revisiting Green Hill Zone for the umpteenth time. Thankfully the other cyberspace level shown seems a lot less derivative, showing a suspended highway branching off in a multitude of directions. (more…)
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
RGG Studio has revealed the release schedule for the upcoming Lost Judgment’s DLC content, spreading out into Spring 2022.
At launch, the Detective Essentials pack will be released. As well as an extra boss fight, more girls for Yagami to woo, and some content for side-activities such as skateboarding and drone racing, you’ll also get access to additional Master System titles to play ingame. You’ll get Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa Opa, SDI, Alien Syndrome and… Darius II! It’s good to see SEGA’s love-in with Taito’s shooter series continuing.
On October 26th, the School Stories pack will add new outfits, new battles with Yagami’s allies in sparring settings, and the ability to take a new fighting style to the streets.
Finally and most significantly, Spring 2022 will see the launch of a new campaign starring the ever-lovable Kaito, Yagami’s best friend. This mode is estimated to clock in at 10 hours of additional story content.
Digital Deluxe Edition owners will get the first two packs as they release, while Digital Ultimate Edition owners will get all three.
Lost Judgment launches on September 24th for Playstation 4/5 and Xbox One/Series. Digital Deluxe buyers will get access to the game on September 20th.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
The second part of the Sonic Colours Ultimate promotional animation, Sonic Colours: Rise of the Wisps, has been released via YouTube.
Via SEGA PR:
In today’s climactic episode, temperatures rise as Sonic and the Jade Wisp clash with Dr. Eggman’s robotic henchman and the Blue Blur’s evil doppelganger, Metal Sonic. The duo must attempt to save the Wisps from Dr. Eggman’s clutches before he harnesses their power for his own diabolical plans. It’s a race against time as Sonic and Jade fight to thwart Dr. Eggman’s plans to take over the universe.
It’s a fun watch, with some lovely voice work from Roger Craig Smith and Kate Higgins on show too.
Sonic Colours Ultimate will be launching September 9th, for Xbox, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Epic Games.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
As part of Gamescom 2021’s Opening Night Live presentation, it’s been announced that Morgana from Persona 5 will be a DLC character in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. He’ll cost $4.99 USD on release.
Banana Mania is quickly and somewhat unexpectedly becoming a big ol’ SEGA crossover, with Jet Set Radio’s Beat, Yakuza’s Kiryu, and Sonic & Tails previously being announced. This new reveal adds Atlus into the mix, too!
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania launches on October 1st.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
The first part of the Sonic Colours animated short ‘Rise of the Wisps’ is now available.
Via SEGA PR:
In today’s episode, Sonic and Tails are joined by a lone Jade Wisp, who narrowly escapes the deceptively charming Sweet Mountain ride at Dr. Eggman’s Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park. Together, Sonic, Tails and their new companion, must band together to uncover Dr. Eggman’s evil plot to harness the Wisps’ powers and take over the universe.
The short was directed by Tyson Hesse, though notably it was also co-written by GGDG (Cucumber Quest). We’ll keep our eyes open for the next part, hopefully coming soon.
Sonic Colours Ultimate will be launching September 9th, for Xbox, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Epic Games.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Kazuma Kiryu of the Yakuza series will be rolling into the upcoming Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania. Yes, really!
Hot on the heels of Jet Set Radio’s Beat being added, the Smilebit/RGG Studio/AmusementVision love continues with RGG Studio’s main man himself joining the game. And when playing as him, the bananas are even replaced by Staminan X pickups! It’s a very amusing crossover, but feels suitable given who’s behind the remakes.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania will launch on October 5th. In addition to Kiryu and Beat, Sonic & Tails were also recently confirmed to be unlockable in the game.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
A new trailer has been released for Sonic Colours Ultimate, the upcoming remaster of 2010’s Wii entry in the blue hedgehog’s 3D exploits. It focuses on what new features Ultimate will bring to the table over the original game, and there’s actually a hefty amount on show.
First up is the obvious graphical changes; the lighting is redone, the resolution is boosted to up to 4K, and the game now runs at 60 frames per second instead of the original release’s 30. Also shown off for the first time is Rival Rush mode, in which you face Metal Sonic in a race to the finish.
The ‘Park Tokens’ we’ve been seeing in various screenshots are elaborated on here too. They can be used to buy new cosmetics to change up Sonic’s look a tad, with auras, different boost effects, and new glove and shoe accessories. In addition, we’ve gotten our first look at how Team Sonic Racing’s Jade Ghost Wisp has been implemented; it’ll let you pass through walls at certain points of a stage, offering new shortcuts. You can also customise the control layout for the game; helpful as the original Classic Controller layout for Colours might not be to everyone’s taste.
Tails Save is also shown off, though it had been shown in other media prior. Essentially as long as you have a Tails Token handy, the two-tailed fox will scoop you out of a pit with no penalty should you fall down one. 100-Count Rings are the final new tidbit shown, and give Sonic a brief burst of the classic invincibility sparkles when collected.
In terms of hearing, there is one more thing. As previously noted, the soundtrack will be fully remixed. It’s not known yet if an option to use the original music is included.
On the whole, it’s quite a slew of new features; and it seems there may be more to come, given this is only Spotlight #1. Sonic Colours: Ultimate releases September 7th for Xbox, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via the Epic Games Store.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
It’s been a long time coming, but the next Sonic the Hedgehog title has been officially teased, during the Sonic Central broadcast for Sonic’s 30th Anniversary.
It’ll be coming to PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch and PC. And… that’s just about all we know! The trailer shows Sonic running through a rather lush forest, and the tease of a mysterious emblem.
Whatever it is, it’ll be coming in 2022. Hopefully we’ll hear more later this year.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
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