First Sonic Lost World details, screenshots
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Podcast Stories, Screenshots, Videos, Wii, Wii U
IGN published a preview from Sonic Lost World, which reveals the first details about the Wii U and 3DS game. The information covers new and old returning elements, GamePad bits, and a confirmation that the 3DS version will also feature full 3D levels.
Details and screenshots rounded up from the preview can be found below.
– Mix of 3D and 2D mechanics
– Abstract levels
– SEGA has shown three levels thus far
– Twist, turn, and jump along floating constructs suspended in mid-air
– Levels are now informed by gameplay needs, with some stages focusing on slower speeds with more platforming, and others pushing players to run as fast as possible
– Areas include Wind Hill, Desert Ruins 1, Desert Ruins 2
– Desert Ruins 1 consists of cakes, cookies, donuts and all manners of candy
– Desert Ruins 2 features an entirely different gameplay style
– Desert Area 2 offers the “tunnel racing” concept from previous games
– Controlling Sonic’s speed and a “Parkour system” were two key elements that were thought of during development
– Parkour system: allows players to automatically accommodate basic obstacles when he’s running
– Team’s greatest challenge was maintaining a sense of speed for the series while finding controls that made sense
– By default, Sonic doesn’t burst off with a tilt of the analog stick
– Sonic walks until you use one of the GamePad’s triggers to engage his running speed
– Need to hold down the second trigger to pull Sonic into a ball, giving him access to his full momentum
– Iizuka compares this to the ‘Boost speed’ from previous titles
– By creating a tiered structure to movement, Sonic Team is hoping players will be able to navigate the wide range of level designs, exploring and running as necessary
– GamePad is used to activate various Whisp-based “Color Powers”
– These feature touch-based controls and are mostly used to gain access to side paths and areas
– Support Mode: one player uses the Wii U’s tablet to assist a second player who is controlling Sonic with a Wii remote and nunchuck
– Only control Sonic
– Friends such as Tails, Knuckles and Amy will make appearances in the story
– Story: Sonic chasing after Eggman and finds a mysterious floating island known as “Lost Hex”
– Sonic will run across the “Deadly Six”
– These foes will bring a “sense of danger and humor” to the story
– Sonic will save animals throughout levels
– Rescuing animals are tracked level by level as well as cumulatively
– This aspect will factor into unlockable content
– Red Star Rings can be collected for unlockable content
– Gold cannons help you access hidden paths
– 3DS version will also have full 3D levels
Head past the break for a bit of commentary from producer Takashi Iizuka.
“We wanted to create an all-new design for 3D Sonic games with Sonic: Lost World. Ever since the first day of development, we were focused on creating new and unique levels to best fit this new style.”
“Exhilarating and dynamic speed can sometimes conflict with [intuitive] controls, so we’re constantly trying to improve the balance between the two. (Improving control in this game was) of the utmost importance (to the team).”
“In previous 3D Sonic games, even if you’re running through a level at top speed, if you hit an obstacle you stop instantly. To avoid this, we added a new action to keep Sonic running, even when you hit an obstacle. To make sure it only happens when you want it to, it’s triggered by the player holding the run button.”
