Too fast?

I know kbaily has brought this up before, so we've discussed this, but playing some Sonic recently I noticed something.

In the HD version of both Unleashed and Generations, the boost function oftentimes makes Sonic TOO FAST. I've had numerous moments where I boosted into what would be my death because Sonic was going just too fast and I couldn't see what was coming at me. This is especially true for Unleashed where the level design, although great on its own, becomes full of nothing but deathtraps when you are boosting.

What's more, is in Unleashed HD, unless you boost, you likely will not S-rank. It's more generous in Generations where while sometimes you kinda just need to use it but you can still S-rank without it since while you do get a score at the end of all stages, your rank is time-determinant, and that S-rank is very easily within reach without boosting.

I personally prefer how Colors Wii handled it. The boosting in that game was far more restrictive, forcing you to kill certain enemies in order to gain boost as opposed to doing damn near anything in the other two games, and boosting didn't seem to obsure your vision too much and everything was still usually easier to see. I noticed while it's a slight difference, boosting in Colors also does not propel Sonic NEARLY as fast as in Unleashed and in Generations.

This brings up another topic I touched upon in a comment on one of the updates I made. What if the next platforming Sonic game did without the boost? What if it just ouright said "We're giving you the level design on par with other recent Sonic titles, but you're going to play them more like the Adventure games, so no boosting." While I admit the level design of recent 3D Sonic titles (namely day-stage Unleashed, Colors, and Generations) has improved, it'd be nice to know I don't have to boost through these levels, like in Colors where exploring a level is actually HOW you get an S-rank. Maybe I want to play a level without the feeling of "If I don't press that button I'm doomed". It'd be an interesting twist to add to the next Sonic game to remove the boost from it, I'd think.

Thoughts?

I never really use the boost unless if there's a line of enemies I want to get them out of my way. I like to take my time through the stages anyways. I'm not that much of a "quickster." :P

Well this is a mixed bag, on one had the boost adds something to the gameplay of Sonic as we saw in the Rush games but at times espeically with the HD console games, the series has gotten away from being a platformer to being more of a "spam the dash button" as much as you can. Sega loves the motion blur effects but in reality Colors felt way more like the Genesis games reimagined in a modern light. And Colors had plenty of high speed moments but wasn't afraid to slow down from time to time and let gamers explore.

And Sonicphc pointed out in a blue blur of his own about how Unleashed would penalize you for not blasting through the stage in a certain amount of time whereas Color's score was based on the time you finished the level, rings collected, power ups used and so on. Getting S ranks in Colors felt more rewarding and challenging IMO than in Unleashed where it was "spam the dash power as much as you can." In a weird way and probably not Sega's intent, the limits of the Wii hardware meant they couldn't stick in their hedgehog engine to make Sonic dash his way through the stage at breakneck speed.

The old Genesis Sonic games were fast but weren't afraid to slow it down and let gamers explore, find the hidden goodies, alternate paths as opposed to just running like hell to the finish and sadly what I've seen of Generations modern stages seem to be going back to full on races though it still seems to have some branching paths and exploration but not as much as the cla$$ic Sonic or Colors Sonic.

And I am really upset that we may not see another Colors platforming Sonic and just get more of Unleashed's run like hell Sonic. But at least it's not Adventure Sonic (flame shield).

I'm going to disagree with this, actually. I LOVE the boost gauge. I usually don's use it on my first run of a level (as, well, I'm learning the level), and I find it's not required to beat the level almost ever. However, for time-attacking, speed-running type challenges the boost gauge adds another level of skill/challenge. Speed yourself up when you want, necessitating quicker reflexes and the like. That being said, I wish they hadn't gone backwards in exploratory focus from Colors. In Colors, if you want that S the boost gauge and blinding fast times are essential, as Time Bonus is a huge component of your score, but it's not the only significant component. *shrug* Generations levels are designed so well for speed-running, though, that I'm okay with everything being time based again, for now. :)sonicphc

Also in response to kbaily's first post, the hedgehog engine was only implemented in the HD version, the Wii version was entirely without the engine and on top of that, the levels were even more focused on pure speed since not only was your rank determined entirely by time, but unlike Generations or even HD version of Unleashed, there wasn't even a score that game.

Also, it's funny you DISAGREE with this, since in the blue blur kbaily mentioned you actually AGREED with it, but I suppose 3 years can change a person's mind.Cloud_765

Sure, both Sonic Rush games focus on going fast fast fast, and that tension gauge is a really awesome addition, but when almost every death comes from either misjudging a jump, not seeing a pit, or being knocked into a pit by an enemy, well, there's something wrong there.OldMe

While I know some people either love or hate the boost, I don't think we should get rid of it completely.

Personally, I think they should replace the Slide with the Spin Dash, and make sliding something Sonic does when he tries to slow down.

Also, in Sonic Unleashed, trying to speed run a level will only give you a B Rank in the HD version.

I like the boost.

I like the single button spin dash.

[spoiler] I like the homing attack for retro sonic [/spoiler]

I like the S ranks being based on time and ring count rather than more score like in colors.

The levels are designed really well so that you can go fast AND do jumpy things.

You sir are the most evil troll to ever live, and for that, you shall go to Hell.

Because God is a Sonic fan.

Yes, for he accepts that Sonic is better. Because Mario doesn't have Chaos Emeralds.

:3

Meh, Koji Kondo is better. :Pwhite_kunoichi

F*** him, SEGA has always had better music.

He's stayed with Mario and composed the music all the time. :Pmacrules_640

Ew, Mario is related to Tingle?

RUINED FOREVER!