Now that the new year has begun, I am really looking forward to seeing what Sonic Team has planned for Sonic's 25th anniversary game. Many sources hint at the 25th anniversary title being based on Classic Sonic, but I don't believe Sega has officially confirmed this observation. Even so, it makes sense for Sonic Team to include gameplay similar to the Genesis games in order to appeal to the long-time fans.
I could continue to speculate, and I also welcome others to do so as well, but I'm also interested in what the SMS board members want for Sonic's 25 anniversary title.
I'm open to many different gameplay styles, because I have enjoyed many different gameplay styles in past Sonic games. I love the classics (especially Sonic 3 & Knuckles), the adventure games (especially Sonic Adventure 1), and the 3D boost games (especially Sonic Generations).
Out of all these choices, however, I would personally like an all-new 2D Sonic game with Classic Sonic gameplay. This may sound crazy, because Sonic Team has already been making many Sonic games that, in one way or another, hearken back to the style of the Classic Sonic games. Some may believe that I'm asking for too much of the same, but hear me out. I believe that Classic Sonic gameplay can still go many routes that haven't been covered yet.
First of all, recall Sonic 4: Episode 1. Although Sonic 4 isn't a terrible game, I feel that it fails to be a true sequel. I agree that the physics and the art style aren't desirable, but I'm talking more about how it builds upon the classics. All of the stages feel like outtakes from the classic games, and the boss battles are rehashed from past games with only slightly different attack patterns towards the end of battles. Aside from the homing attack, which in my opinion isn't really needed in a 2D Sonic game, there is nothing in this game that isn't in the classic trilogy. Also, as stated, the rolling physics just don't feel right in this game, and the controls feel unnaturally stiff. As a sequel, Sonic 4 should have covered new ground, but it instead feels like a throwback to past games.
As for Classic Sonic's stages in Sonic Generations (Xbox/PS3) they're fun, but they feel more like modern Sonic's 2D sections without the boost. Also, like Sonic 4, they don't add anything that we didn't see in past Sonic games, the spindash sends Sonic flying unnecessarily fast, and the rolling physics are still questionable. To be fair, however, Sonic Generations isn't the sequel to the classic titles that Sonic 4 was supposed to be, and the level-design in Modern Sonic's stages are a major improvement over the level design in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors.
I actually feel the need to applaud the 3DS version of Sonic Generations for something. The game as a whole isn't great, mainly because the classic stages have unnecessary bottomless pits and gimmicks (why the upward wind-drafts?). However, it gets Classic Sonic's rolling physics right! Sonic actually gains speed when rolling downhill and can gain altitude from going off ramps! I understand how nitpicky this may sound, but my explanation of the importance of physics in 2D Sonic games may required its own thread. Sonic 4: Episode 2 is a Sonic game that I have yet to play, so I cannot comment on the physics in that game (although I did hear that they were better).
These are all examples of post 2009 classic-style Sonic games that I feel did not quite recapture the quality of the original trilogy. With that said, however, Sonic Team has all of the right components, but just not all in the same game. With the classic physics of Sonic Generations 3DS, the expansive, multiple-path level design of Sonic Generations 360/PS3, some bold, new elements (such as all-new power-ups), and more playable characters (such as Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and possibly some post 1998 characters), we can have a Sonic game that may surpass the classic trilogy. Just because the gamplay style has been around for 25 years doesn't mean that nothing new can be done with said gameplay style.
That is just one of many gameplay styles that I would personally be happy with. At the end of the day, I just want a fun game, and I have definitely enjoyed many 3D Sonic games.
