Game Reveal New 2D Classic Sonic Platformer Sonic Superstars Announced

[Baconjack]

Very cautious optimism.

The gameplay and physics look really similar to Generations/Forces. The classic gameplay in Forces in particular was easily the worst part of that game and was extremely boring and tedious to play through. Generations hasn’t aged well either. I suppose I’ll get to make a proper judgement when I play it for myself or when more info comes out.

On the other hand it’s very clear there’s been some serious effort put into the assets & level design. I don’t mind the new take on GHZ. Lots of throwbacks and new assets being put into the game. The level design looks like a significant improvement over the other classic-style 2.5d games we’ve seen. Levels seem to flow nicely based on the gameplay. But you can’t put lipstick on a pig if the core gameplay is rubbish (which from my point of view it looks like has been recycled from ST’s other 2.5d offerings). The physics and controls will be what makes or breaks this game imo just like Sonic 4.

[DaBigJ]

That's not Green Hill Zone though

[Tornado]

41 minutes ago, Baconjack said:

Very cautious optimism.

The gameplay and physics look really similar to Generations/Forces. The classic gameplay in Forces in particular was easily the worst part of that game and was extremely boring and tedious to play through. Generations hasn’t aged well either. I suppose I’ll get to make a proper judgement when I play it for myself or when more info comes out.

On the other hand it’s very clear there’s been some serious effort put into the assets & level design. I don’t mind the new take on GHZ. Lots of throwbacks and new assets being put into the game. The level design looks like a significant improvement over the other classic-style 2.5d games we’ve seen. Levels seem to flow nicely based on the gameplay. But you can’t put lipstick on a pig if the core gameplay is rubbish (which from my point of view it looks like has been recycled from ST’s other 2.5d offerings). The physics and controls will be what makes or breaks this game imo just like Sonic 4.

If it comes out and plays like shit but superficially looks fine I can't wait for Sterling to write another hit piece like it's actually an amazing game 

[DaBigJ]

This article mentions it's both for beginners and Sonic fans, so that's neat. It also mentions subtitles? Wonder if that means there's voice acting. 

[Shaddy Zaphod]

Nah.

[Iko]

The question still remains anyway...

How the heck you make a 4 players multiplayer out of this:

I know, it's not the same game, but since it has a similar vibe I used it as an example.

I genuinely don't know, I think it's impossible unless the players will keep respawning each 0.5 seconds. The seaside level in Superstars seems to have a layout similar to Green Hill Act 1 to some extent, so if the physics are good enough, by taking advantage of tricks and stuff it should be possible to rush like that, or almost. The other levels look to be more gimmick focused so maybe they use exploits to push the players into one screen more (like the jellyfish transformation).

[Shiny Gems]

4 hours ago, The Deleter said:

For anyone who was worried about the physics specifically:

This is going to be even more awesome than I thought! Looks like Sonic Team is learning.

Now, if only they removed the dash pads from loops. Minor gripe, I know. I am not worried about the dash pads myself, anyway.

[DaBigJ]

There's some level of online functionality in Superstars!

 

[Kittea]

This is a surprise! When I first read the name I though it was some kind of spin-off.

The game looks really pretty just going by the trailer. It reminds me of Rush and Rivals with how vibrant everything looks. Looking forward to seeing more overall ^^

[Shiny Gems]

3 minutes ago, DaBigJ said:

There's some level of online functionality in Superstars!

Oh heck yeah! I will be trying the battle mode for sure! Now if they could only add online co-op next game if possible, whatever that next game would be…

[Iko]

Obviously I have no evidence of this, but I'm also getting the vibe that maybe there's really Dimps behind this game after all..

 

Not only it does look very similar to Generations 3DS (classic) to the point where it might even be built on the same engine, I also recognize a few level design patterns that are recurring in some Dimps games.

And this thing, that to my knownledge only ever appeared in Dimps games so far.

I lowkey hope they are behind the game and it turns out good, so people will stop saying that they suck at making Sonic games.

EDIT: Also the shiny lighting/shader of Water Palace is almost identical to the one of the seaside level in Superstars. Another hint is that the level starts at daytime and the final act is at sunset, typical Dimps thing as well... either it's just a big coincidence or this is an updated version of Generations 3DS, more convinced the more i watch the trailer.

[Indigo Rush]

Time to put some more organized thoughts out there.

As a whole package, I am optimistic that Superstars will be good, even for Classic Sonic standards. We've come a long way since Sonic 4, and I'm glad they decided to push beyond pixel graphics despite how easy a win a Mania 2 would've been. It's also worth noting that this isn't being outsourced to another dev team: this is a Sonic Team game. That can mean a lot of things, Sonic Team could assign anybody the role of director, designer, etc. So we won't know specifically what to expect until they reveal that information, if they do. 

Straightaway, the game looks clean. I've wanted a 2.5D Classic Sonic game along the lines of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Kirby Return to Dreamland for eons, and this checks that box so hard the clipboard beneath it's snapped in half. It also looks like they made some changes to the character models, and this is the first time we've seen a true "Neo" Classic model for Knuckles and Amy; they look great. Sonic lost the butt-brow and looks so much more expressive and cartoony in those first 3 seconds than he has in the entirety of Generations and Forces. Props.

The gameplay looks like a win, at least so far. I think they'll probably need to be stricter with the speed caps if four players need to share a screen, and a dynamic camera is essential here. Physics are miles ahead of Sonic 4 and Generations just by looking at it. It remains to be seen how rolling is handled, though. I wonder if Mania internally set the bar for Sonic Team and they're finally figuring out that you need to get this right. 

Glad to see Amy playable in a Classic game. It's safe to say they'll share her new ability with Origins, and I'm happy they took the time to make a compatible one-button moveset for her rather than copy from Advance. It's unique and still fits the design philosophy of the rest of the cast.

Speaking of, Fang is back! I love this dude. I thought I was tripping when I saw him in the shadows at the start of the trailer, and I'm curious to see what his new 3D model looks like. I also wonder what the new character that Oshima-san designed will look like. That's an amazing score to get him working on a new Sonic game by the way! 

Not feeling the trailer music. It's entirely possible and likely that it's just stock placeholder stuff, but we won't know until we see some direct footage. Hoping for some bangers.

Level design seems solid. They did a good job showing just as many platforming parts as they did "hold right to go faaaaast" parts which is embedded in Classic Sonic's DNA, so I'm not bothered by the dash pads so long as they're not everywhere. We'll see. Looks like plenty of loops, curves and ramps to keep things fresh.

New gimmick is interesting. I wonder if there's an invasive spy chip in the worryingly large Sonic lobe in my brain, because I've been musing over uses for the Chaos Emeralds beyond Super Sonic for years now... though my weak imagination couldn't predict climbing waterfalls or using time attack ghosts to screen clear a boss. 

Pixel pseudo-retro zone is less Genesis more Minecraft and I'm not digging it, but I'll get over that. Would've preferred a tube TV with sprites, but I'm not the game designer here. I'm sure I'll have fun controlling jellyfish Sonic.

Overall, very optimistic. Looking forward to more. 

[HywelAtTheMoon]

Weird thought alert: all 4 characters using super forms simultaneously during the final boss fight. Could be absolutely manic!

[Sega DogTagz]

3 hours ago, DaBigJ said:

That's not Green Hill Zone though

Sure it is. Look at the background. Still the familiar checkered hills and structured landmasses in the background. Its clearly GHZ adjacent.

But at least they put in the effort to shake it up a bit more than usual and made some new assets for it. I'll take that.

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, a new 2D game on the surface doesn't do much for me, but the second co-op dropped in the trailer they had me hooked. I look forward to seeing which names are behind this build. I figure we can gleam quite a bit about what to expect depending on who they put on this project.

 

 

 

 

[DaBigJ]

1 minute ago, Sega DogTagz said:

Sure it is. Look at the background. Still the familiar checkered hills and structured landmasses in the background. Its clearly GHZ adjacent.

But at least they put in the effort to shake it up a bit more than usual and made some new assets for it. I'll take that.

Okay, so it's just a Green Hill clone then. It's been a while since we had one tbh

[Sega DogTagz]

Just now, DaBigJ said:

Okay, so it's just a Green Hill clone then. It's been a while since we had one tbh

 

Actually, looking at it again on my PC, its a bit more different than I initially thought. The sunset color scheme really hurts it in on cell phone footage lol. 

 

Certainly still a GHZ clone, but its not GHZ  proper. So we can take this W and run with it.

 

 

Now we can poke fun at the North Star Islands ripping the star naming convention from StarFall.

[A super No.1 washedupgamer]

I wouldn't say we're back just yet. For some reason, they didn't show any rolling in the trailer. Not to be a downer tho.

[Blue Blood]

Just now, Sega DogTagz said:

Actually, looking at it again on my PC, its a bit more different than I initially thought. The sunset color scheme really hurts it in on cell phone footage lol. 

Certainly still a GHZ clone, but its not GHZ  proper. So we can take this W and run with it.

Now we can poke fun at the North Star Islands ripping the star naming convention from StarFall.

It's a GHZ analogue like Emerald Hill and Seaside Hill, but it stands out on its own. The cool-blue colour scheme and more cliffside style appearance of the rocks makes it look like it's somewhat more beach themed. The strongest vibes I personally get are of Emerald Coast 3DS. It's got all unique flora too. And I could say the same thing about the jungle and digital levels too. No rehashing going on here. I can't look at any screenshots of this game so far and find myself debating whether or not the levels are new. They're clearly original levels based on standard tropes. 

Fingers crossed for a city and pinball/casino/carnival level somewhere in the mix. 

[A super No.1 washedupgamer]

18 minutes ago, Sega DogTagz said:

Sure it is. Look at the background. Still the familiar checkered hills and structured landmasses in the background. Its clearly GHZ adjacent.

But at least they put in the effort to shake it up a bit more than usual and made some new assets for it. I'll take that.

Honestly, a new 2D game on the surface doesn't do much for me, but the second co-op dropped in the trailer they had me hooked. I look forward to seeing which names are behind this build. I figure we can gleam quite a bit about what to expect depending on who they put on this project.

Standing in the zone for 3 minutes will trigger classic sonic's voice line In the game:

Spoiler

"Green hill is looking a lot like Gray hill zone right now!"

 

 

 

[Indigo Rush]

I do think it's worth reinforcing that this particular kind of classic era throwback is what Classic fans were really wanting rather than wholesale Green Hill Zones and Chemical Plants. This is a new Zone on a new Island that's evocative of what would've been made in the Classic era, and that's not just a step in the right direction, it's on-target what we've been asking of Sonic Team for ages now. 

[Sonicka]

48 minutes ago, Sega DogTagz said:

Now we can poke fun at the North Star Islands ripping the star naming convention from StarFall.

The “Star” naming convention could be entirely appropriate as a fun Frontiers tie in / reference.

Considering what that game is doing with “Canon” (I say that loosely), but also to mention that there does seem to be some weird jazzy cyberspace vibes going on during the trailer at multiple points. 

[Jango]

Doesn't that part where Sonic's in full 3D web swinging kinda reminds the crystals from Sonic Prime? Iizuka has stated more than once that they're trying to connect ALL Sonic media somehow...

Btw, if we got an Amy skin, there's probably skins for other chars too. Can we please get a Toei Sonic skin? Santiago is not doing it for me. At least they got rid of the butt between his eyes. But if only the shade of blue was a liiiitle darker.

 

[Red Hot Jack]

Yeah I do want more skins definitely.

Also I'm sure they will connect it to something. I would personally like for the new character designed by Oshima to be playable, if they are gonna be important in this game, even though as a villain it shouldn't stop them from being unlockable or DLC. I'm totally expecting that to be the case, and it's a surprise.

I didn't really think of callbacks, mostly because I see this game as a lot more "brand new adventure" than Mania or Generations were, those were celebrations of the past, this looks more like a new adventure or an evolution or continuation, but with new ideas which again I'm loving. This has the edge over Generations for having more playable characters and co-op, over Mania because of the new colorful artstyle and new zones, but even as a reveal trailer Superstars already feels packed, for real... Mania reveal trailer showed: Sonic/Tails/Knux playable, Drop Dash, GHZ and Studiopolis, updated sprites, this... this one showed at least 3 zones, special stages, co-op, 4 playable characters, new power-ups, returning characters like Fang, new bosses etc. it's a lot, make it even bigger and you earned your 60 bucks.

Also, I pray it's not Dimps, Sonic Team did a decent job on Generations, although the people who worked on that I don't think work for Sega anymore... I dunno who this "Sonic Team" really is... well, Dimps made Sonic Advance, the Rush series, those were good, it's just most of the rushed 2D ports and Sonic 4 really killed my excitement for them. 

Btw, I'm glad it's not a Modern game, we would run into the same problem as Sonic 4, which didn't feel right, it just recycled ideas from Sonic 1 and 2 with Modern Sonic slapped in it and couldn't even have Tails playable in single player... most Sonic projects from outside devs are either rushed (Gens 3DS, Lost World 3DS, the remasters) or just low budget (Sonic 4, remasters like Colors Ultimate again, TSR) or both. This however looks high budget, which is why I'm hopeful for it being worth the price.

 

[DaBigJ]

40 minutes ago, Jango said:

Doesn't that part where Sonic's in full 3D web swinging kinda reminds the crystals from Sonic Prime? Iizuka has stated more than once that they're trying to connect ALL Sonic media somehow...

Btw, if we got an Amy skin, there's probably skins for other chars too. Can we please get a Toei Sonic skin? Santiago is not doing it for me. At least they got rid of the butt between his eyes. But if only the shade of blue was a liiiitle darker.

You're gonna get your green eyed Classic Sonic skin and you're gonna LIKE it

[SolidSurgeTT]

1 hour ago, Sega DogTagz said:

Now we can poke fun at the North Star Islands ripping the star naming convention from StarFall.

More like "take that, Star Engine!" (not really, quit taking everything so serious).

Anyway I do wonder if the camera is pulled in too tight for a Sonic sidescroller.