Christian Whitehead Confirms Sonic Superstars Based on Sonic Mania's Physics

[Indigo Rush]

Well, this is interesting. Christian Whitehead says he'll elaborate later, but that Sonic Mania's physics were in fact translated into "modern 3D" for Sonic Superstars. This implies that he may have played some role or bare minimum consultation for the physics of the game.

[SolidSurgeTT]

Honestly, at least for me, this goes back to Sonic Generations. It's passable but classic Sonic's gameplay in Sonic Generations can't be considered an accurate representation of how old Sonic games played either. This has never really been handled properly in 3D in my eyes.

Sonic 4 definitely didn't but I sort of accept that as "well they weren't exactly going for 1:1 parity with old Sonic games," despite the moniker of "Sonic 4" (plus Episode 2 showed signs of improvement in that department anyway).

[ZinogreVolt]

The gameplay and overall reception of the demo already spoke for itself, but Whitehead's comment does leave an extra layer of security that we're in for a good time.

[Spooky Gems]

I just wonder when height bouncing will be shown off. This is great to hear, by the way.

[SolidSurgeTT]

Well physics aside there is also level design to consider. Are they too heavy on the automation? Is player ingenuity with how they build up speed going to be rewarded? Will level exploration be fun and make use of the current character's abilities that can be exploited? Tails has never really had a lot of individuality to his experience in the past, even in Mania. This is a chance to give him more to do with his flying ability.

I think the one thing Mania didn't do that keeps it from reaching the very top of my list of favorite Sonic games is the level design didn't really hit home with me. It seemed to lean on the cramped level designs of Sonic CD a little too much for me. Let's see if this does any better.

[Sega DogTagz]

The 2D physics problem has been around for decades. 

And fixing it was as simple as putting Whitehead and Ohshima in a room together.

 

Fffffffffu-

What has Sonic Team been doing. These guys have been sitting here all along. All this time they have been out on a limb literally dieing and the next door neighbor had the cure for cancer and was just waiting for them to ask for it. 

[TheOcelot]

You gotta love Taxman. Even though he's not developing Superstars he's still helped in a very important way because getting the physics spot-on is a crucial foundation for making a good/fun 2d classic game. The physics looked on point in all the footage we've seen and now we know why.

Well, consider me excited! I hope the level design can give 3K's a run for it's money and the soundtrack can get close to the brilliance of Mania.