Sonic Generations

"DOUBLE THE SPEED, DOUBLE THE FUN! Celebrate 20 years of Sonic with Sonic Generations."

- SEGA.com

Sonic Generations (ソニック ジェネレーションズ) is an upcoming game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo 3DS. The game is being made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The Japanese version has different subtitles: White Time and Space (白の時空) for the home consoles, and Blue Adventures (青の冒険) for the 3DS version. This game can be played in 3D on the 3DS and on the console versions also, but a 3DTV as well as a pair of 3D glasses are needed for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Plot
Sonic's universe is thrown into chaos when a mysterious new enemy known as Time Eater, uses a special kind of power to erase time and space, and create "time holes", which pull Sonic and his friends back through time. As a result, Sonic encounters some surprises from his past, including himself as he was in 1991.

After finding out everything is chalk white and losing color (thus giving it the subtitle: White Time and Space), both Modern and Classic Sonic team up to defeat this strange new enemy, save their friends, and find out who is really behind this diabolical deed. As they beat more levels, more of the white space is filled with color.

SEGA has sent the plot of the game, along with a list of levels, to Archie so they can make a comic adaption. According to Ian Flynn, the current writer for the Archie Sonic The Hedgehog comic series, the Genesis arc will not only have lasting effects on the series, but willl lead up to a Sonic Generations tie-in in Issue #230. The adaption will be "A Different Place, A Different Time" that Ian uses to show that this has no connection to the actual comic series, similar to how Sonic Colors was adapted. Like the Sonic Colors adaption, the adaption will only cover the Intro of Sonic Generations, and "to get the full experience", you must get the game.

So far, both Classic and Modern Sonics have been confirmed to appear as the only playable characters, with Tails, Knuckles & Amy as Co-op mission only playable & interactive characters, but other characters like Classic Tails & Classic Knuckles could appear in cutscenes according to a French Q&A with Takashi Iizuka, who said that "they played a big part in Sonic's history and could be important in Generations as well." Model data for Classic Super Sonic and Modern Knuckles were found, which means they will appear. Metal Sonic, Shadow, and Silver will appear as rival bosses, along with the Death Egg (Sonic 3 & Knuckles), Perfect Chaos (Sonic Adventure), The Egg Dragoon (Sonic Unleashed), and the Final Boss, "Time Eater." Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, Rouge, Espio, Charmy, Vector, Blaze, both Super Sonics, and the Orange and Pink Wisps will appear, somehow related to power-ups. They will probably also appear in the story, as the two Sonic's have to "save their friends".

Iizuka says the 3DS edition will only have Sonic friends "who are integral to the story" - a contrast from the console counterparts. The 3DS version will use handheld game stages only while the console versions will use games from the console main series. "For the PS3 and 360, none of the stages we're selecting are going to be from the handheld." Iizuka said. "However, on 3DS we're looking at picking stages from handheld as well." The 3DS will have minor story changes as well. The writers for the story are credited as Ken Pontac and Warren Graff of Happy Tree Friends fame. They also worked on Sonic Colors and MadWorld. Tetsu Katano, who directed Sonic and the Black Knight and did work on the Adventure series, is directing the 3DS edition. Sonic Team and Dimps are co-developing the 3DS edition. The 3DS version will feature more levels from the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS than from the Sega Game Gear.

Sonic Boom
A Sonic Generations demo was playable at 2011's E3 Expo, under the name Sonic Boom. It was the first major American Sonic event, being hosted by SEGA, and took place on June 8th, at 6pm PT. At E3, Sonic Generations was playable in both console and handheld versions. Although only Green Hill was playable for the console versions, City Escape was shown; Green Hill was playable, including the boss Big Arm, was playable for the 3DS version. There was also a Birthday Song for Sonic sung at Sonic Boom and the ending of the song, "Happy Birthday Sonic!" will appear in Sonic Generations. It appeared at the Tokyo Joypolis event and at the Summer of Sonic event in London. It might also appear at the Gamescon 2011 event in Germany.

Demo Release
The Australian government’s OFLC rated a multi-platform demo release of Sonic Generations, and SEGA formally announced at E3, that they will release a demo for PSN and Xbox Live on Sonic's 20th Anniversary, June 23rd. The demo will only contain Green Hill, and only the Classic Sonic playthrough. The demo will only be available until July 12th, at which point it will no longer be available, including for players who have already downloaded it; the file will essentially lock itself. In the Xbox Live version, you have to be an Xbox Live Gold Member to download the demo. The name of the demo is "Sonic Generations Green Hill Zone Demo #1", indicating that a Modern Sonic demo is on the way.

Gameplay
The game features levels derived from 20 years of Sonic history, ranging from the Classic era, through the Dreamcast era, to the Modern HD era. There will be a level taken from each Sonic game to represent the different times. Each level can be played with either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic, each taking their own routes throughout the level. Classic Sonic's levels are strictly two dimensional side scrolling stages, using classic moves like the Spin Attack and the Spin Dash. Modern Sonic's levels, on the other hand, carry on the modern 2D/3D gameplay of recent titles such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, featuring Homing Attacks, Combo Tricks in the air, Drift, and Speed Boosts. There is going to be a new interactive menu that allows for complete immersion into Sonic's universe, as you complete the game, extras are unlocked such as favorite characters and hidden treasures. Hub worlds like the ones in Sonic Unleashed have been comfirmed in an interview with Takashi Iizuka. He said that the hub world starts out as the white space, but opens up more as the Sonics pass through more levels. Patrick Riley, the Director of Sega America, has talked about updated gameplay issues. The speed boost on Green Hill inclines appears to have been fixed, among other physics issues a few noticed when Generations gameplay was first revealed to the world. A few issues remain, although they will be addressed. The handheld version, unlike the console versions, will make the Modern Sonic gameplay similar to Sonic Rush. Special Stages based on Sonic Heroes, along with the appearance of the Chaos Emeralds were confirmed. Casino Night is one of the 3DS exclusive stages, and the boss Big Arm is also confirmed as exclusive; City Escape is a console exclusive. It has also been confirmed that some bosses are played as Classic Sonic and some are played as Modern Sonic. This game like most other Sonic games will feature acts, with Act 1 played as Classic Sonic and Act 2 played as Modern Sonic, Act 3 played as both (It's unknown how this will work), 2 Classic Missions, and 2 Modern missions. According to this interview with Takashi Iizuka, there will be hub worlds. ''Ha, Ha. Well, as we've said, Classic and Modern Sonic meet through time anomalies as a mysterious force is erasing time. Areas are a wash of pure white. As Classic and Modern beat these classic levels, more colour comes into the world. You could say the white space starts as a hub that opens up more as the colour comes back in.'' -Takashi Iizuka. It is known that there will be rings like the ones that appeared in Sonic Colors, except instead of turning red, it turns gold. It turns gold when missions are completed, it's unknown if this has to do with the mission acts part of the stage, or if these missions are part of the hub worlds.

Classic Sonic
Classic Sonic stages consist of him running in a permanent 2-D perspective, platforming all the way towards an end sign post, just like in the original games. Patrick Riley referred to Classic Sonic levels as "Momentum-Based Platforming". The Spin Dash has also been confirmed. The handheld 3DS version will use stereoscopic 3-D to give a sense of depth. SEGA's Community Manager Aaron Webber revealed that Classic Sonic will be speechless.

Modern Sonic
Modern Sonic's console stages consist of running extremely fast through the stages while the perspective switches between 2-D and 3-D such as in his more recent games, Unleashed (PS3/Xbox 360, daytime levels only) and Colors (Wii only) specifically. There will also be new Combo tricks, which are performed in the air, and fill up the Boost Gauge. It has been confirmed that there will be a new visual element to all returning levels, such as the cave in Green Hill. There will be a bit more platforming involved, like the sections after the cave in Green Hill. In the handheld version, Modern Sonic's gameplay will be similar to Sonic Rush and Colors (DS version) and will have Sonic Boost, the ability to slide under obstacles, jump off walls, and use the Homing Attack. Modern Sonic levels will use the 3-D effect of depth on the handheld version more actively.

Genesis
It is known that there will be limited demos of the classic 16-bit games on the console versions.

Local 2-Player Race Mode (3DS version only)
There will be a local wireless 2-player race mode in the 3DS version of the game.

Street Pass (3DS only)
It has been confirmed that StreetPass will be used to unlock special content and challenges as you pass by someone.

Playable

 * Modern Sonic
 * Classic Sonic
 * Classic Super Sonic (Confirmed by TSSZ)

Non-Playable

 * Modern Dr. Eggman (appears as a boss at some point)
 * Classic Dr. Ivo Robotnik (appears as a boss at some point and on the signpost at the end of the Classic level)
 * Omochao (Video shows Omochao is not City Escape exclusive, appearing several times in Green Hill as well. It is unknown if he has a role in the game, or if he just has a cameo.)
 * Fang the Sniper (cameo on a "Wanted" poster in City Escape)
 * Bean the Dynamite (cameo on a "Wanted" poster in City Escape)
 * Bark the Polar Bear (cameo on a "Wanted" poster in City Escape)
 * Mighty the Armadillo (cameo on a "Missing since 1993" poster in City Escape)
 * Ray the Flying Squirrel (cameo on a "Missing since 1993" poster in City Escape)
 * Chao (cameo in City Escape)

Enemies

 * Motobug
 * Chopper (Gigantic and Normal)
 * Crabmeat
 * Buzzbomber (With blue heads and red heads)
 * Newtron (Hinted by concept appearance) (appeared in 3DS gameplay)
 * Mono Beetle
 * Gun Beetle
 * Gun Hunter
 * EggRobo
 * E-10 Cop Speeder
 * Aero Chaser

Voice Actors
Even though no confirmed official list has been made, Roger Craig Smith said that he's willing to voice Sonic again. His voice as modern Sonic can be heard in demo gameplay footage thus far (albeit in voice clips recycled from Sonic Colors and Sonic Free Riders). Classic Sonic will remain silent throughout the game, but will still show his personality through his actions and gestures. Cream the Rabbit and Vanilla the Rabbit’s Japanese voice actress Sayaka Aoki revealed on her blog that she has been recording some voice work for a game that will be released in the future as well (whether or not she was referring to Generations is unknown). She also mentioned Jun'ichi Kanemaru, Sonic's current Japanese voice actor.

In a joint-interview with Segabits and Sonic Stadium, Takashi Iizuka revealed there will be voiceovers for all nationalities, not just English and Japanese.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Sonic Generations is comprised of different themes heard throughout the series' respected history.
 * "Menu" is a rendition of the Sonic Heroes Menu Theme.
 * "Invincibility" for both Modern and Classic is based off the original Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) theme.
 * "Green Hill Zone" is obviously based on the Green Hill Zone theme of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)﻿
 * "Drowning" based on Sonic Adventure ' s drowning tune.
 * The 1-Up theme is based on the unused 1-Up Theme from Sonic Adventure
 * "Escape from the City (classic)" is a pop mix of the original Escape from the City from Sonic Adventure 2.

Classic Era

 * Green Hill (360/PS3/3DS) (Sonic the Hedgehog 1)
 * Casino Night (3DS) (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
 * Launch Base (Hinted for the 3DS by the appearance of the Big Arm (Sonic the Hedgehog 3)')

Dreamcast Era

 * City Escape (360/PS3) (Sonic Adventure 2)

Modern Era

 * Seaside Hill (360/PS3) (Sonic Heroes)
 * Spagonia (360/PS3) (Sonic Unleashed)

Special Stages
Special Stages will appear in the 3DS version. The style of the play is akin to the Special Stages in Sonic Heroes. A Chaos Emerald will be achieved if the stage is completed. It has not been confirmed whether Super Sonic will be playable. It was called "Unlockable Special Stages" during SEGA's press conference regarding the 3DS version of the game. For the console versions, there will be an alternate way of getting the Chaos Emeralds.

Spoilers
After the first demo release, that was for the XBLA and PSN, on June 23rd (which was the 20th Birthday of Sonic the Hedgehog) hackers from Sonic Retro mined out installed information from the demo due to the file size. Several kinds of information such as levels, boss fights, elements, models, music and characters were extracted from the demo. These are the following:

Levels

 * Green Hill (Sonic The Hedgehog)
 * Chemical Plant (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)
 * Casino Night Zone (DLC; Pinball Mini-Game Based On The Original Level From Sonic 2)
 * Sky Sanctuary (Sonic 3 & Knuckles)
 * Speed Highway (Sonic Adventure)
 * City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2)
 * Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes)
 * Crisis City (Sonic '06)
 * Rooftop Run (Sonic Unleashed)
 * Planet Wisp (Sonic Colors)

Boss Fights

 * Metal Sonic
 * Shadow the Hedgehog
 * Silver the Hedgehog
 * Death Egg
 * Perfect Chaos
 * Egg Dragoon
 * Time Eater

Supporting Characters
Images of characters with their Japanese names written in circles (representing icons) were also extracted. The names written are the following: In the list of leaked missions, it says there will be missions with co-op, and missions where you will battle,race or perhaps play as these characters.
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Knuckles the Echidna
 * Amy Rose
 * Cream the Rabbit
 * Rouge the Bat
 * Espio the Chameleon
 * Charmy Bee
 * Vector the Crocodile
 * Blaze the Cat

Genesis
There will be limited demos of the classic 16-bit games for the console versions.

Additional

 * Two of the icons have pictures of the Spike Wisp and the Rocket Wisp which suggests that they will be playable in the leaked level, Planet Wisp.
 * There is an icon with a set of Chaos Emeralds which confirms Super Sonic for both Sonics.
 * There are also unknown icons such as a broken stopwatch, a bolt of lightning, fire, bubbles, and one that has a ring and a Motobug. It is not known how these items will affect the gameplay. The stopwatch might freeze time, and the bolt of lightning, fire and bubbles are the shields from Sonic 3. The ring could also add to the amount of rings you have like in other games

Other


Videos
Video:Sonic Generations - Teaser Trailer HD|Sonic Generations Teaser Trailer. Video:Sonic Generations Gameplay Trailer|A gameplay trailer. Video:Sonic Generations Extended gameplay footage|Modern and Classic Green Hill Zone gameplay Video:Sonic Generations E3 2011 Trailer CITY ESCAPE|City Escape Trailer Video:Sonic Generations Japanese City Escape trailer with Modern Music!|Japanese City Escape trailer with Modern Escape from the City Video:E3 2011 Sonic Generations Green Hill Walkthrough Video|

Trivia

 * While this is the first ever game in the entire Sonic series where a character meets his past self, Sonic has already met past or future versions of himself in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, SatAM, and Sonic the Comic.
 * Both of the Sonics' artwork are poses from past video games in the series.
 * This is the first game Classic Sonic is rendered in a CGI artwork.
 * Jun Senoue will be mixing all the tracks for this game. Playing as Classic Sonic on Green Hill Zone plays the original 16-bit version from the Genesis mixed with a techno beat to it, while Modern Sonic has a faster, rock infused version of the song. It is assumed that all the levels will be this way. The music also speeds up and slightly changes when Modern Sonic uses his boost.
 * The Classic version of City Escape is remix of the Endless Mine theme from the multiplayer mode of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
 * Like Sonic Unleashed (Wii/PS2), when using the boost while on a Dash Panel, Sonic uses a Spin Dash.
 * Sonic Generations will be the first Sonic game for the Nintendo 3DS.
 * It seems there is a redemption points system. When a level is completed, the time converts to score then a grade; then there is a box that converts the score to points, and the points are seen next to a credit card icon. Although it hasn't been confirmed, speculation points toward unlocking new or secret stages, missions, or additional historical information like Sonic World from Sonic Jam. It's even more likely because the 3DS version will use StreetPass to unlock bonus content, so the console versions will need to have something similar.
 * Like Sonic Unleashed, this game has a different name in Japan.
 * The E3 Demo, Sonic Boom, is named after the opening theme in the US version of Sonic CD. Crush 40 and Cash Cash performed a remix of this song at Sonic Boom.
 * In the City Escape trailer, Fang, Bean, Bark can be seen in "wanted" posters, whilst Mighty and Ray can be seen on a "missing" poster.
 * Like the street signs in Empire City from Sonic Unleashed, City Escape has various buildings named after characters, such as Tails' Pizza, Coffee Blaze, Amy's Market and Vector's Daily.
 * Patrick Riley confirmed the appearance of Leaderboards for the console versions, he also revealed some unannounced form of "internet functionality" that will likely be learned about at a later date.
 * At one point in Green Hill Zone, Modern Sonic is being chased by a giant Chopper, clearly a reference to when he was chased by a whale in both Sonic Adventure and Sonic The Hedgehog.
 * Each gameplay trailer features an instrumental version of a famous song:
 * Tenderoni by Kele Okereke (Green Hill)
 * Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance (City Escape)
 * Takashi Iizuka revealed that the reason Sonic Generations is coming to the 3DS is because the Wii wasn't a good fit for the game, since the primary goal for the console versions is to reimagine classic stages in vivid, HD graphics. So they decided that, for the Nintendo audience, it would come to the 3DS.
 * This is the first time Modern Sonic gets Boost Energy from Both Rings and Enemy Power in a handheld console.
 * This is the first time that Classic Sonic gets a rank on his stages.
 * In this game, Classic Sonic has different waiting animations. One looks similar to Sonic 2 and the other looks similar to Sonic 3.
 * This will be the first time Classic Sonic will grind on rails, although he is rolling down the rails, instead of standing up like Modern Sonic.
 * It is likely that you will play as different characters because of the Co-op missions in hub worlds and mission where you battle and race other characters.
 * In the demo's internal code, Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic are known as GenericSonic and ClassicSonic, respectively.
 * During a Spanish interview with Diana Redetski, a spokesperson form SEGA Spain, she revealed there might be a way to do a Modern Sonic/Classic Sonic switch, as a toggle feature. In addition, in the list of leaked missions, it seems there are levels played right before the HUB worlds, in every stage, where you play as "Both".
 * In City Escape Classic Sonic's level it appears the Sonic Adventure 2 G.U.N. truck chasing him, but in Modern Sonic's level it appears bigger, faster, and armored with rockets and buzzsaws.
 * The Red Rings from Sonic Colors will appear as collectables.