Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog (also called Sonic Next-Gen or Sonic 360 to differentiate it from similarly-titled games) is the name of the next-generation video game featuring Sonic to be released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. SEGA has said the release date for the game will be the same day the PS3 comes onto the market (making it a launch title) with the Xbox 360 version releasing on the same day.[1] This would set the U.S. release date at November 14, 2006. It is being developed at Sonic Team, directed by Shun Nakamura.

It was revealed during a press release on September 9, 2005; Yuji Naka hinted that this game will be a recreation or a retelling of the original Sega Genesis game Sonic the Hedgehog, using speeds "only capable on next gen systems", though his comments could equally refer to the design-process and not the storyline itself (which appears to be an all new story rather than a remake of any kind) returning to its roots. Its release will mark the 15th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, just as Sonic Adventure 2 marked the 10th.

Among the new innovations revealed are the incorporation of passing time, including the realistic movement of the sun, as well as highly detailed characters and landscapes (in one demo, a tree was shown in-game with mushrooms growing on it). Yuji Naka has stated that the general theme of the game will be "What if Sonic were real?"

However, Naka had recently departed from Sonic Team and Sega on May 8, 2006, to form his own studio, PROPE. It is unknown about how this Sonic game will progress without his supervision and whether Nakamura will carry on designing the game himself.

Although a separate project is in development for the Wii, it is nonetheless unknown at this time if there will be a version of this game for that system.

Plot

In the City of Water, Soleanna, lives Princess Elise. Elise is the keeper of a dark secret, the "Flames of Disaster", involving a mysterious jewel known as the Chaos Emerald. The evil Dr. Eggman learns of the Flames of Disaster and kidnaps the Princess. When the world-renowned hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, learns of this, he sets off to save the Princess and the Chaos Emerald, but his quest is interrupted by a strange white hedgehog, called Silver the Hedgehog, who talks of the "Iblis Trigger", an event that leads to a great disaster and is somehow caused by Sonic during his rescue attempt. According to this source, it has been revealed that the "Iblis Trigger" is, in fact, responsible for the deaths of many, and it has come to be known as the "Flames of Disaster", which will kill many people. Sonic must save the princess, stop Dr. Eggman, and figure out what the mysterious Silver wants.

Shadow the Hedgehog will also be featured within the game, but his role within the story is currently unknown.

Playable Characters

A recent trailer revealed that it is possible to play as several other characters on top of Sonic. The known cast is:

* Sonic the Hedgehog - The Hero of the Story, who, after befriending the Princess Elise,[3] takes it upon himself to rescue her. When controlling Sonic, the player will get to experience high speed, Sonic Adventure-style gameplay. Sonic also gets faster in speed the more rings he collects.

* Shadow the Hedgehog - It is currently unknown how Shadow fits in to the game's storyline. In the official E3 trailer and screenshots, Shadow is seen driving an armed four-wheeled vehicle, suggesting that his gameplay may be similar to that of his spin-off title, Shadow the Hedgehog. According to the game's marketing director on the E3 2006 Show floor,[4] Shadow will be able to drive vehicles to get to new areas. In the latest batch of Screenshots, Shadow is shown walking around outside of vehicles, and fighting a massive army of hundreds of enemies.

* Silver the Hedgehog - Silver is a time-traveling Hedgehog who has returned to the past in order to stop Sonic from becoming the "Iblis Trigger".[5] Silver has psychokinetic powers, which are the main feature of his gameplay. Using his psychokinetic powers, Silver is able to pick up objects around the playing field and throw them at enemies, including projectiles like missiles. He also possesses the ability to levitate in the air for differing amounts of time (using up his energy bar), he also gains more abilities the more rings he collects.

Stages

Although each character will play the same levels, Sonic Team have stated that each character's unique abilities will allow them to get to different areas of each stage, and deny them from accessing certain items.

Action Stages

* Kingdom Valley (Official name): A large, grassy canyon containing the ruins of an old castle.
* Crisis City (Official name): A giant, decaying city visibly under attack from forces both mechanical and supernatural.
* Jungle Stage (Official name unknown): A large jungle that seems to have overgrown an ancient civilization. It has only been seen in some extended gameplay footage. In a recent screenshot, it had been shown that this stage will feature water. A long branch can be seen extending into the water and a dash panel placed on top. It is unknown if this will allow Sonic to run on water (as seen in Kingdom Valley) or if he is able to actually roam underwater.

Town Stages

* Soleanna (Speculative): Seen in the extended trailer. Cobblestone streets, fountains, and a large human population, comes under attack by Eggman during a ceremony in the trailer.

Gamer Talk...