So as part of a rather large three-game announcement for Wii U, Sega unveiled the new big 3D Sonic platformer titled Sonic Lost World. To the dismay of many an Xbox/PS3 Sega fan, the game is, like Bayonetta's sequel before it, exclusive to the Wii U. Coupled with Nintendo designers aiding in the development of the game, it is rapidly shaping up to be a rather fine tuned and otherwise far improved Sonic game over previous recent installments.
Within two months of the release of this game will come Super Mario 3D World, a new 3D Mario platformer that uses the same gameplay style as Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS but applies multiplayer and a, uhh... cat suit...?
I have been a long time Mario/Sonic fan as a kid and have always flip-flopped on which one was my favorite. They both had cartoons when I was a kid that I watched and they both had games new and old that I loved to play. So to say that I've had my fill of both characters is a bit of an understatement. During generation six when Sonic started his franchise degradation, it became very easy to choose Mario as my all time favorite game mascot. With the release of Shadow the Hedgehog, I quickly let go of my love for the Sonic franchise and watched it feel into a very deep obscurity for the next half a decade. So for a time I was able to enjoy the Mario franchise on its own as a platformer king with very few contenders that could potentially rival it in design and appeal.
Fast forward to today where the latest iterations are on the rise, both exclusive for the Wii U, both expected to push some big numbers.
Would it be too crazy for me to say that I'm actually much more excited for the Sonic game?
Don't get me wrong; I loved Super Mario 3D Land and I would probably get 3D World at launch if not for its lack of online play. But Sonic's latest installment not only looks incredibly fresh, it's shaping up to be one of the best 3D Sonic games since (in my opinion) Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Just from a gameplay perspective, it's fast, it has the Wisps from Colors (one of the best aspects of that particular game) and has done away with the Unleashed/Colors/Generations gameplay in favor of something new, more natural and more complimentary to Sonic's platforming and not just his speed.
I'm a pretty big Mario fan, there's no denying that. But this new Sonic game has me much more excited than Mario 3D World. It makes me wonder if perhaps hell is freezing over if I'm just losing my mind. Just to note, this is not my way of saying 3D World will be a bad or disappointing game, but I believe the experience is not quite as fresh. Discovering the lack of online play also diminished much of my enthusiasm for the game. While Sonic Lost World lacks online multiplayer as well (although strangely it is present in the 3DS version), its single player gameplay seems to be more than making up for it in the long run.
Jokes aside, it goes to show how far the two franchises have come. Mario's seen dominance for the past decade and I feel like this may be the one time things may be different and that's not necessarily a bad thing. While I know many Wii U owners out there are most assuredly getting Mario 3D World, I definitely hope they will open their minds to this new Sonic game as well. I don't think any fan of any platformer should miss out on it. I guess the point of this blog is me pointing out the irony of this little difference of planes as I continue anticipating one Wii U game a little bit more than another each day.
So what are your thoughts on these two titles? Any Mario vs. Sonic memories of your own?
Turn 10 Studios and PlayGround Games have improved the simulation racing aspect with Forza Motorsport.
Press Start writes: "There’s a lot to like about the new Forza Motorsport, then, but there are a few things that hold this title from back being truly excellent. While significant improvements have been made to the experience of racing when it comes to visuals, physics and audio – the AI drivers are a different story. Almost entirely unpredictable at times, the AI will consistently disrespect the racing line, side-slam your car and even brake check you during races."
If you're among those who wanted to play Diablo 4 on PC but have been holding out for a Steam release, the wait is almost over following today's announcement.
I was initially interested in this as it looked externally closer to Diablo 2 than 3, but it does seem like the game is not a great single player action rpg I was hoping for. If you take all the press and whatnot hype out of it, is this really any good, for example compared to Diablo 2 or Grim Dawn? The latter has not been as addictive and interesting for me as Diablo 2, but maybe it will get better as I progress. I'm looking for a 100% single-player side of this.
I got the sorcerer to 82 and I thought it would be good similar to diablo 2 but the thing is it is boring. All the dungeons feel the same, the loot is uninteresting you find unique, you pick it up and you continue without looking at it because you know its probably bad and not very different from what you have. You never feel powerful unless you make The Build everyone is using on internet
The campaign is fine but the end game is pretty terrible, boring, repetitive, and unrewarding.
The game has lost an absurd 99.3%+ of its player base once the seasonal content started
It didnt scratch the D2 itch for me at all
Call of Duty MW2 was day and date I believe, but this (like OW2) had a staggered release.
Personally if I bought it for PC I'd only do so through Steam; I can hope though if the Activision merger goes through that they'll convert digital Xbox purchases to Xbox Play Anywhere.
Mario+Sonic+Rayman= Platform Heaven
If you were new to gaming then you couldnt even begin to comprehend that these two franchises were once equal rivals, because these days Sonic is a joke.
Sonic has become an absolute turd of a franchise and any fondness i had for the character died a long time ago after yet another shitty game.
So no, I cant get excited for a new Sonic game.
Can't say im impressed with Nintendo's current scheme of releasing 3ds titles for the WiiU either.
Nintendo and Sega need to stop with this foreplay and give us a proper Super Mario World/Sonic Adventure cross over.
Each character in the opposite world with Eggman and Bowser teaming up to take down our heroes.
WiiU seller right there Nintendo. You're welcome!
All I want is Sonic Adventure 3! I loved 1 & 2 so I can never understand why Sega dropped it all together.
As for Sonic Lost world, well you've gotten my interest but now I'm just hoping the game lives up to the hype, I've had enough disappointment when it comes to Sonic games as it is.