What's Next For Sonic The Hedgehog?

Sonic, Sonic, Sonic... Does anyone actually remember the time when this spiky blue speedster was on top of his game? Believe it or not all you younger readers, there was indeed a time when Sonic The Hedgehog was a name which was synonymous with quality and excitement. During the early 90's gamers could hardly wait for his next adventure; his games literally sold gaming consoles. Without Sonic Sega would probably not exist at all today and they certainly wouldn't of been able to compete with Mario and co. in the 90's. But this particular post isn't about the hedgehog's history, but rather his future.

Sonic has been going through considerable trouble round about the time the infamous title Sonic The Hedgehog (or Sonic 06 as it's more widely recognised as) on Xbox 360 and PS3. Since then he seems to have been stuck in a creative rut. His latest 'main' game from Sonic Team was of course Sonic Forces which wasn't the worst game or Sonic title ever, but was still a disappointment in many people's eyes. What does Sonic need to do next in order to get back on top? Can he get back on top or have there just been too many disappointing titles and thus has doomed him to star in sub-par games for the rest of time? Well, hopefully not. I obviously don't hold all or any of the answers to bring Sonic back from the brink, but hopefully I can offer my own sight regarding what I would do to help him get back to 'quality status' again, just like how gamers and critics view Super Mario titles still to this day.

1. Time for a new gameplay style

Lets start with the most important thing when determining whether or not a game will be deemed great: the gameplay. Sonic Team have been using the 'Sonic Rush' boost style gameplay in main 3D titles since Sonic Unleashed...well unleashed! Way back in 2008 for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Using some very complicated maths, we can come to the conclusion that this was practically 9 years ago now! I have to admit, I've enjoyed the 'boost' formula the series has gone with. It was good regarding differentiating and transitioning from the Sonic Adventure style seen in his Dreamcast days. But it turns out playing the same gameplay style for nearly 10 years gets stale. What I'm trying to say is, Sega will find it hard to make a truly impressive Sonic title if they continue with this now ageing formula. Gamers and fans want, and I think, are ready for something new to truly engross them in a Sonic title again. They did try tweaking the formula in 2012 with Sonic Lost World on Wii U, but it wasn't quite the golden comeback fans were waiting for. I have to say though, I was quite shocked when Sonic Team still opted to use the boost gameplay in Sonic Forces, especially seeing as though it took a few years to develop. As for gameplay style Sega should addopt, I'm not so sure as I'm not a game designer! But hopefully it would involve a little more control over Sonic rather than pressing one button to do all the work for you; in addition to waiting for scripted events in a level such as loop the loops where a player can literally put their controller down and let the computer do all the work for them. Whatever Sega decide to go with it needs to be new and exciting in order to get Sonic back on track again.

2. Spend time creating the new Sonic game

The average Sonic game is created between one to two years. It's time for the money hungry fat cats at Sega to realise to create a truly spectacular game more time is needed. Take for example Mario (Sorry Sonic but it needs to be said). A mainline 3D Mario platformer seems to take about five years or more to create. Yes, I know Nintendo have other Mario games in between these titles to keep Mario in the spotlight and to keep the cash flowing which in turn goes toward the next major Mario title, and yes I know Nintendo as a company they have a larger wallet than the developers at Sega and thus can afford to wait a few years to perfect their next Mario adventure. But Sega must see reason. Do they really expect Sonic Team to create a masterpiece worthy of his status in the 90's within just one year? No, it's not going to happen. They need to go back to the drawing board, sit down, and meet with the major players at the company and Sonic Team and SLOWLY discuss to find a way out of this hole they seemed to have got themselves into. If they keep up with the plan they currently have going then eventually, and it will happen, they will tarnish his reputation completely and he'll become another forgotten animal mascot.

3. Change Sonic's attitude/personality

Sonic has always had an attitude, even before he had the ability to speak on the Mega Drive. These days though his attitude and the words that come out of his mouth tend to irritate fans rather than marvel at him. His current voice actor in the Sonic titles seem to suit him okay but I believe his overall personality could do with a bit of a tweak. In fact Sonic could benefit from not opening his mouth as often and just stick to kicking ass. These days gamers tend to ridicule him by putting on a winy voice and saying his catch phrases such as 'gotta go fast!' or 'you're too slow!' His personality at the moment is more cheesy rather than one who exerts coolness (if that's even a word?). Sonic is capable of demonstrating a more cool, almost stubborn attitude as he manage to that during the 90's. I think if Sonic Team could bring back those characteristics again then it may persuade others who are not the biggest hedgehog fans to give him chance as this what helped give him life-long dedicated fans in the first place: his no nonsense attitude and cool demeanour. 

4. No more half-assed sidekicks

You know all the 'half-assed' sidekicks I'm on about! The Chips and the Big the Cats of the Sonic universe. At one point it seemed that was Sega's solution to creating a new Sonic title: create a new hugely annoying character to go along side Sonic's new adventure and the game will sell... Sega and Sonic Team, we have more than enough sidekicks in the Sonic World now and we don't need anymore, please. Instead of creating new annoying characters and shoving a backstory in just for the sake of it, why don't you do something like creating a game early on in Sonic's timeline such as when he met Tails for the first time or his first encounter with Eggman. Perhaps going back into Sonic's past could rekindle people's interest with the Blue Blur once more.

Thanks for reading this post guys and girls! I very much appreciate it. Of course it isn't all doom and gloom for Sonic since titles such as Sonic Mania have released! And, in that sense, I think there is a bright future regarding the 2D Sonic titles if they're anything like Sonic Mania. This post was obviously focusing on the 'main 3D Sonic blockbusters (well supposed to be blockbusters anyway.) I would love to know your take on Sonic's future! Do you think Sonic needs different changes to propel him back to the top, or is he doing just fine in your eyes? I would honestly love to know!