E3: Sonic Heroes Hands On Impressions

[Sqoon]

For all the strange decisions they make, Sega still continues to pleasantly surprise, this time in the form of Sonic Heroes.

Up for selection in the E3 demo was the conventional Sonic/Knuckles/Tails team and two difficulty levels (Easy and Hard). The Easy stage is very similar to the first level in Sonic Adventure: high mossy cliffs, surrounded by an ocean, and even has that random appearance from a killer whale.

The player can switch between all three characters only the fly with the push of a button, and the character in direct control becomes the 'leader' and uses his abilities to overcome obstacles or furnish short-cuts. Sonic has speed and a homing attack (the one introduced in Sonic Adventure) making fighting easy and quick; Tails can lift the other two characters across chasms and to secret areas; and Knuckles can destroy giant blocks and can also hold Tails and Sonic for a special fire attack. An amusing sight, to say in the least.

I have to admit I was highly skeptical of the concept, but it's ironic that Sonic Heroes is quite possibly the most conventional console Sonic in years, and adheres closely to the original 16-bit titles. First of all, the game is fast. All three characters move a quick pace (Sonic being the fastest naturally) and there are springs and speed boosters and giant loops abound. It feels like level design came first, and there are multiple routes the player can take. For example, there's one part where Sonic can choose to run down a giant chasm or use Tails to fly over it and collect some coins (at the expense of the time limit).

A fantastic experience so far, if the other teams are as cohesive as this one, this can be the best Sonic game in a long time.

[sggg]

Wow... it keeps getting better and better. That sounds wonderful! Thanks for the impressions.

[Ryan]

What was the music like?

[Sqoon]

Originally posted by Valgar
What was the music like?

It was Japanese faux-guitar rock (similar to the Sonic Adventures). Not a fan.

[Hero]

but I am ^^

[Captain Vegetable]

I'm not, but music isn't why I play my Sonic games.

Is Heros coming out for XBOX as well, or is "Sonic Adventure 3" a totally different game?

[Hero]

Heroes will be on GC, XBox, and PS2. There wasn't anything on the floor about Sonic Adventure 3, if its even in development.

[ChaoofNee]

Didn't Naka say he was ditching the whole "Adventure" series altogether?
Otherwise, I'm stoked about this.
'Specially Team Chaotix.
All this game is missing is Team Underdog: Ray the Squirrel with the speed, Nack/Fang the Weasel with a jetpack as the flight, and Mighty the Armadillo as the muscle.
Hey, a Sonic fanboy can dream, can't he?

[Orta]

Naka said that "Adventure" is dead.

[bahn]

I got my Sonic Advance 2 autographed by Yuji Naka!!!!! ^_______________________________^