Sonic returns in New 2D, HD Game

[droutmaster]

It appears that Sega may actually have been listening. After years and years of (mostly) awful 3D Sonic games, the company is now teasing something called "Project Needlemouse", billed as a return to the Sonic of old.

"Old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay" says Sega of America's Ken Balough. "Many liked the daytime stages in Unleashed, but wanted to see a game that plays purely similar to the early games of the Genesis. Project Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots."

The teaser clip's tagline reads "Speed returns, in an all new 2D adventure built from the ground up", with Balough confirming the game will, rather than be a retro-remake, be an all-new game built in HD.

It'll be out in 2010. No word on platforms, but the "HD" bit certainly narrows it down. What do you think, Sega fans? Do you dare to hope?

There is also a video trailer on the provided link

kotaku.com/5355153/sonic-returns-in-new-2d-hd-game

what you guys think?

[gpa]

Not going to get my hopes up till I see some actual gameplay footage, though the news sounds encouraging. I haven't played a Sonic game since Sonic Adventure 2 on DC, so it'd be nice if they released a sequel that could restore the series.

[mechamasterj]

yeah cuz recent sonic games have pretty much sucked....

[quinjester]

Even if it IS 2D, that won't automatically make it good. Sonic team has shown a consistent disconnect with an understanding of what makes a "good game" for sonic on next gen platforms since the dreamcast. Even the fairly decent DS games are only "okay" as far as platformers go, with horrid plot design and fairly lackluster "paint by numbers" level design.

I wont get my hopes up for anything spectacular with this, but I reserve the right to be pleasantly surprised if it comes down to it

[mechamasterj]

they need to make a mario brother z....... sonic kickedass in that series lol

[Cyrano]

It's officially Sonic 4. A few seconds of footage and a brief interview:
www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/sonicthehedgehog4episode1/news.html?sid=6249445&tag=topslot;img;1&mode=previews

[zeomare]

i am very interested in this if they can capture some of the magic of the old games this could be a worthy download,

[Magmatron]

I wouldn't be too excited. It really comes down to execution. 3D wasn't sonic's problem, rather the horrendous team and lack of effort. They were pumping games yearly, rather then taking their time to ensure a quality product.

[droutmaster]

Its interesting, is a new story arc but the game takes place after S&K. no wonder the other characters got cut.

[krimpov]

The running animation looks... awkward. I've read comments on various boards and it seems I'm not alone to wish they'd bring back the "wheel run" animation of the first games. It might have looked weird if they had done this in the 3D titles, with their "behind-the-furry" point of view, but in a sidescroller, even with 3D models, it would look fine.