New Sonic Mania & Forces info from Famitsu Interview with Takashi Iizuka

In the latest issue of Famitsu, an interview was featured with Sonic series producer & director, Takashi Iizuka, explaining what to expect from Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces with new info on gameplay elements, suprises and many more. With special thanks to translators, Woun and Source Gaming from the Sonic community, here’s what we should expect from both games. Hit the jump to see the translated information.

Sonic Forces

• The third character in Forces will be an “unexpected character”. Sonic Boom Sonic is NOT in the game. However, the third character “plays an important role in the story, and embodies the overall features of the game”.
• “The boost system from Sonic Unleashed is present, as well as stages based on reaching the goal and clearing them a certain time limit also seem to be present.”
• “Classic Sonic stages are based on side scrolling 2D action.” Apparently, they will also have a twist.
• Sonic Forces will be at E3 this year. We are told that E3 will be where the third character will be revealed.
• Sonic Forces’ story summary from the magazine: “Dr. Eggman took over 99% of the world. Sonic and the “Resistance” members are fighting. Then another Sonic appears…” It then talks about Classic Sonic appearing, Classic and Modern being two different style, and then there being a third one. The reason why Eggman takes over so much of the world is because of “a new power” that his obtains, resulting in his army controlling that much of the world. However, this power is also what makes Classic Sonic appear.
• Morio Kishimoto is the director of Sonic Forces. He designed Secret Rings, Black Knight, and Sonic Colors. He also directed Sonic Lost World.
• “Forces was chosen as a subtitle from it meaning “power” and “army”. Two strong forces (Sonic and co vs. Eggman) are facing off in the game.”
• “This time, Sonic is fighting an Eggman who has nearly taken over the world.”
• 2017, with the release of Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania, is a “continuation” of Sonic’s 25th anniversary.
• The game won’t be all dark and gloomy. There are some lighter stages in Forces.

Sonic Mania

• There is a circular ring of white stars above a Mirage Saloon screenshot in Sonic Mania, suggesting the return of Sonic 3’s bonus stages.
• Sonic Mania’s development began in 2015. Sonic Team wanted to do a new 2D Sonic game and “not a remake”.
• The general rule for the art of Sonic Mania was to be above the level of Genesis, but under the level of Saturn.
• The gameplay for Mania is similar to Sonic 3’s. The elemental shields were mentioned, but just that they are returning.

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