Sonic Forces is the latest main entry into the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, which promises to take Sonic Generations game play ideas, add a custom character and an actual storyline. You’ve probably have heard mix opinions on Sonic Forces, so let me tell you what my honest opinion on the game is. Welcome to SEGAbits’ review for Sonic Forces on the PlayStation 4!
Another SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive classic has been added to the SEGA Forever free-to-play smart device gaming lineup. Based on the System 16 arcade game Cyber Police ESWAT, ESWAT: City Under Siege is a rather faithful arcade port. A run n’ gun, ESWAT stars a police officer (given the name Duke Oda in Japanese versions) who makes his way through the crime-ridden Liberty City, taking down lawbreakers. Promoted to the police department’s top unit, the ESWAT (Enhanced Special Weapons and Tactics), Oda is given a powerful exoskeleton and is tasked with taking down the super computer E.Y.E.
A little SEGA trivia: Streets of Rage/Bare Knuckle started development under the working title of D-SWAT were the D stood for Dragon, making it sort of a sequel/spin-off to the ESWAT series. It later became its own thing, but an interesting factoid.
Sonic Forces releases today, and with it we have the fourth Sonic Forces web comic with art by Adam Bryce Thomas and writing by Ian Flynn. This issue focuses on Eggman and how he met Infinite. While I would usually classify this as a spoiler, from what I’ve heard of the Episode Shadow DLC and from reading this, you are likely better off consuming this and the DLC before playing the game, as this is where Infinite’s back story is covered. After the break, read the full digital comic!
Sonic Forces releases today and following yesterday’s early launch trailer we have some new concept art direct from SEGA. The art shows off Sonic and friends battling Eggman’s squad of villains, Sonic in prison, the avatar character on a mission, Eggman’s lab, and more! Check out the additional concept art after the break.
Remember you can still order the Sonic Forces Bonus Edition to receive SEGA and Atlus avatar costumes, controller skins and Episode Shadow: PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Switch | PC
On this short but sweet SEGA News Bits, Barry takes a look at the newly announced Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 vinyl from Brave Wave, which are due out this winter. Released separately and each containing two LPs, fans can expect a hand picked selection of the best tunes from each game. What tracks made the cut? What bonuses can we expect? Click play and find out!
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Sonic Forces releases tomorrow to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC and via SEGA we have a launch trailer for the game. Narrated by Knuckles, the trailer lays out the storyline and introduces the heroes and villains. Also detailed is Episode Shadow, a side-story featuring our favorite edgy black hedgehog featuring new stages and the ability to play as Shadow in over 10 modern Sonic stages.
Order the Sonic Forces Bonus Edition and receive SEGA and Atlus avatar costumes, controller skins and Episode Shadow: PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Switch | PC
Via The Dreamcast Junkyard comes a cool bit of behind the scenes history on SEGA’s final home console. The Sega Dreamcast Software Creation Standards Guidebook was sent to the site by an anonymous former Dreamcast developer, and features 136 pages of standards set by SEGA for the development of software for the Dreamcast. While the document is a bit dry in how it presents information, there is some cool pieces of information contained within. For example, the document instructs developers how to hide the pause menu and which controller ports should allow the use of the keyboard. The rules contained within answer why so many different games from different teams have the same button combinations and features.
For more information, check out The Dreamcast Junkyard’s article here and download the full PDF here.
2017 is fast becoming the year of Sonic vinyls, as it was announced today that the music label Brave Wave will be releasing Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack vinyls this winter. As revealed on their website, the first pressing will contain special colors that represent the respective game. Sonic Adventure will be pressed in blue and white 180-gram vinyl and Sonic Adventure 2 will be pressed in blue and red 180-gram vinyl. Following the first pressing, the soundtracks will be on standard black 180-gram vinyl. Both releases will include a booklet featuring interviews with Jun Senoue and Takashi Iizuka, liner notes by John Linneman of Digital Foundry, song lyrics and character art.
If you think each game has a soundtrack too big for a single record, don’t fret! Each release will come with two LP records featuring remastered tracks handpicked by series lead composer and sound director Jun Senoue and the team. After the break, check out the full tracklists, and keep your eyes on the Brave Wave site for pre-order information as it becomes available.
The mobile tie-in game Sonic Forces: Speed Battle saw a wide release today, and after playing it for a few hours here are our hands-on impressions! How does it compare to games like Sonic Dash? Can fans expect any hints at what to expect in Sonic Forces? Give the latest SEGA News Bits video a watch and find out!
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Late last night, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle left the status of soft launch and saw wide release becoming available in the App Store and Google Play store. Unfortunately, SEGA has not sent us a press release yet, so we don’t have many more details – like which regions has not yet received the game, what launch day deals there are, etc. The game, however, is now up and running and fully playable.
If you have played the past two Sonic Dash games, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle is essentially an online multiplayer version of Sonic Dash with characters and settings from Sonic Forces. Unlike Sonic Dash, hitting an obstacle does not end the stage, it just slows you down, and stages are not randomized endless courses, there are clear beginnings and ends making it more of a race.
Give the game a try and in the comments below, tell us what you think!
Nicalis, Inc. announced on Twitter today that they will be working with DotEmu and Lizardcube to publish Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap at retail for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. For those who have been following the game, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a remake of the classic SEGA Master System game and it released digitally in April, 2017. The game was then given a PlayStation 4 physical release by Limited Run Games in standard and special edition versions.
Now, fans will have another chance at a PS4 physical release and add a Nintendo Switch physical release to their collection. We’ll share more details as we hear them!
Aliens: Colonial Marines might have released as a huge disappointing game with a ton of broken promises but that isn’t stopping fans from fixing the 2013 disaster piece of a game. The peeps over at Templar GFX Modding have now released the fifth version of their Aliens: Colonial Marines overhaul mod which aims to make the game a somewhat more playable video game.
According to the version five update changes the game will improve visuals on all levels. This includes things like permanent decals and improved Pixel Shader for graphics. The mod is also aiming at improving the AI on both human and xenos including the dodging and jumping. You can see all the changes below. I’m honestly sad that SEGA mishandled the Aliens license the way they did, seeing as how the game’s fans are passionate enough to fix the terrible game, even half a decade after release. The saddest part is, SEGA should have shut and fixed it themselves. Regardless, you can see the notes after the jump and download the latest mod right here.
[Via: DSOGaming]
Camelot game producer Hiroyuki Takahashi joined a held conference in Japan titled “3rd Game Business Archive” along with Treasure President Masato Maegawa (where he teased an upcoming announcement) and Former Compile director Masamitsu “Moo” Niitani. During his talk he went into detail on Shining Force sale figures and numbers from games way back in the day. This is some of the information he discussed:
As you already know, Camelot Software had a falling out with SEGA after the development of Shining Force III on the SEGA Saturn. Shortly after they went on to work with Nintendo on the highly acclaimed Golden Sun series then after started making various Mario sport titles. If SEGA is serious about reviving older IPs on its road to 2020, then they should totally take Camelot Software up on this offer.
[Via: ResetEra]
The last time we heard about Treasure, we ran a rumor that the company was going to stop making new games. Is it true? So far it has stayed true since the companies last ‘new game’ was Gaist Crusher God which was released back back in 2014. Since then Treasure Games hasn’t made a single brand new game. Rumors suggested that the company was going to continue as an IP holding company. Now according to a Japanese twitter user, Treasure President Masato Maegawa stated that he has an announcement coming in 2018 and that Treasure games won’t make a social game (usually mobile games) as long as he lives.
“I’ll never work on social games for as long as I live! I’ll have something to share next year” – Treasure Games President Masato Maegawa
Maegawa also complained that there was a total lack of communication at SEGA during the Mega Drive, especially during the time they developed Yu Yu Hakusho. He also revealed that Gunstar Heroes shipped 70k units in Japan and 200k abroad. Said the initial 10k print run in Japan sold out fast. Treasure Games’ president also wished that SEGA would have their own ‘Mega Drive Mini’ much like what Nintendo offers.
According to twitter user @gosokkyu, this lines up with what he has heard about from Treasure, that most publishers are only wanting them to work on mobile or ‘social’ type games. I’m glad to see a Japanese developer that doesn’t want to succumb to mobile gaming. Some developers just don’t transition over well and since a lot of Treasure Games are about the gameplay, I don’t think it would work out on mobile. But hey what do you think this announcement will be? Are you excited? Sound off in the comments.
[Via: ResetEra]
Earlier this year we shared that three new Sonic the Hedgehog books from Penguin Random House – including a short story collection, a handbook and a Mad Libs book – were releasing in March, 2018. Now, two more books are due out July 10, 2018 including another short story collection and a sticker activity book! after the break, check out the descriptions of the upcoming books, as well as how to pre-order a copy.