That e-mail that started it all…
Lots of people have asked me to just publish the e-mail that I was sent in full. Well, hit the jump to read it.
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Rumor: Sonic 4: Episode 2 to feature Tails and Metal Sonic?
According to the original rumor, the last bit of info confirms that Tails will be playable. Not only that, Metal Sonic would be the main villain. I guess there was something to that marketing for Sonic CD. Reading the info that the source gave, it seems the version he got was pretty early and sections of it weren’t completed yet.
“You can select either Sonic or Tails before loading the first stage, but selecting Tails simply grants you playing as Sonic with a Tails life icon and ‘Tails got through Act X’ messages.”
“The level design consists of many bottomless pit areas and failing to avoid Metal Sonic after he teleports usually results in death.“
I’ll be publishing the full e-mail later tonight for the interested. This seems like a given, at least to me. After Sonic CD coming out ‘before’ they announced this? I pretty much knew it was going to have Metal Sonic. Tails was a given because he was introduced in Sonic 2, so introducing him in Episode 2 makes sense. Like you can assume that Knuckles will be in 3.
Amazon Offers Great SEGA PC Deals
Amazon offers some superb deals this time of year. Today and today only they are offering amazing deals on several SEGA games for the PC. The best part? They are all for download, meaning you don’t even have to wait for them to ship! Here’s a few of the deals:
SEGA Power Pack ( 20 downloads including Sonic Generations, Complete Total War series, Football Manager 2012, Renegade Ops, and SEGA Genesis Classic Series): $49.99 (List Price 261.42)
Sonic Generations: $15.00 (List price $29.99)
Total War: Shogun 2: $7.49 (List Price $29.99)
There’s loads more deals, which you can find here.
Rumor: Sonic 4 Episode 2’s first stage called Cryptic Clock Zone?
Adding to yesterday’s exclusive rumor on Sonic Episode 2, this time we hope that we are revealing the first stage name for the game. According to the anonymous e-mailer the first zone is going to be titled ‘Cryptic Clock Zone’.
“The first stage is titled Cryptic Clock Zone, set in a dark moonlit stonehenge like area. “
I’m pretty sure if this turns out to be true, that this is an original level idea, unlike the first episode that seemed to borrow themes from past Sonic titles. Or am I wrong? Is there a super secret stonehenge inspired Sonic stage that I missed?
Edit: Put rumor in the title after some sites started running the story as a fact. This is a rumor and has been filed under rumor since I posted it.
Follow up Review: Sonic CD
Back in my original review of Sonic CD, I said that I would return to this game to review it again and see if it warranted a higher grade. While the game does have some great and wonderful improvements, there are still some slightly nagging issues that just cannot be undone. Full follow-up review inside along with a bonus!
Sturmwind Delayed
Those hoping to have the new Dreamcast game in time for Christmas will be disappointed, I’m afraid, as Sturmwind has ran into some production problems. Unlike the previous delay this has nothing to do with the game itself. Sturmwind has gone gold and is ready to go into production. Unfortunately, the CD pressing company that was slated to print copies of the game has gone bankrupt. Sturmwind’s publisher, RedSpotGames, has already found a replacement manufacturer, but for the time being the game’s release date is now “TBA”. We’ll be sure to update you as soon as a new release date is established. An announcement is expected later in the month.
Until then, if you wish to purchase the game, you can pre-order the regular edition, special edition, or the Wind and Water combo pack here.
Full press release is below the fold.
Rumor: Sonic 4: Episode 2 not fixing physics complaints
We got an anonymous tip from a fellow reader that has actually played Sonic 4: Episode 2 and his opinion on the title wasn’t a positive one. He stated that the game uses the same physics from the first episode.
“I have obtained access to a prototype build via the Xbox Live PARTNERNET program, and what is concerning is that the physics are exactly the same as they were in Episode 1. Yes, letting go of the stick makes Sonic drop like a brick. The reason I am telling you this information is that if it is out in the open, the fans will have a chance to speak out and make Sega delay the game. I am worried if it is left too late Sega will push out yet another disappointing software product.” – Anonymous e-mail
Some fans didn’t seem to hate the new physics, but many did. We have more Sonic 4 information that he leaked, we will be posting something everyday, so come back when you can. Hopefully we can get some screenshots as well.
Edit: Put rumor in the title after some sites started running the story as a fact. This is a rumor and has been filed under rumor since I posted it.
Renegade Ops Accolades Trailer
Sega just wanted to remind you how good Renegade Ops was, so they made this accolades trailer! Pretty sure this is exactly the same footage as another trailer just with quotes spliced into it… But hey, why not? It does a good job of showing off what Renegade Ops is all about, driving around and blowing stuff up!
It’s a brilliantly fun game that reminds me of classic top down shooters of the 90’s like Jackle and Desert Strike except in beautiful HD graphics, online play and four player co-op. If you haven’t already got it, go treat yourself it’s on PSN, XBLA and Steam and its well worth it.
Check out this Sonic sleeve tattoo
@RossDixon4 tweeted us a picture of his Sonic sleeve. When I usually see Sonic related tattoos I get pretty disapointed, it seems that the artist always seems to screw up the design. This one is pretty well done and I like this Sonic design. This is some dedication right here, a whole sleeve? Well done! Would you ever get a Sonic or SEGA related tattoo?
DLC of Christmas Past: A Tree in Station Square
If you caught our latest podcast, you may have heard the moment when AAUK said that he begged for the special Christmas DLC to be included in the XBLA/PSN rerelease of Sonic Adventure. Sadly, it was not, so the only way to experience an early example of DLC is to boot up your Dreamcast with a copy of Sonic Adventure and the Christmas data on your VMU.
The file was originally available for download from December 17th to the 28th in 1999, and when players entered Station Square they were greeted by two Christmas trees complete with Sonic and Chao decorations. If you touched the tree, the music would change to the acapella version of “Dreams Dreams” from Christmas NiGHTS. The best place to get the VMU file and more is at Blue Swirl, where you can burn an application allowing you to use hundreds of VMU files. Enjoy!
Samurai & Dragons gets first gameplay trailer
SEGA has just released the first trailer for their up and coming Playstation Vita exclusive, Samurai & Dragons which is being produced by famed SEGA developer Masayoshi Kikuchi. The trailer features the 4 play co-op that will be half the title, as players will go through various dungeons and fight minotaurs, the undead and as you may have guessed, dragons. The other half of the title will be the town building aspect, which you will be able to expand after hunting for resources in the dungeons in the world and by beating bosses. So far there is no release date announced for Western audience or in the game’s native Japan.
[Thanks to Pao for the tip!]
Swingin’ Report Show #25: The Incredible Christmas Episode
This week we are turning up the Christmas light, so get yourself a hot brew and listen to this extended special episode of the Swingin’ Report Show. This week we got me, Sharky and Barry ranting. We also got Sonic Wreck’s Kevin Eva as a special guest, who also used to do Summer of Sonic and worked at SEGA Europe. If that isn’t enough to get you excited, we will also be giving four lucky listeners a copy of Sonic CD for Xbox Live Arcade. Listen in for details.
Five Great Santas in SEGA History
Consider this a SEGAbits exclusive: Santa is real! Yes, as it turns out the annual gift giver is the real deal. All those Santas we see at malls? They’re just the middle men. They’re the guys that report to the real Santa. How about all those variations we see of Santa in the media? This is a marketing effort on the real Santa’s part to keep his image alive. Proof of this exists everywhere, but today I thought I’d highlight five notable Santas in SEGA history. After the break, we reveal our Claus.
SEGA delays Anarchy Reigns to July 2012
Following hot on the heels of Konami’s recent announcement that Platinum Games would be taking over the development of the next Metal Gear game, we now have information on a delay for the studio’s other project, Anarchy Reigns.
The beat-em-up, which had already been delayed until January, has been pushed further back to July. The semi-sequel to MadWorld will now release on July 3 in North America, and on the 5th and 6th in Australia and Europe, respectively. SEGA West’s Gary Knight has said that the delay will be to increase the scale of the game, teasing that 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 fighters will become “a thing of the past.”
No word yet on whether Anarchy Reigns will be seeing a similar delay in Japan.
New Rhythm Thief Trailer Released at Jump Festa
So you may have seen Sharky gushing over Rhythm Thief’s homages to Samba and Space Channel 5 earlier. Turns out they also released a video!
I have to say this game surprises me. I’ve seen plenty of original SEGA IP launched on handhelds come and go without really being worth talking about, but this one actually looks pretty cool. The animation is absolutely beautiful too. Rhythm Thief will be joining a slew of other 3DS game when it launches early next year worldwide.