Not too long ago, rumors started to fly that Sonic the Hedgehog’s first multiplatform journey, 2003’s Sonic Heroes, could be receiving some type of remake. This comes within the wake of Sonic Crew re-releasing different previous Sonic titles, together with Sonic Colours Final and the upcoming Sonic X Shadow Generations. It appeared the crew would begin pulling from the older catalog of titles, and thus, Heroes could be subsequent in line.
Later stories clarified that this doesn’t seem like the case and that, whereas a remake is being thought-about, it could be some time earlier than we see it (if it exists, that’s). This may be disappointing to listen to, however it’s not gonna cease me from holding out hope. Whereas Sonic Heroes is, on a private stage, removed from my favourite Sonic the Hedgehog recreation, I nonetheless really feel the sport deserves a remake, whether or not Sega and Sonic Crew are planning one or not.
Video games That Aren’t Masterpieces Deserve Remakes Too
Nowadays, relating to online game remakes, followers typically discover themselves clamoring for remakes of critically acclaimed titles which might be already good of their present kind. And to not say that isn’t comprehensible; the passage of time is unstoppable, and even when a recreation is already good, a remake can remind everybody of what made it nice within the first place. To that finish, it’s not an inherently unhealthy factor when a “masterpiece” will get a remake.
The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise itself is not any stranger to this therapy, both. Simply doing a fast on-line perusal, you’ll discover a plethora of followers consistently asking for a remake of the Sonic Journey video games. And to not say these video games are timeless masterpieces undeserving of a remake – we may very well be right here for some time if we talk about all of the aged parts that may very well be improved in a remake – however these are among the many hottest and well-liked Sonic video games on the market. Even with their warts, the unique Sonic Journey video games stay pleasurable and are amongst Sonic’s greatest 3D adventures to this point.
Generally, although, it’s extra worthwhile to remake one thing that’s not an absolute masterpiece. In lots of methods, it helps you sort things that didn’t go proper with the unique and helps it unlock extra of its potential. Sonic followers certainly know this tremendous effectively, as whereas this was extra of a fan undertaking, the discharge of Mission P-06 took the much-maligned 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog title and turned it into one thing nice. Remaking a recreation that wasn’t nice earlier than presents extra room for enchancment than remaking a beloved recreation, which makes Sonic Heroes the type of recreation that might tremendously profit from a contemporary coat of paint.
Let Sonic Heroes Dwell Up To Its Potential
Whereas loads will be made about Sonic Heroes and its many warts, one factor that may be stated is that it definitely introduced some distinctive gameplay concepts to the franchise. The place the primary two Sonic Journey video games had been virtually like roulette wheels of gameplay kinds, together with some really out-of-the-blue ideas and gameplay kinds – Huge’s fishing minigame, anybody? – Sonic Heroes centered issues down a bit extra. In reality, Sonic Heroes largely compartmentalizes gameplay kinds to the place you expertise them .
Within the recreation, you technically management three characters in a single, every with their very own distinctive model. One character focuses on velocity, one focuses on flying, and the opposite focuses on energy. Gamers can swap between them on the fly with the push of a button, saving completely different characters for obligatory conditions. The sport additionally builds sure sections round every kind, basically mandating that the participant make the most of a sure model to get previous sure sections. It’s an attention-grabbing technique of bringing some gameplay variation to the desk, whereas additionally bringing some stage of cohesion and focus.
That is all effectively and good, however whereas Sonic Heroes brings some distinctive kinds and concepts to the Sonic franchise, it’s a recreation slowed down by a number of components. From a gameplay perspective, maybe the largest downside is simply how sloppy the controls are. Sonic’s awkward transition into the 3D period largely got here from the early video games having sometimes awkward controls and cumbersome cameras, however Sonic Heroes turns the dial method too far within the flawed route. The controls are so slippery they usually really feel particularly unhealthy while you’re grinding on rails, one thing that occurs typically within the second half of the sport. The digital camera system has additionally not improved a lot from the primary few Sonic Journey video games, which mixes with the controls to make Sonic Heroes tough to get a deal with on.
It also needs to be stated that maybe essentially the most distinctive aspect of Sonic Heroes can also be its largest downside. Whereas it’s cool that you could play as three characters directly, Sonic Crew determined so as to add 4 particular “groups” to the sport as a method of padding out its size. Within the recreation, you play as Crew Sonic, Crew Darkish, Crew Rose, and Crew Chaotix, and you should full every crew’s particular person story – plus acquire all seven Chaos Emeralds – to unlock the ultimate boss combat. On the floor, this isn’t so unhealthy, however every crew goes by the identical levels in the identical order, with largely minor variations in gameplay goals and problem. Mix this with the aforementioned management points, and Sonic Heroes sadly turns into a slog to play.
Whereas this additionally isn’t the sport’s largest downside, sitting by Sonic Heroes will even require followers to take care of the weird voice performing. Sonic’s early 3D adventures made for constantly nice riffing materials due to the voice performing, and whereas Heroes is not any completely different, the awkwardness generally is a lot to deal with. Positive, this isn’t essentially a franchise with the deepest, most cinematic storytelling on the earth, however current Sonic video games have at the least made a concerted effort to tone down the Playskool hamminess of the older video games. Heroes is that hamminess to its logical excessive, to the purpose the place it may be a bit an excessive amount of to deal with.
Sonic Heroes most definitely has its points, to the purpose the place it’s a tricky recreation to advocate as we speak. It’s due to these points, although, that I really feel a remake might transfer issues in a a lot completely different route. Fixing the slippery controls, creating some higher gameplay variation, and enhancing on the goofy voice performing might make Sonic Heroes a a lot simpler recreation to advocate than it at present is. Given the place the Sonic sequence has gone since this, a remake of Heroes with extra trendy sensibilities can positively assist flip it into the entry it was speculated to be over 20 years in the past.
