Fan Reimagines Sonic & Knuckles in Amazing Video
Everyone has a different idea about how to modernize a classic series. Some believe that 3D graphics and gameplay are the way, while others feel that more polished visuals will do.
By now, SEGA’s attempts at revitalizing the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (at least in the eyes of older fans and critics, as the games still manage to sell well to a younger audience) has recently taken a turn to look at both ways, with the fully-3D Sonic Colors and the “2.5D” Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, which seeks to recreate the Blue Blur’s glory days with what might be best described as a “Genesis game using modern technology,” to paraphrase Metroid: Other M writer/designer Yoshio Sakamoto.
But while SEGA’s efforts are pleasing to the eyes of some, others still have their own idea of what a contemporary take on the world’s fastest hedgehog should be. This would seem to be the case of YouTube user Robert “BlobVanDam” Medina, who produced the following video of the Mushroom Hill Zone, Act 2, which features a cool modernized look, gorgeous effects, and has taken the internet by storm:
His work is impressive, but unfortunately, according to The Sonic Stadium, you won’t get to play it. The reason for that is simple, as the video above is reportedly not a fan game in development, but exactly what you see: a video. Nothing more, nothing less.
Of course, as one might expect, word about it reached SEGA at *ahem* sonic speed:
“Honestly, I’ve been bombarded with all sorts of messages some very excited, some downright rude, telling “SEGA” in no uncertain terms about the video,” said ArchangelUK on the Sonic City Blognik. “Truth is we saw it hours ago and think it looks absolutely awesome.”
While it may be too late for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 to look like this, SEGA has made it clear that they are listening to fans, which is part of the reason for the episodic format in the first place. Episode 2, perhaps, if the fans demanded it?
Maybe. Generally speaking, the aesthetic would probably not mesh very well, creating a discontinuity between episodes. And while that may be fine by some, it seems unlikely that is a direction SEGA would want to go.
Nonetheless, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and Sonic Colors are unlikely to be the last we see of our hedgehog hero any time soon. Perhaps something like this could be implemented in another project?
Heck, could you imagine a collection of the four Genesis Sonic titles, remade with this graphic style? A “Sonic All-Stars,” to borrow from Mario and Nintendo? How much would you consider paying for that at retail?
