Sonic Forces
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Sonic Forces | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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System(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Sega | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Sonic Team, Hardlight | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Action | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sonic Forces (ソニックフォース), known as Project Sonic 2017 during development, is a video game that was released on November 7, 2017. In the same vein as Sonic Generations, the game features both the "classic" and "modern" forms of Sonic the Hedgehog. Additionally, it introduces a new gameplay style in which the player creates an Avatar. Forces is the first game to use Hedgehog Engine 2 as its rendering engine.
Contents
Development
Development started for Sonic Forces in 2013, around the release of Sonic Lost World. The original title of the game, Project Sonic 2017, was first mentioned at the Tokyo Joypolis Sonic 25th anniversary party on June 25, 2016, and the game itself would be announced at Sega's 25th anniversary party at San Diego Comic-Con one month later on July 22, 2016 where it was announced alongside Sonic Mania. The presence in the reveal trailer featuring Classic Sonic returning to help Modern Sonic made fans and journalists believe the game would be a sequel to Sonic Generations, but Takashi Iizuka confirmed that it was not a sequel, but a new stand-alone title. The game's title was eventually revealed to be Sonic Forces, with "Forces" being chosen because of the themes of "power" and "army", with two strong forces (Sonic and friends vs. the Eggman Empire) facing off one another.
During a live stream held in Japan to commemorate the release of Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, it was revealed that there will be a new character introduced for the game with a new gameplay component besides the usual 2D and 3D gameplay. According to Iizuka in an interview in Famitsu Magazine, this third character would not be "Boom Sonic", but an "unexpected character" who plays a vital role in the story and "embodies the overall features of the game". The character's appearance was first teased in a Nintendo Direct streamed on April 12, 2017, and the character was planned to be announced at E3 2017. However, the character was revealed one month earlier than planned on May 16, 2017, with the character turning out to be a character that the player can customize to their liking. Revealed at E3 instead was the return of Shadow the Hedgehog, Metal Sonic, Zavok and Chaos as henchmen to Dr. Eggman and a new and mysterious villain known as Infinite.
Gameplay
Sonic Forces has three playable characters, with the story told from the perspective of each of these three characters. Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic both return with the gameplay styles they had in Sonic Generations, with Classic Sonic emulating the play style of the classic 2D games with the addition of the Drop Dash from Sonic Mania, and Modern Sonic returning to the boost-centric formula after having departed from it in Sonic Lost World.
The game's third playable character is the Avatar, also known as a Custom Hero, whom players can customize to their liking. The player chooses from a base of seven animal species, and can then customize the character's gender, upper headgear, middle headgear, lower headgear, gloves, shoes, accessories, bodysuit and skin color. As the player progresses, hundreds of accessories and costuming options will be unlocked for the player to use. The Avatar will also gain a unique ability depending on what species they are[1]:
- Bear: Blows away enemies with a Homing Attack.
- Bird: Can fly high with a Double Jump.
- Cat: Keeps one Ring after getting hit.
- Dog: Restarts with five rings after dying.
- Hedgehog: Collects rings when getting hit.
- Rabbit: Has longer invincibility time after taking damage.
- Wolf: Automatically draws in rings when near them.
Gameplay-wise, the Avatar is similar to Modern Sonic, but uses a grappling hook as a means of platforming. They can also utilize unique gadgets known as Wispons, weapons that can harness Color Powers in new ways that can be used for both attacking and getting around. Before a level, the player can select which Wispon they would like to use, thereby allowing access to different parts of the levels.
There is also a fourth gameplay style known as "Tag Team Stages" which involve Modern Sonic and the Avatar working together. The player will control both characters to navigate through the level, with the leader switching to Sonic when boosting and to the Avatar when using a Wispon. The two can peform a new move known as the "Double Boost", which is a faster boost triggered when the player engages an automatic quick time event.
Downloadable Content
Bonus Edition
On August 31 2017, at the same time the release date was announced, it was announced that a "Bonus Edition" of Sonic Forces will become available for pre-order for all console versions of the game with special bonus content.[2] A Sonic Forces-themed controller skin for each respective console (DUALSHOCK 4, Xbox One wireless controller, Joy-Con Grip) featuring Sonic and Infinite will be included, along with special Sega/Atlus-themed outfits for the Avatar:
- A costume based on Beat from Jet Set Radio.
- A costume based on Joker from Persona 5.
- Amitie's hat from Puyo Puyo.
- A costume based on AiAi from Super Monkey Ball.
- A costume based on NiGHTS.
- A costume based on Shadow.
Episode Shadow
On September 19 2017, it was announced that Shadow the Hedgehog will have his own playable story as free DLC. Episode Shadow is announced to detail the untold story of Infinite's rise to power. Shadow gets three exclusive stages to play through, as well as the ability to play through Modern Sonic's stages.
Trivia
- Sonic Forces was one of the first games to be announced for the Nintendo Switch when it was initially referred to as the NX, as well as the second third-party title announced for the system.
- This will be the first official Sonic game to see a release in China following a PC four-pack which included Sonic CD, Sonic & Knuckles Collection, Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic R in 2001, and following a long console ban imposed in the country that was lifted in 2015.
Promotional material
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Artwork
Avatar (Wolf)
Concept art of Sunset Heights
Concept art of Guardian Rock
Concept art of Lost Valley
Concept art of Arsenal Pyramid
References
- ↑ Sonic Forces Character Creation Feature Announced. IGN. May 16, 2017.
- ↑ Sonic Forces Bonus Edition Announcement. Official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter feed. August 31, 2017.
External Links
Sonic Forces | |
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Main page Manuals |
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Optional levels: Episode Shadow levels: Nintendo Switch: Music:
Comics: Songs: "Fist Bump" | "Infinite" | "Fighting Onward" | "Nowhere to Run" | "Justice" | "Moonlight Battlefield" | "Virtual Enemies" | "Set in Motion" | "Fading World" | "The Light of Hope" | "Rhythm and Balance" | "Supporting Me" |
Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems | |
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Retail | 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog CD | Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver | Sonic's Schoolhouse 1997 Sonic & Knuckles Collection | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island 1998 Sonic R 2003 Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut 2004 Sonic Heroes 2006 Sonic Mega Collection Plus | Sonic Riders 2010 Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing 2011 Sonic Generations 2013 Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 2022 Sonic Speed Simulator |
2017 Sonic Mania | Sonic Forces 2018 Sonic Mania Plus | Sonic Forces & Sonic Mania Plus Double Pack 2019 Team Sonic Racing 2021 Sonic Colours: Ultimate 2022 Sonic Origins | Sonic Frontiers 2023 Sonic Origins Plus | Sonic Superstars 2024 Sonic X Shadow Generations |