Sonic will forever have a special place in my heart. I was four years old in 1991 when I first played Sonic the Hedgehog. I won't bore you guys with all the details regarding a childhood moment that I remember fondly, but I can't stress enough exactly how my mind was blown. There was something about everything that game did that struck a chord with my imagination and it seemed to become embedded in my soul. It may sound dramatic, but there are countless others who will empathise and I'm sure a few of them are reading this article now. It was a magical era and this is why fans are continuously left frustrated with Sega's 3D/Next-Gen attempts. Sega continuously struggle to find that blend of game-play that will satisfy the Sonic fans of new and old. Sonic Generations is Sega's latest attempt to re-marry both sets of Sonic fans. The game invites Sonic fans to tackle classic Sonic stages in two different ways by playing as both "Modern Sonic" and "Classic Sonic" (who meet due to an anomaly in time). Playing as "Modern Sonic" it will allow gamers to play the re-imagined stages in the same manner as Sonic Colours, whilst playing the levels as "Classic Sonic" is achieved by the side-scrolling style that fans were accustomed to during the Mega Drive/Genesis years. It's very unsubtle in regards to playing on the 'nostalgia-factor', but I doubt fans will mind too much because it beginning to look like it could be a very memorable game. Check out the IGN trailer below:
In the trailer we are introduced to 3 of the classic stages that will get the 'Generations' treatment; Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant Zone and Sky Sanctuary Zone. Sonic fans have been in this situation many times before; getting excited by an excellent gaming trailer but left disappointed by the final product. Perhaps my romantic nature is getting the better of me (and turning my glasses a nice rose-tinted hue), but I have my fingers, toes and each-two-strands-on-my-head crossed that this game really does live up to its potential. Sonic Generations is released in November.