So far in 2017, many companies have released trailers and information about new remakes of games that make most adults’ nostalgia button go crazy. While there is nothing completely wrong with this method for the companies, fans have varying opinions on whether gaming companies should continue. This year alone we have already seen the reboot of Crash Bandicoot the N. Sane Trilogy and will see more such as The Shadow of the Colossus and the recent release of Sonic Mania. While most games remain the same, others have had some small type of changes that create a familiar feel but leave the player with something new. Questions remain however, why is the population still making remade games? Are the games worth another play? Hopefully all of that can be answered here.
Shadow of The Colossus
One of the first remakes that fans have been going crazy over is Shadow of the Colossus from Sony. The news broke this year at E3 in Los Angeles that the company was going to be redoing the game; the release is still unknown for now. For those that have never played the game before, imagine a game with 12 bosses to fight and no filler in between, players get all of the action essentially. Some fans have said that this new remake will play completely different compared to the last remake. That’s a lot of remakes, right? While other fans argue that Sony, among other companies, is just doing a remake of the game so that PS4 players can enjoy a game they can no longer play since the PS3 is not backwards compatible.
According to Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed that some things are being modernized to make game play feels as accessible as possible. Speaking to Famitsu, Yoshida clarified: “It’s the same.”
“Player preferences for controls and such change over time, so we’re working on implementing a more modernized way to play.”
Shuhei Yoshida also went on to say, “Of course you can play with a feel of the original version, but what we’re doing is showing how great the original work is, using today’s technology.”
So take from that what you will, but this still left me confused. For fans out there, none of the twelve Colossi will be added in the new remake when the game releases sometime in 2018, and there is no new story. From what we can tell, the game will at least run in 60fps and create a better image and detail the Colossi like they have never been seen before, so that’s exciting. Of course, I will be going over the content when the game officially releases, but as of right now, this seems like fans will just be buying what they’ve already had.
Sonic Mania
Classics of the 16-bit kind are making more of a comeback now more than ever like games such as Crash Bandicoot the N. Sane Trilogy and Sonic Mania, which just released August 15th. These two games however seem to appeal more to the older fans that played the original games and more than likely never thought the games would come back.
Sonic Mania is a solid throwback to a time where Nintendo and Sega were enemies and competing to make the best games possible. Sega specifically released Sonic on the Genesis and many fans of the original game can remember when the game came free. Some minor things have changed with the game but the levels still remain the same on the surface.
What I mean by that is, Sonic offers bonus levels much like the original version and there are still coins and the standard jumping, flipping, dashing hedgehog. Even the background still looks the same; however, there are some solid differences with this new release.
For example, Sonic Mania includes the ability to have up to three players. Sonic can now have Tails follow him through the levels. With this funky mix, players can also choose who the players are. Another example is the ability for sonic to have Tails follow or Knuckles, or any mix of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Secret areas are scattered throughout the game as well and some tricky areas. So watch out and play smart if you want to keep all of your coins. Sometimes going slow is better. Last but not least, Sonic Mania is locked in at 60fps so the whole game plays smoother compared to the original game. The creators even cleaned up the edges of the landscapes and Sonic and his animations are now easier to see!
Personally, I think this game is worth rejoicing for. The developers did a solid job of keeping to the original content but adding some flare. They also added in small touches that are appealing to not only the mind but the eye as well. There is also rumor that a hidden area is in the game, but until I see it myself, I’ll just stay away from that topic. Sonic Mania sounds like a decent remake in this fast paced digital world and fans will definitely appreciate this game.
Sonic Mania is available now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, and Steam