Camp Sonic

Remember that interview we mentioned back in May with Sega of America Producer, Patrick Riley?  You know… the one where we basically just kept hearing We’ll be talking about that at a later time, Closer to E3…, More later…, etc.

Well, guess what?  It’s E3 Patrick, and it’s time to come forth and stay true to your word.  That’s right Patrick – We’re DEMANDING that you tell us what we have been drooling over for the past few months.  Now!

Wait… you mean… you already did?

That’s right folks!  Earlier today, Joystiq interviewed Patrick, and this time, he was feeling a whole lot more comfortable (or maybe it was the truth serum we snuck into his drink earlier…) answering some highly anticipated questions.  Here’s what we found most interesting during the interview:

• Some parts of stages in Sonic Unleashed are built for BOTH Day and Night gameplay.  This came as a huge surprise to us, as we were originally under the impression that time didn’t actually flow in the game.  Patrick goes on to explain how time will flow in these parts of the stages (as well as towns), but clarifies that players will easily be able to advance the time so that they are not stuck in one form or another.  Some parts of stages will be restricted to one form or the other.
• There are Daytime and Nighttime stages in each environment (Get that folks?  That means that along with the 9 environments, there will be multiple stages.  That’ could add up to a whole lot of 5 minute levels!).  There are also unlockable mini-stages in each environment.
• Weresonic has a combat system of his own that allows him to pummel enemies (as you probably have already seen in the new Sonic Unleashed E3 Trailer), as well as stretch out his arms (see the Mykonos Nighttime Weresonic screenshots for an example).  Combos, Grabs, Throws, and Swings are just some of the things mentioned.  He’s able to move around in ways that allow for greater exploration which normal Sonic cannot achieve.
• “…coolest opening cinematic ever seen in a Sonic game.“  Yeah, we thought so too after seeing a short bit of it in the Trailer revealed earlier.
• 99% of the game is Sonic or Weresonic.  The other 1% are minigames with other characters, or very short segments.  *angels sing*
• There are different kinds of branching paths in levels, both which require timed button mashing.  There are up-down/left-right sequences as we saw in the High Europe Trailer (running through the alley), as well as special sequences where you need to hit buttons in a specific order to jump higher, or go further in the air (As seen in the new E3 trailer, puts Sonic into slow motion for a short period of time… which was freaking incredible I might add).
• Sonic will face some bosses in the ordinary form, and some as Weresonic.
• The plan is to have a Playable Demo right around the release of Sonic Unleashed!

Via TSSZ

Tags: e3, interview, patrick riley, sega, soa, Sonic Unleashed