Sonic Limits is trying out a lot of new things with the Blue Blur’s skills and environment, and it remains to be seen how well they will work. First, the game takes place on a series of huge islands that the developers have called open zones. Sonic LimitsUsing an all-new frame device for its gameplay makes exploring the hub areas just as important as speeding through the different levels. Among other things, players will notice that there are more possibilities for combat, with a focus on fighting techniques in Sonic’s repertoire that have not been seen since. Shadow The Hedgehog.
As players solve environmental puzzles and fight enemies of different sizes and shapes, they will also gradually collect Vault Keys in different ways. This can be through linear stages, battles, finding them in the world or just buying them from Big the Cat’s shop. These are used to obtain the sealed Chaos Emeralds, and Sonic Limits will change even more once players have all seven. After years of linking him to the last battle, adding him through DLC, or excluding him completely, Super Sonic will be playable in Sonic Limits‘ normal gameplay, and this could set a good precedent for future titles.
The Varied Uses of Super Sonic
Back in Sonic the hedgehog 2 before the Genesis, Super Sonic was a reward for completionists who combed through levels and found portals to bonus levels, some of which required learning new skills to complete. However, the results were worth it. Not only did players get a slightly better ending, and an extra level in the case of Sonic & Knuckles, they could manually turn into the invincible Super Sonic after collecting enough rings. Super Sonic, and the other super forms in Sonic 3 & Knuckleswere an iconic part of the Sonic the hedgehog series, and some big entries would justify leaving out the Super Saiyan analog.
the 1998 Sonic Adventure ended hidden stages, marking a major paradigm shift in the series. That Sonic games became more linear, Chaos Emeralds had to either become more plot-relevant or risk being sidelined. Super Sonic and equivalents for other characters often showed up for the final boss fight, but even that wasn’t a surefire thing. Sonic colors and a few of the 3D titles that came out of it relegated Super Sonic to a remote unlockable version, to the point where most players wouldn’t see it until after the game. Minimizing Super Sonic was not a disastrous change in the Sonic formula, but it did rob the series of a unique element for many fans who weren’t worried about completion.
Sonic Frontiers can get Super Sonic back on track
utilities, Sonic Limits brings back Super Sonic in a big way. It is still required for plot progression, but players can use it before the endgame. Mysterious giant bosses called Titans roam the overworld, and while Sonic may be able to soften some of them, he can’t deliver the final blow without the help of the Emeralds. It sounds like Super Sonic will have some unique abilities for him on top of the usual flight and temporary invincibility, but it’s unknown if players will be able to fly Super Sonic through any other part of the game.
This raises some concerns about the future implementation of Super Sonic Sonic titles, but still feels like a step in the right direction. It seems that some time is expected between players winning Super Sonic and Borders‘ ending, which frames him fittingly as a reward. There is room to progress without the form, and there are multiple ways to achieve it. Super Sonic is still too much in the plot to be an optional bonus, though arguably this is more like its original 2D implementation than other 3D Sonic titles. Sonic Limits uses Super Sonic as a climax rather than a power-up, but it allows players to build up to multiple gameplay climaxes, and that respects the mechanic’s intent. The golden hedgehog does not always have to be fully displayed in the ever-changing Sonic franchise, but it would be nice to include it every now and then as a mid-game surprise for hard-working players.
Sonic Limits launches November 8 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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