To give a sense for the direction of the mainline Sonic the Hedgehog series, majority of players were not satisfied with 2017’s Sonic Forces. While the title did attempt to hone the likeness of predecessors from before, the game falls flat on level design and the lack luster story that was told for the game. But of course, that is certainly not the last we will hear of Sonic the Hedgehog.
In June last year, it was shared by Team Sonic head Takashi Iizuka that the next flagship game for Sega’s mascot franchise will be arriving sometime in 2021. Given that little details has still be provided as we are inching to the finish line for 2020, there is not much to expand upon. There was an investor advertiser that told a ’30th anniversary’ celebration will be in order coming next year.
But while the next game is on low heat for now, Yakuza series Producer Daisuke Sato spoke on his opinion of Sonic the Hedgehog. While he has not worked on the game personally, he wishes to take on a game after more than two decades working at Sega. Even more, he wants to bring new life to the series as well.
It’s an IP that I haven’t come to before. In the sense that I want to try it… well, Sonic. After all, when you hear Sega you think Sonic. I’d like to get involved once at least but for me, the so-called Sonic is, well, if I were to do it, I wouldn’t do Sonic as it was. I would like to make a completely different Sonic.
For Sato, he is most recognized for his work at Sega on the Yakuza series being a careered producer for the line of entries from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Alongside that, Sato was also involved in the development of Super Monkey Ball and Shenmue as well. So for Sato to pursue a Sonic the Hedgehog game would not be arbitrary to previous work.
In reference to Yakuza before the founding of RGG Studio, the series was seen to be a different experience for video games at the time and has proven to still be a leading franchise for Sega more than a decade later. So for Sonic the Hedgehog to receive a unique spin on the concept might benefit the series after witnessing how Yakuza stands currently.
This month, Sega announced to be still pursuing its new initiative to bring more Atlus-developed titles to other platforms. After the success of Persona 4 Golden on Steam, the publisher is eager to expand the library to other systems. You can read the latest report by heading here.
Would you play Sonic the Hedgehog if it was produced by Sato?
