Sonic and the Ludicrous Body Armor

by Chris Greenhough { Dec 1st 2008 at 4:34PM }

So it has come to this. Sonic and Knuckles, both kitted out in body armor (including some truly laughable headwear on Knuckles), and having it out with swords. Just kill us now.

The latest fifteen screens of Sonic and the Black Knight suggest that Sega has learned nothing from the critical response to Sonic Unleashed. Many reviews heavily criticized the werehog melee sections, but praised the running bits. So why are Sonic and Knuckles now exchanging scimitar swipes?! Sega's fascination with turning Sonic games into some kind of cartoony God of War baffles us.

Mind you, one possible explanation for this trend cropped up in the latest IGN 'Three Red Lights' podcast. Editor David Clayman revealed how Sonic Team has thus far avoided making a Sonic game featuring only running stages because it would last around three hours, such is the hedgehog's speed (full transcript here). In which case, may we politely suggest a WiiWare Sonic game?

Gallery: Sonic and the Black Knight

[Screens via press release; Indoor Heroes link via Go Nintendo]

Tags: action, platform, sega, sonic, sonic-and-the-black-knight

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Daryl @ Dec 1st 2008 4:40PM

I think the broader internet and gaming community has overreacted. The dark sonic brawling and platforming was not nearly as bad as everyone said it would be.

Kokomadeta @ Dec 1st 2008 7:07PM

Agreed. Sonic Unleashed is fun. I liked the Werehog stages. Granted, I feel like I spent too much time in this last one, but it was still fun.

People just talk crap about Sonic because it's the 'cool' thing to do. Most of them haven't played a Sonic game since Sonic 3!

Gun Barrier @ Dec 1st 2008 4:47PM

In these screen shots, you can see that they added a furry texture to sonic's blue. Thats kinda wierd.

ArakniD @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:07AM

Um..
You've apparently never played:
Sonic Adventure DX
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

bug frawg @ Dec 1st 2008 4:48PM

This really doesn't seem all that different from the sonic vs. knuckles fights in s&k and sonic adventure(or the knuckles vs. rogue fight in sa2) the only difference I see is the fact they're using weapons.

leonus11 @ Dec 1st 2008 4:48PM

@ Daryl

agreed. i think people are just over reacting because their used to bashing Sonic games for quite sometime now. i personally think Sonic and the Black Knight looks great and I'm pumped for it!

nightmareluffy @ Dec 1st 2008 4:55PM

I just love the sword and sorcery setting. and the scenes just make it look more appealing to me especially the one where hes running past giant trolls. An we have all seen sonic fight knuckles many of times but they seemed to step it up with the inclusion of swords. but like everything else i'm interested in i'll play before i pass judgment on it.

Pinkechidna @ Dec 1st 2008 4:56PM

Holy crap. I am freakin DELIGHTED to see that the comments thus far aren't "Huuuur, huuuuur, Sonic sucks now."

You guys've just totally made my day. Thank you. :3

I'm not a fan of Sonic using weapons, but this might work out! It definitely looks good.

Thunderbird @ Dec 1st 2008 4:57PM

They could just bring back the chao garden, that would make the game longer.

Mr Khan @ Dec 1st 2008 5:04PM

From what i've seen, though, the swordplay doesn't significantly slow the game down. You run along at your speed, and swipe at stuff as you go by. Kinda like how you could attack enemies off of Epona in Twilight Princess

Also: Knuckles > everything else in existence

wiiluver135 @ Dec 1st 2008 7:38PM

EXCEPT SHADOW ;)
nobody will be able to stand up against his "Angsty Sword of Emo"!!!

seetrapp @ Dec 1st 2008 5:06PM

Clayman was talking ABOUT a Sonic Unleashed developer, but he isn't himself a developer. So....fix that.

Jordan @ Dec 1st 2008 5:24PM

I'm with bug frawg and Mr. Khan on this one. The development team has stated that the sword won't slow gameplay down, leading me to believe that it'll be analogous to the Spin Dash or Homing Attack. Just...pointier.
Also...c'mon, guys. Remember, Knuckles and Sonic were rivals since the former was introduced. It's not like Sonic vs. Tails or something. And, honestly, an epic rematch of a rivalry that's been going since the Genesis sounds more awesome than it does embarrassing.

ChrisCanberg @ Dec 1st 2008 5:47PM

I am a fan of Sonic since the beginning. Games that people said were bad I kinda liked. And honestly, I'm with leonus11. People are just so used to bashing Sonic games that they think there is no hope to make a good game and Sonic using a sword is against the universal law.

I remember reading in Nintendo Power, the first article released about the game, and it was stated that the main developer was so poised on making this concept work that he won't even think about dismissing his team from the project until he was so sure that the final product was good that Sonic's voice in his head told him it was good. Sounds like dedication to me.

And yeah this duel with Sonic and Knux? I'm completely psyched.

kozaihod @ Dec 1st 2008 6:18PM

The werehog sections in Unleashed are great. Bigger emphasis on platforming and ocassional refreshing fights. Whine more. Anyone who says that the werehog levels are just brawl, go to next room, brawl, etc. obviously never played beyond the second level.

Plus, the Black Knight is bound to be a sequel to Secret Rings, in my opinion the best (save for the controls) Sonic game in a while. As long as they fix the controls, and still include skills, everything works for me.

-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 1st 2008 6:23PM

MARIO VS. SONIC?!

wait that isn't what you were talking about? darn...

wiiluver135 @ Dec 1st 2008 7:43PM

I don't know why but the more I see this the more I hope that Mario will get a sword...kinda like that fake Kingdom Hearts Wii game that a certain gaming magazine lied about

I just can't w8 to see Shadow's "Angsty Sword of Emo"!!!

KingKRule @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:19AM

I think this concept is brilliant. As a kid I always loved all the back in time things like ninja turtles, back to the future and bill and ted it was always so deliciously campy. I hope sonic has an epic adventure we can all enjoy

Jakal @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:10AM

Personally Sonic with a sword is a stupidly awesome idea.Though Espio would be a great addition.(:

ArakniD @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:09AM

To counter those complaining that Were-Sonic was too slow...

I'm pretty sure that NORMAL Sonic just carrying a sword, wont be as slow as a bulked out Sonic lunging around.
Even if the Sword is huge,
if Cloud could do it,
so can Sonic...

truecaiora @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:15AM

I dunno, If the swordplay is okay, I just might invest in this one.

pat1202003 @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:13PM

"Sega has learned nothing from the critical response to Sonic Unleashed."

Of course they haven't learned anything! SONIC RUNS FAST!!! He doesn't use swords or turn in to some stupid slow werehog. HE RUNS FAST!!! And what on earth makes them think a 3 hour Sonic game were Sonic runs fast wouldn't be good enough that they have to add other stupid crap? If it has replay value then who cares if it only last 3 hours. That would be 3 really fun hours that I can play over and over and over again.

SEGA NOBODY WHATS THIS STUPID S*** YOU ADD IN SONIC GAMES!!!! NOBODY!!!

*not sure my first comment got in so sorry if this is a repeat.