Sonic Superstars has now been released, a 2D reboot of classic Sonic with modern graphics, fresh gimmicks, and co-operative multiplayer. Whether fans take to the game as they did with Sonic Mania, though, remains to be seen.
Indeed, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka recently commented that pixel art wasn’t a “viable art style” for future games in the series and Sonic Superstars instead modernises the visuals with 3D models and more elaborate designs. For me, as I wrote in my Sonic Superstars review, the game loses some of the series’ charm along the way.
Ahead of the release of Sonic Superstars I had the chance to send some questions to Iizuka, so I took the opportunity to ask more about his thoughts on pixel art, as well as whether co-op is antithetical to the core of Sonic, and how he would define the ‘feel’ of a Sonic game. Plus, could we get another spin-off anytime soon?
When creating Sonic Superstars, how did you balance classic Sonic while keeping the experience fresh and modern?
Takashi Iizuka: Getting that classic Sonic feel absolutely right was a huge priority for us. Making sure that the game feels how players expect a classic Sonic game to play, but with enhanced gameplay, modern ultra HD graphics, and presentation that is only possible with 3D graphics, that was our overall vision. We’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver a great Sonic game, and being able to combine familiar gameplay and a sense of nostalgia in a modern, fresh way was really exciting to us.
Why did you decide to make Sonic Superstars a co-op game? Is the idea of playing alongside friends and being held back antithetical to the Sonic core of running fast?
Iizuka: We wanted to create a game that friends and family could play together and, as with everything, it’s a balance to get that right. There’s certainly an additional challenge to designing levels that are built with co-op play in mind without losing any speed. Designing them so that they can be enjoyed just as much by single-player Sonic fans as co-op was just as important, so we definitely have to make sure we manage to get the feel and momentum of each level right no matter how the game is being played.
The Cyber Station Zone in Superstars feels more unique and playful with the graphical switch and character transformations. Do you sometimes feel constrained by the need to have the typical Green/Emerald Hill level, casino level etc, or would Sonic still be Sonic without these?