Why Are People So Bad at Sonic Games?

Summary

This video script critiques the evolution of Sonic games over the past 25 years, arguing that they’ve become increasingly repetitive and mindless due to a focus on accessibility and automation. The speaker expresses frustration with the lack of challenge in recent titles, such as Sonic Forces and Shadow Generations, where simplified mechanics like automated jumps reduce player engagement. They suggest that the true joy of Sonic comes from using the player’s abilities and surroundings to overcome obstacles, advocating for a more skill-driven approach to gameplay that fosters deeper player satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sonic games often fall into repetitive patterns, which make them feel less innovative despite new releases.
• 😀 The simplification of Sonic games, including automation and reduced complexity, has led to less player engagement over time.
• 😀 Many Sonic games rely on quick reflexes and fast speeds to create challenge, but this can feel shallow when the gameplay lacks depth in other areas.
• 😀 The use of springs, dash pads, and other automated elements detracts from the satisfaction players could feel by performing more actions themselves.
• 😀 The speaker highlights that the essence of Sonic’s appeal is in using abilities and surroundings creatively, not relying on automation to get through levels.
• 😀 The speaker enjoys challenging themselves by avoiding automation in stages like Shadow Generations, which proves that characters are capable of more if given the chance.
• 😀 Sonic Team’s decision to automate and simplify certain mechanics is seen as a way to make the games accessible, but it risks reducing overall player engagement.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that Sonic Team could improve by focusing on providing more player agency and involvement in the gameplay.
• 😀 A key part of what makes Sonic fun is the sense of accomplishment from performing complex actions, like skipping parts of a stage through clever platforming.
• 😀 The speaker argues that many people struggle with Sonic games because the games don’t push them to engage actively with the mechanics, leading to mindless gameplay.

Q & A

What is the main critique the speaker has about modern Sonic games?

The speaker criticizes modern Sonic games for being overly simplistic and repetitive, with minimal evolution in gameplay. They believe the games rely too much on automation and fail to engage players in a meaningful way, making the experience feel more mindless over time.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the lack of evolution in Sonic games?

The speaker uses the example of Sonic's repetitive actions across games, where despite the game’s fun elements, the core gameplay hasn't changed much since *Sonic Adventure*. This results in the player performing the same actions over and over, which contributes to a sense of stagnation.

How does the speaker feel about the role of speed and reflexes in games like *Sonic Unleashed*?

The speaker acknowledges that games like *Sonic Unleashed* and *Generations* manage to justify simplified gameplay due to the high-speed action and reflex-based challenges. However, they still argue that over-simplification has become a crutch in Sonic games, leading to a lack of depth and engagement.

What is the core issue the speaker identifies with the automation in Sonic games?

The core issue is that Sonic games overly rely on automation, such as homing attacks and springs, to guide the player through levels. This reduces the need for players to actively engage with the game world and use their skills to navigate obstacles, which takes away from the satisfaction of accomplishment.

Why does the speaker mention Shadow in *Sonic Generations*?

The speaker uses Shadow in *Sonic Generations* as an example of how Sonic characters are capable of performing actions on their own without the need for automated features like springs. This illustrates the point that the game doesn't trust the player to use their own abilities, which could lead to a more rewarding experience.

What is the significance of the 'Kingdom Ballet Act One' stage example?

The stage in *Sonic Generations* is used as an example to show that Sonic characters, like Shadow, are capable of completing sections of the game without relying on springs or other automated features. This highlights the lack of trust the game places in the player's abilities, suggesting the game could provide more meaningful challenges.

What does the speaker believe makes certain Sonic moments, like skipping the bridge in *Emerald Coast*, fun?

The speaker believes that moments where the player can use their own abilities to bypass obstacles, such as skipping the bridge in *Emerald Coast*, create a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. This kind of creative engagement is what makes the game fun, as it challenges the player to think and act beyond just following preset paths.

How does the speaker feel about the design philosophy behind Sonic games?

The speaker feels that the design philosophy behind modern Sonic games has focused too much on accessibility and simplification at the cost of player engagement and challenge. They believe the core of what makes Sonic fun is not the automation, but the satisfaction of using the player’s abilities in a meaningful way.

What does the speaker mean by 'Sonic games let players be bad at them'?

The speaker argues that the simplicity and automation in Sonic games allow players to complete them without truly mastering the gameplay or engaging with its mechanics. As a result, players don't face enough challenges to develop skill, making it easy to 'be bad' without consequences.

What is the overall message the speaker is trying to convey about Sonic games?

The overall message is that while Sonic games can still be fun, they have become too reliant on simplified mechanics and automation, which diminishes the challenge and satisfaction that comes from using the player's own skills. The speaker believes that Sonic games would benefit from a return to more engaging, skill-based gameplay.