A portion of a TSS interview with SEGA's Iizuka...
TSS – How long has this game been in development?
Iizuka – We started prototyping the different geometries and stages during Sonic Generations. So, about 2 & 1/2 years.
TSS – Who is the music composer this time?
Iizuka – Tomoya Ohtani. He did the music for Sonic Unleashed.
TSS – Can you give us more details on the Deadly Six?
Iizuka – Deadly Six are a new set of creatures never encountered before called “Zeti”. They live in a unexplored area of Sonic’s world “Lost Hex” and Eggman is trying to force them to work with him and he loses control of them and he has to team up with Sonic to try and take them out.
TSS – What was the reason for going exclusively with Nintendo on these three upcoming Sonic games?
Iizuka – When we were first developing Sonic Lost World, the Wii U was not even announced yet and we were developing it on PC. So, the Wii U was the right choice for a couple of reasons. First of all, the second screen gave us extra options and advantages also, we think the Wii U is where fans of action platform games are going to. Plus we’ve had much success with Nintendo in the past.
Sonic Lost World will be published on Nintendo platforms as part of the exclusive partnership recently announced between the two companies. Sonic Lost World puts Sonic up to the challenge as he faces his most powerful enemy to date – and this time there are six of them to conquer! Sonic Lost World will be available exclusively for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS platforms later this year.
Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures collectively known as the Deadly Six, but when the Deadly Six rise up against their master, Sonic has to unite with his arch nemesis in order to take on the new enemies head-on. Using his dynamic new parkour moves and improved Color Powers, Sonic must run, jump and race through a variety of ever-changing terrains in order to defeat the Deadly Six.
Alongside a single player adventure, the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of Sonic Lost World will feature a range of competitive multiplayer modes. In addition, each platform will also contain distinctive features that take advantage of the consoles’ unique capabilities. Exclusive Wii U Color Powers can be controlled with the Wii U GamePad by tilting, touching, aiming and more. The full game can also be played using only the GamePad screen and will feature a two player support mode. Sonic Lost World for the Nintendo 3DS is the first handheld Sonic game ever to feature fully realized 3D levels which include exclusive Special Stages and Color Powers unique to Nintendo 3DS.
In his latest plot to defeat Sonic and rule the world, Dr. Eggman harnessed the power of six menacing creatures known as the Deadly Six. However, when they rise up against Eggman, Sonic must unite with his arch nemesis & explore the mystical Lost Hex to take them on. Use Sonic’s amazing new moves & incredible Color Powers across unique terrains – racing inside, outside & upside down.
Features:
Move like never before. Vault over obstacles, free run up & along walls, & sky dive between islands. Plus the Spin Dash is back!
New & improved Color Powers. Fly through the air, tear up levels & explode into enemies. Sonic’s more powerful than ever!
Speed through massive mind-bending courses, vast underground tunnels & colossal structures in the sky as you run inside, outside & upside down.
Save the world & take on the Deadly Six in dynamic boss battles to test Sonic’s moves & power-ups.
Race friends in ultra-competitive levels & high speed multiplayer modes for the ultimate supersonic showdown!
Wii U™ Exclusive Features
Wield the Wii U™ GamePad to execute exclusive Color Powers – tilt, touch, aim and more.
Someone wants to watch TV? No problem! Play the full game using only the Wii U GamePad.
Share and charge up items by sending them into the Miiverse™ to share with players around the world.
Play together. Have a friend pilot radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic by destroying enemies and obstacles.
Race against a friend as you play on the Wii U GamePad and they play on the TV.
Nintendo 3DS™ Exclusive Features
The first handheld Sonic game ever to feature fully realized 3D levels.
Unleash Color Powers exclusive to the 3DS version.
Exclusive Special Stages! Tilt using the Motion Sensor to navigate hair-raising levels and obtain the elusive Chaos Emeralds.
Create and customize radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic.
Race against friends locally through ad-hoc and online through network play.
PLUS: Share your gadgets between the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions.
When the Deadly Six threaten to destroy his world, Sonic's new moves and power-ups are the only way to defeat them before it's too late!
In his latest plot to defeat Sonic and rule the world, Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures known as the Deadly Six. However, when the Deadly Six rise up against their new master, Sonic must unite with his arch nemesis Eggman and explore the mystical Lost Hex in order to take them on head-to-head. Use Sonic's amazing new moves and incredible Color Powers to speed across a variety of unique terrains, racing inside, outside and upside down in every level.
NEW MOVES
Sonic moves like never before. Vault over obstacles, free run up and along walls, and sky dive between islands at lightning speed. Plus the Spin Dash is back!
COLOR POWERS
New and improved Color Powers. Sonic can now fly through the air, tear up levels and explode into enemies. He's more powerful than ever!
NEW WORLD
Speed through a variety of exhilarating levels. Explore massive mind-bending courses, vast underground tunnels and colossal structures in the sky as you run inside, outside and upside down.
BOSS BATTLES
Save the world one fight at a time. Take on each of the devious Deadly Six in dynamic boss battles which test all of Sonic's moves and power-ups.
MULTIPLAYER
Race friends in high speed multiplayer races. Take them down across a range of ultra-competitive levels and modes - it's the ultimate supersonic showdown!
Wii U EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
Wield the Wii U GamePad to execute exclusive Color Powers – tilt, touch, aim and more.
Someone wants to watch TV? No problem! Play the full game using only the Wii U GamePad screen.
Share and charge up items by sending them into the Miiverse to share with players around the world.
Play together. Have a friend pilot radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic by destroying enemies and obstacles.
Race against a friend as you play on the Wii U GamePad screen and they play on the TV.
NINTENDO 3DS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
The first handheld Sonic game ever to feature fully realized 3D levels.
Unleash Color Powers exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.
Exclusive Special Stages! Tilt using the Motion Sensor to navigate hair-raising levels and obtain the elusive Chaos Emeralds.
Create and customize radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic.
Race against friends through local and online game modes.
PLUS: Share your gadgets between the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions.
The following information comes from an IGN interview with Takashi Iizuka and SEGA brand manager Aaron Weber.
"Yes, we are aiming to get the players more excited and happy as they advance to each level – once clearing the previous level – by adding more variation to all the levels. This is not just about the variety and fun regarding the theme of a level, but also the shape and play style, which are unique in each." - Iizuka
"We have many features that are Wii U-specific. Normal control of Sonic remains the same using the analog stick and buttons, but the new color powers that appear in this title will use the GamePad. In the 'Cyan Laser' color power, which is in the E3 Demo, you control direction and launch timing with the GamePad. We are also implementing various color powers which will use the GamePad as well." - Iizuka
- Wii U Pro Controller can be used, but only in two-player modes
- Sonic Team is working on cooperative and competitive options
- Support Mode involves a player with the Wiimote controlling a "Radio Control Gadget" created by Tails
- this allows players to destroy enemies and obstacles
- local competitive mode split between the TV and GamePad
- mysterious "fun feature that will allow players to enjoy the game longer."
- development of Lost World began before Sonic Team knew about Wii U
- plans for Miiverse
- allows players to share undisclosed items through Miiverse
- 3DS version is "not a port from the Wii U version"
- features "totally new level design to match the screen size and hardware so players can enjoy both versions with a fresh feeling."
- 3DS will support up to four players locally or online for some sort of 'Versus Mode'
- portable and home console versions of the game will somehow be able to communicate with each other to share items
- Players can share and charge up items by sending them into Miiverse and sharing them with others around the world
- Wii U support mode has the second player piloting controlled gadgets to help Sonic by destroying enemies and obstacles
- Wii U multiplayer lets one person play on the GamePad and another person on the TV
3DS
- 3DS exclusive Special Stages has you tilting the system to navigate through levels; collect Chaos Emeralds in these levels
- Create and customize radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic
- Local and online multiplayer confirmed
General
- Sonic can fly through the air, tear up levels, and explode into enemies
- Areas include “mind-bending courses, vast underground tunnels and colossal structures in the sky”
- “ultra-competitive levels and modes” for multiplayer
- Share gadgets between the Wii U and 3DS versions
Nothing new to look at right now, but I'm sure this Japanese site for Sonic Lost World will be jam-packed with info soon. Can't wait to see more of this title!
Those with eagle-eyes can spot a checkpoint marker in the upper right-hand corner of this pick. Not a big surprise to see them return, but nice to know they're there!
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