- Mix of 3D and 2D mechanics
- Abstract levels
- SEGA has shown three levels thus far
- Twist, turn, and jump along floating constructs suspended in mid-air
- Levels are now informed by gameplay needs, with some stages focusing on slower speeds with more platforming, and others pushing players to run as fast as possible
- Areas include Wind Hill, Desert Ruins 1, Desert Ruins 2
- Desert Ruins 1 consists of cakes, cookies, donuts and all manners of candy
- Desert Ruins 2 features an entirely different gameplay style
- Desert Area 2 offers the “tunnel racing” concept from previous games
- Controlling Sonic’s speed and a “Parkour system” were two key elements that were thought of during development
- Parkour system: allows players to automatically accommodate basic obstacles when he’s running
- Team’s greatest challenge was maintaining a sense of speed for the series while finding controls that made sense
- By default, Sonic doesn’t burst off with a tilt of the analog stick
- Sonic walks until you use one of the GamePad’s triggers to engage his running speed
- Need to hold down the second trigger to pull Sonic into a ball, giving him access to his full momentum
- Iizuka compares this to the ‘Boost speed’ from previous titles
- By creating a tiered structure to movement, Sonic Team is hoping players will be able to navigate the wide range of level designs, exploring and running as necessary
- GamePad is used to activate various Whisp-based “Color Powers”
- These feature touch-based controls and are mostly used to gain access to side paths and areas
- Support Mode: one player uses the Wii U’s tablet to assist a second player who is controlling Sonic with a Wii remote and nunchuck
- Only control Sonic
- Friends such as Tails, Knuckles and Amy will make appearances in the story
- Story: Sonic chasing after Eggman and finds a mysterious floating island known as “Lost Hex”
- Sonic will run across the “Deadly Six”
- These foes will bring a “sense of danger and humor” to the story
- Sonic will save animals throughout levels
- Rescuing animals are tracked level by level as well as cumulatively
- This aspect will factor into unlockable content
- Red Star Rings can be collected for unlockable content
- Gold cannons help you access hidden paths
- 3DS version will also have full 3D levels
