Here's where you can contribute your thoughts and opinions for Sonic CD for potential inclusion in the forthcoming podcast.
A friendly reminder that where the feedback for the podcast is concerned, we love it - but keeping it brief is appreciated. We do want to include a breadth of opinions where appropriate, but no-one wants a discussion podcast that’s mostly reading out essays. Better to save yourself time and cut to the chase if you can.
584: Sonic CD
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JaySevenZero
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Jobobonobo
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Re: 584: Sonic CD
Sonic CD was the Sonic game from the Mega Drive era that I was certain I would never play. I knew no one with a Mega CD and I was not going to be allowed to get a Mega Drive let alone any fancy add on. So I just accepted that it will be a game I will forever be ignorant of. Imagine my surprise many years later, when Sonic Gems collection came out and I got myself a copy for the PS2. Now I could finally play this lost classic and see what I was missing.
I was left a bit perplexed. I played it like a regular Sonic game and flew through the levels in no time. As the levels were large and vertical with less obvious routes full of obstacles to overcome, I found the game really easy and short. I would travel through time but was not sure why I was doing such a thing. The level design was a bit of a mess for me honestly, especially when you wanted to time travel. I would built enough speed and inevitably they would either be something to stop me dead in my tracks or there would be nowhere suitable to even build up speed. Also, the Robotnik fights were easier than most in the series and the final boss was pretty underwhelming all things considered. Ditto for the anti-climatic showdown against Metal Sonic. Since I was playing the Gems collection version I was also exposed to the US soundtrack, which just sounded strange and alien to me, especially that unnerving theme that plays when you fight Robotnik. It just does not fit the aesthetic of the series to me.
Sonic CD was a big disappointment to me especially after wanting to try it for so many years. Even after learning that it is aimed primarily around exploration and destroying the enemy transporters, I just did not like the base game enough to bother playing it properly. They are things to like about it such as the charming opening animation, Metal Sonic being an iconic antagonist and the absolutely stellar Japanese soundtrack. It is honestly some of the strongest musical offerings the Sonic series has to offer. If it were tied to a better game, Sonic CD would have been my most cherished game of the franchise. As it stands now, CD is an interesting experiment but one that needed a lot more polishing before being released. Easily the weakest of the classic Sonic titles.
TWR: Superior Japanese soundtrack
I was left a bit perplexed. I played it like a regular Sonic game and flew through the levels in no time. As the levels were large and vertical with less obvious routes full of obstacles to overcome, I found the game really easy and short. I would travel through time but was not sure why I was doing such a thing. The level design was a bit of a mess for me honestly, especially when you wanted to time travel. I would built enough speed and inevitably they would either be something to stop me dead in my tracks or there would be nowhere suitable to even build up speed. Also, the Robotnik fights were easier than most in the series and the final boss was pretty underwhelming all things considered. Ditto for the anti-climatic showdown against Metal Sonic. Since I was playing the Gems collection version I was also exposed to the US soundtrack, which just sounded strange and alien to me, especially that unnerving theme that plays when you fight Robotnik. It just does not fit the aesthetic of the series to me.
Sonic CD was a big disappointment to me especially after wanting to try it for so many years. Even after learning that it is aimed primarily around exploration and destroying the enemy transporters, I just did not like the base game enough to bother playing it properly. They are things to like about it such as the charming opening animation, Metal Sonic being an iconic antagonist and the absolutely stellar Japanese soundtrack. It is honestly some of the strongest musical offerings the Sonic series has to offer. If it were tied to a better game, Sonic CD would have been my most cherished game of the franchise. As it stands now, CD is an interesting experiment but one that needed a lot more polishing before being released. Easily the weakest of the classic Sonic titles.
TWR: Superior Japanese soundtrack
Re: 584: Sonic CD
Three Word Review: Worst Classic Sonic
I hate Sonic CD. I hate it, possibly more than I hate most every 3D Sonic. I hate that Sonic CD levels made an appearance in Sonic Mania and that it also clearly influenced several of the original Sonic Mania levels, meaning I can never play Sonic Mania again.
The primary reason for my disgust with Sonic CD is it's level designs. You know how many people criticize 2D Sonic games for encouraging speed, but not allowing you to see where you're running? I normally disagree with that criticism as regarding Sonic 1, 2, 3, K, and Chaotix, but that critique describes this game perfectly. The endless bumpers, bouncepads, loops, and speed requirements to enter the special stages encourage quick traversal, but enemies, spikes, bottomless pits, and other assorted hazards are placed in your face at every turn, creating a totally conflicting design.
Sega of Japan did not understand what made Sonic 1 good. Sega of America, who developed Sonic 2, did.
I hate Sonic CD. I hate it, possibly more than I hate most every 3D Sonic. I hate that Sonic CD levels made an appearance in Sonic Mania and that it also clearly influenced several of the original Sonic Mania levels, meaning I can never play Sonic Mania again.
The primary reason for my disgust with Sonic CD is it's level designs. You know how many people criticize 2D Sonic games for encouraging speed, but not allowing you to see where you're running? I normally disagree with that criticism as regarding Sonic 1, 2, 3, K, and Chaotix, but that critique describes this game perfectly. The endless bumpers, bouncepads, loops, and speed requirements to enter the special stages encourage quick traversal, but enemies, spikes, bottomless pits, and other assorted hazards are placed in your face at every turn, creating a totally conflicting design.
Sega of Japan did not understand what made Sonic 1 good. Sega of America, who developed Sonic 2, did.