Do We Need A 'Sonic Adventure 3'?
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Fans have been clamoring for a third entry in the Sonic Adventure series since Sonic Adventure 2’s release in 2001. Many view those two games as the hallmark of the 3D Sonic games. Takashi Iizuka, the current director for the Sonic franchise, recently hinted in an interview with IGN that the upcoming Sonic Frontiers may be used as the framework for Sonic Adventure 3. However, he only said that after being asked about a potential third Adventure title. With this in mind, do we really need a Sonic Adventure 3?
The Attempts At Sonic Adventure 3
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Arguably, there have been several attempts to create a third entry into the Adventure series. One that fans always point towards is the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog, which was poorly received. The game is extremely similar to the first Sonic Adventure gameplay-wise, but it, unfortunately, fell flat. However, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) was actually intended to be a soft reboot of the series rather than an entry in the Adventure series. It would only be until the next mainline Sonic game that the team would truly try to create a third Adventure title.
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Sonic Unleashed was seen as a return to form for the Sonic franchise. Though it introduced a vastly different gameplay style from the Adventure series, it was originally developed as a third entry into it. Its working title was Sonic World Adventure (which ended up being the title for the game in Japan). However, as the team introduced more innovations to the gameplay, it was decided that it would be its own stand-alone title, Sonic Unleashed. Though it is well regarded by fans as a return to form for the series, fans were still clamoring for a Sonic Adventure 3.
The Conditions For Sonic Adventure 3
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Iizuka has always stated that if he were to make a third Adventure title, he would want to do something completely different from the previous two titles. Sonic Frontiers is taking the series in a different direction from previous entries in the series, so it seems like the time may be right. Iizuka even stated in an IGN interview that he hopes to use the upcoming game as a framework for this potential third title in the Adventure series. However, there are currently no direct plans to make a Sonic Adventure 3. Iizuka is still interested in making this title, but it is not currently in Sonic Team’s plans.
This does beg the question, though, as to whether or not this title is even needed. There have been various ideas on what the game could be, but at this point, there are so many expectations placed on the title itself that it might not even be worth it to call this Sonic Adventure 3. After all, the game is much more than simply a name. There are fears that such a game may fall flat as it tries to live up to previous Adventure titles. It may be better to simply let the franchise move past the Adventure series and focus on creating new experiences for the brand.
Whatever the case, it may be better to leave hope for this hypothetical third installment in the past and focus on the game itself rather than what it is called. That third installment may not be able to live up to the prestige of the previous two titles. However, if the day comes when Sonic Adventure 3 is in production, there’s a good chance that it will look a lot like Sonic Frontiers. This upcoming title seems to be more like the first installment of the Adventure series rather than a potential third installment, as it lays the groundwork for future games in the franchise. The open-zone gameplay also seems to be harkening back to the Adventure era, but it is doing so in a way that builds upon it rather than imitates it. It is possible that groundwork could be used to create the fabled third installment fans have been waiting for since 2001, whether it is needed or not.
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Source(s): YouTube, Video Games Chronicle, GoNintendo, Tumblr
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