Takashi Iizuka Wants To Build A More Connected 'Sonic' Universe To Give Fans A Unified Experience
Image Source: Capital Video Games
In a recent interview with Sonic Stadium, a fan-based Sonic news site, Takahashi Iizuka stated that he would like to build a more connected Sonic universe to give fans a more unified experience. Since the character’s inception, the canon surrounding Sonic has not exactly been clear, with the character’s story being different in America and Japan and the continuities in the Archie comics of the time, the Saturday morning Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon, and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon being the first examples of these branching continuities. Modern examples include the Sonic X anime, the IDW comics, and the Sonic Cinematic Universe, and Iizuka wants to use Sonic Frontiers as a stepping stone to creating this more unified Sonic universe. This fascinating interview about the upcoming Sonic title discussed this aspect and more.
The thought came about when Iizuka was asked what the involvement of Sonic comic writer Ian Flynn means for the franchise’s future. In response, Iizuka had this to say:
“We’ve had lots of different writers involved with the Sonic series for the longest time, but in this day and age, it’s really interesting as we now have Sonic in games, Sonic in comic books, Sonic in movies… we have lots of different Sonics all throughout the different entertainment mediums for fans to see. And one of the things I really wanted to do is solidify everything and get it all a little tighter in terms of a unified Sonic experience. So what I wanted to do [with Sonic Frontiers] was make sure that, while the past comic books were its own separate thing, by having Ian Flynn – who’s doing the IDW comics – also work with us on the game… it’s kind of bringing the comics and the games a little closer together in this unified Sonic experience. It’s really all about that unification, to me, and making sure we’re putting a very unified version of Sonic out there.”
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Image Source: Cinema Blend
Iizuka went on to say that this might not include the movies, as it would be hard to incorporate a more realistic Sonic alongside mainline Sonic. However, in terms of the games, the comics, and the upcoming Sonic Prime show, Iizuka stated that he aims to “get all of them into the same universe – or even if it’s not exactly the same universe, at least having them feel like they’re part of a connected universe.” It seems that continuity between media is important to Iizuka, and he wants to use Sonic Frontiers as a stepping stone to this more connected universe. Whether everything will exist within the same universe or be a multi-verse like what will be present in Prime is yet to be seen. However, this was not the only thing Iizuka discussed regarding Sonic Frontiers.
Takashi Iizuka touched on the features of the new creatures who inhabit the Starfall Islands, the Kocos. He describes them as mysterious creatures that inhabit the islands. The player can pick them up and use them to power up Sonic’s abilities. This makes them different from Chao, who the player cares for and plays with outside of the main story, whereas the Kocos are much more linked to progression in the game. Iizuka also went on to discuss the Starfall Islands and the Cyberspace levels in more detail. The Starfall Islands are described as a “mysterious new location that neither Sonic nor Eggman have ever been to,” whereas the Cyberspace levels are digital recreations of Sonic’s memories. They are mostly stages Sonic has been to before but constructed in an “unreal” way. This is, according to Iizuka, the main difference between Cyberspace and the “real world” of the Starfall Islands.
Image Source: Sonic Stadium
The interview contains valuable information regarding the upcoming Sonic title, and it seems this is set to be unlike anything that has come before. Furthermore, the notion of an inter-connected Sonic universe will hopefully be explored more in future franchise elements, perhaps even in the dimension-hopping adventures of Sonic Prime. Sonic Frontiers speeds onto all major platforms on November 8th and is currently available for pre-order.
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Source(s): The Sonic Stadium