The Unwritten Rules of The Sonic Franchise Explained

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The Unwritten Rules of The Sonic Franchise Explained

As a long-time gamer who grew up with Sonic the Hedgehog, I can confidently say that Sega has truly outdone itself this time around. The latest era of Sonic is like a breath of fresh air for this old-school gamer, and it’s exciting to see how the franchise is evolving while still staying true to its roots.

Over the past 33 years, Sega has built a significant reputation for itself, largely due to its iconic character Sonic the Hedgehog, who was once considered a rival to Mario but is now more of an ally. Despite this shift, Sonic remains a popular and enduring series character. Recently, Sega’s success with Atlus as a subsidiary has been noteworthy, but it’s impressive that the popularity of Sonic has helped the franchise survive its toughest times and reach new heights. These new heights could be considered a “renaissance era” for Sonic. This growth appears to have started with the IDW Sonic comics, but the release of Sonic Frontiers has really brought this evolution into focus.

In this current phase of “Sonic the Hedgehog,” we’re witnessing a shift that bridges various aspects of the franchise. This transition may lead to some old rules no longer being relevant or could even re-emerge, given the right opportunity. However, there are others that have become more significant than ever due to these changes.

Sonic the Hedgehog’s Canon is Expansive But Left Open to Interpretation

In an effort to unify their brand, Sonic Team is working to interconnect certain projects and make them all feel as if they belong to the same universe. At present, this links the primary video games, the Netflix series “Sonic Prime,” and IDW’s monthly “Sonic the Hedgehog” comics, while keeping the Sonic cinematic universe separate with its own continuity. These connections have predominantly been demonstrated in mainline titles like “Sonic Frontiers,” where Sonic made a reference to Tangle the Lemur from IDW during one of his idle remarks.

In essence, it’s okay for fans not to consider Sonic Prime as part of the official canon if they don’t find it appealing. This concept is rooted in the history of the franchise, where each Sonic project had its unique continuity. Shows like Sonic X, for instance, offered distinctive character interpretations by Sonic Team. Now, these additions are optional for fans to incorporate into their understanding of the overall cast. Therefore, while Sonic Prime might be canon in terms of the main games, it’s ultimately a choice for fans whether it aligns exactly with the show or fits better with their vision of the primary universe.

As the Sonic Franchise Evolves, Fans Should Be Ready to Try New Things

The Unwritten Rules of The Sonic Franchise Explained

Among the factors influencing the diverse preferences among Sonic fans is the variety of gameplay styles that the franchise has experimented with since 2006. This has resulted in fans who enjoy 2D adventures, those who prefer boosting games like Unleashed, and others who lean towards lighter or more intense stories. The Sonic franchise seems to be continuing its exploration of open-zone gameplay, as seen in Frontiers, with Sonic X Shadow Generations adopting this style for the black hedgehog rival. Meanwhile, Sonic’s social media channels are soliciting opinions on which genre should be tackled next, to gauge fan interest and preferences.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that the innovative spirit of the Sonic franchise isn’t going to vanish any time soon. This means we’re in for more surprises like “The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Sonic Rumble,” but as players, it’s crucial to approach these experiences with an open mind. The continuous evolution of the Sonic franchise has been instrumental in keeping it thriving for 33 years now. While Sonic Team acknowledges that they can’t cater to everyone’s tastes, it’s worth remembering that each part of the series has its dedicated fanbase. An unconventional experience might just turn out to be a new favorite if given a chance.

The Newest Era of Sonic Might Redefine Some Unwritten Rules

The Sonic universe is undergoing transformative changes, leading to modifications across various aspects of its lore and even redefining characters such as Shadow and Knuckles. These alterations aim to rectify past writing that didn’t do justice to these characters. So far, the groundwork laid by Sonic Frontiers has been generally well-liked by fans, although it remains unclear how extensively other parts of the franchise might evolve or be reimagined in some way.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice some intriguing character aspects that often get overlooked in the Sonic series. For instance, Sonic’s strong distaste for guns, Blaze’s enigmatic cloak and her fascinating history with her powers, and the post-Sonic Forces state of Infinite the Jackal are all facets of the story that deserve more attention. I truly believe these aspects could be further explored in upcoming titles, shorts, or other media.

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2024-10-23 19:36