Um, Super Sonic?

You can see the trailer for the new Sonic Unleashed game here.

Assuming the video is showing us actual gameplay, it could be quite a fun title, a return to form for Sega's flagship character. Notably, it looks really freaking fast.

Sonic, like Mega Man, is one of those classic gaming characters who really, truly suffered when games moved to the third dimension. Super Mario 64 soared--it was the definitive 3-D platformer (although for the life of me, I can't play it). Sonic took criticism--the larger world provided more options which necessitated slowing the character down, and some things just don't work.

For what it's worth, I think 2-D platformers had a certain charm that is missing from more modern games. In fact, part of what I love about Super Mario Galaxy is that is has a lot of 2-D platforming in it, it just happens to take place in a 3-D environment. And it looks like Sonic Unleashed is going to take that rout and finally get the character back up to speed.

I'm stoked.

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