A new Sonic the Hedgehog game was recently announced by Sega in a livestream. The stream ended with a 30-second teaser showing Sonic running through a forest and his feet were all lit up with graphic effects. This tiny teaser has triggered an influx of fan enthusiasm and skepticism.
Like all things on the internet, there has also been a flood of leaks, rumors, and ideas about what the heck the game could be like and about. No one knows much of anything for sure yet, but it is fun to think of the new additions Sega might bring to this game. It comes out sometime in 2022, so fans will have to wait until then for confirmation on the rumors.
8 Could Be True: Ghost Girl
Multiple leakers have suggested that the whole game will hang around a mysterious girl the fans have dubbed ghost girl. It appears that she will be some sort of main character and the driving force behind the plot. This sounds a lot like Zelda games, especially because this new game will come out on the Nintendo Switch.
It is also rumored that this Ghost Girl will play a part in Sonic defeating the final boss by refilling the protagonist's rings. It will be super interesting to see what part this mysterious ghost girl plays once the game comes out.
7 Could Be True: Open-World
Many people have theorized that the game is going to be open-world, a rumor stemming from the fact the game was focus tested and leaks have come out. It appears to be set on a gloomy island with lots of ruins. It’s interesting to think that the game could be open world considering this is something the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise hasn’t done before.
Maybe Sega was influenced by games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. If this rumor proves to be true, it remains to be seen whether Sonic adapts to the open-world format well. Still, it could make for a more interactive and detailed Sonic game.
6 Hope Isn't True: Not Good & Poor Controls
The anonymous source that focus tested the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog title states it was “not a fun time” from what they played. Fans were disappointed to hear this and hope that developments are continued to be made. Sega has about a year until its release so, of course, there is time for this to be corrected.
Sega also needs to learn from past mistakes with its other 3D games, such as Sonic Forces and Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric. Both these games were not received well, but hopefully, the new project will not suffer the same fate. Rumors also suggest the game's controls might not be great, at least in their current state. Modern Sonic games have a spotty track record when it comes to controls, although there have been some good ones like Sonic Generations.
5 Could Be True: Puzzles
A leak that came out in early 2021 claimed that the game will have puzzle elements. If players complete these puzzles and challenges, they will earn XP. Once earned, XP can be redeemed to acquire skills and objects.
The signature skill of this Sonic project seems to be the ability called Spincycle, which is enabled by pressing Y. It’s a fascinating concept but not a new one and not one that Sonic games use often, though it will be interesting to see all the different puzzles and challenges the developers come up with.
4 Could Be True: The Name
The biggest subject that has been up for debate with all the leaks and rumors is the name of the new game. Right now, it has come out that it could be potentially titled Sonic Rangers. This claim has been justified by a data miner who was able to find it in the metadata of a 4K leaked version of the trailer.
This matches with rumors that came out in January 2021, when someone who tested the game made a post saying the same thing; the title will be called Sonic Rangers. This leak specifically said it will be an open-world game, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which fans now know is the case. Most fans seem pleased with the title and it does sound very cool. Sega recently came out and all but confirmed the name was accurate, though some are still skeptical.
3 Hope Isn't True: Boring Exploration And Combat
According to the anonymous focus tester, the exploration and combat portions of the game were boring. If this does end up being an open-world title, it’s super important fans are engaged and given incentives to keep playing. Open-world games can be at times exhausting. It is going to be Sega’s job to ensure that players don’t burn out after their first attempt to beat a boss or get lost and bored while exploring.
Sega has made the same mistake in the past with games like Sonic Forces, where fans complained that it’s wasn’t even enjoyable to play. Let’s hope that mistakes made with games in the past aren’t made now and fans can play an exciting 3D Sonic game.
2 Could Be True: Cyberspace
It’s rumored that one of the main features of the game is going to be the ability to go into cyberspace. It explains why in the livestream fans saw Sonic’s feet all lit up. It’s rumored when players defeat bosses throughout the different worlds, they will receive orbs.
Once these orbs are obtained, then players can unlock the ability to enter cyberspace and then defeat levels inside cyberspace. Supposedly the cyberspace levels are Generation-style. The leaker claims that it is a very interesting feature and the music “goes hard”, so that is definitely exciting.
1 Could be True: Bosses And Potential Final Boss
The leak about the bosses and the final boss and the rumors on how to defeat them are what really got fans interested. The leaks claim that when players defeat bosses in the cyberspace levels and other levels fast enough, players will be granted Chaos Emeralds. Sonic will also be able to lock onto enemies when battling. Basically, this certainly sounds like a 3D Sonic game.
Now, it’s rumored the final boss will be something akin to a giant tree robot. What that means, fans do not know yet, but it sounds rather interesting. The leaker stated that when a player gets to the final boss, a thick fog will appear that Sonic will have to get through. This is different than any of the other levels. He claims players will be able to defeat the boss by flying around him as Super Sonic and use skills like Spincycle. Mainly, players will just mash buttons until he is defeated.
The demo ended after the player defeated the boss, so it can’t be one hundred percent confirmed that this is the final encounter in the campaign but it could make for an exciting final fight.