PALGN: What sort of ideas were you able to accomplish with the Wii that couldn’t be done on other consoles?
Yojiro Ogawa: Sonic and the Secret Rings was created exclusively for the Wii hardware, and so was designed to experience Sonic by utilizing the Wii remote. The game has been adjusted by considering the posture of when playing the game as well as the relationship between Wii remote, buttons and play time.
The Adventure Mode, which Sonic explores alone, is played by tilting the Wii Remote from side to side with players exploring the stage by using the control and making intuitive controls of swinging and tilting the Wii remote, plus using various gimmicks such as the Flying Pot.
Moreover, the Party Mode, which allows up to 4 player gameplay, can be enjoyed by utilizing the Wii remote in various ways. One example would be, using the Wii remote to resemble a violin’s bow.
PALGN: Were there any ideas that couldn’t be implemented on the Wii that would’ve otherwise be included if the game had been developed on another console?
YO: I only had plans to develop for Wii only, so I hadn’t thought of anything for other consoles.
PALGN: Why was the name changed from Sonic Wild Fire, which was a more popular name among fans?
YO: I also liked the name Wild Fire, but in order to relate it more to the story and the direction of the Arabian Nights, we changed to the name that conjures up images of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.
A drawing of Yojiro Ogawa.
PALGN: It’s been detailed there are several unlockables to be found including movies and artwork. Can you specify what some of them are?
YO: If you complete the stage within a certain time and receive a Silver or Gold medal in the Adventure Mode, a page will be added to the Special Book. The Special Book consists of 225 different items which you will be able to see through 15 pages. There will be some movie scenes from when the game was still under development, concept arts, sound files and many more…
PALGN: In terms of The Secret Rings soundtrack, is it similar to previous 3D Sonic titles or has it been changed to give it more of an old-school feeling?
YO: Since this title took a different direction compared to the past Sonic titles, the sound is also different from what you heard in the 2D and 3D Sonic titles. It is a little bit difficult to explain, but it is a mixture of Arabian and Rock! We’d be interested to know what you think about it!
PALGN: How have the controls been developed and would you consider them to be efficient once the players familiarise themselves with them?
YO: I designed so that people will be able to play with the Wii remote for a long time no matter what position the players are in. I felt that using too much of the pointers or all of the functions of the remote would probably be tiring for the players, so I saved all the fun sense of feel using the remote for the Party Mode.
For the Adventure Mode, once you get familiar with the control it is designed so that you will be able to control freely in any position and even with only one hand, which will look very cool.
Previous 3D Sonic titles have been criticised for their flawed camera systems. Have these issues been addressed in Secret Rings?
YO: Since we renewed the system for this title, I feel that the camera issues have been improved.
PALGN: Aside from the single player experience, its been confirmed there will be around 40 multiplayer party games. Can you give us a description of some of the party games and how the controls have been implemented?
YO:
-“Play! Violin” is a game where you use the Wii remote as if you are really playing a violin.
-“Fire! Marksman” is a game where you first hold the Wii remote down and after the countdown you aim at the screen and shoot. First one who shoots the pot, wins.
-“Go! Mine Cart Race” is a game where you pull the lever of the mine cart up and down and speed up to win the race.
It is hard to describe in words, but they are great fun and I hope you look forward to playing it.
PALGN: Despite only being released for a few months, there have already been a few games released on the Wii that have included mini-games in some form or another. Do you feel Sonic and the Secret Rings can compete against these titles or does the game’s strength come from the single player adventure and the party games are more of an extra?
YO: This time, we developed 2 Sonic titles at once. The single player mode called the Adventure Mode and the Party Mode. The Party Mode was not developed just as an extra part of the game, but we have put in enough volume so that it counts as one title and I am very confident that the quality is very high. However, one point that is different is that you can enjoy the party games with everyone from small children to adults.
Better watch out for those spikes.
PALGN: To pass a level, players have to complete a minimum of six out of 12 missions ranging from avoiding pots to reaching the goal before time runs out. Do these missions differ between levels or do they remain the same?
YO: There are some special missions along the way, but basically other than the special missions it is constructed of several different types of rules.
PALGN: What type of sceneries can we expect to see in levels?
YO: It is best for you to actually watch and play the game, but the sceneries you will see are stormy oceans, flying ancient ruins, jungles with dinosaurs, and Arabian castles…and some others.
PALGN: Does Sonic learn any unique abilities that he previously hasn’t had?
YO: As one of the main features, there is the speed boost skill called Speed Brake and a skill that enables Sonic to slow time called Time Break. Shahra’s ring gives the power to Sonic. Since Sonic goes into the world of the book he can’t bring out his usual powers and that is why he has to borrow the power of the ring.
PALGN: Roughly, how much playtime can gamers expect out of Secret Rings?
YO: If you play to the end of the story I think it will take 10 to 15 hours. However, that will only put you up to level 30 to 40. From there you will have to get more different skills which will enable you to enjoy the more fun part of the game.
One of the best looking Wii games to date.
PALGN: Originally, the Wii was going to receive a port of Sonic the Hedgehog but instead it was decided a completely original title would be developed for Wii. What influenced this decision?
YO: SEGA decided this when realizing that the features of the Wii hardware were very different from PS3 and Xbox 360 in all senses.
PALGN: The Sonic franchise has existed for roughly 15 years and has seen many changes since the early years. How have Sega kept the franchise alive and fresh for so long?
YO: I think that’s because Sonic is the only character that provides both super fast action and racing element.
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PALGN would like to thank SEGA and Yojiro Ogawa for taking the time to answer these questions. Sonic and the Secret Rings is scheduled for a March 8th release in Australia, and is already available in Europe and the UK. Look out for our review shortly.
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