What the hell is a Sonic?

[Homura Akemi]

New characters. Most sequels gain them, to strengthen the plot or to introduce something new to the mix. They can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on who or what they are. They could be new fighting characters with brand new movesets, or a new friend of a main character who helps you on your quest.

What are some of your favourite new characters? What are some of your least favourite?

 

[Goo]

I always thought Ripto's Rage did a brilliant job of introducing new characters. They made the game more fun and exciting. I was just a kid at the time so maybe nostalgia is clouding my judgement.

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

Rare did an excellent job in introducing Donkey Kong's family in Donkey Kong 64. With the addition of Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, and Chunky Kong, they gave them a whole slew of new abilities and weaponry that it really spiced up the DK franchise. It's a shame though that they haven't gone back to those characters; my money is just on the fact that Rare was bought out by Microsoft and because they solely appeared in that game that Microsoft has the rights to those characters.

 

[Spinosaurus]

Rare did an excellent job in introducing Donkey Kong's family in Donkey Kong 64. With the addition of Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, and Chunky Kong, they gave them a whole slew of new abilities and weaponry that it really spiced up the DK franchise. It's a shame though that they haven't gone back to those characters; my money is just on the fact that Rare was bought out by Microsoft and because they solely appeared in that game that Microsoft has the rights to those characters.

I majorly disagree.

Rare's post-DKC1 characters are terrible. The only exception and it's an answer for this thread is Dixie Kong. Her design is alright but her implementation supposedly being a character for beginners in Donkey Kong Country 2 was very well executed on top of her unique abilities as Diddy's partner, in contrast to how useless DK is in DKC1. But even then whether you're a beginner or a veteran that actually only factors in your preferences, there are many situations where Dixie is better than Diddy and the opposite holds true, so often you'll find yourself switching back and forth between them and for a good reason. I thought Dixie looked stupid as all hell and being a huge DK fan I didn't like how she "replaced" him (I did not care about how much better Diddy was in DKC1, Rare could have fixed him up), but playing DKC2 I found an appreciation for her because the developers actually knew how to make her likable via solid game design. I did not feel this way with DK64, which was poorly thought out in terms of its cast. Found an item for a specific character but you're not said character? Too bad, do the level all over again. Not to mention Chunky and Tiny are literally Kiddie and Dixie, why not use those two instead? Lanky was an exception, but...he was so awfully gimmicky. In fact none of the game's character controlled well and they didn't complement each other at all, compared to the Diddy/Dixie tag team in DKC2. As a matter of fact I'd go as far as saying that DK64 would have been much better without multiple characters.

It just shows how compact and polished DKC2 is compared to the broken incoherent mess that is DK64, it goes beyond their implementation of characters.

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

I majorly disagree.

Rare's post-DKC1 characters are terrible. The only exception and it's an answer for this thread is Dixie Kong. Her design is alright but her implementation supposedly being a character for beginners in Donkey Kong Country 2 was very well executed on top of her unique abilities as Diddy's partner, in contrast to how useless DK is in DKC1. But even then whether you're a beginner or a veteran that actually only factors in your preferences, there are many situations where Dixie is better than Diddy and the opposite holds true, so often you'll find yourself switching back and forth between them and for a good reason. I thought Dixie looked stupid as all hell and being a huge DK fan I didn't like how she "replaced" him (I did not care about how much better Diddy was in DKC1, Rare could have fixed him up), but playing DKC2 I found an appreciation for her because the developers actually knew how to make her likable via solid game design. I did not feel this way with DK64, which was poorly thought out in terms of its cast. Found an item for a specific character but you're not said character? Too bad, do the level all over again. Not to mention Chunky and Tiny are literally Kiddie and Dixie, why not use those two instead? Lanky was an exception, but...he was so awfully gimmicky. In fact none of the game's character controlled well and they didn't complement each other at all, compared to the Diddy/Dixie tag team in DKC2. As a matter of fact I'd go as far as saying that DK64 would have been much better without multiple characters.

It just shows how compact and polished DKC2 is compared to the broken incoherent mess that is DK64, it goes beyond their implementation of characters.

Hmm, Donkey Kong 64 isn't a broken mess. Even though DK64 is technically a sequel to the Country series, I find it kind of hard to compare the two as one is a 2D platformer and the other is a 3D one, and just because there is a huge difference in the power of the two systems.

Also, what do you mean by if you find an item for a specific character you have to start the world all over again? Each world is designed so each character gets equal playing time, as well as a boss battle for each of them. And it's not like if you hit an area that requires a character to get a Golden Banana that you have to backtrack a great distance to switch characters; there are warp pads strategically placed throughout each world which will bring you to a Kong barrel to switch characters. The game would have also gotten really dull pretty quickly with just one character; the addition of all the other characters with all their unique abilities (i.e. Chunky being strong, Lanky being fast, Tiny being able to fly, etc.) made the game much more fun. Sure, they could have stuck with the same formula, but Rare was experimenting with new things and I personally think they did an awesome job with it.

Yeah Lanky's character design and name are gimmicky but if you think about it almost all of the characters are gimmicky, including Cranky Kong and Funky Kong (who were both in the Donkey Kong Country series). The thing about DK64 was that it wasn't supposed to be serious, I mean come on they had the DK rap at the beginning of the game for crying out loud haha :3

I do semi-agree with the control of the characters of the game, but we also need to remember that this was the N64 and they were just experimenting with 3D graphics for the first time. A lot of N64 games experienced the same issues, and compared to them DK 64 still did an ok-job.

Hopefully I'm not being spiteful or anything; I think we just have differing opinions is all haha :P

 

[Spinosaurus]

Hmm, Donkey Kong 64 isn't a broken mess. Even though DK64 is technically a sequel to the Country series, I find it kind of hard to compare the two as one is a 2D platformer and the other is a 3D one, and just because there is a huge difference in the power of the two systems.

It really, really is. DK64 had weak level design and empathized too much on collecting. The game was all about that and the constant padding did not help. I mean I'm not one for collectathons myself but DK64 is straight up torture.

That's not even everything. It's way too much. And DK64 was just unpolished to the extreme, it's really easy to break the game. Not Sonic 06 levels, mind you, but still broken.

Also, what do you mean by if you find an item for a specific character you have to start the world all over again? Each world is designed so each character gets equal playing time, as well as a boss battle for each of them. And it's not like if you hit an area that requires a character to get a Golden Banana that you have to backtrack a great distance to switch characters; there are warp pads strategically placed throughout each world which will bring you to a Kong barrel to switch characters. The game would have also gotten really dull pretty quickly with just one character; the addition of all the other characters with all their unique abilities (i.e. Chunky being strong, Lanky being fast, Tiny being able to fly, etc.) made the game much more fun. Sure, they could have stuck with the same formula, but Rare was experimenting with new things and I personally think they did an awesome job with it.

Wrap aside, there's still constant switches and character specific items scattered throughout whole levels. You essentially have to beat every level 5 times to get the best result, so if that's less dull than doing it with one character then I really don't know what to say. Character abilities were far too gimmicky and unfun as well, and they were needed in some areas which was annoying and just adds to the padding.

Yeah Lanky's character design and name are gimmicky but if you think about it almost all of the characters are gimmicky, including Cranky Kong and Funky Kong (who were both in the Donkey Kong Country series). The thing about DK64 was that it wasn't supposed to be serious, I mean come on they had the DK rap at the beginning of the game for crying out loud haha :3

A lot of characters in the DKC games had a purpose and abilities that were NOT gimmicky. I admit that the whole power vs speed thing in DKC1 was fairly unbalanced as Diddy was just so much better it still wasn't gimmicky, and gliding vs speed/roll jumping in DKC2 felt natural. They weren't gimmicky at all because as mentioned it served as an option for different play styles, and there were situations where one's function was better suited than the other (but not out right needed) which encouraged players to constantly switch between the two different playstyles. Kiddie in DKC3 was basically DK but with a sorta of an underused gimmick in rolling in water, but better balanced over all. Funky was never playable. Diddy in DKCR basically goes back to gliding vs speed/momentum like DKC2, and Dixie in Tropical Freeze is sort of a double jump which also goes back to being suitable for beginners. Cranky was not playable until Tropical Freeze, and while he's arguably gimmicky, his ability to jump on spikes isn't really what's he about, but rather getting further and higher with your jump based all on your momentum. He's not gimmicky because he doesn't exactly bring something completely new, but is in fact designed around utilizing the game's momentum-based controls to its fullest potential, making him the ideal character for time trials and speed runs.

I do semi-agree with the control of the characters of the game, but we also need to remember that this was the N64 and they were just experimenting with 3D graphics for the first time. A lot of N64 games experienced the same issues, and compared to them DK 64 still did an ok-job.

Mario 64 had the most freedom in a Mario game (DK 94 aside) in that he's basically a god damn ninja and the game is often considered to be the best controlling Mario game. Banjo Kazooie was also a lot better. Being on an N64 isn't an excuse, honestly.

Hopefully I'm not being spiteful or anything; I think we just have differing opinions is all haha :P

It's okay, I enjoy these debates.

 

[Sopheria]

In the 2D days of Sonic, almost all the new characters are great. Tails, Knuckles, Metal Sonic, and Amy are all great additions to the Sonic series (it's hard to believe that originally the only two characters were Sonic and Robotnik).

The 3D games have been really hit or miss when it comes to new characters. Shadow, Chaos, Rouge, and E-102 Gamma are great characters. On the other hand Big The Cat is awful, pretty much every new character introduced in Sonic Next Gen is completely forgettable, and don't even get me started on Chip >_>

 

[TY]

I loved Sir Hammerlock in Borderlands 2, he had some weird humor and his accent was amusing. He really fits in the world of Pandora and sometimes I wished he was in Borderlands 1 aswell :P

Can't think of any useless new characters atm... will come back to this later :3

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

I loved Sir Hammerlock in Borderlands 2, he had some weird humor and his accent was amusing. He really fits in the world of Pandora and sometimes I wished he was in Borderlands 1 aswell :P

Can't think of any useless new characters atm... will come back to this later :3

You could say a lot of those characters added a lot of "flare" to that game. My favorite is Mister Torgue, his language is so...lovely in his DLC, I couldn't stop laughing the entire time you were playing it. Then you've got Tiny Tina which you'll always have a love-hate relationship with her, but her insanity and over-the-top actions really drives the game forward at times.

 

[TY]

You could say a lot of those characters added a lot of "flare" to that game. My favorite is Mister Torgue, his language is so...lovely in his DLC, I couldn't stop laughing the entire time you were playing it. Then you've got Tiny Tina which you'll always have a love-hate relationship with her, but her insanity and over-the-top actions really drives the game forward at times.

Mr Torgue was adorable in both his and Tiny Tina's DLC just cause of his way of shouting and Tiny Tina was just. You could hate her, but you always get amused by her. I actually forgot about both of them cause I haven't played much lately sadly :(

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

Mr Torgue was adorable in both his and Tiny Tina's DLC just cause of his way of shouting and Tiny Tina was just. You could hate her, but you always get amused by her. I actually forgot about both of them cause I haven't played much lately sadly :(

Eh, that's okay. They've been really good with keeping the game relevant with all the DLC packs they've punched out, but I think they should take a break and start planning the next game and make it more innovative.

Can't wait for the Telltale Games - makers of the episodic Walking Dead game - version of Borderlands 2 to come out though. That game's going to be dope.

Spoiler:

 

[Baby~Eevee]

In the 2D days of Sonic, almost all the new characters are great. Tails, Knuckles, Metal Sonic, and Amy are all great additions to the Sonic series (it's hard to believe that originally the only two characters were Sonic and Robotnik).

The 3D games have been really hit or miss when it comes to new characters. Shadow, Chaos, Rouge, and E-102 Gamma are great characters. On the other hand Big The Cat is awful, pretty much every new character introduced in Sonic Next Gen is completely forgettable, and don't even get me started on Chip >_>

I have to agree with you.

I find Silver pointless. :/
Blaze is okay. I don't really hate or but I don't like her either. I guess she's just forgettable. xD