Why do you hate this game?

[MrFranklin]

It's not being spoiled if it's true. I won't accuse Ken or Aaron of lying, (well, the "as you truly imagined it" and "unrivaled classic experience" bit is quite a stretch,) because I think that they tried to work with what they had. However, someone along the way did lie. Also, how is it being a brat to accuse someone of such a thing? Sure, it's distastful if there isn't any weight behind the claim, but here, I believe that there most certainly is. There has been some major meddling going on, and I feel like Aaron and Ken have practically been left picking up the pieces (which isn't fair, in my book).

I think you're reading too much into it.

I think the reality is much simplier. SEGA America and SEGA Europe are very passionate and care deeply about bringing back the classic Sonic feeling and SEGA Japan for whatever reason aren't so much.

They either are too proud to listen or simply lack the deep meaningful and compassionate understanding of just how precise they need to be to actually appeal to diehard classic fans. Or in the worst scenario aren't that bothered. Or don't have the coders with the skill required. There are many possible reasons. But I doubt they are anything sinister.

In fairness I can understand why Sonic Team might not be interested. They are not the same team as back then and they seem to be on the right track to absolutely revolutionising modern 3D Sonic gameplay which has been consistantly good and increasingly better for 3 games now.

[NixMaster]

I don't blame the PR for doing their jobs. Their jobs are to promote the games, make them sound good, not to make the games themselves. They can't tell us what they really think of the games, either, unless it's something positive. Also, they don't "lie." They just say subject things like, "It's the sequel you've waited twenty years for!" Such a statement can't be said to be a lie, as it's completely reliant on opinion, not solid facts.

[Nieves]

No, we just happen to have strong arguments to support our general dislike and are always being accused of being intolerant or whatever, which in turn only instigates us to post more of such strong arguments.

This.
I don't feel hate btw. It's just a game done wrong, not a cause for hate.

I imagine the bashing (expression of disappointment) hasn't finished because the disappointment hasn't finished. Wait until Ep 3 is in the past and done with, then people will probably run out of interest. And if it indeed never stops, there's nothing wrong with that anyway. Tying people's expression up with hatred is an unfair remark.

[MrFranklin]

If it were down to me. I would let SEGA's UK digital developer have a go at 2D Sonic if they are interested. Or assemble a new western team with talent recruited from Sonic Retro. Let them code and maybe have some members of Sonic Team work on the level design and actual graphics.

You all know here that I've never liked Dimps attempts at creating 2D Sonic. Episode 2 is actually extremely impressive for a predominantly Dimps team.

Sonic Team is better at level design. Dimps is better at coding. But neither appear to be able to create physics that 100% recreate all the classic mechanics that people want.

[Theadvisor1234]

I don't blame the PR for doing their jobs. Their jobs are to promote the games, make them sound good, not to make the games themselves. They can't tell us what they really think of the games, either, unless it's something positive. Also, they don't "lie." They just say subject things like, "It's the sequel you've waited twenty years for!" Such a statement can't be said to be a lie, as it's completely reliant on opinion, not solid facts.

I still don't consider such use of the English language as good marketing. Sure, it's not lying, but it's much to vague. I'd be more faithful in Sega if the PR team with Sonic 4 was much more open with us. Then again, if they were open with us, they'd be out of a job, wouldn't they? Such is the state of the Sega corporation.

[Nieves]

Remember Franklin, Ken got paid to keep us in the dark about Tails. You might explain that the finger should be pointed at those giving Ken his orders instead of Ken himself, but there is still clearly a finger to be pointed. With this in mind I think Ken's position is likely to be autonomous enough for that to have legitimately been his choice.

I hear what you say about feedback but again Ken is being given money to tell us our feedback is being heard. Now either he's not seriously trying to make that happen - not sitting down and pointing out the clear, simple mistakes strongly enough - or he is seriously trying, and it's not working, and he can see he's not being taken seriously on simple things... and he is still getting money for telling us it's working.

So I'm all for taking special care to not attack people who are here as a job, but I'm also all for questioning the responsibilities they claim to have.

[Miles Prower]

I don't hate it as you stated, but it strayed too far from the main Sonic formula in terms of gameplay, one thing that I feel Episode I was closer to getting right. Co-op would've been nice as an optional addition.

[Classic Sonic]

Lest we not forget "All new physics engine".

No, sorry folks Sega are liars and Ken is one of them. And all the flippant remarks about our feedback "jump over the boosters" and brushing off most of the feedback with some nonsense about subjectivity and "can't please everyone". It makes me wonder what Ken actually DID bother passing on.

Also, when the were we spoiled? Because the last time that happened was 1994.

[Nieves]

Michael Jackson OST input FTW.

[Copley Hill Zone]

What does annoy me is when fans make it personal and start accusing the PR of lieing.

It's not really an "accusation" when all the evidence points one way, is it?

1. All new physics engine. That was a lie. The engine is the same with the object values marginally changed.
2. Tails' playability. Obfuscated to the point of severe and sheer disappointment with the forced co-op.

It's not making it personal to say that several members of Sega's employee roster told a few porkies in order to sell the game. Whether they were paid or not is irrelevant, telling your fans and potential consumers that your product has X and Y when it has neither in reality is lying, and it's also misrepresenting the product.

You could argue the toss all day about lying/obfuscating/whatever, but a spade is a spade and Ken (whether through Sega, by Sega or himself) was lying when he uttered the words "we have an all new physics engine".

Pointing the finger at the PR team is damn right distastful. It's obvious they tried hard to convey your feedback.

Yes Franklin, right up unto the point where Ken outright said "go and play Sonic CD because Episode II isn't for you".

We could actually see eye to eye sometimes, but you give the PR team/community managers/etc way too much credit and refuse to see the unpleasant truth of this game. The principle on which this second episode was sold on was exactly the same as the first - show as little as possible in order to hype people up to sell it. A good game sells itself - look at Generations' differing tactics.

More than anything, the disgruntled people are disgruntled for good reasons. Read my review again, link below, if you want a proper in depth thought process on it and not just "OMG this game is awesome, you guys are pathetic" style reviews with 300 words or less and the vocabularly of a three year old cocker spaniel.

Remember Franklin, Ken got paid to keep us in the dark about Tails. You might explain that the finger should be pointed at those giving Ken his orders instead of Ken himself, but there is still clearly a finger to be pointed. With this in mind I think Ken's position is likely to be autonomous enough for that to have legitimately been his choice.

I hear what you say about feedback but again Ken is being given money to tell us our feedback is being heard. Now either he's not seriously trying to make that happen - not sitting down and pointing out the clear, simple mistakes strongly enough - or he is seriously trying, and it's not working, and he can see he's not being taken seriously on simple things... and he is still getting money for telling us it's working.

So I'm all for taking special care to not attack people who are here as a job, but I'm also all for questioning the responsibilities they claim to have.

This, dammit.