/vr/ - Retro Games

I've said it before and I'll say it again. 3 is exactly the moment when the franchise began it's decline. It's hard to notice because it still had enough of the formula established by 1 and 2 baked in that it's still a very good/passable game; but it does note a change in pace and style that only grows like cancer as the series goes on. 2 was Sonic at it's peak. 2 had a feeling of rawness to it still, 2 had a feeling of sleekness, 2 had a feeling of belonging and purpose.

2's music is unironically far better than 3. 3 is great, it has some shining moments but it really is nothing compared to 2. Nakamura did something so special with 1 and 2, but really found himself in 2. I don't know if he just hadn't quite mastered the Sega soundchip yet but 1 still has some stiffness to it that isn't quite present in 2. Still though I believe even 1 has a better soundtrack that 3&K; probably largely due to the fact that they were developed by a singular mind. 3 marks the introduction of Senoue to the team, a musician that while I don't mind the slightly more "hard rock" style, I do take issue with his inclusion in 3&K's soundtrack. I think the city pop vibe that Nakamura brought to the table was more in line with the Japanese image of Sonic (pic rel), where as Sunoue's work reflected more closely the American idealization of Sonic. Beyond that; while I do love the Jackson tracks, they're oddly out of place most of the time.

And in reality that was the crux of it all. Sonic 3 marks a departure from form, leaving behind the small, cute, and lovable hedgehog of Japan, and introducing the slightly more edgy, rebellious character that panders to the larger audience of Americans (and by extension America's influence in the 90s). While it might seem like I'm only talking about music, this entire attitude towards the franchise is what the game is steeped in: more Americans.