Summary
A developer from Sega HARDlight comments on the comparisons between the upcomingSonic Dream Teamand classic 3D platformer,Sonic Adventure. This game is continuing theSonicfranchise’s momentum in 2023, between the releases ofSonic Origins Plus, the updates forSonic Frontiers, andthe release ofSonic Superstarsthis past October. Sega isn’t slowing down yet, asSonic Dream Teamis set to release on December 5.
Sonic Dream Teamis an Apple Arcade exclusive titlethat has Sonic and his friends exploring a dream-based world in order to stop Dr. Eggman from accomplishing his twisted dreams. Sega HARDlight, the game’s developer, was previously responsible for a number of mobile games likeSonic Forces: Speed BattleandSonic Dash.Sonic Dream Teamis one of the studio’s most ambitious titles, featuring six playable characters in a 3D platformer, including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, and Cream, the latter two being a huge surprise to fans. The emphasis on multiple playable characters in a 3D space has resulted in fans making early comparisons betweenDream Teamand theSonic Adventureduology, whichDream Team’s director, Dan Rossati, commented on.
In aninterview with TouchArcade, Rossati was asked about whetherSonic Dream Teamwasa successor toSonic Adventure, along with any inspirations that influenced the upcoming game. Rossati states he understood where fans were coming from with this comparison, acknowledging that the game does reference theAdventuregames in ways, even havingSonicexecutive Takashi Iizuka on board to help out. “We did reference many of the past games,Adventure 1and2included, but didn’t copy any of them directly, as we wantedDream Teamto become its own thing,” Rossati said.
Rossati went over how these games influencedthe gameplay flow ofSonic Dream Team, with players being able to tackle missions in a variety of ways, thanks to theTony Hawk Pro SkaterandSuper Mario Sunshine-inspired free-flowing structure. The director notes these will allow for a great sense of replay value, hoping fans and gamers from the speedrunning community try to find the most efficient routes.
We did reference many of the past games,Adventure 1and2included, but didn’t copy any of them directly, as we wantedDream Teamto become its own thing.
Rossati also commented onSonic Dream Team’s playable roster, which includes the regulars like Sonic and Amy, but also brings back both Rouge the Bat and Cream the Rabbit. He notes that Rouge will play a lot like Knuckles did, being able to climb and glide like they could inSonic Adventure 2, while Cream will mirror Tails' flight abilities. Rossati states that the team at Sega HARDlight are huge fans of Cream, being glad they were able to include her as a narratively important character inDream Team. Fans will get to see how this game stacks againstSonic AdventurewhenSonic Dream Teamreleases on July 17, 2025.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a prolific game franchise that started life on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Covering both 2D and 3D iterations through the generations, Sonic is known for speedy movements and interesting platforming mechanics.
