Sega Nerds

Looking ahead: Sega in 2007

Posted by Chris. Filed under Chris, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Nintendo Wii, Sonic, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Shining Force, Virtua Fighter 5.

Quality wise, Sega had a pretty up-and-down year last year. While there were great games like Sega Genesis Collection, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and Full Auto, there were also some real stinkers like Sonic Rivals and Charlotte’s Web.

But hey, the past is in the past, how ’bout we look to the future? Sega has some really promising games this year. They’re giving us sequels to some of their best franchises and even resurrecting a few that we haven’t seen in a while.

This year could go down as one of the best for Sega in a long time. Click the link for an extended look at Sega in 2007.

Virtua Fighter 5

Arguably the most anticipated game of the year for Sega, Virtua Fighter 5 is set to make its debut on the PS3 Feb. 20, and surprisingly, on the Xbox 360 later this year. Virtua Fighter 5 features two new fighters, El Blaze and Eileen, who up the number of fighters to 17.

However, VF5’s most impressive feature has to be its graphics. A few years ago, I thought Soul Calibur was the best you could get, but Sega-AM2 has definitely proven me wrong. Now if they can get the gameplay to match the awesome graphics, they’ll have a winner on their hands for sure.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Hit

Shining Force EXA

Many Sega Nerds were put off by Shining Force Neo’s switch to an action-RPG style, ditching the series’ traditional tactical RPG trademark. And much of the press were as well, as Neo has a ho-hum 69 metacritic score.

Well, if you liked Neo, I have good news for you, and if you didn’t, I have some bad news. Shining Force EXA, which is due out on the PS2 in March, is another action-RPG, but Sega has gone through some lengths to add some tactical flair. In this sequel, players must use their rapist wit to defend their fortress from enemies by using five different battle types.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Miss

Virtua Tennis 3

In my opinion, there’s no greater tennis franchise than Virtua Tennis. And although to G’s dismay, Sega is bringing this sequel to every current-gen platform except those owned by Nintendo. A little old-school hatred coming through, eh? It’s almost as if Sega is snubbing Nintendo out of spite, because they have added in PS3 Six-Axis control. Yep, it’s true.

However, this title should still be loads of fun even though we have to play it with a traditional controller, and, with the addition of four-player, online multi-player, I will be able to own you all from the comfort of my “cushiony” sofa. The Xbox 360 version even allows for online tournaments.

But what has helped set Virtua Tennis apart from its competitors is the fantastic mini-games, and there are 10 all-new ones to enjoy.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Hit

Sonic and the Secret Rings

One of the biggest complaints of recent Sonic games have been bad control and a bad camera system. Well, in Sonic and the Secret Rings, Sega has decided to remove Sonic from his usual free-roaming 3-D universe and place him on a rail-based system.

According to Sega, “mimicking the energy and movements of Sonic, players actively perform specialized moves with the controller, bringing their stamina and wide range of motion into the action.” What this means in terms of gameplay I have no idea. Will gamers have to crazily make circular motions as fast as they can until their arms fall off to gain speed?

And just in case you have a group of friends over who don’t like to sit and watch you play, Sega has added in a slew of party games. I just hope they play better than Sonic Shuffle. Expect to see Sonic’s Wii in March.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Hit

Alien Syndrome

Sega recently announced plans for a remake of Alien Syndrome for the Wii and PSP. The game, which should be released this summer, won’t actually be developed by Sega, though. Totally Games is in charge of updating this action-RPG. Who are they? Well, Totally Games has developed several Star Wars: X-Wing games for the PC and Secret Weapons Over Normandy for the PS2, Xbox and PC.

Sega says the game is filled with 110 monsters, 15 sub-bosses and five main bosses to fight using 80 weapons and hundreds of armor types and bonus items spread out through 15 levels and multiple side quests that should last you 15-20 hours. Additionally, the PSP version will have wireless multi-player support.

While we really don’t have much to go by other than a few released screens and a press release, hopefully Sega knows what they are doing by putting Totally Games in charge of this classic.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Miss

After Burner: Black Falcon

Hey look, it’s another Sega classic that’s being remade by a company other than Sega! This time, After Burner: Black Falcon is being developed by Planet Moon for a March release date on the PSP.

Black Falcon has 15 officially licensed military planes, including the Air Force’s new F-22 Raptor. Allow me to go out on a limb and say this plane should own all others, so if and when you ever play Black Falcon, choose the Raptor, baby! Also, players will be able to fully customize a jet with their chosen weapons, engine components and physical design.

And any decent shooter shouldn’t be without a good storyline. In Black Falcon, “a mercenary organization has stolen 13 top secret fighter planes. Your mission is to recover these military jets by engaging in high intensity combat and destroying their leader Cruise and his lieutenants,” according to Sega. Could this be the evil Scientologist Tom Cruise? I certainly hope so.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Hit

Full Auto 2: Battlelines

Full Auto 2: Battlelines has already been released on the PS3, but the PSP won’t receive its version until this spring.

Basically, this game will be a stripped-down version of the PS3, but Sega has ensured developer Deep Fried Entertainment is adding in a little extra. The PSP version will have nine new vehicles, three new districts with six tracks in each and multi-player via Ad-hoc.

Graphically, the game doesn’t look too shabby. The cars, at least, look really good, but the environments don’t look to be anything to write home about. Twisted Metal has proven a damn good car combat game can be made on the PSP, and if Deep Fried can recreate the same gameplay from its console big brothers, this should be a really fun game.

Sega Nerds Prediction: Hit

Armored Core 4

While Sega is only publishing FromSoftware’s Armored Core, which is due out on the PS3 and Xbox 360 in March. I do think it’s notable that this will be the first time that the series truly moves online.

Also, it will be great to see how well my brother stacks up against the rest of the world. He has this crazy idea that he’s the best Armored Core player out there, and I can’t wait for him to be humbled by a 12-year-old Japanese kid.

However, FromSoftware is notorious for adding next to nothing in each installment of this series, so I highly suspect this will be more of the same.
Sega Nerds Prediction: Miss

Other notable Sega titles due out in 2007:

• Golden Axe - Available on Xbox 360 and PS3
• Sega Rally Revo - Available on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC
• Sonic the Hedgehog - Available on PS3 and Xbox 360
• Unnamed sci-fi/military RTS - Available on PC
• Yakuza 2 - Available on PS2

(Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article aren’t those of Sega Nerds or any other Sega Nerds writer. They are my own. I realize I haven’t played these games yet, but prognostication is always something fun even when you’re wrong.)