Sonic 3D Blast Review - Quickies Don't Cut It
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.พ. 2017
- An in-depth analysis video for Sonic 3D Blast, otherwise named Flickies' Island. Does this often forgotten game deserve more love than it's been given?
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Writing, narrating & editing: Michael Hardeman
Logo designs: ''Redberd36'', Specter Salmon & ''Ollie''
Game creation: Traveller's Tales
Sonic the Hedgehog © Sega
All music & imagery © to their respective owners - เกม
I am aware a Director's Cut version of this game by Jon Burton himself is in development at the time of writing this comment. He seems to be passionate about his old projects--I imagine he's been part of much bigger things than Sega Genesis games--so I am impressed by that. Many of the changes he's made so far are improvements, and though I am unsure if these will turn the game into something more than OK, I will probably end up taking a look at the Director's Cut sooner or later once it's released. :)
it’s been released so uh
The fact that he did actually update his old game as a passion project is absolutely amazing and something that is simply unheard of to happen. However, the whole premise of the game sucks so he can use an entire tube of lipstick on this pig but its still going to suck unfortunately. Worst part about it is think of how awesome it would be if the lead designer of sonic 3 went back and decided to do a directors cut and add content, maybe even new levels or like new shields or something... i would have a Blakegasm
Pretty good review, RZ, though I kind of wish you titled this "Flickies Don't Cut It", considering the premise.
booo. that pun is Ted Wiesen level quality. (of BrainScratchComms fame)
Zack Stewart Its actually a pretty nice pun, considering this game was co-called Flickies Island and how it recieved mostly negative reviews.
Zack Stewart I'd say its closer to Chugga then Ted (hell, it kinda sounds like when Ryan or John does a parody of Ted)
I've always had a strange soft spot for this game. I never could figure out why. It's not terrible, but it's controls leave much to be desired. Love the OST for both versions! Excellent review RZ!
Glad you enjoyed the video, dude. Means a lot. :)
God damn I love your videos man they really brighten up my day to see you do a review on a game even if I know the inside that out it's still nice to hear someone talk about it I know you put a lot of effort into these and I really hope you get more subs soon
Hey man, it's awesome to read comments like these. I get to make videos I want to make and brighten up people's day in the process! Cheers. :)
There is an updated director's cut version of Sonic 3D Blast/Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island for Steam PC where the game plays a lot better and you can play as Super Sonic after you get all 7 of the Chaos Emeralds, the game has a save/load system, a time attack mode, Tails and Knuckles are found in the Gene Gadget and Panic Puppet levels and so much more.
Bro, he literally pinned a comment.
Wow, the Saturn verison's special stages are everything Sonic 2's wanted to be. They aren't disorienting, and you actually have time to prepare for what's ahead.
found your channel a few days ago and I'm binging your stuff. Keep this quality up.
Thanks man! Hope you've been enjoying it all. :D
Awesome review as per usual! I've never been able to play this game for more than 20 seconds without getting a nauseating headache, but I imagine I would come to a similar conclusion.
Thanks, my man! Appreciate you sticking around since Sonic 1, even with a lack of content in these two months. :)
No problem, I try to encourage my fellow creators.
I remember playing this game in mid nineties (well, I still have a cartridge, after all), and after that, playing Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast for the first time. I had really strange surprise, when I heard Windy Valley 3 music, which was taken straight out from Green Grove zone. But yeah, even as I completed Sonic 1, 2 3&K and CD, I never bothered to complete this one. I don't think that I even got anywhere after zone 3.
You still having the cartridge didnt match with what you were saying and was unnecessary. You are awarded no clout
great video as always. you're quickly becoming one of my new favorite channels. keep up the good work. :)
Sweet, that's a big compliment! Much appreciated and I will do my best to keep the channel going and growing. :)
You should have called this one "flickies don't cut it"
Gotta say, 3D Blast is definitely a bizarre specimen for me. I do realize that it's heavily flawed and just generally a mediocre at best title, but for some inexplicable reason, I kinda enjoyed playing through it when I tried it out of curiosity a couple of months back. No clue as to why that is...
Soundtrack's another story, though. I absolutely LOVE both scores here. So much so that I even want to make a video series comparing the two, but real life just won't let me to, so yeah...
Maybe you can enjoy exploration on its own in video games? Just enjoying yourself and relaxing.
And yeah, the soundtracks are both very high quality. I do prefer the Mega Drive one, but the Saturn counterpart is also sweet. Perhaps someday you will find the time to do those comparison videos. :)
Retropolis Zone Huh, I guess that might be part of it. But I dunno, I always got the feeling that there was another driving force that kept me playing, can't put my finger on it...
And thanks, I really hope I can get those videos done someday. :)
Lite 64 I agree man, I view 3D Blast as a guilty pleasure
its a nice game, which does not deserve all its criticism,
but people just like to complain (when something is not perfect)
You deserve far more suscribers, your reviews are so nice and objective, keep it up!
greetings from Mexico!
Thank you so much, mate. Greetings from The Netherlands. :D
So, the original developer of Sonic 3D recently made a DX version of the Genesis verson of 3D Blast, here are all of the changes:
- Controls and physics tweaked to be more precise and less slippery
- Sonic goes *even faster* but the camera pans far forward to compensate
-Password and World Map feature
-Being able to shield the hit of enemies and hazard when you have speed shoes.
-Super Sonic
-Level Editor
-Being able to collect only one chaos emerald per zone
-You lose 1 flicky instead of all of them when you get hit.
-Should you have no rings, flickies will take the hit for you.
-The indicator will tell you which flicky is loose
-Flicky radar just in case the flicky goes offscreen.
-Flickies actively search for Sonic
-Enemy hitboxes are bigger
Awesome! I love these Sonic reviews, keep it up the great work. :)
Thanks man, and will do! :)
I came back to rewatch and dang that typo I made is embarrassing. :P
I'm not sure if you're aware of this fact (seeming as you didn't mention it at all), but the PC version has a different special stage compared to the Mega Drive AND the Saturn. It's similar to the Saturn (Sonic 2 styled half pipe), but faster, longer and less gimmicky (and IMO, harder).
Yeah I remember those Special Stages vaguely. The PC version is what I grew up playing the most. I wanted to cover the PC version as well, but I decided to keep the video length a little shorter and the fact I couldn't be bothered to play the game again didn't help. lol
Ah cool, just wasn't sure! Fair point, I wouldn't be bothered to play it either. Shame you had to take that shortcut because that does cut it! Get it? Quickies don't cut... meh, I'll show myself out =P
Booooooo!
:O *cries while walking away carrying a Bindle over the shoulder* I know it when my jokes aren't appreciated; I'll go elsewhere... like to your Sonic 1 review video =P
It's okay, haha. I was just screwing around. ;)
how can you jump from Sonic 1 to 3D like that? :'(
No matter its flaws, I still love this game. I think the main reason is the megadrive soundtrack, which is one of the best osts I have ever heard
I wasn't really feeling Sonic 2 yet and played 3D Blast for curiosity. That quickly turned into wanting to review it. :)
And yeah, the Mega Drive soundtrack is fantastic! It's one of my favorite Sonic soundtracks.
You absolutely nailed the Saturn's music with your description!
Not sure what you have planned next, but in the future can you review the Banjo series? Absolutely LOVING these in-depth reviews dude!
I want to get some more Classic Sonic reviews done, as well as Majora's Mask and Star Fox 64. Others things planned as well such as Ape Escape 3. I am having a bit of trouble managing the time with my new job, unfortunately, so progress tends to be slow.
I do want to do Banjo Kazooie at some point - I liked what I played a few months ago - but right now it's not in the cards 'cause I already have too much planned. Sorry for that, though hopefully you will enjoy what's to come either way. :)
That's OK dude I always felt like the length of the videos always made up for their time spread. I can't wait for the rest of the classic series! :D
Just had a mini-marathon of your Sega-related videos after I stumbled upon your channel the other day and just wanted to say keep up the good work! Even though I've played all these games extensively for some reason your reviews are really interesting, and get really in-depth into what works and what doesn't. I've noticed a few comments within the videos saying your channel isn't that popular, which really is a crime! Count me in as an intrigued new subscriber at any rate :) (also I hope to see Streets of Rage 2 and 3 videos someday!!)
Thanks for the support and comment, man! It's always great to have new subscribers on board! I hope the channel can grow at some point. :)
It's wired seeing a video from you and it not being over 1 hour. But great review like all ways
Haha, has it gotten that bad? Glad you enjoyed and thanks. :)
Retropolis Zone What version of flickie's island is this??
Mega Drive and Saturn.
Glad to see you back.
Thank you. :)
17:17 "...Wankering around..."
That line made me sub! Great reviews buddy.
Awesome review Retro. I do appreciate sneaking in Landstalker for Mega Drive in there!
Kinda weird dropping into a review without a plot summary at the beginning since X6. Still a great video nonetheless.
Thanks for the comment! Dropping in like that is because plot summaries are just copy-paste paragraphs and it only gives people a reason to click away the video. Decided it would be best to just jump into the good stuff straight away, and if a game has any sort of emphasis on narrative (which Sonic 1 and 3D Blast don't), then I will find a different way of discussing that when the time comes. :)
Sonic 3D blast didn't really have much of a plot anyways. If you didn't play the Genesis version or read the manual you'd be shocked that Eggman had an evil plot In the first place.
Retropolis Zone I swear I could listen to your voice for the rest of my life!!!. Marry me, RT!!! Lmiao. Omfg.
Mikey 64 I personally think it's an improvement. If I'm correct he set out to deeply analyze the gameplay and mechanics of games only, as analyzing the plots is more akin to a Literature study, you know for e.g. 'Westworld Explained' kinds of videos. Leaving out the plot means that the quality of the story (which sometimes is very high....within a terrible game) allows him to be more objective about the games internal systems without being biased towards certain games due to their stories having captivated him etc. If I'm off base then Retro should let us know eventually, I peg him for a guy that doesn't want people like me speaking for him especially if I'm wrong, he would want me to know that lol. He is a 'Critical' guy after all :p
Actually 3D blast for the Saturn was a last minute replacement for Sonic X-Treme which got canned due to internal bickering between Sonic team Japan and America. So that's basically why the Saturn version was so underwhelming. Travelers tales basically had six months tops to prepare for a Christmas release so they added some graphical upgrades, changed the music, changed the stages, and voila.
Fun fact: The engine used in the special stages would later be used in the Sonic world portion of Sonic Jam which would later be used as the engine of Sonic adventure.
When i heard Lava mountain's music i always thought Indiana Jones.
Loved the review. I'm pretty sure it's pronounced "Jean" Gadget though. I keep hearing you say "Geen."
Some funkiness involved with being a guy from The Netherlands doing English voice-overs, haha! I knew about the word ''gene'' and to pronounce it as ''Jean'', but I just never made that connection for that Zone for some reason.
Glad you loved the review!
It's all good. Quite honestly, you are one of the best reviewers on TH-cam and deserve way more subscribers. You be puttin in work.
Thanks a lot, man. 'Tis very encouraging. :)
Its actually Gene Gadget lol
Now I have to ask. Will you review the special DX edition made by the original creator that includes tons of improvements. It's not complete as the guy is still working on how to deal with the rating system for the speed run/time attack mode. And other such improvements. Note this guy is using the original Genesis ost.
I really love this game. I think it's a little bit underrated because of Sonic older games perspective, but it's a cool and different game
I actually like both versions of this game they hold a special place in my heart for it was the very first game I was able to buy on my own in 96' greatest day in my life it's small to alot of people but it means alot to me thanks for reviewing this i thoroughly enjoy it
Okay, two things.
A)Directors cut is fixing a shit ton of these problems
B)Controls could be fixed by using the many controllers with analog sticks(I do believe the AX-1E is an example of this), but for default control schemes, you're right, the controller was bad.
Dope review. Fun fact, there's also an official PC release of this game with still different special stages. Still easy as fop, but I think it cut the load times down by at least a little bit.
awesome video Retropolis Zone. You let me understand 3D blast a little bit more. so thanks and good job.
Thanks man, and no problem!
Great job man! I don't know how you can make these so quickly when they're so long and this isn't your job.
Thanks, dude! I have actually been fairly lazy with the channel recently. Probably could do more if I really pushed myself!
hey Retro, have you heard of one of the original designers' attempt to making a Director's Cut hack of this game? he just announced it today, and I figured you'd want to know about it. that said I doubt it.
I saw that video. It's an interesting concept, and the change in controls could be an improvement, so I'm willing to try it out when Jon releases the patch. Even with the phsyics tweaks, though, I think the game would be just as boring and awkward with the perspective as always.
Interesting note about the Saturn version, brought up about six minutes in. According to Jon Burton, that version was not handled by Traveler's Tails and as you suspected is actually just interpreting the analog stick into the original 8 directions. The Saturn version is apparently, for the most part, a straight port of the Genesis version with added flourishes (see all the graphical enhancements probably made via asset substitution, same for the music) and a layer of arbitration interpreted in real time, for things like the analog control.
The special stages seem to run on the Jam engine if I had to guess and probably just pass a pass/fail flag back to the main game for the results screen.
whats the last song of the video?
What was that second game that was shown, with the Link-looking character and the fox thing?
Landstalker for the Sega Genesis.
thankies ^_^
Hey man, great channel! Could you do a review on Syphon Filter PS1?
Looking foward for that, thanks!
4 minutes into the video and I got motion sickness. I guess watching sb else play rather than playing it myself is kinda harsh to the eyes! :| Enjoying the review so far though and that's always the case with your videos. ;)
Yeah, it seems some people even experience sickness or headaches from the isometric view and overall aesthetic. Also, thanks man! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. :D
I've never seen footage of the Saturn special stages. The windows 95 version also has different special stages but they're more a mixture of genesis and Saturn ones with a polygonal half pipe but a prerendered sonic and no fancy effects.
One of the only mainstream Sonic games that I didn't bother to complete. The only notable difference between the Saturn version & PC versions of this game, is that the special stages are graphically similar to the genesis version on PC. With the half pipes being the only 3D models in those stages. Then again, PC games weren't as powerful back then.
If the problem for you was almost entirely tied to the isometric view, you'll be happy to know that some fans corrected it! "Sonic 3D in 2D" is a total reimagining of the game's plot and levels in classic Sonic sidescrolling action. I haven't played it, but it may be worth checking out.
the music was definitely this game's (megadrive/genesis) strong point. I remember relying heavily on Sonic's shadow to make jumps in the game
The fact that watching this started making me feel nauseous and crosseyed is a case and point for the awkwardness of this game.
So while I was working yesterday you were working on this?
Was recording and editing pretty much all weekend, yep!
Fucking amazing review, I never would've thought a half hour video about Sonic 3D Blast would be this good, awesome work
It is the show Quickies Don't Cut It, after all. Thanks for the kind words, E0N!
Good review, but the Genesis' 8 way Dpad actually worked fine for this game. If you played it on Gamecube that Dpad understandably doesn't work as well. Closest thing today would be the Elife Dish style dpad.
I don't know if you've heard, but the original founder of Traveller's Tales (find him at GameHut on TH-cam) is working on a directors cut of the game, fixing a few textures, the controls, etc. I'd say check it out!
I've heard. I love GameHut's channel. :D
I remember being very impressed with a 3d intro animation on Sega Mega Drive
isometric platformer brings me back to the Spyro GBA games
I remember playing the first Spyro GBA game when I was younger. Do they handle the whole isometric aspect better than 3D Blast does?
to awnser your question game is much slower and with infinit lives well for the 3rd game it was less likely to die but still isometric gaming is not made for platformers really its a nice idea but just flops
this is my favorite game in the franchise but I respect your opinions. my favorite is rusty ruin 1 on the mega drive
There's a ROM hack (I forgot the name) where you DON'T need the Flickies. It's actually pretty fun.
Check out Gamehut's Director's Cut version of Sonic 3d Blast. He is a former TT employee that has access to the game code and has addressed many of the problems with the original version. He has a youtube channel and is actively giving updates. I find it very interesting.
I guess I haven't played enough of this game, but your review seems very reasonable and fair regardless of my time spent with it. Perhaps I'm just not interested in it since it looks very zoomed-in and slippery.
Sir, you’re great with words.
Great Review
Thanks. :)
To my knowledge, it seems that a lot of people do not like the isometric view of this game. I have personally never had a problem with it. I've beaten the game on multiple occasions with all the Chaos Emeralds. But I will say this: the Sega Saturn version of this game is the best, bar none (barring the loading times)!
i still love this game i njoy exporen the big area for 1ups and flickys it verry njoyable
despite it's flaws 3D blast is actually my all time favorite sonic game on the genesis. favorite track? the credits
By the way what's the music at 20:40 ?
Panic Puppet Zone Act 2 on the Genesis/Mega Drive soundtrack. :)
Thanks :)
That floor pattern in Spring Stadium Saturn version, makes the level look like more of a clusterfuck than the genesis version
I hear the PC version also has a different special stage compared to the other two versions. Anyway, I kind of enjoyed this game while I played the first few acts but I was mostly just impressed by the presentation.
Yeah the PC version has different Special Stages. I wanted to cover that port as well, but I decided to save some time for the video length, and I honestly couldn't be bothered to go through the game a fifth time.
Rusty Ruin act 1 from the Genesis version is my favorite.
My final thoughts are... your reviews are amazing... your accent is amazing... the depth of which you go to in you're review's!!! I always look forward to your reviews and think you should have more view's... I'm going to share you're review's!!! they are amazing and (not to sound homosexual) you are amazing!!!
HA, GAAAAY!!!
In all seriousness, thanks dude! Haha. I much appreciate this. A lot of work goes into the videos so it's great to read this kind of sutff. :D
what is the song at 20:41
Panic Puppet Zone - Act 2. :)
"Potentionally" -Retropolis, 2017.
I find it funny how so many people (especially many primarily used to English) tend to say "Jun Senui".
*gets popcorn* This gonna be goooood.
I always thought my Saturn was broken due to it taking forever to load 3D Blast... Good to know that it's not!
whats that game at around 1:40 called? looks neat
Landstalker for the Genesis.
Thanks dude. damn that western cover art is ugly :p
but might pick this up soon
The founder of Traverlers Tales is working on a directors cut.
Best looking game on MD, alongside with Toy Story. Felt absolutely next gen pushing system to the limits
Back then as a kid I thought it was the best game ever ! Now I can see the flaws, but nostalgia is making them invisible . Great review !
...You're supposed to roll into Badniks.
I prefer the title Flickies' Island, purely because it can be so easily and wonderfully misread on the box art.
I hate this game with a passion but my lord, the mega drive ost is top tier (as well as Saturn Panic Puppet). Great video.
Thanks man! And that soundtrack is indeed great.
What is the game at 1:44
If the Saturn version didn't have long loading times, would you say its better than the Genesis version?
Yes, if only for the Special Stages.
I'd of made the shadows pitch black for better clarity, would look less natural but ill take that over them blending into the background... but yeah this is like Roller Coaster Tycoon's issues amplified with ice like movement, yikes.
How to play this Game: Don't forget that you have a Spindash
I always wanted to love this game but I always get bored by the time I get to Spring Stadium, at least the music and graphics look good. Great review!
Believe it or not this is the first Sonic game I've beaten. I don't know if this a good thing... I did have fun while playing it (apart from the wonky hit detection)
I vastly prefer Spot goes to Hollywood (the Genesis one) over Sonic 3D Blast. It isn't perfect either, but the levels feel special and have enough details and secrets to make me want to explore and go for a 100% every time.
since I'm not seeing it in this comment section, I might as well say it: "Gene" is pronounced "jean", not "geen".
Also, whaaaaat! I love the Genesis 3d blast credits theme. It's a bit bonkers but it has a nice jammin' sound to it. Also Panic Puppet 1 is far and away the best song in the game IMO. I do love Diamond Dust's little nod to Dreams Come True though.
6:55 That is actually exactly what they did.
ACTUAL 3D AVATARSSSSSSSS
Hm... About the isometric 3D controls of this game, it is jarring that they went all that effort making the game knowing very well that the controller is far from ideal to play it.
I have little to no experience on these types of games, but I can clearly remember a similar graphically looking game in the same system called "Snake Rattle 'n' Roll" that compensates the issue by, basically, changing the character's movement angle to being parallel to the game's dimension(for example, down being left-down in the game).
I'm sure it might feel awkward at first, but the platforming part of the game, as well as the movement in general, makes for a smoother tradeoff in the end result(event though that game wasn't perfect either).
Well, again, I haven't played many isometric platformers like 3D Blast, but I think that adjustment would have made sense because of the limitations of the controller, I wonder why they didn't do that...
English is not my primary language, so bear me if I couldn't express my words properly.
My Genesis has a screw hole in the middle of the D pad to put a joy stick on it, though I just thought it was a garbage D pad, less joy stick.
sonic 3d blast actually plays better with the thumb pad. because it only uses 8 directions. The game doesnt have full 360 turning. only 8 directions. Its just placebo and easier on peoples thumbs with the analog. sonic adventure would need an analag stick. Also platforms and level design are designed within those 8 directions.The genesis and saturn had that corner indent on the pad as well
Missed opportunity to call it "Flickies Don't Cut It."
Where are you from? I've never heard your accent before. It sounds a bit like a Dutch accent mixed with that of an American.
Wow, somehow overlooked this comment. Sorry! But yeah, I am actually from the Netherlands. I've kinda developed my own accent as I've been doing TH-cam. :)
I don't really understand the complaints about D-pad versus analog. I find analog controls to be super clumsy for older platformers, while the D-pad gives me concrete precision. But then again, I didn't really know much about analog controls until I got a PS2, so it could just be a product of my youth.
I agree with this review completely. I had played this on PC back in the late 90s, and didn't touch it again until late last year when I tried it on Saturn for the first time.
I hate collecting Flickies, and would have preferred a more standard get to the end of the level game play type. Even if it made the game shorter, at least it'd be fun to play.
That being said, the Special Stages were fun on Saturn and show us what they could have achieved with a true 3D game. If only SEGA weren't so damn stupid and focused their efforts correctly, we'd have a decent or better 3D Sonic game during that era.
More like:
Sonic 3D Blast review - *Flickies* Don't Cut It
Sonic 3D Blast: Quickies Island-
so late? I want to go to bed dude..............fuck it I'm still gonna watch this your vids are great
Thanks man! Hope it was worth staying up for, haha.
Credits theme is awesome what the heck man?
I play Sonic 3D Blast more for the soundtrack. I'd like to buy the Saturn version for the better graphics and special stages.
1:40 What game is that?
That's "Landstalker", on Genesis/MegaDrive.
Take a shot every time he says "Geen Gadget".