Sonic’s middling 2013 Wii U exclusive outing, Sonic: Lost World, is coming to PC- Sega has confirmed that the game, which launched as a Wii U and Nintendo 3DS exclusive back in 2013, will be coming to PC via Steam, where it will boast support for Steam Achievements, Cloud Save, leaderboard functionality, interchangeable keyboard prompts depending on whether you play with controller or mouse and keyboard and widescreen and high resolution implementation. It will come with the Nightmare DLC included- and the whole package will somehow cost just £19.99/$24.99/€22.99. If you pre-order now, you will get Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing Transformed for absolutely free too.

“We’re delighted to be able to bring Sonic Lost World to PC.” Said John Clark, VP of Commercial Publishing for Sega Europe; “This is the latest in a string of high quality PC ports of past Sega titles that we will be building on in the coming months and years.”

Clark’s statement should come as good news to Sega fans, even if they aren’t necessarily fans of Sonic Lost World- it confirms that more PC ports of Sega games, in the vein of this and Valkyria Chronicles, will be coming in the future. Which can only be a good thing.

A new DLC for Sonic: Lost World is here, and it’s a good one. The Legend of Zelda Zone is a DLC that is dedicated to, well, The Legend of Zelda. The DLC puts you in locations that have been inspired by classic Zelda locales, such as Hyrule Field or Dodongo’s Cavern, and includes classic Zelda items and creatures- such as treasure chests with heart pieces, rupees, cuccos, Link’s green tunic and even some familiar foes.

What’s more, Sonic even has his own Loftwing, which people who’ve played Skyward Sword would recognize immediately- yes, Pokemon fans, it’s not a Ho-oh.

Nintendo and Sega have even released a video for the DLC showing off what it’s all about. We’ve posted it above for your viewing pleasure, so scroll back up and take a look. It’s quite good, it has to be said. At least it looks good.

The DLC is available for free to Wii U owners already.

Sega has reported a 48 percent increase in profits thanks to Phantasy Star Online 2 and mobile games Chain Chronicle and Puyopuyo Quest. In contrast, packaged games sold at retail like Sonic Lost World didn’t fare so well.

“In the consumer business, although the group launched multiple titles including Football Manager 2014 and Sonic Lost World in the packaged game software field, sales were low due to the harsh market environment.”

Puyopuyo Quest and Chain Chronicle averaged 6 million and 2 million downloads respectively, and Sega reported with total sales for the past 9 months up to December 31st 2013 being 303.9 billion yen ($2.9 billion). This made for profits 44.3 billion yen or $434.5 million.

Given the dismal success of Sonic Lost World, does it make sense to reboot the hedgehog and his friends in new avatars for the upcoming Sonic Boom game? We’ll have to wait and see but for now, the response from fans is anything but positive.

Nintendo went nuts with downloading new, download only content and games for the Wii U during its Nintendo Direct webcast today, as they announced a stream of content for the faltering console.

One of these announcements included the NES Remixes, which are essentially NES ROM hacks, and put a new spin on a familiar game- for example, players might be tasked with completing a familiar Super Mario Bros. stage while running to the left. Or they might encounter a revamped level of Donkey Kong that allows them to play as Link from The Legend of Zelda series. The games come with Miiverse and Stamps (Nintendo’s version of Achievements) capability, and they sell for $15 each.

Nintendo also announced Dr. Luigi, as a celebration of the continuing Year of Luigi, which is essentially a Luigi themed Dr. Mario game. The game also comes with a Dr. Mario mode for all you purists, Wii U Gamepad support, and Miiverse compatibility. It will sell for $15.

Sonic: Lost World on Wii U will be getting free DLC, as it gets Yoshi’s Island Zone, done in the now famous Yoshi art style, and replete with pipes, coins, Shy Guys and Piranha Plants.

Finally, Wii Sports Club, the HD enhanced, online play enabled Wii U version of Wii Sports, will be getting its third sport, golf. Golf will play in a completely new way, asking players to place their Gamepad on the floor, and using the Wiimote to swing at the ball on the Gamepad, finally utilizing the promise of the tech demo shown off at E3 nearly three years ago.

“Today’s announcements reinforce that Nintendo systems are consumers’ best options for enjoying quality games now, and will continue to be in 2014,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and COO. “From new upcoming games in the Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. series to original Nintendo eShop content like NES Remix, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS provide a combination of value and variety that only Nintendo can offer.”

Stay tuned to GamingBolt for more coverage.

Given his recent streak of successes lately, you’d naturally go into Sonic: Lost World expecting some good platforming fun. And you wouldn’t be wrong at all: Sonic: Lost World on the 3DS, which is the first fully 3D Sonic game to ever appear on a handheld, is undoubtedly the weakest Sonic entry since Colors, but it somehow remains good fun, and manages to channel some high quality, guided platforming fun, ala Nintendo’s own Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS.

"The one blemish on the otherwise great presentation values for this game is undoubtedly the cutscenes, which seem sloppy, poorly compressed, and generally cheap."

Like Super Mario 3D Land, Sonic: Lost World looks gorgeous. The colors are eye popping, the art style is wonderful and captures the feel of the classic Sonic games very well, and the game can keep up with the blistering speed of Sonic’s movement as he races through some really good looking levels. Looks like, twenty years later, a Nintendo handheld finally got the blast processing needed to keep up with Sega’s spiky blue mascot.

The great graphics are complemented by some equally good sound; although the music in Sonic: Lost Worlds is not as good as the nostalgia bone tickling Sonic Generations, or even the relatively more subdued and underplayed soundtrack from Sonic Colors, it’s still catchy and almost always perfectly captures and accentuates the tone and atmosphere of the specific level that you are in.

The one blemish on the otherwise great presentation values for this game is undoubtedly the cutscenes, which seem sloppy, poorly compressed, and generally cheap. Although Sega have gone the admirable route of including the same voices and music in the game as the Wii U version, for example, the general visual quality of these cutscenes just feels degraded and low, and sticks out like a sore thumb even more next to the visual panache of the otherwise well made game.

"Sonic: Lost Worlds includes all the modern mechanics that the series is known for, in addition to more, such as the Wisp Powers, fully reflective of the 'everything and the kitchen sink' mentality Sega and Sonic Team often adopt with this franchise when they are at a loss as to what to do."

Of course, ultimately, you won’t play Sonic because it looks and sounds good (or in the case of its cutscenes, won’t): you’ll play it because you want some tightly constructed high speed platforming fun, and in that regard, Sonic: Lost Worlds on the 3DS simultaneously satisfies and disappoints.

The reason for both the satisfaction and the disappointment is the same: with Lost World, Sega seem to have taken some cues from Super Mario Galaxy (or even, as mentioned above, Super Mario 3D Land), in slowing down the pace of the game a little and letting players go off the beaten path and explore. Most levels in the game are shaped like a cylinder or in the shape of a ‘U,’ that all offer alternate paths with hidden secrets, precariously perched and treacherously hidden. The alternate paths can often seem unfairly hard, as it feels like the level design and the game itself are working against you, but a complete mastery of the game’s mechanics usually yields the rewards with low chances of risk.

The problem with this is just that there are often too many mechanics all thrown into the game at once, and most of them seem to suffer from very uneven and oftentimes outright poor implementation. Sonic: Lost Worlds includes all the modern mechanics that the series is known for, in addition to more, such as the Wisp Powers, fully reflective of the ‘everything and the kitchen sink’ mentality Sega and Sonic Team often adopt with this franchise when they are at a loss as to what to do. In past games, this has been greatly to the games’ detriment, although this time around, the core level design of the game is just strong enough that even though the poorly implemented mechanics (which you need to master to get the most mileage out of the game) do mar the experience, it still remains largely enjoyable on the whole.

These levels are usually the ones that follow you with a rather unconventional (for the series) third person over the shoulder camera, and they are the more slower paced ones, but for those craving classic Sonic action, Sega has, in Sonic Generations style, included classic sidescrolling levels too. As expected, this is usually where the game is at its best, with the tight platforming action backed up by some of the most imaginative level design seen yet in a Sonic game. Some stages in particular completely stand out, and although the game itself is unlikely to rank near the top of anyone’s favorite Sonic games list, some of its levels might make an appearance in similar lists for sure.

"Another mechanic that has been included and then implemented really poorly in the game is the motion controls: a stage later on in the game requires almost exclusive gyroscopic based control for some movement that requires high precision."

On the whole, Sonic: Lost World plays incredibly smoothly. This isn’t just to do with the graphics- the actual gameplay moves blisteringly fast, and organically so. A lot of this comes from Sonic’s newfound ability to automatically scale obstructions in his way, Assassin’s Creed style, although in another case of a new mechanic being implemented unevenly, sometimes Sonic will, bafflingly enough, simply not scale an obstacle himself. Instances like these are few and far in between, but they are jarring, and they do interrupt the otherwise lovely flow of the game.

Another mechanic that has been included and then implemented really poorly in the game is the motion controls: a stage later on in the game requires almost exclusive gyroscopic based control for some movement that requires high precision. Who at Sega thought this was a good idea is beyond me, but jerking around my 3DS violently to make it register a simple movement in time is not my idea of good fun, and greatly hindered the flow and pace of the game. Motion controlled Sonic should be thrown into the ever growing list of Sonic ideas that simply did not pan out.

I know I’ve been dwelling on the issues in this game a lot, but as much as they are there, and as much as they interfered with my overall game experience, I’d be hard pressed to say I didn’t enjoy Sonic: Lost Worlds on the 3DS. When it worked, it really worked, with tightly constructed stages requiring immaculate control and precision. It is usually let down by a wide range of mechanics with inconsistent application, but even Sonic Team’s seeming (alarming) regression into the very trends that made games like Sonic Unleashed so unbearable can’t mar what remains otherwise a pretty damn fun platforming experience on the Nintendo 3DS.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

There’s a lot to look forward to in Sonic Lost World. For starters, right off the bat the gameplay for Sonic has been tweaked, and in what seems to be a very positive way. We’e still got the high speed, “ever forward” element that is a staple of every Sonic game, there there’s an added dimensional depth that lets Sonic stop and move around in all directions at a more manageable pace as well.

On top of the tweaks to the old game play formula, we have the addition of brand new color powers, a double jump/jump attack and much more. The game play coupled with the personality that Sonic and his friends have developed through the years makes for what we hope will be a fun game that can re-energize the Sonic franchise.

Game Overview:

In Sonic Lost World Dr. Eggman has harnessed the abilities and the power of the Deadly Six. Unfortunately for Dr. Eggman, the Deadly Six will rise against him and Sonic needs to team with his arch nemesis to fight against this latest threat.

Sonic Lost World is developed by Sonic Team [Wii U] and Dimps [3DS]. It is published by Sega and Nintendo.

Check out the video walkthrough of Sonic Lost World below and let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

For video game guides, tips and wikis, check out our gaming portal here.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games will also be releasing in November for the Wii U, and will allow players across the world to play together online for the first time. There will be four events, namely Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross and Short Track Speed Skating, along with Winter Sports Champion Race which combines Skiing, Ice Skating, Bobsleigh and Snowboard into one grueling contest. Players can pick it up from the Nintendo eShop for $49.99 or from retail for $59.99, which also comes with a Wii Remote Plus controller.

Lost World will see Sonic taking advantage of Wisp powers, introduced in Sonic Colors, but with a few new additions including Eagle, which allows Sonic the power of flight; Asteroid, which reduces obstacles to tiny bits; and Rhythm, which lets you traverse along a path of music notes. Also given the events of the story, you’ll be working alongside Eggman to take down the Deadly Six on the new world of Lost Hex, which takes a lot of cues in its level design from Super Mario Galaxy – especially in terms of the spherical environments and use of gravity.

Looking forward to seeing Sonic again? Let us know below.

Sonic Lost World was released in late October 2013 and was published by Nintendo in Europe and by Sega in both North America and Japan.

• 1. Development
• 2. Story
• 3. Gameplay
• 3. Characters

Development

A new change to the games controls has been implemented into the game that affords players increased control over Sonic. By using the directional buttons Sonic will move at a slower and more controllable and precise pace. Holding one of the trigger buttons will cause Sonic to accelerate to his more traditional speed, allowing the player to cover more ground much quicker, but with less control. Holding both the triggers will engage Sonic’s signature Spin Dash technique, causing him to roll into a ball and move at high speed and damaging any enemies he comes into contact with.

A new means of navigating obstacles has also been added to Sonic Lost World, seemingly inspired by Parkour (the art of displacement), a sport which involves athletic maneuver being used to bypass objects in your path. This new mechanic allows Sonic to maneuver across obstacles in his path as well as run up walls. Sonic is also able to perform a new kick attack, it’s more powerful than your homing attack.

A feature that will be returning to the series after its introduction in Sonic Colors, is Wisp Powers. The Wisp Powers can be activated whenever they are available by touching the appropriate icon on the Wii-U Touchpads touchscreen. Returning special Wisp Powers include the Drill, Rocket and laser, alongside new powers like Eagle which allows Sonic to fly through the air, Asteroid which destroys objects that are obstructing the players path and Rhythm which lets Sonic bounce along a set path of musical notes.

Another returning feature from the earlier entries in the series is the ability to rescue small animals by destroying the enemies dotted throughout the stages. Unlocking secret content in Sonic Lost World is accomplished by collecting secret Red Rings, this will unlock additional content for the game. The player can also seek out the hidden Golden Cannons which are used to unlock new paths to travel in the game.

Sonic Lost World features a multiplayer component. The second player will be using the Wii-U GamePad and they will assist the main player throughout the main campaign. The two players will also be able to compete against each other directly through the game mode “Sonic Simulator” which is another returning feature from Sonic Colours.

Sonic Lost World will feature Off-TV Play as well as featuring integrated Miiverse functions.

Story

The story of Sonic Lost World revolves around 3 central characters of the Sonic franchise. While he is pursuing the series antagonist, Doctor Eggman, Sonic the hedgehog and his multi tailed companion Tails travel to a world known as Lost Hex. Upon their arrival they soon discover that Eggman has somehow managed to harness the power of a group of native villains known as The Deadly Six.

However Sonic rushes in and manages to remove a type of shell that Eggman was using to keep The Deadly Six under control, they rebel against him and in turn take over Eggman’s badnik army (Badniks are the robot creations manufactured by Doctor Eggman. Faced with a threatened world, Sonic and Doctor Eggman must form an uneasy alliance and reluctantly work together in an effort to stop The Deadly six.

Gameplay

Sonic Lost World is an action adventure, platforming game. The goal of the game is for players to reach the end of a linear level in the quickiest time possible while gathering as many rings as they possibly can. Being hit by any enemies in the current stage will result in the death of the character unless the player has picked up rings, in which case the rings will be dropped in exchange for the players life.

The player will be taking control of Sonic The Hedgehog as they play through the game which has been heavily influenced by the earlier Sonic games for the Sega Genesis video games console. The stages in Sonic Lost World will be in the same style as earlier Sonic games, meaning the player will traverse the landscape via a 2D plane, there will also be spherical linear levels, much like those found in the Super Mario Galaxy series.

Sonic Lost World for Nintendo 3DS is also going to feature the same linear full 3D gameplay mechanics found in the console version of the game. This will make it the first full 3D Sonic game to ever feature on a handheld device. The 3DS version of the game is also going to feature different level design from the Wii-U version.

On top of this, there are also going to be certain Wisp Powers that are only going to feature on the handheld console. Unlike the Wii-U version of the game, playing Sonic lost World on Nintendo 3DS supports 4 player local and online multiplayer game modes and can also be connected to the Wii-U version of the game. 3DS players can even customize remote controlled vehicles on the 3DS version which can then be used by the second player using the Wii-U GamePad.

The overall art style of the game is expected to be somewhat more basic than previous installments in the series, but the refined game mechanics and simple art style will allow Sonic Lost World to run at a constant 60 frames per second.

The games Producer, Takashi Lizuka has been noted as saying that the change in the games basic mechanics, such as movement, have been overhauled and changed in an attempt to move away from the games speed based gameplay from titles such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations. They are now attempting to put much more of an emphasis on precision platforming now that the player has greater control over Sonic. Lizuka publicy stated that although there are similarities and inevitable comparisons between Super Mario Galaxy, Sonic Lost World is going to stay “distinctly Sonic”.

Characters

There are only two playable characters so far in Sonic Lost World. Sonic the hedgehog, the blue blur that often claims to run faster than the speed of sound and series staple is set to return as the players main character. Then we have the “virtual hedgehog”, a creation of Doctor Eggman that is essentially a robotic version of Sonic, he also has some physical features that are different such as a circular light on his hands and chest. Doctor Eggman, the rotund evil scientist also makes a repeat appearance in this title, alongside other series veterans Tails, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose and Omochao.

This wiki was last updated on 5th, January 2015.