"Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice" was initially scheduled to launch during fall last year but as the release window neared, Sega suddenly pulled the plug and announced it would be delayed. However, the development team has now announced the new release date during this year's SXSW Festival, courtesy of IGN.
According to the report, the 3DS title will launch this coming Sept. 27, making it a year after its original intended release date. Sega never mentioned why the game was delayed but it is speculated that improvements and a rumored gameplay overhaul was implemented given the poor reception on the two previous "Sonic Boom" games.
"Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric" for the Nintendo Wii U and "Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal" for the 3DS were poorly received by critics and general audiences alike. The redesigned characters, numerous bugs and glitches, lack of Sonic's speed and poor game design were just some of the many complaints the two games received.
"Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice" will retain the 2D-style platforming with 3D graphics of "Shattered Crystal" while also changing the mechanics by getting rid of the sprites of "Shattered Crystal." The new mechanic is to use fire and ice powers to traverse through the levels, such as using fire to melt ice blocks or ice to freeze ground over spikes.
One of the main improvements is that Amy Rose, who was only seen as an NPC in "Shattered Crystal," will now be a playable character in "Fire and Ice" and will wield a powerful hammer that can break through items and activate puzzle switches.
The game is also going to be set in the same universe as the "Sonic Boom" cartoon series, albeit with a few creative liberties. This will allow the game to tell its own original story without necessarily causing too many inconsistencies with the television series. It will, however, be completely separate from the main "Sonic the Hedgehog" series.
