I've always pondered where games should go next, especially favorite titles from my youth. A good example of a series that has aged well is Mario, sticking to core mechanics, the gameplay has remained solid over his many staring titles, taking better to 3D than any other platform hero, consistently delivering new and fun innovations.

So, with the next generation in full swing, it's time, I think, to post some thoughts on where some classic series should be going, I'm going to start with the one who needs the biggest reboot.

Sonic

Oh Sonic... what happened to you? Sonic 1, 2, 3 and 'and Knuckles' were all brilliant gaming, but since then most of what has been released (aside from some of the portable 2D titles) has gone distinctly downhill, starting at average and dropping into the pathetic. Shadow the Hedgehog takes the... odd gameplay choice of punishing you for moving through a level quickly (That to me is more of an afront to Sonic gameplay than guns or even vehicles), while 'Sonic the Hedgehog' includes the... odd choice of having a human female love interest.

I'm going to harken back to how I fealt playing the first 3D Sonic title, Sonic Adventure. I saw it as an ambitious, but flawed, step in the right direction, and the game I imagined coming eventually was something along the lines of what Shadows of the Collasus delivered. What I want is, an open world Sonic game.

Sonic has already shown perfection in 2D platforming, and I really have no problem with more of those coming out, but if he really wants to step up and evolve, he's going to have to resist mission and level based structure. Levels shouldn't contain Sonic, they were just tools to showcase his speed, but with todays gameplay systems, they're just in the way of showing off true Sonic moves.

A Sonic game should be made with an open objective to 'Collect the Chaos Emeralds', without giving you their locations, just placing you in a large world full of various paths for you to explore and enjoy. Loops, narrow mountain paths, even springs can be strewn with care and percision to create ways the game 'intends' for you to take, while leaving the freedom for you to really explore the world at your own pace, as long as that pace is fast. Give the player room and time to build up to some impressive speed, forget about most of the trash enemies, they just serve as an excuse to slow Sonic down, just leave bosses and the environment to serve as obstacles and danger for our quick footed hero. Don't constrain him with invisible walls or boundaries, let the world try and contain him.

Pokemon

Hey, I'm still a pokemaniac, and going online was a brilliant direction for the series, especially for me since I don't have as many friends hanging around to battle and trade with. That being said, the core gameplay hasn't really changed all that much, and the 2D, unanimated sprites are starting to get a little stale. Mystery Dungeon and offshoot titles aside, I think unless the next game throws some innovation at us, it's not going to get the stellar reviews this cherished series once did. So, what do I think it needs?

3D graphics- It's almost criminal that we still have to wait for the home console titles to see our pokemon on 3D, considering the power of the DS handheld. Stop giving us little back and forth wiggles and two frames and start giving us at least something nice to look at. Plus, you're going to need 3D if you take my other thoughts in mind.

Non-Turn Based Structure- Here's where I know I'm going to lose a lot of Pokemon fans but, turn based gameplay is just very out of date. I know that it makes Pokemon very 'technical' but it also restricts it to a straight by the numbers game. I always enjoyed Pokemon more as a kid without knowing about EV's and how to properly build a special sweeper, and bolt-beam combo's and choice banders. My vision of a properly 'evolved' Pokemon title would take combat in some form of overhead style camera, where you tap on a spot to direct your Pokemon to move there, and use either facebuttons or icons to initate attacks. This really opens up the range for attacks to be 'different'. Iron tail might have a good sweeping radius damage to make it easier to hit with, while rock throw might have the bonus of ranged damage to let you not worry so much about quicker pokemon keeping their distance. It also would better convey the 'feel' of directing your Pokemon as a trainer. Final Fantasy has been working to shed it's turn based roots, and I think it's about time for Pokemon to do the same. It'll disenfranchise the 'min/max tournament' crowd, but it would make the game tons more fun (and more open for players of various skill levels to compete). Balls would actually have to be thrown in a system like this, could really introduce some fun mechanics. 2v2 matches would also be much greater tests of skill, and it'd be easier to include 'loyalty' style systems where they're harder to control without proper badging.

Pokemon 'Pal'- Along with 3D gameplay, you should be able to have a 'pikachu'. Just a pokemon always out of his ball following you around when you're walking if you want. Maybe some restrictions on oh... Onix and it's brethren, not that I'm saying it's impossible but I'll forgive them if they don't let me have a Tyranitaur following me around, but I should at least get to have a Growlithe nipping at my heels.

Psychonauts

Psychonauts needs to evolve by... having a new game. Even if it's something totally different with similiar humor titled a 'Spiritual Successor'. But yeah, not having a game hasn't been working for the series, so having a new game might be a step in the right direction.

I have some other thoughts, notably on Mortal Kombat, but I'm going to just write up another post about... well... everything that's wrong with Mortal Kombat, because it'll take up too much space here.