Sonic Generations is finally on store shelves, wrapping up the entire history of everyone's favorite blue hedgehog in one tidy little package. Fans responded enthusiastically to the game's approach, and in the process made Sonic Generations the most pre-ordered game in the series' history.

If Generations closes the book on Sonic's last 25 years -- which seems to be the case, at least where Classic Sonic is concerned -- then what comes next for SEGA's iconic mascot? For the answer we go to Takashi Iizuka, Producer for the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

In an extensive interview with Gamasutra, Iizuka offered his take on the significance of Sonic Generations, and expressed his wishes for the character's future.

"Generations is about taking the past 20 years of history and rolling it into one really fun product. I think, as a result, I would like to make a new standard Sonic, a modern Sonic if you will, in 2012 and beyond."

That said, Iizuka understands Sonic's core appeal.

"... there's a pretty good idea of what a Sonic game should be like -- a fun, frenetic action game. As I said, I feel the need to surprise the fans in new and innovative ways, but I don't want to do anything to depart from that style.

"... high-speed platform action is pretty much defined by Sonic. It's the only one in the industry, and that's something I want to retain going into the future."

Based on our impressions of the demo, Generations may well be Sonic's most vital game in years (look for Game Rant's full review, coming soon). The thought of an energized team moving forward with a fresh take on the character is intriguing, but rings a few alarm bells, too.

For one thing, Sonic has already appeared in a vast variety of games: side-scroller, adventure, pinball, kart racer, fighter, puzzle , sports , RPG, motion-based hover-board racer... the list goes on. For another, several of Sonic's more obtuse outings are among the low-points of his gaming career (let us never speak of the "Warehog" or the "Human Princess" again).

Ranters, what do you make of Iizuka's intentions for Sonic's future? Are you ready for a new take on the character? What kind of game would you like to see him in?

Sonic Generations is available now for the Xbox 360 and PS3, and releases November 22, 2011, for the 3DS.

-

Follow me on Twitter @HakenGaken

Source: Gamasutra