Sonic X Shadow Generations Producer Wants to Remake the Worst Game in the Series for PS5

In a recent interview, Sonic X Shadow Generations producer, Takashi Iizuka, revealed his desire to revisit the franchise’s most infamous entry and remake it for the current generation. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Iizuka expressed his dissatisfaction with the critical and commercial reception of Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for the Wii U, and hinted that a remake might be in the works.

“We know that Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric was not a well-received game, and we’ve been reflecting on that for a long time,” said Iizuka. “It’s a game we’re not proud of, and it’s a stain on the legacy of the Sonic franchise. We want to give it another shot, to make it right, to show everyone what we can really do with the Sonic series on current-gen hardware.”

While Iizuka stopped short of confirming a definitive timeline for a possible remake, his comments have sent shockwaves through the Sonic fanbase, reigniting a passionate debate about whether Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric deserves a second chance. Some fans argue that the game was simply ahead of its time, citing its innovative level design and its unique blend of action and platforming, features that may have been too advanced for the Wii U. Others believe that the game suffered from technical limitations, poor performance, and a lack of polish, issues that could be addressed with a modern remake.

“It’s funny, because even back when Rise of Lyric came out, we always believed it was a good game,” said long-time Sonic fan, Chris Johnson. “Maybe the tech wasn’t there yet, maybe the console itself was holding it back. But the game’s design was solid. If they remade it for the PS5, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. I want to see it reach its full potential.”

The idea of remaking Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric is not without precedent. In 2017, Sega announced the release of Sonic Mania, a love letter to the classic Sonic games of the 16-bit era. Sonic Mania proved to be a critical and commercial success, selling over two million copies worldwide. While there are clear distinctions between the gameplay mechanics of a classic 2D Sonic game and those of a modern 3D Sonic game like Rise of Lyric, many fans believe that a remake could leverage the nostalgic goodwill generated by Sonic Mania to deliver a fresh and engaging experience for the modern Sonic fanbase.

“If they put the right team on it, and give them the budget, and most importantly, the time to make it great, there’s no reason why a Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric remake can’t be fantastic,” said longtime Sonic journalist, James Thompson. “Sonic games are always best when they embrace their own unique identity, and Rise of Lyric has so much potential to deliver on that. Imagine that game with better graphics, smoother performance, and maybe some added story content. It could be truly special.”

Of course, there is a degree of risk associated with remaking a game that has been universally panned. Critics fear that a remake of Rise of Lyric could further alienate fans who remain traumatized by the original game, while others argue that such a project might simply serve to remind people of why the game was so poorly received in the first place.

“There’s always a chance it could go wrong,” said independent games journalist, Emily Rose. “But I think it’s important for Sega to take a chance here. To show they’re willing to learn from their past mistakes. And besides, even if they don’t quite nail it, a bad Sonic game is better than no Sonic game at all.”

Ultimately, the decision of whether to remake Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric will fall to Sega. The company will likely weigh the risks and potential rewards, and decide whether it believes that the project can deliver on its ambitions. Regardless of the final outcome, Takashi Iizuka’s recent comments have sparked a lively conversation about the legacy of Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and the potential for remakes to revitalize dormant franchises. Whether a remake actually sees the light of day remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the future of the Sonic franchise remains filled with possibilities.

**Note:** This article is a fictional narrative based on the information provided in the prompt. It does not reflect any actual statements from Takashi Iizuka or Sega.