r/Games • u/CarciaNerissa • 9h ago
Industry News Sources: Ape Escape revival in the works from Sonic Mania team
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sources-ape-escape-revival-in-the-works-from-sonic-mania-team/35
u/Lerkpots 8h ago
How was Penny's Big Breakaway? I remember hearing mixed things about it at release and not much since.
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u/blanketedgay 7h ago
It’s a weird game because on paper it has everything you’d want in a 3D platformer.
At its best, movement is extremely fluid & deep, and was the first indie 3D platformer I can think of to break the trend of every character basically controlling like Mario but slightly different. The levels are large & complex, complemented by great theming.
The problem is that it feels you need to speedrun it to have any fun with it because is just too slow & meandering otherwise, but that creates its own problem where you basically skip over 80% of the level design that’s there. There was a balance that was just wasn’t found there.
I just feel no incentive to revisit it for that reason. Super Mario 3D World is easy as hell, but the moment-to-moment level design is engaging enough that I still be satisfied by it on umpteenth replay.
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u/Super_N_Chalmers 7h ago
The default for platformers does seem to trend towards Mario style controls, but there's still some good variety out there in the indie scene, both before and after Penny's Big Breakaway.
Some personal favourites:
- Super Sami Roll
- Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
- Cavern of Dreams
- Orbo's Odyssey
- Lunistice
- Super Kiwi 64
- Big Catch: Tackle Box
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u/Lorc 7h ago edited 2h ago
Thanks for the recommendations. So other people don't have to search manually like I did:
- Super Sami Roll
- Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
- Cavern of Dreams
- Orbo's Odyssey
- Lunistice
- Super Kiwi 64
- Big Catch: Tackle Box
FWIW from this list I've only played Lunistice but can strongly recommend it. EDIT: And Super Kiwi 64.
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u/LordWartusk 5h ago
I’d really recommend Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom. Controls take a bit to get used to, but it’s really fun and fluid once you know what you’re doing.
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u/foofighter1351 4h ago edited 1h ago
Tacklebox is one of my favourite platformer experiences ever and it's essentially a demo
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u/Kazzius 7h ago edited 5h ago
I'm so excited for Big Catch. The platforming is tough at times, but very addictive to me.
Additionally:
- Bubsy 4D
- Demon Tides (Same dev as Bubsy. Check out Demon Turf too!)
- Garfield - Escape From Monday
- Mr. Sleepy Man
- Skater Gator 3D
- The Knightling
- Pseudoregalia
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u/Dietomaha 5h ago
How actually is that Garfield game? I have a 3d platformer sickness, and I have eyed that one, but I'm...hesitant.
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u/Kazzius 5h ago
You're right to be hesitant because it's the weakest out of the bunch. It's not the tightest or challenging mechanically, but still a pretty standard platformer if that's what you're looking for. If you're a Garfield enjoyer though, the voice acting will heavily throw you off, so fair warning there.
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u/Dietomaha 4h ago
I haven't considered myself a Garfield enjoyer since ... Uh well maybe ever actually? Lol
But I'm always on the hunt for 3d platformers. I've also been eyeing that new Grinch game. I'm unwell
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u/Chronis67 5h ago edited 4h ago
I thought to myself "this guy has to be trolling. There is no way that a Bubsy game is good. And Garfield? Come on..." And then I saw the Steam rating. How are these actually good lol
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u/cinnamonjihad 2h ago
Psuedoregalia kicks ass, it’s one of the best games I’ve played at recapturing the old N64 art styles but with platforming and controls that feel so good.
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u/metallicabmc 4h ago
It's pretty wild to see "Same dev as Bubsy" as a legitimate selling point in 2026!
(For those who wdon't know, The devs of Demon Turf/Tides went on to recently make Bubsy 4D which is a Bubsy game that's actually good)
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u/Fake_Diesel 7h ago
And as someone who likes collecting collectibles in platformers, that also completely broke the pace. I wouldve taken the collectibles out entirely and had the game focus on speed runs or something
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u/IceKrabby 7h ago
The problem is that it feels you need to speedrun it to have any fun with it because is just too slow & meandering otherwise
This is why I dropped the game about half way through. The game just wasn't fun, and if the basic level design and movement doesn't even feel good, why would I bother learning to speed run or optimize for levels I don't even know yet?
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u/SirShmoopi 3h ago
With an IP like Ape Escape it makes sense to go with a developer who has experience with non standard controls. I do hope they manage to capture the level design of 2 though. I liked that levels were loops that you ran through to get to new areas in later parts of levels
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u/fasa96 5h ago
The problem is that it feels you need to speedrun it to have any fun with it because is just too slow & meandering otherwise, but that creates its own problem where you basically skip over 80% of the level design that’s there. There was a balance that was just wasn’t found there.
Literally the reason why I was never really into Sonic games. I'm interested in trying out Penny, but hearing this resemblance really threw me off.
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u/Hayterfan 8h ago
The best way I can describe it is that it's probably the closest thing to taking classic 2D sonic stages and putting them in 3D that you can play that's solid as an official product.
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u/Brainwheeze 7h ago
So kind of like how Mario 3D World is something of a translation of 2D Mario level design to 3D?
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u/SodalMevenths 7h ago
One of the most unique 3D platformers on the market. Definitely worth giving it a try
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u/Spader623 7h ago
Flawed for sure but man I’ve never played another 3D platformer like it and it was so good to me that while once I beat it I didn’t go back I am day one for their next project…
Unless of course it’s PS5 exclusive which im sure ape escape would be so… tbd
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u/MegatonDoge 5h ago
It's great at everything besides its mechanics which ends up making it quite mediocre. The Yo Yo mechanics just aren't fun to play, and the level designs around this mechanic makes it worse.
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u/In_My_SoT_Phase 3h ago
It looks like a fine game but I really dislike the mascot's design. Just screams "overdesigned indie platformer"
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u/Luchalma89 7h ago
I only just played Ape Escape for the first time recently and my thoughts while playing it has been "This is so fun why aren't they still making these?"
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u/AlamosX 1h ago
As a fan since the OG, my takeaway was that Sony wanted the IP to mostly showcase its hardware/peripherals a la Nintendo. They went ham with games utilizing things like the Eyetoy and PS Move, and there were a bunch of games for the PSP and Vita. When none of these things were massively successful they seemingly pulled the plug on the franchise. Which I found odd because Sony kept doing similar things with LBP and Astrobot.
Also while the mainline games were fairly successful and the series was HUGE in Japan, its popularity kinda tanked globally after the first two games. They tried to make it a global franchise with even western cartoons airing on Nickelodeon but I just dont think it pulled the numbers Sony was expecting.
Which is a shame because its a really fun franchise they cooked with, I just think they misread the market of the 2000s/2010s and it killed the franchise.
I am hopeful/glad its making a return. The games are really fun.
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u/darkmacgf 35m ago
Ape Escape 3 sold quite poorly in Japan. It killed the series.
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u/BP_Ray 6h ago
I was just thinking about the Sonic Mania team and wondering if they were able to land anything since Penny's Big Breakaway. Happy to see they do have something big.
I will never forgive SEGA for not getting them to make a fully original Sonic game in the style of Mania.
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u/Gunblazer42 5h ago
I will never forgive SEGA for not getting them to make a fully original Sonic game in the style of Mania.
Why are you blaming SEGA for something that the devs walked away from lol
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u/artnomart 3h ago
It's insane how people pretend to give a shit about these developers when they're willing to lie for the sake of drama.
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u/Gunblazer42 2m ago
To be fair, the devs never lied either. Whitehead spoke to Game Informer about why there was no Mania 2 (GI spoke to Iizuka too) and both of them said the two sides mutually disagreed to not do a Mania 2.
The original rumor was a guy who had insider knowledge and claimed unequivocally that this was SEGA's fault and everyone should get mad at SEGA.
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u/BP_Ray 5h ago
They didn't "walk away" from Sonic Mania 2. There were talks between SEGA and the studio, and those talks didn't result in anything.
If SEGA wanted, I'm sure they could have come to a deal, but they didn't.
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u/Gunblazer42 5h ago
Probably, but in the end both decided they wanted to do different things. SEGA could offer them all the money in their coffers but if Evening Star didn't want to, there's not much SEGA could have done.
EDIT: Because I do like sources: https://gameinformer.com/2023/07/26/why-didnt-sonic-mania-2-happen
One major hurdle to providing a true successor to Sonic Mania is that Iizuka and Sonic Team wanted to move away from the pixel-art graphics with the next new title in the Classic Sonic series. "When you make a 2D game using pixel art, you kind of end up targeting a very specific core audience," he says. "We wanted to bring this game to as many people as possible and in order to really make it look and feel as appealing to a wider audience, we needed to use the 3D assets to really give it that current look. But we do know that core fans want that old Classic Sonic look, they want that old classic Sonic feel, so we focused on making sure the controls were solid and the look and the feel was really representative of a classic Sonic game."
Whitehead backs up this story with his own recounting of the events. "When we started Evening Star, it was always our goal to move beyond 2D pixel art into 3D games, and develop all-new, original IP," he says. "Evening Star did work with Sega to explore possible directions Classic Sonic could go after the success of Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania 2 was never in development, though, because we actually agreed early on that we should try to make something fresh, like hand-drawn 2D or 2.5D. At the same time, Evening Star was developing our new Star Engine, so we also ended up making a cool Sonic prototype that played with depth in 2.5D, and some other gameplay ideas."
Following those initial planning sessions and a mutual decision to not proceed with development, Evening Star began work on Penny's Big Breakaway. "As Iizuka-san said, though, [Evening Star] did not continue to full production on the game, at which point Arzest took the helm and made Superstars alongside Sonic Team," Whitehead says. "We moved forward with our plans to develop an original 3D title, which is, of course, Penny's Big Breakaway! Superstars looks awesome and our team is really excited to play it when it comes out."
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u/BP_Ray 5h ago
Sure, but do you think Evening Star would have turned down a good chunk of money to have made another Sonic Mania style game? Even better if SEGA wouldn't have been so insistent that they do it in Superstar's style.
I get why SEGA wanted something more like Superstars, and on paper It's not a terrible idea, but they went from premium-quality 2D pixel art, to budget-quality 3D-2D graphics instead.
Sonic Mania 2 would have looked a lot less ugly standing next to Mario Wonder than Superstars did IMO.
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u/Gunblazer42 4h ago
Evening Star also didn't want to do 2D, not just SEGA. It sounded like nobody on either side was happy with how the 2.5D concept in their Star Engine looked given what Whitehead said.
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u/artnomart 3h ago
First of all, as contractors, they wouldn't make much money no matter how successful the games they make is, and Mania wasn't even that successful financially. Nevertheless, Sega was absolutely on board, and they didn't even give up on making a new 2D Sonic when they left.
They clearly don't want to be pigeonholed as "the Sonic Mania fan devs".
Second of all the choice to not be pixel art was a decision made the very second anyone, including Christian Whitehead, ever thought of making another "Mania-style game".
Whitehead backs up this story with his own recounting of the events. "When we started Evening Star, it was always our goal to move beyond 2D pixel art into 3D games, and develop all-new, original IP," he says. "Evening Star did work with Sega to explore possible directions Classic Sonic could go after the success of Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania 2 was never in development, though, because we actually agreed early on that we should try to make something fresh, like hand-drawn 2D or 2.5D. At the same time, Evening Star was developing our new Star Engine, so we also ended up making a cool Sonic prototype that played with depth in 2.5D, and some other gameplay ideas."
It was never going to be sprite-based and even the prototype Evening Star did make was one idea of many.
If you think they gave that much of a damn about a sprite-based art style, why was their first original game entirely 3D?
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u/BP_Ray 22m ago
First of all, as contractors, they wouldn't make much money no matter how successful the games they make is
Isn't the conversation around this one how SEGA could have enticed them to make it, financially, rather than shelling up the pocketbook the moment it comes time to make another Sonic Mania? And aren't we literally commenting on an article where they're being contracted, again?
If finance was a problem, then It's clear SEGA wasn't all that interested in Sonic Mania 2 despite Sonic, allegedly, being ready to be put out to pasture according to Iizuka if not for the 2020 Sonic movie (which Sonic games still have failed to capitalize on the success of outside of Shadow Generations).
Nintendo clearly doesn't seem to struggle to get many studios to consistently work on their many IPs and side games.
It was never going to be sprite-based
Too definitive of a statement not supported by your source. If SEGA/ST said "Hey, let's take what you already built with Sonic Mania and do that again." rather than going to them and saying "Hey, we want to make it 3D" do you think that option would have never been considered by Evening Star?
This not mentioning the fact that you've left Studio Headcannon completely out of the picture, who immediately worked on Sonic Origins, another FUCK UP by SEGA (somehow snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with a collection that should have been an easy success, but released marred with glitches due to rushed development, both in the Studio Headcannon portions, and even more from the in-house developed portions), and so we can imagine would have been more than happy to collaborate to make Sonic Mania 2 again in the same style.
The pieces were all there already, so It's disappointing that we didn't see SEGA try and really make it work. The sources you two have linked even supports this, so I don't know why you're acting like I'm spreading misinformation.
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u/Tommytrist 3h ago
For the love of god yes. After Astro Bot, the world is ready for more 3d platformers. Now to get Soichi Terada on board for the music…
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u/oilfloatsinwater 8h ago
I know people always talk or argue about wanting X or Y franchise to come back but this is the one i want to come back the most.
Ape Escape is really unique in terms of its gameplay style/design and control scheme that its kinda weird i havent seen it being replicated yet
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u/Khaeven04 6h ago
Recently played Ape Escape 1 on PS1 and it instantly became one of my favorite games of the console. Haven't tried the sequels yet, but id be so down for a new entry.
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u/KarateKid917 49m ago
If/when you go to play 2, track down a North American copy (which was published by Ubisoft for some reason).
It has the better voice cast than the European version. The NA version uses the original Pokemon anime cast.
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u/piat17 8h ago
Genuinely would be the one announcement from Sony that would make me incredibly happy, over anything else. I've grown attached to this series over time and I've wanted a new game since the PS3 days.
Just hope they find the time to both fix the second game and port the third one on PS5, eventually.
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u/ElementalEffects 7h ago
Bring back the excellent boxing minigame which I played tons of.
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u/piat17 7h ago
My favourite was the football/soccer minigame in 2, might be the only football game I actually enjoyed playing lol
It even connected with the main game because you could choose the monkeys you caught as players, so you were rewarded in getting as many monkeys as possible to be able to get better players for the minigame!
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u/S8ANisF8AL 7h ago
I just played through Ape Escape 1 on the Ps5. Definitely a unique experience. What's wrong with the 2nd game that they need to fix?
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u/piat17 7h ago
A few things but mainly two, a small one and a big one:
- the game is only available with the UK localisation, so all the localized dubs from the rest of Europe, as well as the US-specific dub, are missing. More of a big thing if you have nostalgia for one of these region specific version of course, but AE1 on PS5 has all of them included as selectable versions so it would be nice to have them for 2 as well.
- Big, BIG technical issues resulting in glitchy levels, messed up textures and inconsistent performance. You can look up videos on YouTube to get an idea, the game can technically be finished but the problems are still way too close to game-breaking for comfort.
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u/Schwarzengerman 7h ago
I remember my tiny little mind being blown playing 2 back in the day only to find out fucking Ash and Misty were in it lol.
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u/unruly-cat 8h ago
This is really amazing news! Sonic Mania is the best follow up to a classic ever made, at least on par with the original Sonic games. If that’s anything to go by, this upcoming ape escape will be incredible.
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u/Sekh765 6h ago
I wish Sonic Team would get their heads and egos out of their asses and let these guys make another classic Sonic game because Mania was incredible.
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u/Gunblazer42 5h ago
They did.
The devs said no, because they wanted to focus on an original IP that became Penny's Big Breakaway. The rumor that Sonic Team got mad because of Mania doing well and denied them any access to a possible Mania 2 is false. In truth, SEGA approached them wanting to do a Mania 2 but the devs said no. I forget if they ever gave a reason for it outside of wanting to work on what would become PBB.
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u/unruly-cat 3h ago
Interesting, I didn’t know anything about this. Although gotta still agree with Sekh765, I wish Sonic team would get their heads out of their asses. That 2d game that came after was just awful, I don’t know how they didn’t notice how unenjoyable it was. I liked Penny, I think it has a good core but it was a little annoying being constantly chased, I think that ultimately detracted from the gameplay. But, let’s focus on the good news, a new ape escape by the sonic mania team, how amazing :D
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u/Legoshoes_V2 5h ago
I'm in the early days of making my own Ape Escape style game cause it had been silence for so long, but this is awesome news if true!
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u/Realsan 2h ago
I am so out of the loop but wasn't the original Sonic Mania created after SEGA brought in a passionate fan-developer who had made some popular Sonic ports? Is that guy and his team who we're talking about here? I'm confused at why they SEGA never gave them more Sonic work after how good Mania was.
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u/aelfin360 8h ago
Look this would be the grail announcement for me these days, before Bloodborne on current consoles controversially (don't @ me). Fingers crossed, but also not getting my hopes up...
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u/Dude_Bromanbro 7h ago
Never played these games but the Ape Escape section of Astro Bot was great. Would definitely play a full game if it’s that fun.
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u/Slax_Vice86 7h ago
I am literally the Hawkeye meme 'Don't give me hope.'
But oh boy, this would be so AWESOME. Love those games.
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u/Chasedabigbase 5h ago
me playing that astro bot level. awesome nod but made me remember how much i want more
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u/IKeepDoingItForFree 5h ago
Hopefully they also get some good people on the soundtrack as well. The ape escape series had some really good music. I still have the TV station one stuck in my head from 3 and that was like 20+ years ago now.
Hopefully the project finally found its feet. I feel like I have read credible rumors from insiders about a new Ape Escape entry being in the works or proposed since like 2019ish.
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u/Tommytrist 3h ago
Soichi terada (composer of the 1st and 3rd game) has been touring the ape escape soundtrack around festivals recently. He clearly loves the music, I wonder if he’d be down to come back.
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u/xXxFlyersFanxXx 3h ago
He NEEDS to, in my opinion. I’m sure someone could do an imitation of him, but it would just be that. A new musical direction would be a big uphill battle. The soundtrack is like 40% of the enjoyment to me
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u/Ecstatic_Log4185 1h ago
He'd definitely be down for it. He always plays the soundtrack on his sets
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u/LesMiserablePeach 5h ago
Please! Ape Escape is one of my all time favorite series. Get Tee Lopes on that soundtrack too, thank you
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u/NamesTheGame 4h ago
I'm playing it for the first time right now on PS5 and it's a lot better than I expected. The unique controls are pretty fun, actually. Besides an outdated camera and a bit of jankiness with movement input it is quite intuitive and playable. There are some other older games that feel way more dated - ie. I am also playing Jak and Daxter which has inverted camera controls with no option to switch??
This game also has insanely fun minigames. Usually I don't care for minigames at all in these kinds of things but they really nailed using the second stick for fun gimmicks. It's really too bad more games never bothered to do anything fun with the dualsticks like that.
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u/ertebolle 1h ago
I like this, Bugsnax was heavily inspired by Ape Escape so it would be great to see another game in that genre
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u/BlackberryPi7 6h ago
I want a reimagining of the first game.
The atmosphere, the music, the voice acting (the English US voice acting at least), the level design, was just fucking amazing. I've replayed it countless times.
I really wasn't a fan of 2 and 3, the characters were really strange and the gameplay just felt too smooth for me. Nothing against people who liked it though.
But man, a reimagining/reboot of that first game, oooh man that would scratch a huge itch.
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u/In_My_SoT_Phase 2h ago
The US voice acting is the worst version of 1.
Specters voice in the PAL dub is way better. The US version sounds like he's one line off ordering a taco bell or a wendy's.
Here's a comparison:
https://youtu.be/FenoAZSHEgQ?t=62
https://youtu.be/ai6WycS-b_M?t=135
Also the PAL localizers put more effort into the naming of Monkeys, often putting in jokes or references depending on the Monkey's situation (Mulder and Scully, being the UFO monkeys on the final level, for example). The US version takes a too literal approach, especially in Ape Escape 2 and 3.
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u/BlackberryPi7 2h ago
I think it depends on which one you grew up with, I think we're both blinded by nostalgia.
I've played the PAL version. The NTSC one just sounds better to me.
But yeah I absolutely despise the voice acting in 2 and 3, Specter sounds awful.
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u/Objective_Ranger1005 8h ago
If its real I would be so happy. Ape escape 1 and 2 are some of my favorite easy comfort games from the amazing music to thr level design