"to really give it that current look"
Man. Man. Look. I get it. Wide-appeal games is about chasing mushy "all-audience" trends. But it's really depressing to me that, rather than attempt to come up with an art style with any sort of standout design to it, they're content to continue making "that current look" (IE overworked shiny 3d) as if it's the only option while dismissing anything else offhand. What a depressing way to view an entire art form.
could you IMAGINE a Sonic game with an exciting HD 2D art style? I can! it's easy to imagine! "that current look" is just good art direction!!!
if a new Sonic sidescroller looked like a polished cartoon I would be over the goddamn moon