Draft:Santiago (Internet Meme)

Santiago is a popular meme character mocking the newer design of Classic Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. The meme gained traction due to its portrayal of the Classic Sonic present in the newer 3D Sonic Games as an imposter/alternate version of the original 90's Sonic, with distinct design differences and unconventional movements. It serves as a critique of the depiction of Classic Sonic in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces.

Design
The design that the meme is mocking (that being the renders shown in Sonic Forces) is an inaccurate interpretation of the early 90's design of Sonic. However, some arguments have been made, suggesting that the meme is merely an alteration of Classic Sonic's art style to match the style of the modern games. This is not entirely accurate, as there are several notable differences that go beyond art style.

One of the main differences lies in the proportions, expressions and colour. The modern Classic Sonic (Santiago) has off proportions and facial expressions, particularly evident in the model used for the renders. Many fans have created edits and comparisons of the models to showcase these deviations, highlighting that it is not simply a matter of art style but rather a modification of the original design. As for the colours, his quills and skin are too light and pale compared to the promotional art and in-game sprites.

Furthermore, the critique surrounding Santiago's design stems from the perceived botched merge between the Western and Eastern Sonic designs, primarily in Sonic Forces and the model used for the renders. Fans argue that the inconsistency in design compromises the cohesiveness and integrity of Classic Sonic's character, going beyond a mere change in art style.

Adding to this, there were times when there was a successful merger of Western and Eastern Sonic designs in the 90s such as the non-mohawk Greg Martin Sonic art and the early post-mohawk Richard Elson Sonic art are cited as examples of designs that seamlessly combined Western and Eastern sensibilities. These interpretations managed to capture the essence of Classic Sonic while incorporating distinct artistic styles.

The disappointment with the merge of Western and Eastern designs in Sonic Forces stems from the belief that it did not achieve the same level of harmony and authenticity as those earlier examples. Fans express their desire for a design that upholds the legacy of Classic Sonic while effectively integrating the strengths of both Western and Eastern art styles.

Gameplay and Story Criticism
The Santiago meme not only critiques the design but also his gameplay in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces. While the Classic Sonic gameplay in Sonic Generations was generally well-received and fun, Sonic Forces received criticism. Fans expressed dissatisfaction with the wonky movements, worse physics and perceived unfaithfulness to the original Genesis/Mega Drive Sonic gameplay.

Additionally, the meme serves as a critique of the story and lore inconsistencies within Sonic Forces. Classic Sonic's presence in the game, along with the change from him being from the past to being from an alternate dimension, is seen by fans as disrupting the established continuity and undermining the coherent storytelling that fans have come to expect from the series. Some extreme perspectives even consider this change to de-canonize the classic games (referring to all Pre-Sonic Adventure games) within the Sonic series. Other criticisms include his inability to speak and his cutesy appearance.

Fan-made Lore
Within the fan community, a fan-made lore has emerged surrounding the Santiago meme. According to this lore, the real Classic Sonic went missing in 1998-1999, coinciding with the release of Sonic Adventure (and weirdly enough Sonic Underground too). It's joked upon that he became trapped within "Santiago's Blue Spheres World" (shown at 6:19 in the hyperlinked video), reminiscent of the Blue Spheres Planet special stages from Sonic 3 & Knuckles. In this alternate realm, the real Classic Sonic remains elusive, awaiting rescue and a return to the forefront of the Sonic franchise.

Furthermore, fan-made lore expands on the concept of Santiago's existence by making him a speaker of Scandinavian (a made up language) and introducing other imposter characters representing counterparts of Classic Sonic's friends. These characters include Carlos (Tails' Santiago equivalent), Rodrigo (Knuckles' Santiago equivalent), Hector (Vector's Santiago equivalent), another Hector (Eggman's Santiago equivalent), and Pancho (Amy's Santiago equivalent). They are also mocking the modern interpretations of the classic Sonic characters, embodying the criticism directed at the deviations from the original design and characterization. Also Santiago has been referenced officially in the official Roblox game Sonic Speed Simulator in a graffitied hidden area that has since been removed, the message said "Santiago is gone" followed by a drawing of red sunglasses acting as the signature, fans were really confused and wanted to know who this mysterious character was and there were theories ranging from the mystery individual being a developer of the game to the mystery individual being the character of Scourge The Hedgehog from the Archie Comics, it was also apparent that the lower poly model used for Classic Sonic in the game looked less like Santiago and more like the real Classic Sonic, there was also a Twitter Thread of memes about a fight between Classic Sonic and Santiago (6:08 in the hyperlinked video)  with Classic Sonic becoming the victor, both of these while unrelated further add to the statement that "Santiago is gone".

Impact and Personal Story
The Santiago meme has had a profound impact on its creator's life. According to the creator's personal account (before their twitter account got deleted), they were involved in an accident that resulted in memory loss. Despite attempts by their family to trigger memories, all efforts proved futile. However, a breakthrough occurred when their little brother was seen playing with a toy of Classic Sonic, referring to it as Santiago. This moment served as a catalyst, triggering a rush of memories for the creator, ultimately leading to the restoration of their lost recollections. The Santiago meme played a crucial role in their journey of memory recovery and is credited with saving their life. Youtuber Splash Dash (Known as LS Mark) included this in his video covering the meme.

 Reception 

The Santiago meme has gained significant popularity among fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog series and the broader internet community. It serves as a clear criticism of the portrayal of Classic Sonic in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces, highlighting fans' dissatisfaction with the deviations from the original design, character traits, gameplay, and story consistency.

Fans utilize the Santiago meme as a means to express their views on these aspects, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the authenticity and faithfulness to the original design and lore of Classic Sonic. The meme has inspired fan art, animations, fan-made lore, and online discussions within the Sonic community, there is even a mod of the rhythm game Friday Night Funkin' that lets you play as Sonic fighting against Santiago.