Hands-On: Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

After years of nervous anticipation, the most anticipated Sonic title since the Genesis was finally released to the public. Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 was made available for download on the Nintendo Wii late last week, and as of today it's available on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Store as well. Is it finally the Sonic game we've all wanted for years, or has the Sonic Cycle repeated itself once more? Our own staff writer Sebastian Sponsel muscled his way into Sega itself to get a complete hands-on, so read the full article and see if this is worth a download.

I had a chance to play the demo a bit ago, and I am very disappointed with the physics... it takes lot of time to start running, stopping happens near instantaneously, and rolling down hills etc. just does not work right... you're not supposed to lose speed that way !!!

Why are there photos of some 3D Sonic game in the article? It looks to be Sonic Colours, or
some other 3D game. I mean the lower three photos. Other than that, yeah, I've seen the
bad physics coming since there was first footage available, of Sonic running and jumping on
badniks. However I'd still play the game, if it was released for PC. As is, I'll just have to
wait. Again : (

Ken, you accidentally put in two pictures for Sonic Colors (Bottom left, and bottom right). Sorry, I should have labeled the files better.

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Originally Posted by TmEE

I had a chance to play the demo a bit ago, and I am very disappointed with the physics... it takes lot of time to start running, stopping happens near instantaneously, and rolling down hills etc. just does not work right... you're not supposed to lose speed that way !!!

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I'm with you on this, and I've tried to jump into the freaking bonus round ring five times in a row (starting Casino 2 now) and somehow haven't gotten it. You get *one chance* to hit that ring and the bottom half doesn't seem to be what connects.

To be fair, I struggled at least this much with every subsequent 2D Sonic game, especially the DS games. Provided these are the only problems I think I'll like it well enough. It really should have had the Casino level second, I hate those kinds of levels.

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Originally Posted by TmEE

I had a chance to play the demo a bit ago, and I am very disappointed with the physics... it takes lot of time to start running, stopping happens near instantaneously, and rolling down hills etc. just does not work right... you're not supposed to lose speed that way !!!

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I agree, the physics of Sonic 4 suck, as does the level design. The Spin Dash is practically useless, and at random times you simply slow down. There are also times when you cannot accelerate while you are in a ball, rather only when you're running. The jump is also fairly weak.

Overall, I'm disappointed. It's much better than recent fare, but doesn't come close to the classics.

i too agree about the physics why in the world do you slow down when your spinning

I wonder if the critics are being "persuaded" to rate this game highly. All over the internet you see great reviews of it, but when you talk to real players you get the opinions that are being said here. I tried the PS3 demo and it was pure shit on a stick. Why the media is giving it stellar reviews is beyond me. Another example that the gaming media cannot be trusted with their reviews.

Decent article, but what I'm confused about is the lack of actual Sonic 4 pictures and there being more pics of what looks like Sonic Colours. I mean really some screens like this one would be nice to show off the game.

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/...43534_640w.jpg

Other than that, good read :cool:

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

I wonder if the critics are being "persuaded" to rate this game highly. All over the internet you see great reviews of it, but when you talk to real players you get the opinions that are being said here. I tried the PS3 demo and it was pure shit on a stick. Why the media is giving it stellar reviews is beyond me. Another example that the gaming media cannot be trusted with their reviews.

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It's the media, why did you expect anything different? :confused:

I bought this game, I've been playing it a couple days now, and I actually really like it. The physics took some getting used to for somebody who's played the originals as much as I have and definitely could use improvement in the next installment, but once I got used to them, which took about the first zone, I started having a really great time. I've been going through the levels again and again and it's a blast. The level design is very sweet, solid Sonic with alternate paths and rewards, hidden caches and all that great stuff. I've been waiting for this one with some ambivalence for a long time, and while it's not perfect, it's a huge step in the right direction.

A note: the game goes from frustrating to fun when you figure out you've got to hold down the direction in order not to lose speed. I'm not defending it - it's a flaw. But I'm also not trying to talk myself into liking something here - Now I'm gliding through the levels smooth as silk and it's tons of fun.

How are the physics compared to the two Rush games?

Here's how the physics are:





These videos speak the truth. It makes Sonic fanboys cry.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

These videos speak the truth. It makes Sonic fanboys cry.

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Really? Because I'm laughing my ass off over here. :lawl:

They make me laugh, too. You must not be such a Sonic fanboy that you can't be jaded.

Wow, I am really disappointed in Sega. I can understand having difficulty making 3d Sonic games but seriously, how can they screw the physics up like this in a 2d game? Is anyone even still working there from the Genesis days?

Anyway, after watching Joe's youtube post, I realized that this could be one of the funniest games I'll ever play if I buy it down the road! ;)

Those videos accurately portray one of the flaws in this game's physics, but they don't accurately portray what it feels like to play the game. You don't, once you get a feel for the controls, sit around clumsily walking up and down walls.

Check out this Act 1 speedrun:

It's more like that. The controls are actually very smooth and the stages are awesome to time attack, figure out the best route and try to stick with it.

Sonic fan since 1991 here, and I honestly recommend this game.

I downloaded this game on my Wii and my iPod Touch. Everything in it is to be expected (laggy gameplay, weird overall physics, ugly Sonic--running and standing--and dreaded motion controls!!!). It doesn't feel like Sonic "4", but it sure plays and looks nicely (and I must reiterate that it does not play nor look like the original Sonics).

Still, it's a good/average game that is currently overpriced. I got it mostly out of the thrill of the wait; but I recommend you guys wait till it goes down at least $5 on any of the systems. Oh well, what are you going to do. If it's not on a Genny/CD/32X, it sure won't be Sonic 4. Heck, I'd take the Saturn or DC too ;). Honestly, I'm not as disappointed as I should be. I'm having fun and that's what counts.

P.S.> I have to agree w/ Joe. I too don't understand how critics ("journalists" :?) can just succumb to such mainstream ("mob") mentality. They talk on the surface, generalize, sell the game for which they're receiving a stipend (and selling their souls thereafter), and care nothing at all for gaming (least of all "retro" gaming). I think these two jerkwads make my point for me:



And on top of that, it is SEGA the one entity that is giving itself a bad name. They started calling out to 16-bit fans, telling us this "Sonic 4 Ep I" will be for the fans of old Sonic, then utterly disappoint us as always. The funny thing is, the game (like some 3D Sonics) is not "that" bad. It's just that it is NOT SONIC as we knew him. And "this" certainly is not Sonic of old. When, oh, when will they learn that it is GAMEPLAY that gives the darn game replayability.

What bugs me of this game, even more than the faulty physics, is the fact that the game is hardly new at all. It's a rehash of elements from previous Sonic the Hedgehog games presented in new level designs, and even the enemies are all the same robots. This is supposed to be Sonic the Hedgehog 4, not some version of Sonic Fan Remix officially endorsed by Sega.

There's also this excess of "classicism" in the game by building entirely upon the basis of Sonic the Hedgehog and (mostly) Sonic the Hedgehog 2, pretty much ignoring all the benefits that Sonic the Hedgehog 3/Sonic & Knuckles introduced in the series. There are some superficial reminiscences to it, but overall it's like that game was skipped as it never happened.

I hope Episode II does it a lot better than this, starting by being more of a new game than just a remix of old levels and enemies/bosses presented with new twists.

I agree; more original zone ideas and the return of Tails/Knux would make further episodes better.

I haven't played it, as I do not possess modern gaming technology, however, Phantar's read was awesome. The game looks great from the videos, but obviously how it looks is hugely different from how it plays.

I DLed this on XBLA yesterday, and while it's playable, the physics are definitely FUBARed. The jumping and running are off, and what's with Sonic losing all forward momentum if you let go of the d-pad? WTF??

I can't believe Sega doesn't remember how to do Sonic right in 2D. Seriously, if Sega can't make a good 2D Sonic game anymore...

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/attachm...1&d=1287184281

Want to feel better though? Check this out, and hope that Sonic Team (lol at them still even using that name) takes some notes.

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Originally Posted by Melf

Sonic Team (lol at them still even using that name)

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That's what I thought! Since when does Dimps = Sonic Team? Jun Senoue did the music I guess, but he is not Sonic Team unto himself.

could the sega saturn handle this game? or is it more into dreamcast territory with the graphics/visual effects?

seems like the kind of sonic game that couldve made the saturn a contender agianst the 64/ps1 around 95/96ish

A 2D Sonic much like this for Saturn was what I was hoping for when I bought my Saturn, but Sega switched to 3D right after the 1st wave of 2D Saturn games (Clockwork Knight, Golden Axe: The Duel, Shinobi Legions, Astal, Shining Wisdom, Legend of Oasis).

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Originally Posted by Melf

I DLed this on XBLA yesterday, and while it's playable, the physics are definitely FUBARed. The jumping and running are off, and what's with Sonic losing all forward momentum if you let go of the d-pad? WTF??

I can't believe Sega doesn't remember how to do Sonic right in 2D. Seriously, if Sega can't make a good 2D Sonic game anymore...

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/attachm...1&d=1287184281

Want to feel better though? Check this out, and hope that Sonic Team (lol at them still even using that name) takes some notes.

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Are you sure that's a real game and not a prerendered video like that mushroom hill thing?

Supposedly, it is indeed a real game.

Ok, I've played this through to the second act of Lost Labyrinth Zone, and I want my money back. The control is just so badly broken that it takes away from the one and only thing Sonic ever did right: move quickly in the direction you wanted. I can't remember how many times I died because Sonic lost all forward momentum if I instinctively let go of the d-pad, and the sheer amount of bottomless pits is infuriating. There are some cool ideas here (like surfing on the playing cards), but the control is so fucked up that the game is essentially broken.

Unless episode 2 has a MAJOR gameplay overhaul, I'm done with this series and Sonic for good. Sega fucking up a 2D sequel just proves to me that the company just doesn't give a shit anymore, so now neither do I.

I thought this one was made by the Sonic Advance authors, while Sonic Team is working on Sonic Colors ?

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Originally Posted by TmEE

I had a chance to play the demo a bit ago, and I am very disappointed with the physics... it takes lot of time to start running, stopping happens near instantaneously, and rolling down hills etc. just does not work right... you're not supposed to lose speed that way !!!

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agreed it doesnt feel like a sonic game

"seems like the kind of sonic game that couldve made the saturn a contender agianst the 64/ps1 around 95/96ish"

If this was released in 95/95 the criticism would be worse than now because Sonic1/2/3&K would still be relatively fresh in everyone's mind.

oh ok its like that.

I havent played it yet so i wouldnt know.

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Originally Posted by Melf

Melf's pissed off rant.

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I guess it's irrelevant since Sega probably doesn't read this forum, but if they did it wouldn't be good for this site if they read what you just said to/about them.

They might punish me by making another Sonic game. :p

Man I've suffered an eye injury on the same day that Sonic 4 got released so I haven't played it yet because I'm a little photosensitive right now, but the more I read about it the more discouraged I'm becoming. Is it really that bad? Is it worse than the DS Sonic Rush games?

Would it better if they went Capcom's way...

Make it 16-Bit

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Originally Posted by KnightWarrior

Would it better if they went Capcom's way...

Make it 16-Bit

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Yup. Megaman 9 is the whole reason people started asking for Sonic 4 in the first place.

Actually, having sega follow capcom's example wouldn't be a bad idea, and is something I've been thinking about lately.
What if Sega split Sonic off into two separate universes, like what Capcom does with MegaMan? I mean, if Capcom can have MegaMan/MegaMan X in one story arc, MegaMan exe on another, and MegaMan Legends on still another universe, why not Sonic? That way, for the fans of modern Sonic, Sega can keep making games with Him on earth, getting into retarded love triangles with a bunch of emohogs and some human princess, and for the fans of old Sonic, They can go back to making games in plain old 2d, with a limited cast of characters, back on Sonic's original planet.

I know It's not going to happen, but it's still a neat thought.

I really don't know what to think about this game. The physics, as many of you have said, have been ruined to oblivion. They've essentially used Sonic Rush's physics engine on this one, but while in Rush, you had instant access to speed boost (after all, that was the main concept of the Rush games), and thus made the ridiculous friction force coherent and a cool gameplay element, in this one, it's just out of place and actually ruins the overall gameplay. You can never seem to get Sonic running the way you want (that is, the way he ran in the MegaDrive games).

The graphics are mediocre, and while they do seem to resemble the ones found in the MD games, they could have done a LOT more with them. They just seem so static and lifeless...

The sound is a-ok. It's nothing truly memorable, but nonetheless a commendable effort.

The levels have some great moments, but unfortunately, Dimps is still too fond of bottomless pits. I tell you, these things are, quite possibly, one of the worst things you can put in a level, it ruins the pacing and unnecessarily punishes the player.

Overall, this is a great platformer. While playing this game, I find myself having fun with it, I really do! However... this is anything but a good Sonic game. Competent platforming game, but definitely not a good Sonic game. And I do hope they add some truly new content in Episode 2...

I wish Sega would just realize how many people dislike this Sonic 4 engine, then maybe they'd decide to release a free classic engine upgrade.

I'm sure that would please people who do not like the way Sonic 4 behaves.

Since this is a DLC title, maybe they can release a patched version which has the physics fixed.