Sega has designed all-new 2d Sonic the Hedgehog game. This game will be the first chapter in a larger series, based heavily on the original Genesis games. It is available on the Apple App Store, PSN, XBLA, and via the Nintendo Shop Channel as Wiiware.
Full game Review
by Alex St-Amour
Not since the release of The Phantom Menace has anything with ‘Episode 1’ in the title been so hotly anticipated.
The year was 1994, Mariah Carey had the number one hit single in ‘Without You’, ‘The Lion King’ left movie-goers amazed, Tonya Harding was caught out clubbing (literally) and Sonic fans enjoyed two of the blue blur's finest adventures in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and its expansion/sequel Sonic & Knuckles. Sixteen long years and many disappointments later, fans of Sega’s mascot were beginning to give up hope that Sonic would ever re-capture the glory days of speed, fun, and blast processing. Well you can put those fears to rest as Sonic is back in a big way with Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.
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The first thing you will notice about Sonic 4 is how closely it resembles the first two Sonic titles; in fact most of the game is directly inspired from those early games, with all four zones (Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear) being re-imaginings of zones from the original Sonic The Hedgehog. However most of these have received enough changes to make them feel fresh, like the Lost Labyrinth’s use of torches to light dark hallways or Casino Street’s crazy slot machines and bonus-supplying poker hands. Still this is a game that is more remake then sequel and would have felt right at home on the Genesis in the mid-90’s.
Anyone who has played the original Sonic games will be able to immediately pick up the controller and start zooming through loops and spin dashing through obstacles. For the most part, the game emulates the classic Sonic gameplay quite well. The often-criticized (by Sonic purists) addition of the lock-on attack actually improves the gameplay by adding a whole new way to explore the branching paths and to defeat enemies, It’s when things slow down and the game requires some more precise platforming that some control issues make their presence known. The most glaring of these is the lack of control when controlling Sonic mid-jump, which makes for some tricky landings when attempting to get onto a tiny ledge. Issues aside, the game still ‘feels’ like a 2D Sonic game should and captures the play style of the classics in almost every way while adding just enough to keep things from feeling like déjà-vu.
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Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is not a terribly difficult game, mostly due to the fact that those familiar with the series' style of fast-paced platforming will know instantly what the game expects them to achieve and how to reach to the goal. But just like those classic Sonic games from the early 90’s, the game is ripe with cheap deaths and traps that will rob you of your precious collection of rings. I can’t count the number of times I was speeding along, with literally hundreds of golden rings in tow, only to hit a bumper and go careening into a bottomless pit with no warning.
The second the game loads and the classic ‘SEGA’ chant is heard, gamers will know that they are in for an experience pulled straight from a Genesis cartridge, and Sonic 4 sure does look that way. With an art style that is directly inspired by Sonic The Hedgehog 1 and 2, complete with level introductions and end-of-stage sign spinning shenanigans, Sonic The Hedgehog 4 wastes no time taking the classic Genesis look and upgrading it with high definition flair and polish. Even the Wii version is surprisingly sharp and runs at a constantly solid framrate that never suffered even with Sonic pushing the sound barrier and enemies crowding the screen. The background work also deserves merit. With environments that come alive with all sorts of wacky animations and details (the Mad Gear Zone is a sight to behold) this is easily one of the best looking downloadable games across all three platforms.
It’s not all roses and rings however -- the music, while inspired by and sounding like the original 16-bit tunes of the Genesis, don’t hold a candle to the classic Sonic themes and most seem to fade into the background and remain unnoticeable throughout the adventure. Also the animation on Sonic is sometimes slightly off, notably when he begins to pick up speed. At this point, his feet seem to be moving too slow for how fast he is going, which creates an odd looking effect, as if he was taking giant strides.
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Every zone in Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 features three acts, for a total of 12 levels (all of which are unlocked after you complete the very first act) and a boss battle per zone once all three acts are completed. Every level has multiple paths for you to discover and the levels are significantly longer than those featured in previous 2D Sonic titles. The game also features a Time Attack mode where you can take your supersonic speed skills (alliteration wholeheartedly intended) online and compete for a top spot in the online leaderboards as well as a few unlockables once you take down Robotnik Dr.Eggman once and for all.
Despite all these features, Sonic 4 still adds up to being a very short game, clocking in at just less than 3 hours for a total playthrough. While the promise of future episodes (if there’s an episode 1 there must be a 2 right?) is a very positive sign for a series that hasn’t seen many recently, I still wish that more would have been added to help the game justify its $15 price tag. Something like two-player co-op would have gone a long way towards that end, but I’m almost positive they're saving that for Episode 2.
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Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is a fantastic return to form for one of gaming’s most venerable characters. It brings gamers back to a time when the name Sonic meant 2D platforming with attitude while finally giving the series a push in the right direction. I just wish there was more of it, the game feels half finished and to be charged a premium for the first ‘episode’ of a game that won’t last the time between lunch and supper is a definite no-no in my book. Still, if Episode 2 can right these wrongs and deliver both the gameplay and value that gamers expect for their money, then Sonic is definitely a hedgehog redeemed.
VGChartz
App Store Version Review
Sonic The Hedgehog 4™ Episode I Review
Beloved hedgehog returns in a brand new side-scrolling adventure
by James Savage, Macworld.com
Sonic the Hedgehog was always best when he was flying solo. Before Tails, and Knuckles, and his countless other friends, the original Sonic game was a fast-paced platformer that was an instant classic and tough to replicate. Sega has been trying to mimic the success of the first three Sonic titles for years, but it wasn't until Sega decided to go old school and create a new side-scrolling Sonic game that Sonic returned to form. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 is the first in an episodic series of arcade/action sidescrollers starring the iconic hedgehog. Without Tails or any of his animal friends, you must help Sonic defeat the evil genius Dr. Eggman once again and save the animals he has enslaved as robots.
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Sonic runs, rolls, and even zip-lines!
Those familiar with the original Sonic games will be spin-dashing in no time. You control Sonic either with on-screen directional and jump buttons or through tilt controls. Episode 1 contains four differently themed zones each with three acts followed by a boss battle. After completing the first level of the Splash Hill zone, you can play the remaining zones in whatever order you choose. These new stages include Casino Street (reminscient of the popular Casino Nights stages from Sonic 2), Lost Labyrinth (an aztec themed level), and Mad Gear (a familiar industrial level likened to one of the latter Sonic 2 missions). Similarly, as in Sonic 2, there are also several special stages you can find (seven in total). A homing attack simplifies gameplay by automatically targeting objects like robotic creatures or power-ups — this comes in handy since the touch controls don’t have quite the precision of a physical control pad.
Everything that made the original Sonic games great is here. The action is fast and furious with high frame rates and detailed levels offering multiple paths to complete them. Alas, the graphics are also reminiscent of the original games and not up to the resolution iPhone 4 owners have come to expect. Though when Sonic is racing through at breakneck speed, you’ll hardly notice. The retro 8-bit soundtrack can get repetitive, but you are free to listen to your own music from your iPod library. Unfortunately you sacrifice sound effects when you do so.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 is a solid sequel to a legendary franchise. Fans will not be disappointed and given the title of the game, we will undoubtedly get treated to subsequent episodes. No social networking support is included, but Game Center integration is promised for a future update.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 3.0 or later.
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macworld
Released via Apple App Store
This game has officially been released on the Apple App Store. It retails at $9.99 on any iOS device (fw 3.0 or later, minus AppleTV) and has an 88.7MB file size.
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An interview with Sega manager Ken Balough:
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Originally Posted by Gamespot.com
Screenshots
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SEGA released new images, a new song, and a new character for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 the game will be released on WiiWare, PSN, XBL, and a mystery platform
The Sonic 4 website was updated today, the new additions include:
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Splash Hill Zone + Complete site redesign
New Screenshots of Splash Hill Zone
Character Reveal #2: Eggman
Free Music Download from Act 1 of Splash Hill Zone. You can download the song here
To check those updates visit Sonic 4 official page
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Official Trailers and Previews
Release Dates and Pricing
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Originally Posted by Nicholas Taylor
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Originally Posted by IGN
