Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

[Sega Uranus]

Apparently the PAX version of this is not the E3 build. Some people have said now Sonic is too slow to gain speed and you pretty much are forced to used the homing attack everywhere just to start running.

ALSO! In a new interview, Iizuka said the classic Sonic games were not about momentum and they need speed boosters and springs everywhere along with the homing attack to remain fun.

I am not even going to make fun of this guy anymore. Anyone who defends this idiot now is really bonkers.

[Dr. SEGA Monkey]

Some people have said now Sonic is too slow to gain speed and you pretty much are forced to used the homing attack everywhere just to start running.

This actually fits the description of the E3 version.

Plus, RubyEclipse already confirmed they are showing the E3 demo at PAX....which is a freakin' stupid idea. Why not show the updated version?

[Sharky]

Apparently the PAX version of this is not the E3 build. Some people have said now Sonic is too slow to gain speed and you pretty much are forced to used the homing attack everywhere just to start running.

ALSO! In a new interview, Iizuka said the classic Sonic games were not about momentum and they need speed boosters and springs everywhere along with the homing attack to remain fun.

I am not even going to make fun of this guy anymore. Anyone who defends this idiot now is really bonkers.

It is confirmed to be the E3 build and they have also said they are adressing this issue I'm pretty sure.

[CrazyT]

Some good news for all you guys, seems the delay was full of empty promises.

Originally Posted by RubyEclipse
There are some minor changes to music, most notably being one act that has actually had its music revamped completely. We'll reveal which act this is as part of our S4 Update Blogs.

Physics in general are not going to see too many massive changes, though know that I did push months ago to see how much would be possible. The biggest hurdle here was the level design, and the many ways that even small physics changes require updating almost every stage. It is never as easy as many might think, but I did ask and made sure it was brought to certain people's attention.

Our biggest focus with the updates has been to make a game that people can have fun playing. When you play Sonic 4, whether you're an old fan or a new fan, that you can enjoy the levels and not have any moments that are too frustrating or difficult, or that make you want to stop playing. No moments where a random gimmick forces you to lose the fun factor that the game had. This is why Lost Lab Act II saw major updates from the original design, and why other parts of the game are also being polished, including another big level update I think you guys will be glad to hear of.

In addition to the big stuff, and though physics won't be changed to the extent I know some people here would like, we have thrown in a number of small but important updates to other minor parts of the game. They are things that I doubt most reviewers will ever take note of, but that you guys as fans will hopefully appreciate. Some of these will also be revealed in our next S4 Update blog coming this month.

Though it's impossible to fulfill every request,I hope that the changes we have made will prove that our claims to have been listening are founded solidly, and that while we can't make every single person happy, we are doing what we can to make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

[Sharky]

No idea what you are talking about... I actually know some of the changes that have been made and it is far FAR from an empty promise.

A lot of the things from the leak have been fixed, let alone 2 full levels being completely revamped... Which were the biggest complaints with this game. Changes to music, changes to levels... Small things you wont notice.

But instead of taking notice of the things that WERE changed, were fixed you just bitch twice as much about the things that were previously second fiddle.

Give it a rest.

[Sega Uranus]

What was that rant all about? He just posted a quote from RubyEclipse.

[crackdude]

CrazyTails you're being just crazy.

You don't like the game because it's not catered to your liking, we get it. But don't criticize the people that listened to our complaints and changed stuff for us.

Also, that cart level WAS in the XBLA version? I got that feeling. That's horrible!

[Aki-at]

But instead of taking notice of the things that WERE changed, were fixed you just bitch twice as much about the things that were previously second fiddle.

The physics were not and never were second fiddle, the only thing that can eclipse the complaints they received were the changes in level design for two stages, otherwise a lot of disliked the fact they were using Sonic Rush's physics engine instead of something closer to the original trilogy. Although I would argue just because they fixed one section that was terribly broken and horrible does not mean something much larger, the core physics of the title, should be forgotten too.

But it's not fair to say anything is second fiddle, a lot of complaints made with the physics came hand in hand with level design, they were also as Ruby mentioned interconnected. It is just as how the homing attack is part of the level design, it radically affects the way the game has to be played. They obviously do not have the time and perhaps not even putting in the resources that is required to create a game that they’re trying to aim for.

I think people who enjoyed the Sonic Advance games and Sonic Rush games will enjoy this one though, but I think those who were hoping for a large dose of classic nostelgia might skip this one, although I am sure a lot of little references people will still like.

[Barry the Nomad]

Physics in general are not going to see too many massive changes

Note he said not too many massive changes, meaning there were still one or two massive changes and probably a number of small tweaks. Wait 'til more preview impressions before jumping the ol' gun.

[Aki-at]

You don't like the game because it's not catered to your liking, we get it. But don't criticize the people that listened to our complaints and changed stuff for us.

Why not? If you expect the very best from people, when they return to you with something that is not to your liking how are you meant to react? It's only because he cares so much he is reacting like this.

I have learnt not to expect from the series what I once was, hence why I have such apathy and why I often stay away from the large discussions we sometimes fall into even though I strongly disagree with basic core principles, such as the change from momentum based gameplay to speed based reaction gameplay, the change in level design and of course the homing attack.

But many feel differently and it is not as if he has openly attacked Ruby, however he did promise the return to momentum based gameplay, which I will hold out until I see this new version, the old version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 had very little of that.

[Aki-at]

Note he said not too many massive changes, meaning there were still one or two massive changes and probably a number of small tweaks. Wait 'til more preview impressions before jumping the ol' gun.

I do not think we can expect too much, Ruby is correct when he said if you drastically change the physics, a lot of the level design would have to be changed. Hopefully Sonic standing at an angle is changed but in all, I would not expect too many changes from what people expected. The majority of extra development time was probably spent on changing the two level designs around.

Hopefully Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II fixes the issues in time, which I am sure someone like Ruby will be pushing for.

[CrazyT]

No idea what you are talking about... I actually know some of the changes that have been made and it is far FAR from an empty promise.

A lot of the things from the leak have been fixed, let alone 2 full levels being completely revamped... Which were the biggest complaints with this game. Changes to music, changes to levels... Small things you wont notice.

But instead of taking notice of the things that WERE changed, were fixed you just bitch twice as much about the things that were previously second fiddle.

Give it a rest.

I gave it a rest weeks ago. The reason mainly i'm upset is not even why the name sonic 4 is being abused for sale purposes, but mainly this.

"Speed is something that is not given; but rather earned through dedication. Speed is not found by simply pushing a boost button, but by building momentum. It is the reward for skill in the face of difficult challenges – this kind of speed is the most exhilarating, not only because it is fast, but because of the pure perfection such speed exemplifies. This is the truth of the original Sonic games – and this is the truth of Project Needlemouse."

This is what rubyeclipse teased us with even before sonic 4 was anounced and I will forgive him in doing so, but I won't forget about it.

I don't know if you realise, but the reason that sonic became so big was not just the character, the graphics or the game mechanics(like roll jump, monitors and stuff)

The physics played a number 1 role, as in without the physics the classics would have never been such timeless games. The physics were unique than and they are still now. You may not realise when you play them but unconsciously it is.

You won't see me complain because my expectations were at 0% allready, but to those who were believing in the updates have all rights to do so if you ask me.

I'm outta here and anticipating a game made with passion.

[crackdude]

I think we can all agree that for the devs more important than what fans want is the goals imposed by Sega. That is a budget limit, a certain development window and at least some predetermined level of quality.

The game is a game for the fans. So I think that they did the best they could under their limitations to cater the game to mass appeal of the fan base.

I don't imagine them editing 2 levels and then saying "well it's done.. let's all stare at eachothers until the game comes out". They are using their time to improve the game the best they can.

The basic physics engine is the first thing coded into the game. They would never change that. Nor basic game mechanics (like the homing attack) that have the stage design built around them.

But they did tweak some things out. I don't see how we can argue that they aren't doing enough and that they made "empty promises" when the little changes they made might actually be enough to achieve the same effect we want without restarting the whole game making process.

Again, I think the devs are showing they are listening to the fans. And I do not think it's right to downright call them liars. At least play the game before saying those things, know what I'm sayin..

~~~~
@CrazyTails
The physics were wrong. They said they tweaked it out. You haven't seen the changes they made yet. What are you complaining about?

Fans just like to complain sometimes.
Example, did you not enjoy Metroid M while the fans are all apeshit over it? Do they not seem unreasonable? Fans will just complain about stuff everyone's fine with.

[CrazyT]

Update:

Rubyeclipse
My suggestion would be to expect few to no physics changes, so that if or when you do notice any minor updates in the final game, you'll appreciate them. I think this is better than people really expecting them to change too much, and conversely expecting something different than they get when they download it. Keeping expectations realistic is the key.

As to the Iizuka-san quote, what were you looking for in a response? It sounds like his personal opinion to me, so there's not too much room for me to comment further.  

@CrazyTails
The physics were wrong. They said they tweaked it out. You haven't seen the changes they made yet. What are you complaining about?

Fans just like to complain sometimes.
Example, did you not enjoy Metroid M while the fans are all apeshit over it? Do they not seem unreasonable? Fans will just complain about stuff everyone's fine with.

Don't you even try it  

[crackdude]

I can take back the high confidence way I wrote my previous posts if you want, but this new "update" says nothing new really. It means they did change some things.