Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

[Sharky]

Anyway

So I was playing Sonic 4 again recently and one thing I did notice is the inconsistent level of detail and polish in the art of the levels.

It seems each Zone it takes a big jump forward in level art, backgrounds and such.

I find Splash Hill Zone to be down right ugly... I hate how sterile and almost flash animation the whole thing looks. The backgrounds are dull and ugly. Those bushes that make up most of the background layers are just hideous... I even think the foreground checked boxes look poor; I think they should have made them more textured and earthy like in Sonic Heroes.

Then if you skip to the Lost Labyrinth levels it's worlds away. The backgrounds are interesting, full of detail... It has an almost water colour look about it in the furthest away part of the background. The foreground is very textured and nice to look at.


I'm hoping when Episode 2 comes out all levels are as detailed and nice to look at as Lost Labyrinth or Mad Gear Zone. If not better, I think all the levels needed a 'set piece' background somewhere in the middle of the level.

[Autosaver]

Casino Street was fabulous to look at..

[Kori-Maru]

Anyway
Then if you skip to the Lost Labyrinth levels it's worlds away. The backgrounds are interesting, full of detail... It has an almost water colour look about it in the furthest away part of the background. The foreground is very textured and nice to look at.

True, especially Act 2 and 3. It looks SUPER beautiful on my HDtv.

[Barry the Nomad]

I wonder if Splash Hill was the first zone art to be completed, and they didn't really "get" the look of the game down until designing later zones like Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear?

I prefer the watercolor-like super detailed environments like LLZ over SHZ and CSZ.

In episode 2 I'd love to see a more realistic setting, like a dense forest, for the first act as well as an ice zone (always lovely to look at), a mechanical tropical hybrid and an environment not seen before in a 2D Sonic game.

[SOUP]

Casino Street was fabulous to look at..

Ditto. Highlight of the game for me.

[George]

I like Mad Gear Zone. I like the whole steam punk clockwork look. But then again, nothing was really original. Not that many designs in Sonic levels have been that original over the years.

[Sharky]

Lost Labyrinth was by far my favourite stage setting, I love the water colour look of the backgrounds and the music really sets the scene. Although it isn't my favourite level to play... That would probably be the Casino Street, act 2.

But I think we can all agree that Splash Hill just felt really to simple and cheaply made.

[Dr. SEGA Monkey]

This thread isn't dead yet! Check out the new Sonic 4 Avatar items!

http://http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/12/15/new-sonic-4-avatar-items-are-here/



This one looks like they took Barry's fake box/cartridge idea.

[Barry the Nomad]

if they used my art, i could totally sue them! :D

[Sega Uranus]

That is so much cooler than the actual game, and I practically hate Xbox Avatar stuff!

[Chaosmaster8753]

I'm kinda interested in those emeralds, badnik toys, and Sonic plush.

[Wilhelm]

how is this game anyways? I refuse to get it until al lthe episodes come out and it goes on sale.
I heard it's short as heck.

[Sloth_26XX]

how is this game anyways? I refuse to get it until al lthe episodes come out and it goes on sale.
I heard it's short as heck.

That's a toughie really. Episode 1 is one of the most controversial games I've come across. Some praise it as the return of classic Sonic game play, some see it as an insult (a bat to the noggin if you will), and others just think it's okay. Impressions on this game are all over the place. And Yeah the game is short, and thanks to hackers players now have one less reason to replay the game.

[Chaosmaster8753]

how is this game anyways? I refuse to get it until al lthe episodes come out and it goes on sale.
I heard it's short as heck.

Play the Trial on XBLA/PSN to get a glimpse of it and determine if you think it's worth playing.

[CrazyT]

Yeah, i'd like to read your impression as well after trying out the demo.