Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

[MadeManG74]

Hmm, it's kinda sad really. Aki-at brought this up the other day in MSN: It's sad that Sonic 4 looks like it's turning out to be 'alright but not great', and is Downloadable only, and taking the cheap way out with 3D instead of 2D, but King of Fighters XIII is getting the best 2D graphics I've ever seen, full arcade and retail releases, and they even secured a spot for it in Japan's biggest tournament event.

Sega is a giant of the industry, and Sonic games sell millions of copies even they are rubbish games but they just palm off 'Sonic 4' to be a DLC cheapie episodic game. SNK is struggling to survive, but put together something really special for the sequel to their flagship series, one that doesn't have the resources or sell as well as Sonic.

I mean, is it really asking so much for Sega to really go all out for this game? Sonic is such a huge part of the company, to name a game Sonic 4 and seemingly half-ass it like this just doesn't seem right.

Please note I'm not bashing the gameplay or anything, but you have to agree that the graphics, size of the game and format just don't the game and the magnitude it should have.

[Barry the Nomad]

Please note I'm not bashing the gameplay or anything, but you have to agree that the graphics, size of the game and format just don't the game and the magnitude it should have.

I'm not taking what you wrote as a bash, no np. However, I cannot agree with the above. Graphics, in my opinion, look way better than I expected. I was thinking sprite based Genesis graphics which, IMO, has been done to death in the fan community. And instead we got shiny HD graphics.

Size of the game is totally fine by me. This is episodic, so don't think that Sonic 4 = 4 Zones. Sega has hinted that the total game will have 12 Zones and 36 acts, making it larger than Sonic 1, 2 or 3 & Knuckles.

Format, again I am fine with download only. Minus a disc and box, it still plays like any other game on the PS3/Wii/360. Plus, who is to say Sega won't release a complete package on disc in the future? It hasn't been ruled out.

[Sega Uranus]

Dear lord, the mine cart section is completely excruciating to watch. I literally let out a horrific groan when I saw just the first few seconds of it.

I honestly cannot believe it is turning out like this. Look how clunky and unfun that section is! Unbelievable Iizuka, unbelievable!

Please note I'm not bashing the gameplay or anything, but you have to agree that the graphics, size of the game and format just don't the game and the magnitude it should have.

I'm not taking what you wrote as a bash, no np. However, I cannot agree with the above. Graphics, in my opinion, look way better than I expected. I was thinking sprite based Genesis graphics which, IMO, has been done to death in the fan community. And instead we got shiny HD graphics.

Size of the game is totally fine by me. This is episodic, so don't think that Sonic 4 = 4 Zones. Sega has hinted that the total game will have 12 Zones and 36 acts, making it larger than Sonic 1, 2 or 3 & Knuckles.

Format, again I am fine with download only. Minus a disc and box, it still plays like any other game on the PS3/Wii/360. Plus, who is to say Sega won't release a complete package on disc in the future? It hasn't been ruled out.

So, because YOU were expecting it to look like a 20 year old game we all have to be okay with it looking like a 15 year old game? It seriously looks like a shitty first generation 2D PlayStation game. This is simply unacceptable, especially when you read into MadeMang's point with The King of Fighters XIII. The fact I can name literally tons of games made by people in their basement within a month on flash sites, iPhone, PSP and even the fuggin' DS means I am straight up outraged with how poor this looks.

The art is the main issue though, I think. The level art is bland, Sonic's head is bigger than Robotnik's body (how could they have messed this up...?), it all just reeks of a lazy game like Sonic Blast on Game Gear. I guess that game at least had no stupid gimmicks like full mine carting stages.

[max_cady]

Alas, that is the fate of any and all Sonic game, which is to include any bit of gameplay that deviates from what is considered a normal Sonic game.

Of course, I get what ManMadeGT74 is saying and it's pretty much what I've been thinking from the start.

Ever since Sonic 4 was announced as a download-only title I feel that it did cheapen the whole ordeal.

Because I feel that downloading the game is a step down from the thrills of buying the game in a store or ordering it online and just itching to get it.

Nevertheless, should Sega consider a actual physical release it's OK by me.

And you don't have to use KoF as an example, I mean look at the New Super Mario Bros Wii, it's a 2D game, it's yet another re-re-re-release of a classic Mario game but damn does it sell!

Now, I am having some mixed emotions about the game. I love the music in this.

I have the Splash Hill Zone MP3 sample and I like it. It's a total throwback to the old Sonic music and kinda feels uplifting.

And while the animation seems kinda awkward at first, I start to notice how animated and detailed Sonic's model is.

[Happy Cat]

I've watched all of splash hill zone except the boss battle, no more =P

The physics are off, but the game still looks fun.

[MadeManG74]

Of course, I get what ManMadeGT74 is saying and it's pretty much what I've been thinking from the start.

 

And you don't have to use KoF as an example, I mean look at the New Super Mario Bros Wii, it's a 2D game, it's yet another re-re-re-release of a classic Mario game but damn does it sell!

The reason I used KOF specifically is that, here is a company who is struggling to survive, but when it comes time to make a numbered sequel to their flagship series, they went all out. They stuck with the 2D graphics even though it meant it was much more time consuming and costly, they went with a full Arcade and Console release with Location tests etc. When you consider how much larger Sonic and Sega is than KOF and SNK, you would think the first Numbered Sequel in over a decade or however long it's been would recieve the same kind of treatment, but it really doesn't seem like it is.

I have nothing against DLC games, but by their nature they do seem restricted in size and scope since people need to download them. We see that they took the easy way out with graphics and the gameplay has a lot of curious changes too like the homing attack. I know I keep bringing it up, but it really is a big fundamental difference between the original games and this one in my opinion.

[Barry the Nomad]

LOL You guys got me! Derp, of course! You act like a bunch of butthurt crazy Sonic fans who rip a game to shreds before even playing it as an April Fools prank!

Well consider me gotten.   :lol: :mrgreen:  

[MadeManG74]

LOL You guys got me! Derp, of course! You act like a bunch of butthurt crazy Sonic fans who rip a game to shreds before even playing it as an April Fools prank!

Well consider me gotten.   :lol: :mrgreen:  

 :cry:

What did I say that was unreasonable? I still think the game looks like it'll be fun, but I can't honestly say it doesn't look like they took the easiest/cheapest options for a lot of the game.

I know it doesn't look 'BAD', but I do get hte feeling that tehy weren't very confident with this title and wanted to keep costs as low as possible.

[max_cady]

@MadeManGT74

Lol, why do I always mix up your username! It's like I have dislexia or somethin'.

[Barry the Nomad]

(my April Fool on you was that I got angry)

APRIL FOOLS!

No, I agree, the game COULD have been "So Much More Than Thiiiiiiiis!" but then again it is "So Much More" than the past 4 or 5 3D Sonic games. For once a Sonic game that acts like a Sonic game! So I take it as a step in the right direction and a Sonic game worth playing, but not as THE Sonic game I've been waiting for.  8-)

[MadeManG74]

@MadeManGT74

Lol, why do I always mix up your username! It's like I have dislexia or somethin'.

haha, no problem, it's not a very obvious name.

[Sharky]

Every new video I see of this game it looks better and better. Like really better!

Obviously this was NOT supposed to be seen, it is probably still an unfinished build of the game. So lets not jump on little issues here and there just YET.

I would like them to improved a few animations, completely remove that coming off of the ramp weird ass hands in the air thing... tweak the physics... Thats the biggest issues remaining.


What this game could do with to keep people happy is a 'Hard Mode' where homing attack is disabled and there are less speed boost bumpers.

and It would be nice if they moved the camera slightly 'back' so you can see more of the screen.

All in all, I'm very much liking what I'm seeing.

[Barry the Nomad]

The shitty close camera is in part due to the fact that the player is on a old tube TV, so a good portion of the left and right of the screen is unseen and/or scans when in confined quarters.

If Cream was in this game I'd have my own "Hard Mode" to play.  8-)

[Aki-at]

It's a good thing SEGA already has three game of the years for me (Yakuza 3, 4 and Bayonetta) or else I would be super angry!

Well not really, I would just say lol Sonic Team, not good enough to handle SEGA's biggest series. AM2 and Nagoshi's team has way more talent and represent SEGA better.

Game is waaaay too fast for it's own good, now normally this sounds odd when we are talking about a Sonic game, but the acceleration is really off and Sonic speeds up way too fast, hardly any momentuam building, Ruby you lied to us! Without the homing attack I would imagine the platforming would be so much better.

A lot of poor decisions that have been tacked on, Iizuka truly is mad, he justifies it being downloadable because 2D Sonic titles wouldn't sell well enough on their own (Which is, frankly, silly to think I feel) but then adds the same bullshit fans have not wanted in the Sonic games in the game that is meant to be Sonic returning to his woots.

lol Sonic Team.

[Sega Uranus]

Every new video I see of this game it looks better and better. Like really better!

Obviously this was NOT supposed to be seen, it is probably still an unfinished build of the game. So lets not jump on little issues here and there just YET.

I would like them to improved a few animations, completely remove that coming off of the ramp weird ass hands in the air thing... tweak the physics... Thats the biggest issues remaining.


What this game could do with to keep people happy is a 'Hard Mode' where homing attack is disabled and there are less speed boost bumpers.

and It would be nice if they moved the camera slightly 'back' so you can see more of the screen.

All in all, I'm very much liking what I'm seeing.

The game is supposed to be based around the homing attack and speed boosts, if they would remove those it would be like removing the run/grab button from Mario. They would literally have to rebuild the level design from scratch for it to all work out.

Not sure how anyone could watch the mine cart level and say anything remotely positive about it though. That is honestly the worst thing I ever saw in the entire franchise. I am being serious.

Otherwise, probably my favorite part of the game are the animations. While the falling one looks retarded (reminds me of Nintendo stuff) the rest are really nicely animated and "Cute", which is something Sonic games have needed for so long. That angsty, toothy grin can burn in Hell.

The shitty close camera is in part due to the fact that the player is on a old tube TV, so a good portion of the left and right of the screen is unseen and/or scans when in confined quarters.

In the Genesis games, the screen would take Sonic out of the center when you moved fast enough. This is going to be a big issue, especially with Wii gamers.

If Cream was in this game I'd have my own "Hard Mode" to play.  8-)

 :!: Watch out  :!:  That is how Pachuka went to jail!  :arrow: