Sonic 4 Episode 1 is out!

[Rocketshipper]

So Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Episode 1 has been released on the various on-line gaming networks. Anyone here played it yet? If so, what's your impression?

[Nate]

Oh boy here we go...

I didn't buy the full game. I downloaded the demo off PSN. In short: I hated it.

Where to start? First, Sonic is horribly slow. He moves like he's stuck in syrup or something.

Second, the music. It's not very good. I've only heard Splash Hill Zone's music (the demo is only Act 1) but I heard some other tunes from videos online and well...the rest of the music, pretty awful. The boss music is ESPECIALLY terrible. Seriously what happened to amazing boss music like this? Or WORK THAT SUCKER TO DEATH?

Third, the game itself. If I wanted to play "Sonic 1: The Remake" I would. These guys don't have a single bone of originality in their bodies. Oh look, it's the wall chameleons...just like Sonic 1! Oh look, motorbug...just like Sonic 1! Oh wait, at the end I go through curvy tunnels...like Sonic 1! Oh I got a Special Stage...which looks just like Sonic 1! Hey what's the boss of Splash Hill Zone? Oh look, Eggman has a ball and chain...JUST LIKE SONIC 1. Hey Sonic Team, how about you try making an ORIGINAL game instead of just copying Sonic 1? Oh what's that you suck too bad? Such a shame.

Of course they also copied Sonic 2, what with the Casino Night Zone (and I don't care what it's real name is, it's Casino friggin' Night, even has those same enemies with the shields).

Seriously this is just terrible. I'm glad there was a demo because if I paid fifteen dollars for this I would've been angry.

So yeah. Glad I didn't get my hopes up that this would actually be good, but it managed to even defy my minimal expectations. Also, I dunno if it's the framerate or what, but when I played the demo, it felt...off. Like, the controls weren't bad or anything, the controls are actually pretty good...it just felt like I wasn't really controlling Sonic, despite the fact that he responded perfectly to my input. It's hard to explain properly.

[Ante Bellum]

Well, dang. If that's so, then I'll just go back to the rocket science that is hooking up a Genesis to a modern TV, and play Sonic 1.
Such a pity. And here I've been thinking that this would be a chance to drag themselves out of the mudhole they've been in. Not by much, but still a start.
As for the framerate, I wouldn't be surprised. Didn't Sonic Unleashed run at about 30 at most?

[Okami]

Oh boy here we go...

I didn't buy the full game. I downloaded the demo off PSN. In short: I hated it.

Where to start? First, Sonic is horribly slow. He moves like he's stuck in syrup or something.

Second, the music. It's not very good. I've only heard Splash Hill Zone's music (the demo is only Act 1) but I heard some other tunes from videos online and well...the rest of the music, pretty awful. The boss music is ESPECIALLY terrible. Seriously what happened to amazing boss music like this? Or WORK THAT SUCKER TO DEATH?

Third, the game itself. If I wanted to play "Sonic 1: The Remake" I would. These guys don't have a single bone of originality in their bodies. Oh look, it's the wall chameleons...just like Sonic 1! Oh look, motorbug...just like Sonic 1! Oh wait, at the end I go through curvy tunnels...like Sonic 1! Oh I got a Special Stage...which looks just like Sonic 1! Hey what's the boss of Splash Hill Zone? Oh look, Eggman has a ball and chain...JUST LIKE SONIC 1. Hey Sonic Team, how about you try making an ORIGINAL game instead of just copying Sonic 1? Oh what's that you suck too bad? Such a shame.

Of course they also copied Sonic 2, what with the Casino Night Zone (and I don't care what it's real name is, it's Casino friggin' Night, even has those same enemies with the shields).

Seriously this is just terrible. I'm glad there was a demo because if I paid fifteen dollars for this I would've been angry.

So yeah. Glad I didn't get my hopes up that this would actually be good, but it managed to even defy my minimal expectations. Also, I dunno if it's the framerate or what, but when I played the demo, it felt...off. Like, the controls weren't bad or anything, the controls are actually pretty good...it just felt like I wasn't really controlling Sonic, despite the fact that he responded perfectly to my input. It's hard to explain properly.

This sounds similar to what GameInformer said, as well.

[battletech]

There are to many spots that if you fall off you die.:bang:

[Htom Sirveaux]

Well, dang. If that's so, then I'll just go back to the rocket science that is hooking up a Genesis to a modern TV, and play Sonic 1.

In that case, I highly recommend picking up Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. All the old 16-bit Sonic games, plus a crap-ton of other great Genesis classics.

[Ante Bellum]

Um...but I already have them, I don't really need to buy more.

[Htom Sirveaux]

Perhaps a link would help explain why you need this collection.

[Okami]

In that case, I highly recommend picking up Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. All the old 16-bit Sonic games, plus a crap-ton of other great Genesis classics.

Seconded. Sonic's UGC was one of the first games I picked up for my 360. I never owned a Genesis, but my aunt had one when I was growing up, so I knew a lot of the games on there.

The advantage, I think, to owning this, is having all the games on one disc, and not having to blow all the dust out of every nook and cranny of the Genesis, and each game cartridge, etc. xD Perhaps I simply get frustrated too easily, but I'd rather just be able to turn on my system and play!

[Ante Bellum]

I don't have a 360. My brother does but is always on it. And besides, I'm only home two days a week so I wouldn't have time anyways.

[Htom Sirveaux]

I don't have a 360.

I don't either. It's out for the PS3, too.

[Rocketshipper]

I played the full game last night, and I pretty much agree with your comments Nate. I'd say that the graphics are really amazing looking, and there isn;t much to complain about gameplay wise except for sonic being VERY slow to accelerate. But it really does feel more like a remake than an original stand alone entry in the series. All 4 zones are basicly remakes of old Sonic zones (the green hill zone, the casino zone, the water labryinth, and the final zone from sonic 1) with similar bad guys and a lot of the same level elements. Even the bosses of EACH level are redone versions of old bosses, just given new surprise attacks (and who the heck though it would be a GOOD idea to recycle the boos from the water zone in Sonic 1? that boss SUCKED!). There are *some* new additions within the levels, and one level in particular was pretty original (the labrinth zone act 2 has Sonic carrying a torch through a dark ruin and having to light torches and fuses to solve puzzles and open up new passage ways) if they could have made all the levels more original like that, then things would have been a lot better. But as it stands, its a lot more like "super mario brothers all stars" than it is a real sequal; a remake with better graphics.

I also thought it was pretty hard. I accumulated 29+ lives by the end of the casino zone, but when I beat the game I was down to ZERO. I also hate special stages! Even when I loved everything else about the old sonic games, I detested that you had to go through a bunch of Nintendo Hard bonus levels in order to unlock the *true* ending. You really need freakin save states to beat those things.

And maybe it seems like a really odd thing to complain about...but I kind of wish it actually had a story to it. I know, this isn't one of the 3D games with a bunch of cutscenes in it and stuff, but even the old Genesis Sonic games evolved to actually having something of a narrative going through them, starting in Sonic CD and beyond. But this is just "Eggman is doing evil things. Stop him!" Just adds to that feeling of this being a remake, not a sequal.

In the end I still wouldn't say that its *awful* or unplayable though. And there certainly is a market for "nostalgic" throwback games, and this certainly qualifies. Its kind of not surprising that they just went and mostly remade old levels for this game; the fandom has been crying for a return to this style game for years, so they probably thought we'd love a game full of nostalgic call backs. There are probably a lot of people who will love it simply because its NOT another 3D sonic. But 14.99 for 4 levels that are basicly remakes is a bit steep I'd say, especially since this is only the first of 3 episodes. (hopefully the next episodes will be more original) If they;d lower the price, I would be more willing to say its worthwhile, but not until then.

[Straylight]

Nate has some good points.

In addition to what's been said already, the physics is different. When you curl up into a ball and release the controls when going down a slope, Sonic doesn't roll properly, like the way he did in the older games, picking up momentum. He just slows down and stops. To stay moving forward, you have to be running, even if you are going downhill. That's stupid.

The special stages are awful too. You have to know the special stage like the back of your hand to win it, because the "goal" blocks come out of nowhere and throw you out the level.

[Furen]

the goal buttons in the special like sonic 3?

[KagayakiWashi]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game.