You saw Dreadknux (man, myth, legend) yesterday review Sonic 4: Episode 1 here at TSS, but you may have noticed the lack of the “Second Opinion.” Usually, another staffer chimes in on a given title for the official TSS review, but since this game is a BFD, we’ve got most of the front page staff to weigh in right here.
Let’s get on with it.
Nuckles87
Sonic 4 will perhaps go down as one of the most controversial gamesto ever be released in the franchise’s history. With a criticalreception more akin to Sonic Heroes then a universal proclamation ofSonic’s “big return”, and with fan reactions ranging from unrepressedglee to a frothing, ridiculously over the top hatred, it’s certainlycome no closer to bringing the fandom back together either.
With good reason, too, as the game has problems. Now, I ask you toforget the whole “lol Sonic can stand on walls” nonsense for a moment.That’s not a problem, and indeed, the physics in general aren’t much of aproblem; Sonic’s rolling is off, but the game never asks for it. Soniccan stroll up a hill, but he still can’t do it fast and he still needsmomentum to get to higher places in the level and complete proper speedruns.
No, the real problems here lie in the way Sonic controls. Thisgame has one silly design decision, which will utterly break thegame for some fans: if you stop pushing Sonic in the direction you wanthim to go, the game instantly negates and speed or momentum you hadgoing. If you fire Sonic out of a cannon, he will move a certaindistance and then instantly stop. Depending on how you play, this couldprove to be a serious problem, or it could be something you barelynotice. In either case, this shouldn’t have been a problem to beginwith. Another problem with the game is how Sonic awkwardly sticks tocertain gimmicks, such as Casino Night’s pinball flippers.
That said, once you get over these problems – simply keeping yourfinger on the directional negates the first all together – you’ll find avery fun game underneath, with best level design I’ve seen in a Sonicside-scroller in over a decade. Every level in the game has severalpaths take, man of which I guarantee you won’t reach without somememorization and practice, in the same vein as the classic games. Thegame is loaded with platforming sections to compliment the faster areas,something a Sonic game hasn’t really done since the first Sonic Advancegame. Despite the levels reusing themes, many of them have their ownnew gimmicks that add another layer to the game.
Overall, Sonic 4 is a love it or hate it title. The game hasproblems that shouldn’t even exist, but it also has plenty of positivequalities, that in the end won me over.
JUDGMENT: Thumbs Up
Jason
It’s been 16 years since a 2D Sonic game has appeared on any consolesoutsides of portables. But after a long hiatus Sonic returns better thanev-….well, as good as one could hope for in this era.
Sonic 4: Episode 1 was developed by DIMPS. The team behind the SonicAdvance/Sonic Rush series. The portables series tried new ideas thatwere different, but usually very good. Here, DIMPS is playing the moreconservative role to bring Sonic back to the more classic Genesis era.The only thing new added is the homing attack from the 3-D games. Whatmany feared to be a game breaker works surprisingly well. Allowingplayers to chain badniks and springs so they can find a quicker path tothe goal.
The levels in Sonic 4 are an homage to the Genesis classics. Each onehas a multi-tiered design for both exploring and speed runs. Whilebeginning levels like the Splash Hill Zone are very easy, the difficultyramps up in a very natural way. By the time you get to Mad Gear Zone,you’re facing some tough challenges. The most challenging areas beingthe final boss and the special zones. Getting the seventh emerald anddefeating Eggman for the final time gave me a real satisfying feelingthat got me pumping my fist in the air.
All is not well in Splash Hill though. The physics are a bit imperfect.Allowing you to have slight jaunt up a hill instead of having to go fullspeed is just wrong. While Super Sonic offers invincibility and superspeed, he’s very hard to control. These are minor nitpicks to my mainproblem, the length of the game. Sonic 4 can be completed in one 3-4hour sitting. Seven emeralds and all. Even with leader boards, timeattacks and trophies/achievements, you’re left wanting more. At $15,there’s plenty for die-hard Sonic fans, but those who just want a new2D platformer to play may want to wait for a sale.
Overall, Sonic 4 is like a time machine that threw me back to 1992. Ithas many of the classic staples while adding a few new twists in. If youcan handle the new controls, there’s a lot of fun to be had. It’s a biton the short side, but a Sonic fan like myself will be coming backagain and again.
JUDGMENT: Thumbs Up
T-Bird
So finally, after years of waiting and months of anticipation, SEGA has unleashed the game that the fans have demanded for what seems like anage. The story kicks off in the familiar world of Splash Hill, with thesuccessive zones all following the formulaic pattern of those originalMega Drive titles. In fact, those familiar with the franchise will notice alot of elements to the game which loan heavily from their predecessors,from the badniks to bosses. Some will undoubtedly debate the extent ofdéjà vu the gamer feels; some will be overjoyed to see the classicbosses revived with a twist, some will be dissatisfied that there are nozones of a completely original dynamic or theme.
With regards to the forewarned complaints over game play, the phrase“broken physics” I feel has been misconstrued as “different physics.” Iagree at points that scaling walls and inclines at times can become alittle surreal and frustrating, but not to the point of throwing acontroller down in disgust and declaring the game unplayable; you’reusually traversing the landscape at such break-neck velocity that youwouldn’t notice anyway. More often than not Sonic’s “floaty” naturegives the player an advantage in some places, and time to react in orderto perform chain homing attacks or control their descent.
The special stages provide the real challenge in the game, and initiallyprove disorientating with the player taking control the of landscapewhich can be rotated at one’s whim; tumbling gracefully through theTechnicolor world is something that will need to be honed and refinedbefore all seven Chaos Emeralds and Super Sonic are accessible.Masochists will be delighted with the “Untouchable” achievement, whichwill probably leave even the most experienced gamers hurling choicevocabulary at their screens as they attempt to survive the finaleunscathed.
Those looking for a fun new Sonic the Hedgehog game with worlds that payhomage to those first titles will be over the moon. Those expecting acarbon copy of the classic Sonic titles, or a game that plays in anidentical manor will no doubt be disappointed – but then again they’vebeen disappointed for a year now.
JUDGMENT: Thumbs Up
Brad
If you read Dreadknux’s review, I agree with most of what he said. He established a fork, however, in the “gameplay” section of his review. I’m in the camp where I will fail the game over its physics and control issues. They’re unacceptable, especially for professional game company with all the money, talent and resources at their disposal, desperate for a good game.
The physics and control of Sonic 4 are not only poor compared to the classic series, but platformers in general. We’ve had momentum in platformers well before Sonic came along in 1991. It’s 2010. Rolling, a signature Sonic move from day one, is completely useless with the spin-dash suffering secondarily. He might as well not be a hedgehog.
With momentum non-existent, the homing attack becomes the only useful attack. Yes. A move invented to aid attacking in a 3D space is the only useful move in a 2D game. It eliminates the need for precision in an already easy game. Homing attack chains over a bottomless pit? Lazy, uninspired and the archetype of 3D Sonic’s problems bleeding into this 2D experience.
Sonic 4 must be played by the designer’s hand for it to be successful. That’s boring. If you stray from that controlled path of speed boosters and springs, you will encounter an issue. You’re not noticing flaws because you’re forced along a given path at “break-neck speed” by those objects that are conspicuously placed to hide said flaws. The game brings a new meaning to the phrase “hold right to win.” While that phrase embodied minimal player input due to lame, speed-based level design with games like Sonic Rush, Sonic 4 redefines it as “hold right to not glitch the game.”
If you turn your TV sideways, there is nothing wrong with Sonic 4.
I’ve been told many times to not compare it to the Genesis games and judge it on its own merit. The irony here is delicious: the game is a sequel. Even more delicious, on its own merit, it’s still a halfhearted effort.
It’s not hard to replicate the old games. It’s not “Naka Magic.” Fans have been replicating the classic Sonic experience across multiple mediums for years. There are guides online for anybody to read and learn from. I mean, how do you fail an open book test?
Since it lacks the gameplay and subtle nuances that made Sonic a star in the first place, Sonic 4 isn’t a Sonic game. It’s a game with Sonic in it. Unfortunately, Sonic’s presence is all a game needs for most of you to buy and enjoy it.
For more, I direct you to Joystiq. Better luck next time.
JUDGMENT: Thumbs Down
