Spoiler Thread (Spoiler Tags Please)

[Stasis]

My hype for this game has risen greatly. Everything looks and feels right, some very nice stage design (such as Splash Hill Act 2) and the CAPSULES RETURN!!! The only problem so far is that no matter how fast he seems to be running, we never really see the wheel-feet animation, which is a shame really.

[Patticus]

I still want Sonic's acceleration to slow down. If they do that then I'll be smitten.

Sonic's acceleration is fine, what needs changing is the way he goes into the right half of the screen when moving right, giving the player no time to react to anything unless s/he spams the spinball. If they just biased the camera toward placing Sonic on the left hand side of the field of vision, or even just maintaining the central position, when moving right, we'd be able to react in time.

[Agent York]

Sonic's acceleration is fine, what needs changing is the way he goes into the right half of the screen when moving right, giving the player no time to react to anything unless s/he spams the spinball. If they just biased the camera toward placing Sonic on the left hand side of the field of vision, or even just maintaining the central position, when moving right, we'd be able to react in time.

I actually think this is because of his settings. He's playing the game on a TV that only supports 4:3 perspective, while it looks like he's playing it in 16:9 perspective. Likely you can change that on the options menu in the 360 and PS3 versions (he's definitely playing the 360 version thanks to a few hints) but still in 16:9 mode so when he goes fast it does that, but if he was using a windscreen like he is set to he'd be able to see perfectly.

[DaBatGuy]

Damn this is just too much, The soundtrack and Splash Hill Act 1 was more than enough to keep me hyped until release. I'm going to do my best not to spoil the rest of the game for myself, as hard as that may be.

[The-Master-Board]

(Videos removed)

Wow, too many updates to keep up with.

First of all:

The more and more I see of this game the less apealing it is. As exciting as it is to see nostalgic things, they are somewhat tainted. Sure everything looks nice, but that's only because it's so closely ripped from the classics, which is one of the problems.

This game does not feel like a sequel, it feels like a rehash. Splash Hill zone isn't a Green Hill zone inspired level, it is Green Hill zone, albiet a poorly redone one. Lost Labyrinth IS just Labyrinth zone, right down to spears on rocks, spiting statue heads, same moving wired platforms, the third level having steep waterfall walls and having to chase Robotnik up the labyrinth - I mean cummon, put a bit more originality into it. We haven't seen Casino Street or Mad Gear yet (although with these leaks we're likely to soon) but I can bet they will feel like nothing more than been-there-done-that cheapened do-overs of Casino Night zone and Metropolis zone.

I know they were trying to channel what made the classics great (though they probably should've had more sleep the day they decided to implement the homing attack) but really, it doesn't feel to me like these are actual levels more than they are a revisit to the original ones (which cheapens the old ones). There is no progression, just look a Sonic 2 compared to Sonic 3, 3 is a direct sequel yet the levels are COMPLETELY different, have different gimmicks, badniks and styles, yet all still feel like the same kind of Sonic whilst having progression.

Sonic 4 feels like a mash up of a whole bunch of ideas that have already come before it, and if this episodic thing is anything to go by then I can only assume we'll be seeing another set of four levels ripped straight out of Sonic2-3 for Episode 2 and rip-offs of a mix between Sonic3-&K for Episode 3.

Why 'o' why does Sonic not curl into a ball when coming out od launches? Please tell me that the player - who never uses the spin dash for some crazy reason - is holding a button or something?? Because if Sonic does that stupid mid air sitting down pose everytime he launches I will be pissed. How are supposed to launch and bounce off badniks getting mad rebound air? That was one of the cool parts of Sonic games.

The homing attack. OH FUCK. What exactly makes this well implemented?? I'd like to know, because as far as I can tell it is the exact same cheap trick, only now used in 2D which makes it even more redundant.

What's more that stupid red crosshair appears on every homing attackable object, so even if I wanted to play this game how it should've been (ie; homing attack-less) I still have to look at that crap on the screen.

This is stupid and niggly, but I hate green bubble shields, and those stupid flower looking invincibilty capsules. Also, Sonic's wheel'o'feet look less like wheels and more like a flattened oblong that Eggman sat on. Seriously that thing is flat and just looks ridiculous.

Sonic's jumping "ball" animation is still weird and offputting as he doesn't spin quite right. What's with the speed boost you get from jumping or homing attacking nothing and jumping? You get a stupid speed boost that renders gradual speed gaining useless. Talking about useless, the spin dash is also USELESS now as it seems Sonic can walk up vertical slopes with minimal effort, plus there's a dash panel every two seconds anyway.

UGH the dash panels. You can tell whoever made these levels has clearly no conception of what made the classics great. It may look pseudo classic but the gameplay is definitely modern. Dash panels for gaining speed and springs for directing you - Sonic 4 is just littered with them, just like modern Sonic games.

Sonic does not, I repeat does not need as many dash panels as steps he takes! This game suffers from the same thing modern Sonic does, what I like to call the game playing itself. There is no need to explore, to have any skill, or to enjoy the levels if all you are doing is pressing the ocassional button whilst the game tour guides you through the level.

Between one button mashes of HA badniks, springs directing you every direction, and dash panels giving you speed rather than you earning it - what exactly are you supposed to do?

I know, go any play a decent classic Sonic game.

Edited March 31, 2010 by Flyboy Fox

[Patticus]

I'm only watching a bit here and there as I don't want to ruin it, but dayum, it's nice looking and sounding game. I am a bit worried by how floaty Sonic still seems to be though, and how long it takes to get the feet wheel going (his pre-wheel run looks bizarre at those speeds)... but with any luck that kind of thing can be tightened up before launch.

[Agent York]

Lost Labyrinth is looking awesome particularly, the boss looked fun, act 1 and 3 looked great (like a mix between Labyrinth Zone, Aquatic Ruin, Hydrocity, Angel Island from Sonic Advance, and Chaos Angel all into one) and with some grand graphics. Act 2 looked a bit frustrating but actually fun to me. It has the type of surrealism to it I can't help but love the developers for going with,

On a side note, I love how Sonic gets air bubbles. He covers his mouth and has an "excuse me" expression on his face after the infamous "Hiccup!" noise. XDDDD

Infinity posted again, and here's what he's got to say:

-He probably won't be posting any more videos since everyone should have a basic idea of how the game is by now

-...though he may post some screenshots of the other stages.

-This is likely the final version of the game he says.

[Marcello]

The videos won'T work for me :-/ Are they on Youtube yet?

[Ekaje]

I refuse to watch anything past Splash Hill Zone, but this pretty much confirms what I've been thinking for a while, that it won't play too much like the classics, not that I really care, especially seeing as it looks great in its own right.

Though Sonic, the Badniks, and Eggman still look too big to me. Probably won't be a problem when it's not recorded from a TV in possibly the wrong screen setting though,

Edited March 31, 2010 by Ekaje

[Patticus]

It doesn't matter if it doesn't play exactly like the classics, so long as it plays well in itself, and the only way we're going to find that out is by playing it.

[DMNBT]

Ugh, watching the Lost Labyrinth Act 2 video made me want to hit the player in the face.

[Flyboy Fox]

Sorry guys but I've been asked to take down any videos of the leaks so as not to spread the leaks any further (haha). So I'm gonna ask that you guys don't post them again. Other sites are getting C&Ds and I'd like us to avoid that if possible and do our best to help SEGA and make life a little easier for poor AAUK here. I know it's tempting, but please avoid reposting the videos - thanks guys! ^^;

[Marcello]

Ugh, watching the Lost Labyrinth Act 2 video made me want to hit the player in the face.

I've only watched the first 40 seconds and I want to hit him in the face, too.

[Agent York]

Sorry guys but I've been asked to take down any videos of the leaks so as not to spread the leaks any further (haha). So I'm gonna ask that you guys don't post them again. Other sites are getting C&Ds and I'd like us to avoid that if possible and do our best to help SEGA and make life a little easier for poor AAUK here. I know it's tempting, but please avoid reposting the videos - thanks guys! ^^;

It's alright Flyboy, I can definitely understand where SEGA is coming from. XD;

On a note, I love Sonic here. He has really grown on me. He may not be chubby and black-eyed, but he has a lot more attitude here than I have seen him have in years. Everything from his subtle movements, reactions, and animations all look so cool and cute all at once.

[Chris]

Hey guys, in order to keep this topic (and the entire issue of the leaks.. which are real, not fake) in check - could any posting of the assets themselves (videos, screenshots, audio) be nonexistent until the game's release or the stages themselves have been officially unveiled? Cheers!

I don't want to limit the discussion on the matter.

[Marcello]

Well thats good, I want to be surprised from the game when I buy it, but when these videos are posted I just have to watch them >_<.

[Agent York]

Related notice, Infinity is actually not making these videos, he's literally in the situation where one of his friends has access to the game. Ahahaha... Funny since you hear that a million times but this time it's true.

[Barry the Nomad]

I will watch any video EXCEPT Super Sonic and Final Boss/credits footage.

[Patticus]

I've only watched the first 40 seconds and I want to hit him in the face, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irNKHSbKqL8

[Sparks]

The only things I'm really bothered by are: The Mine Cart level (LLZ Act 2) and the homing attack. I was never pessimistic about the homing attack, but after seeing what it's like in game, I'm not sure I like it too much.

I mean.. maybe it's because the player was spamming the homing attack button. Maybe that's the case.

Oh and Infinity said that these videos are of first playthroughs of each level.

Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 1 looks sooo awesome. I can't wait to play that level.

Edited March 31, 2010 by 220

[Venom2431]

Holy sh....Is it just me or this game is one huge nostaliga bomb...im so happy watching those videos i just dont know what are people complaining about

[speedfreak]

I really hate how that mine cart level looks. Other than that it's looking good (enough) to me.

[Marcello]

I really hate how that mine cart level looks. Other than that it's looking good (enough) to me.

I didn't watch the whole video, but I think the main reason it looks bad is because the guy playing sucked.

[Barry the Nomad]

I think the problem the leaker is having with the level is that he is treating the triggers as controls for the cart, when in fact they are controls for the level itself.

[speedfreak]

I didn't watch the whole video, but I think the main reason it looks bad is because the guy playing sucked.

Even if he performed the level perfectly I still think it would be an awful idea for an ENTIRE LEVEL. A section of a level would have been fine but for the whole level it's really stupid and not fun looking IMO. I can tell that's one level I'll never replay after completing it.