New 2D Sonic Announced!

[Kalyx triaD]

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/102/1022718/project-needlemouse-working-title-20090908110636059.jpg

And now we wait...

[Juan]

Sonic 4-D Super X Turbo Silver Edition

[Drakul]

I'm thinking it's either a new Sonic game in the style of the old games or it's something to do with Sonic & SEGA all star racing, the Mario Kart clone being developed by the guys behind Outrun.

[Funky Fly]

It'll be gay. They should stick to their non-Sonic games. They tend to be so much better.

[Drakul]

After looking around online for a few seconds, I've found that it is a new 2d Sonic game.

Australia, September 9, 2009 - On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of the ill-fated Dreamcast console, SEGA has just teased a brand new Sonic game. According to the original interview, the game is set to return to the 2D roots of the series - revamped with HD graphics.

'Project Needlemouse', as the game is currently dubbed, is set to debut in 2010 on unspecified consoles.

Sega associate brand manager, Ken Balough, also added "Many liked the daytime stages in Unleashed, but wanted to see a game that plays purely similar to the early games of the Genesis. Project Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots."

According to the teaser trailer, however, "Speed returns in an all new 2D adventure built from the ground up", so expect something akin to the 2D portions of Sonic Unleashed, if Balough's comments are indicative. A werehog has not been sighted as yet and IGN remains cautiously optimistic that it will not appear.

UPDATE: A teaser site has appeared, displaying first glimpses of traditional Sonic platforms from Green Hill Zone.

Source: http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1022718p1.html

Edit: Teaser trailer
<object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AFfNNjiu7LE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AFfNNjiu7LE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>

Edit 2: I had a link to a teaser site but it's been confirmed a fake and not at all related to the new Sonic game.
Misleading Dot-Com had Avant-Garde Green Hill Imagery

Several people had written in to our News Tips system telling us of the existence of Needlemouse.com.

The website contained some pretty trippy photos of what appeared to be from a Green Hill Zone like environment. The renders were trippy enough to convince a large portion of the Sonic community that they were a part of the next Sonic, announced yesterday as Project Needlemouse.

TSSZ News has since confirmed first with a representative from Sega of America that Needlemouse.com has no relation whatsoever to the upcoming Sonic project. Several outlets, including a few major ones, have pointed to the cryptic dot-com as a teaser.

“That site is not connected to our Project Needlemouse,” Kellie Parker of the Sega of America community blog told TSSZ News, responding to our request for comment.

Some in Sonic fandom were hot on the trail before the confirmation came down. A search of the WHOIS entry for Needlemouse.com revealed somewhat convenient timing–the domain was registered on August 21st–but its registrar was not Sega, but rather Dreamhost.com.

So, who placed the artwork online? Some detective work by other fans have indicate a trace to Jono M. Forbes, an Albany, New York based 3D graphic designer. Inquiries are in to him as to his role in all of this. Hope can still be had that Mr. Forbes contributed concept art in some form to Project Needlemouse, but at this point, that appears remote. It’s unclear whether action will be taken by Sega on this matter, either on Mr. Forbes or on someone else. We’ll update you on that component as details become available.

In the end, we are back where we started with Project Needlemouse–with not much, outside of a trailer. TSSZ News will bring you the latest on the project as new details become available. We also appreciate all the readers who wrote in with the web address, which prompted this query.

Source:http://www.tssznews.com/2009/09/09/needlemouse-com-site-a-fake/

[Kalyx triaD]

I know it's very easy to talk from where I'm at, and maybe SEGA has their reasons...

But it would NOT have taken me nearly a decade of failed off-shoots to return to a formula that people wanted. What the fuck goes on at those business meetings.

[Outsider]

A new version of the old style sonic, with more powerful graphics and speed and stuff, could work very, very well.

[Funky Fly]

A new version of the old style sonic, with more powerful graphics and speed and stuff, could work very, very well.

They've been doing it on the DS for ages. :-\

[Drakul]

Hey there SEGA fans!

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for. In the months since we announced a special little game code named Project Needlemouse, you guys have bombarded us with great interest and questions about what the game might be, who that figure in the silhouette really is, and when we were going to start releasing more info about the game.

Well, read closely and rejoice – because today, we’re finally ready to start talking to you guys more about what Project Needlemouse is all about!

This week, we’re going to reveal a full list of playable characters in Project Needlemouse - if you guys can live up to our oldschool Sonic challenge, that is! Here’s how it works:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4265851561_c7ba867eea.jpg

1: The Details: Each name on the picture above is a potential playable character in Project Needlemouse. However, not all of them are going to make the cut – and each day this week until Friday, we’re going to update this picture with a rejected stamp over those who will not actually be showing up!

2: The Challenge: Answer our trivia questions about oldschool Sonic games! (Genesis era) We’ll post trivia questions each day on a specific part of our SEGA/Sonic sites, and you all have to work together to figure out the right answers and post them there! Each day we’ll challenge you guys to get a certain number of people to post the correct answers – and if you meet that challenge, we’ll remove more names from the picture in a new blog the following day!

*About Bonus Points: If you go above and beyond the expected results, the community will earn a bonus point for that day. Earn at least three bonus points and we’ll give you all something special this Friday!

3: The Schedule:
•Monday: SEGA Blogs
•Tuesday: SEGA/Sonic Facebook
•Wednesday: Official Sonic Forum
•Thursday: SEGA Twitter


Taken from here (http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/11/project-needlemouse-character-countdown-day-1/). I'm sure the speacial something will be an actual trailer.

[Emperor Smeat]

http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452033569e20120a5b6d54c970c-800wi

Mystery solved. :shifty:

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

PIKACHUUUUU!

[Impact!]

rofl

[Brujesino]

:rofl:@pikachu

[Xero]

LOL

[Savio]

:lol:

[Xero]

lol now I can't stop seeing Pikachu in a sombrero when I see that picture.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/needlemouse_day_1235-small.jpg

SONIC'S NEW FRIEND MR. NEEDLEMOUSE IS STILL THERE!!

[Drakul]

Happy Friday everyone!

The big day is finally here. After a week of blog comments, facebook posts, forum threads, and twitter updates, we have arrived at the end of the Needlemouse Character Countdown – and we think many of you are going to be pleased with the results.

First off, some well deserved kudos to all of you out there in the Sonic community! Together, you broke the records for most/fastest comments on any SEGA Blog entry, ever. On Tuesday, you did the same for Facebook statuses. On Wednesday, you guys set a new record for the most amount of users ever logged into our forums. And yesterday, on Twitter, all of us – with some help from Segata Sanshiro – created the biggest push to get SEGA on the trending topics list in history.

What you all have accomplished in these last five days is something you should be proud of. It speaks to the passion that drives many of us who still have so much hope for Sonic, and for the games he stars in.

Today, we are about to break the trend that has continued on for many years. To the thousands of you out there asking for a game where Sonic is the only playable character – rejoice. As of today, your wish has been granted

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4276408713_b15c435ef1_o.jpg

In Project Needlemouse, there will be no new characters – playable or otherwise. The focus will remain solely on one blue hedgehog. If you’re now the most overjoyed person in the world, or even if you’re still curious about more, let us know in the comments below!

In addition, we’re pleased to also present the first piece of Project Needlemouse Concept Art as a bonus – a special thank you to everyone who took the goals we’d set and then raised the bar even higher!

This art reveals an enemy from the game – but at the same time, it also reveals much more about the spirit, and direction, that Project Needlemouse is taking. For all of you older fans who were stoked by the news above, this should be the icing on the cake. Take a look, and click to see the full-sized image.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4276408701_82bfe71a84.jpg

There’s much more in store for Project Needlemouse – including lots more info on the game that is soon to come!

And so, after five days of awesome interaction and thousands upon thousands of correct trivia responses, you all can now take a well deserved break – even if your anticipation levels for this game may have just increased tenfold! We hope you guys are as excited for this game as we are.

From all of us here at SEGA – well done!
Source: here (http://blogs.sega.com/usa/category/project-needlemouse/).
Guess they are going for the "Old-skool" feel more than I thought they would.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Mr Needlemouse, we hardly knew ye :wavesad:

[Drakul]

Rumoured leaked peices of information wirth reading.

UPDATE: Though we have not yet received any cease and desist orders from Sega itself, we have been asked by the original source to remove our story–as they now have–and that request is being considered. At the same time, TSSZ News has learned of information that would confirm some, if not all of the below information–information we are trying to independently verify, and for that reason cannot yet disclose. Be assured we aren’t sitting by idly–we are working hard to bring you the latest details.

Our original story follows below.

Let’s get right to it: The Dutch website SegaOnline is citing an anonymous source that is claiming to know a lot more about Project Needlemouse than anyone right now. We’d like to share that information with you.

Their report states that Needlemouse will be called Sonic 4. That had been referred to as an internal name by 1UP.com yesterday.

SegaOnline’s source claims that the game will only be for XBOX Live and the Playstation Network. That is something that has been hinted at previously by Sega employees. It looks increasingly likely that Wii users will be shutout of the next proper Sonic.

But here’s something no one saw coming–the game will be the first in a series.

Their source claims a name of Sonic 4: Episode 1. While that indicates piecemeal content, the downloads will be a full game, according to the information SegaOnline sent into us via News Tips:

Sonic 4 Episode 1, is going to be a full game. So that means 7 chaos emeralds and of course the purpose of defeating Dr. Eggman. You start in the Splash Hill Zone and finish in the E.G.G. Station zone.

Yes, those are zone names. Splash Hill Zone and E.G.G. Station Zone appear to be in, according to the source. We don’t know how many other zones are to be expected, but 7 with some special stages in the mix may be a good bet right now.

Their information claims the classic structure of acts and zones will be returning, but it’s not clear whether that means a 3 act or 2 act structure.

They, like us, are treating the information as rumor because of the nature of the source, and Sega has yet to comment on the report. However, in recent days, SegaOnline has been a very reliable source on Sonic information; they were first in the world to reveal Sonic Adventure’s re-release to XBOX Live before it was C&Ded, and proper screenshots were released. That’s why we’re taking the information seriously, and that’s why you should too.

We will wait for word from Sega on this story, a developing story. TSSZ News will follow up with anything more that we hear. We give great thanks to SegaOnline for tipping us off via our News Tips system.

Source here (http://www.tssznews.com/2010/01/22/eu-report-dishes-on-project-needlemouse/).

[Emperor Smeat]

Would sort of suck if it wasn't on the Wii as well since it can do episodic style games and Sega did have its current gen Sonic games sell the most with the Wii versions.

Sort of not liking the idea of it as an episodic style game though. Might as well put up the Sonic Hype chart : http://i.imgur.com/4NPpK.jpg

[Drakul]

I"m not sure how it can be called episodic if it features a full game with 7 zones, emeralds and Dr Robotnik.
Episodic would be the first 2 zones and then a "To be continued" screen.

[Xero]

It's the longest-running weekly episodic video game in history!

[Emperor Smeat]

SEGA Did You Know?

Sonic Night Raw had higher ratings than Mario and friends, the return of "24" and a bologna sandwich combined!

[Xero]

SEGA Did You Know?

People have downloaded "Sonic The Hedgehog" more times than "New Super Mario Bros. Wii"!

[Mr. Nerfect]

http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/needlemouse_day_1235-small.jpg

I guessed they would get rid of everyone besides Sonic. This return to roots is more than overdue for Sonic. And sure, you might still have Nintendo DS games for Sonic's 2D adventures, but the home consoles just seem to generate more interest when it comes to classic gaming. Look at the stir New Super Mario Bros. is stirring on the Wii. SEGA fucked up the Sonic franchise in the past, though -- I hope we don't see them do it again.

And that figure on the Sonic emblem looks so much like the Pokemon Lombre. Don't ask me how I have a clue who the fuck that is.

[Drakul]

Another Project Needlemouse challenge:

The Challenge: Submit over 100 (total) pieces of Concept Art of your favorite oldschool Badniks to SEGA! Show us which enemies you want to see in Project Needlemouse!


The Reward: If the challenge is met, next week we’ll reveal:

•Project Needlemouse’s Actual Name
•Concept Art from the first Zone
•A very cool extra bonus…

What to use: Alright! Now that we have your attention, on to the specifics. You can create the concept art in Photoshop, on paper, in Microsoft Paint, via crayon, or using pretty much any worthwhile medium that gets the point across. (Create it from something notably awesome – like, say, Oreos – and you will get a bonus spotlight!) The limit is one piece of concept art per person.

Submitting your concept art: Next, send it our way! You’ve got a few options here, so just pick the one that’s easiest for you.

1. Post it here in a comment! Host it on an external site like Photobucket.com, and then comment here on the Blog with a link to your art.

2. E-mail us! If you’re a little shy about showing off your work to the world, you can also send it to us via e-mail: communityteam@sega.com !

3. PM us! If you’ve got a Forum or SEGA Pass account, you can send a private message to RubyEclipse on the SEGA forums with your art. If you already have a forum account, you’re all set!

If you guys can send in a cumulative total of over 100 pieces of concept art by Monday morning at 10:00 AM, you’re in for a very special treat in the days following. This will be our final community challenge for Project Needlemouse - and it will also be one of the last times we refer to the game by its code name. If you thought the first concept art was cool, then trust us – things are about to get a whole lot more interesting. We will also be updating throughout the week and weekend to let you know how close you are!


And another peice of concept art:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4309916425_bd4308916d.jpg

Source: http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/27/project-needlemouse-community-challenge-2-new-concept-art-and-a-very-special-reward/

I may doodle something and send it in. Anyone else? The "very cool bonus" will be a trailer, no doubt, if they're going to reveal it's name and the first zone.

[Savio]

I will if I remember

[Drakul]

If you follow the link in my last post and click the concept art there (the one I posted above) you get a larger version of it. Save it, right click it, go to properties and then summery and they have put in a comment

The fact that you're actually looking in the comments section of this image speaks volumes - and that's a good thing. So here's an extra crumb for you to follow: February is going to be a very good month.

[Drakul]

I never got around to doing the concept art but they made it anyway.

So, today we got two more peices of art and a 10 second sample of the games music.

The music plays on the SEGA site. If you're in the UK, you'll need to go here:http://www.sega.com/?t=EnglishUSA

The art isn't anything revealing. Just a flower and a tree.

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/4326183302_e0b0b48368.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/4325445765_6f04476638.jpg

We're getting info all week. If anything interesting comes up, I'll post it.

[Drakul]

Teaser trailer:
<object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tv7fTk9Ntr0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tv7fTk9Ntr0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>

Alsom the website is up and it has a page with a little backstory for Sonic in the game. There is a slot for a 2nd character to be revealed.
http://www.sega.com/sonic4/us/index.html

[Xero]

Looks like Mega Man 9 did what I was hoping, creating a surge of 8- and 16-bit-style games.

I am pumped.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Looks like Mega Man 9 did what I was hoping, creating a surge of 8- and 16-bit-style games.

I am pumped.

I'm not. Capcom were still churning out high-class games before that, Sega are not.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Pretty much sums it up for me:

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4 (http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/2010/02/sonic-the-hedgehog-4/)

Blimey, never thought we’d be typing those words in that particular order. Let’s try typing that again, and see how it feels…
Sonic The Hedgehog 4.
Felt pretty good. We’re probably supposed to be excited about this, but we’re going to hold off on the exclamation marks until we know who’s doing the development. There’s a chance it’s been outsourced to Backbone Entertainment (http://www.backboneentertainment.com/), and we don’t want to be excited about something that’s going to turn out shit with button presses that lag half a second behind the action.
http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/sonic-4-screen_1-small.jpg (http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/sonic-4-screen_1.jpg)
There are some screenshots and facts about Sonic 4 (typing felt nice) on Gamespot (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6249457.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;1). We have not got around to reading any of the facts yet. We are too scared. We have not yet “come to terms” with this development.
http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/sonic_4_1-small.jpg (http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/pics7/sonic_4_1.jpg)
VG247 (http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/04/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-announced-for-ps3-360-wii/) comment-leavers point out that a trailer can be viewed over at Jeux Video (http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2010/00040335-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-1.htm#container1lienVoirDirectementlaVideo). It shows literally THREE SECONDS of the new game and contains Comic Mischief.

[Drakul]

I'm looking forward to the game. I'm not looking forward to it in the way I'm looking forward to RDR but I'm still looking forward to it.

The second the trailer went up, the bitching started. People complaining that it looks like Sonic Rush or that Sonic isn't the original look or the physics aren't right. Everyone was saying it would be crap after seeing 3 seconds of gameplay, 5 months before the game is even out.

That reminds me, the game is due for July 2010 and is also going to be on the iPhone. SEGA are pretty bad at keeping secrets. Someone looked through the websites files as soon as it went up and found that stuff out before it was announced.

[Xero]

Wait what? How the fuck could anyone tell from that video that the physics aren't right?

[Drakul]

Something about the way he went up a hill in the 3 second gameplay footage. Usual nitpicking. I'm hoping they weren't serious.

[Xero]

Well, the way he went up the hill it's sped up if you watch the timer.

I know it's not important and no one here said that, just saying,

[DAMN iNATOR]

Accidentally made a new topic about this game...a mod can feel free to delete that. Sorry.:$

[Drakul]

Leaked gameplay footage. SEGA is getting it taken down everywhere so, hopefully this'll last:
http://vodpod.com/watch/3063345-sonic-4-leaked-video

embedding it didn't work.

1up had it up but it was taken down at SEGAs request. You can see a few things showing it's likely still an early version of the game. Sonic tries to go through a loop and it wont let him for the first few tries.

[Xero]

You know what? After seeing that I have to agree the physics are fucked.

That better be a very, very early build.

[Drakul]

The video is called "Sonic 4 Alpha Splash Hill Gameplay" so I'm guessing it is very early.

[Drakul]

Three new leaked screenshots. One of them shows the first boss battle.
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/522/192168169image2.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7653/192168169image4.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8911/sonic4newscreen.jpg

[Juan]

When is this due to be released again?

[Drakul]

They just said "summer 2010" but someone poked around the games website and found the release date as June 2010.

[Kalyx triaD]

Jim Stirling has an article on Destructoid that rips apart bitches complaining about Sonic 4. He hates when gamers shun revisions then bitch and moan when something is essentially recreated. Gamers are a finicky bunch.

[Drakul]

Achievements revealed:
No images yet but they should update themselves.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/+bTwtg==.jpg The Story Begins: Clear SPLASH HILL ZONE, ACT 1. 5G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/+5X5Aw==.jpg Crush Dr. Eggman: Defeat a boss for the first time. 5G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/+nUBkA==.jpg The First Chaos Emerald: Acquire a Chaos Emerald. 5G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-9fqaQ==.jpg Enemy Hunter: Defeat 1,000 enemies. 10G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-jcS+g==.jpg Golden Flash: Clear all Acts as Super Sonic. 10G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-BYbTw==.jpg All Stages Cleared!: Defeat the final boss and view the ending. 10G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-fbj3A==.jpg Contender: Upload your recorded scores and clear times for all stages. 10G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-tH30g==.jpg Ring Collector: Collect all the Rings in 'Special Stage 1' and Clear the stage. 15G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-zEPQQ==.jpg Immortal: Build up 99 or more extra lives. 25G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-I-igA==.jpg Super Sonic Genesis: Acquire all seven Chaos Emeralds. 30G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-q7rNQ==.jpg Speed's My Game: Clear SPLASH HILL ZONE ACT 1 in less than a minute. 35G

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/1208/-04Tpg==.jpg Untouchable: Clear the E.G.G. STATION ZONE without taking any damage. 40G

[Xero]

Ugh, "Dr. Eggman".

[Kalyx triaD]

* Episode 1 is a prologue to the main story
* Tails and Knuckles are teased to return in Episode 2
* Moves include: Spin Dash, Rolling Attack, Homing Attack and a fourth mystery one
* Classic special stages will be returning
* The graphics aren't 3D, but CG pre-renders
* If you don't get all the Chaos Emeralds, you'll receive a classic "Try Again" ending. Getting all the emeralds results in a cliffhanger tease for Episode 2

[#BROKEN Hasney]

* Classic special stages will be returning


But WHICH ones?!

[Kalyx triaD]

???

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Like Sonic 1, 2 or 3 special stages. I hated 2's special stages with a passion for some reason.

I personally enjoyed the Master System way of getting emeralds, hiding them in the levels.

[Kalyx triaD]

???

[Drakul]

SEGA official revealed the first zone. Splash Hill Zone:

Music:<object width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/revye-QAU_E&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/revye-QAU_E&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/08.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/07.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/06.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/05.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/04.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/03.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/02.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/01.jpg

[Kalyx triaD]

Sexy. Funny how the Sonic fans still bitch about something they've asked for since forever.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Who the hell is "the Sonic"?

[Kalyx triaD]

I've been doing that a lot lately.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://video.destructoid.com/#120949

[Xero]

Sexy. Funny how the Sonic fans still bitch about something they've asked for since forever.

Sonic fans hate (most of) the 3D games. If they redo the 2D engine and make it crap, Sonic fans have a right to bitch.

Maybe it's too early to bitch (I'm still excited myself, just worried), but if the game releases and is shit, you're going to say they should just accept what's shoveled to them?

[Kalyx triaD]

They're bitching now. And they been bitching at a few seconds of gameplay footage way before a proper trailer touched down.

Gamers are a finicky bunch.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I just don't understand how it's any different to people being excited for a new game in a series when the previous ones have been great.

[Kalyx triaD]

You know they began an online petition against this game? While I guess you can say pre-ordering a game is the anti-thesis of that - the positive position usually doesn't have the gull to directly tell developers how to develop their games.

In other words - not the same.

[BigDaddyCool]

Is there a video game you don't have a strong opinion on, Kalyx?

[Khuntry]

Is there a video game you don't have a strong opinion on, Kalyx?

How about you really carefully read the last couple of posts then try again..

[BigDaddyCool]

How about you really carefully read the last couple of posts then try again..

I'm not even talking to you, retard.

[Kalyx triaD]

I'm sure he's missing out, racist.

[Kalyx triaD]

Or is that me now? According to some guy somewhere.

[BigDaddyCool]

I'm sure he's missing out, racist.

Or is that me now? According to some guy somewhere.

You aren't even talking to anyone with these...

[Kalyx triaD]

Talking to you, racist.

[BigDaddyCool]

Hmmmm, interesting, so what exactly are you saying?

[Kalyx triaD]

I'm saying some jackass is calling me a racist.

[BigDaddyCool]

K, what does this have to do with me?

[Kalyx triaD]

Racism. It has everything to do with you.

[BigDaddyCool]

So someone calls you a racist and you get mad at me?

[Kalyx triaD]

Stop asking questions and apologize.

[BigDaddyCool]

I'm sorry you are an auspie retard that can't stand being wrong.

[Kalyx triaD]

Well you stop asking questions.

[BigDaddyCool]

Did I?

[BigDaddyCool]

Also, is there a video game you don't have a strong opinion on?

[Kalyx triaD]

Also, is there a video game you don't have a strong opinion on?

NBA Live. I'm utterly indifferent to it's existence. Same for it's 2K rival.

[BigDaddyCool]

K, that is all.

[Xero]

k

[Khuntry]

The fact that Sonic 4 is gonna episodic kinda annoys me just a little bit.

[BigDaddyCool]

k

Will 2 Bit Big Show be in it?

[Kalyx triaD]

The fact that Sonic 4 is gonna episodic kinda annoys me just a little bit.

I think there's a troll in the company...

"Hey, how about a game that mixes side-scrolling with head on-"

"WEREWOLF! No... WEREHOG!"

"A new adventure where you collect-"

"Give him a fucking sword!"

"Fuck this. Let's make a direct sequel to the 16bit ga-"

"Split up the story, and sell it piece by piece!"

"Who even are you?"

"It's a-me! Mario!"

[Xero]

Well, they're apparently doing it for the size limit. Which we all know can be broken.

Another reason I saw is that "no one is going to pay $60 retail" for it. That brings up the question, how much and how many "episodes"?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yeah, but people suck it up when it's done in little bits because they don't have to buy it all.

People love false economies.

[Khuntry]

I think there's a troll in the company...

"Hey, how about a game that mixes side-scrolling with head on-"

"WEREWOLF! No... WEREHOG!"

"A new adventure where you collect-"

"Give him a fucking sword!"

"Fuck this. Let's make a direct sequel to the 16bit ga-"

"Split up the story, and sell it piece by piece!"

"Who even are you?"

"It's a-me! Mario!"

lol!:lol:

[Drakul]

The Sonic 4 Episode 1 soundtrack has leaked.

Zip found here: http://www.mediafire.com/?mjmymynz1lo

My opinions:
Some of it seems 'meh' but some, like the invincability jingle, aren't too bad. The final boss theme had me thinking it was going to be the same one from Sonic 3 because the first few seconds sound like it, then I realised it was a totally new peice of music. Maybe it'll seem better once I actually hear it during the game.

Edit: It's sounding a little better now that I'm listening to it long enough to make a better judgement. Not bad.

[Drakul]

Another "leak", this time showing the first act from start to finish. Two leaks in two day...wow.

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[Drakul]

Another leak has just happened. This time it's screens of a new zone.

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/imgp0386j.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/imgp0387.jpg

http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/imgp0388h.jpg

I'm starting to think these aren't leaks and just some weird marketing thing.

[Fignuts]

Has a price been mentioned?

It better not be much, if we're paying for 3 acts(i.e. 3 levels with the same fucking background and enemies) at a time.

[Kalyx triaD]

I don't believe in leaks anymore.

[Jon Kano]

Looks like a SICK ASS game

[Drakul]

Hey, remember that leak? Well, it happened again. It's less of a "leak" and more of a burst water main.

Acts 1,2,3 of Labyrinth Zone and it's boss fight.

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<div class="postmeta">



The videos aren't showing up here but I've put the right html code down. The same as the other video. Weird. Maybe it's just me. If you can/can't see it, let me know.

Edit: Well, it looks like the videos aren't working but I've put them in a zip folder as a WMV, so you can DL all the leaked videos so far here (http://rapidshare.com/files/370586068/Sonic_4_Lab.zip.html).

[Drakul]

And the game is delayed:
SEGA has made the decision to ensure that Sonic 4: Episode I is a game worthy of bearing the weight of its name. To do so, we’ve decided to extend the game’s development – and, for the first time ever, we’ve mixed internal suggestions alongside fan feedback to make some new, positive changes to the game.

Yes, you just read that correctly. You’re not dreaming.

Because of this, the game will now be releasing in the latter half of this year. Of course, we’re not the kind of people to just go and move a date around without something else to fill that void – so the news gets even better from here.

Source (http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/05/20/the-big-sonic-4-news-is-finally-here/).

[Drakul]

But here is a new trailer:
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[Kalyx triaD]

Hey, it's 1993 again.

[Kalyx triaD]

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[Jeritron]

The music better be great

[BillyBonez]

Why cant sega make a game like Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast again. That game was great it had all the classic elements and was fun, this is like playing a Genesis rom.

[Kalyx triaD]

Sonic Adventure is being rereleased this fall. How do you feel about this?

[BillyBonez]

Sonic Adventure is being rereleased this fall. How do you feel about this?

Can sega do anything new? I thought when they got their ass kicked in the console war, they would focus purely on games and release some good stuff, but instead they keep releasing the same old stuff.

Why would I care about Sonic Adventure being rereleased? I already palayed it and beat it on the Dreamcast back when Sega ripped me off into buying that console. If Sega made a Sonic Adventure 3, now that would be ace.

[Jeritron]

BillyBonez is all about progress. Fuck having fun. We need to keep on pushing video game technology to the edge. This is more important than medical research. If we don't have a cure for glitchy graphics by next decade, millions will be lost

[Jeritron]

Can sega do anything new? I thought when they got their ass kicked in the console war, they would focus purely on games and release some good stuff, but instead they keep releasing the same old stuff.

Why would I care about Sonic Adventure being rereleased? I already palayed it and beat it on the Dreamcast back when Sega ripped me off into buying that console. If Sega made a Sonic Adventure 3, now that would be ace.


Are you saying Dreamcast sucked? It had better graphics than Nintendo 64.

[BillyBonez]

1. Bad graphics means u have less fun because they are distracting and the game world doesnt "pull un in" as much.
2. You can have medical research and improving games, the two are different industries :lol:
3. No Dreamcast was good but I was ripped off cause Sega stopped supporting it really fast so that there was no more new games for it.

[Jeritron]

The game would be able to pull you in more if it had tractor beam technology, which will never be available on consoles thanks to the space program being cancelled. You asked for this.

[Kalyx triaD]

Can sega do anything new? I thought when they got their ass kicked in the console war, they would focus purely on games and release some good stuff, but instead they keep releasing the same old stuff.

Why would I care about Sonic Adventure being rereleased? I already palayed it and beat it on the Dreamcast back when Sega ripped me off into buying that console. If Sega made a Sonic Adventure 3, now that would be ace.


You're arguing in circles, mate.

[Kalyx triaD]

Billy, I don't think you're a troll. You're an idiot, but a redeemable one.

[Jeritron]

Tune in next week when BillyBonez brags about beating Sonic Adventure 2

[BillyBonez]

How am I arguing in circles? I am arguing the points that I make but u guys only say "LOLS we are smarter then u" and thats all u say really.

In fact u guys diss me just so u can dismiss my points and wont have to argue them. Its like at a political debate if one candidate cant beat the others positions he goes personal and says "Well that guy is gay!".

Tune in next week when BillyBonez brags about beating Sonic Adventure 2

Whats the point of this post? I mean REALLY. I didnt even brag about beating SA...

[Jeritron]

LOLS we are smarter then u

[Kalyx triaD]

"Sonic 4 is garbage, they should make a game like Sonic Adventure."

"Sonic Adventure is in fact being released."

"Sonic Adventure is garbage, they should make a game like [vague description of something different]!"

"Sonic Colors is different."

"Sonic Colors is garbage, they should make a game like the Genesis games."

That's not so much you as it was the Sonic community in the last five years but you're certainly cut from the same cloth.

[Jeritron]

How am I arguing in circles? I am arguing the points that I make but u guys only say "LOLS we are smarter then u" and thats all u say really.

In fact u guys diss me just so u can dismiss my points and wont have to argue them. Its like at a political debate if one candidate cant beat the others positions he goes personal and says "Well that guy is gay!".



Whats the point of this post? I mean REALLY. I didnt even brag about beating SA...




The point is this, NASA exploration is a great way to spend money

[BillyBonez]

"Sonic 4 is garbage, they should make a game like Sonic Adventure."

"Sonic Adventure is in fact being released."

"Sonic Adventure is garbage, they should make a game like [vague description of something different]!"

"Sonic Colors is different."

"Sonic Colors is garbage, they should make a game like the Genesis games."

That's not so much you as it was the Sonic community in the last five years but you're certainly cut from the same cloth.

I didnt call Sonic Adventure garbage I said it was a great game for its time and they need to go back to doing something like that again. I dont want the same exact game again, but a new one would be grate.


And NASA is a great way to spend money...if ur a NASA engineer. If ur the people whose tax money is going there, then its a terrible way to spend money. NASA is not efficient at space exploration like government agencies are always inefeccient at doing things. Private competition would encourage better "space exploration". This is why communism fails because all business is controlled by the government, there aint no competition and u get crappy products.

[Kalyx triaD]

Goodbye for now.

[BillyBonez]

Goodbye for now.

Okay see u later good thing u admitted defeat

[Funky Fly]

Why are you feeding the troll?

[Emperor Smeat]

SEGA announced Episode 1 is going to be $15 on everything except for iPhone since its price will be released later.

Sonic 4 will be priced at 1500 Wii Points on WiiWare, 1200 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Arcade, and $14.99 / £9.99 / €12.99 / AU$19.95 on the PlayStation Network.

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/112/1123849p1.html

[Drakul]

Release dates, according to the official site.

XBLA/PSN: 13th of October

WiiWare: 15th of October

iPhone/iPod Touch: 7th October

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Utter trash. Like Sonic 2k6 could have been good without the bugs, but they haven't even designed decent levels here.

Casino zone, there's a cannon that you have to aim to go somewhere. Aiming at the rings (a Sonic staple) leads to dead ends, one of the shots leads to spikes so you have to guess where to go and once you do that, do some precision bouncing on some bumpers before using the homing attack to bounce over.

Then slow down for more cannons and when you can finally pick up some speed, that thing that DIMPS introduced to the Sonic Advance games comes back, massive death pits with no indication that they're coming or that you can't simply jump them.

Music is also ear rapingly bad.

Deleted it for space...

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Actually annoyed. There are fan made Sonic tribute games made in one of those basic game design tools better than this.

[Drakul]

Where did you read that? Or did you somehow get to play it early? Or are you just messing with us?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

iPhone version. The levels are the exact same as the console ones as well.

I really hope I'm wrong and the iPhone version is different and I can play the 360 version or something, but everywhere I read, the levels are the exact same :'(

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The best part is the loading screen because 1) Your childhood memories of a fantastic game are not being raped by gameplay and 2) There's a Sonic 2 sprite running on screen.

Also, no music plays on the loading screen.

[Drakul]

I don't think a phone version of a game is comparable to its console counterpart. I think it's worth trying the console trial when it comes out, just incase it's different.
Haven't sites said Sonic 4 is a really good game, when they spoke of the XBLA/PSN version? I'm sure I've read that somewhere.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

They also said Sonic Advance games were good and I hated those too :|

My complaint is level design and having read around, the levels are designed the exact same way. The only differences are resolution, controls and the fact that iPhone has 2 extra levels.

[The Pope]

So it's downloadable content....

[Drakul]

iPhone version. The levels are the exact same as the console ones as well.

I really hope I'm wrong and the iPhone version is different and I can play the 360 version or something, but everywhere I read, the levels are the exact same :'(

Good news:

This week's Sonic The Hedgehog 4 for Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is not identical to the iPhone version released last week. The controls are different, as are a couple of levels. This (http://kotaku.com/5660787/sonic-4-has-exclusive-levels-for-consoles) is one of the console-exclusives.

I shot this level last week during a Sega showcase. Sonic The Hedgehog 4 is out for the Wii today (Monday), for the PS3 tomorrow and the Xbox 360 on Wednesday.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yeah, I've got the 360 version now. The minecart and pinball levels are not in the console ones, the terrible ones are :'(

[Drakul]

How can you have the 360 version already? It's not out until Wednesday.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

There's been a release candidate out since May, just had to play it on my friends JTAG'd console.

There's a few bugs, but the design of the levels are the same.

[The Pope]

So is it good or not? could you rate the game on a scale of 1 to 10 (1= terrible, 10= awesome)

[Kalyx triaD]

Camera seems close, but it feels like oldschool Sonic.

[Drakul]

The games good but I do have some minor "complaints". The homing attack seems a little picky at times. I'll be about to use it at a critical moment and then the reticle disappears, causing me to just boost into an enemy and die.

I've pretty much finished the game already having gotten to the final boss and more or less beaten him so I'm hoping Ep 2 is just a few weeks away rather than a few months away.

The games really good overall.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Guy on another forum I post at pretty much summed up exactly what I thought by using more effort:

Well, my curiosity got the better of me, and I gave it a whirl. Here are my thoughts:

My first impression was moderately favorable. The game largely apes Sonic 2; the visual designs of the stages are clear copies of Green/Emerald Hill, Casino Night, Metropolis, and a weird hybrid of Labyrinth and Aquatic Ruin. The enemies are actual badniks, not the generic lumpy robots from the 3D games. The controls felt mostly right (more on this in a moment), and while it really doesn't bring any new ideas to the table, at least it's not terrible... that's a pretty low bar, but already enough to make it the best console Sonic game in the last decade.

I'll admit, the name bugs me a little bit: Calling it Sonic 4 implies a progression--some form of evolution from Sonic 3, which evolved the formula from Sonic 2, which itself saw significant improvements over Sonic 1--but this game is really more of a back-to-basics. It doesn't try anything new; in fact the whole POINT of it is to stick to the roots of the formula. Originally, my reaction was: "Okay, so it's pretty much a Sonic rehash rather than a 'next entry.' Mario, Bionic Commando, and Megaman (amongst others) all did this very well; maybe Sonic can too. Nothing amazing and new, but at least it's doing the old stuff right."

But my only real complaints were the generic music (the Genesis games had some very memorable tunes; this has none. Also, Sonic 1 had some awesomely ominous boss battle music. Whatever happened to that?) and the Sonic character model itself (still using the Adventure design, and the walking/running animations don't feel quite right; they're too slow. Additionally, the spin animations look terrible--as they always have in 3D). However, the game was enjoyable, and hey, it's new old Sonic... which is still fun. The levels are big and colorful, the visual design was very much in line with Sonic 1 and 2, and the levels were big and multi-pathed, just the way they should be.

So, coming out of the first zone and starting to work my way into the second, my impressions were (moderately) favorable.

Then, I got to a section in the third act of the casino zone that involved a series of cannons and bumpers that you had to maneuver through very precisely, otherwise you'd fall back to the bottom and have to start all over. I ran out of time twice trying to get through this section. There were no alternate routes or ways around this part, and in comparison to the rest of the game, it required a ridiculous amount of precision... which itself relied on an intuitive feel for the slightly wonky controls. There was no reason for this section to be designed this way, it was not fun, it wasn't doing anything interesting, and it got in my way of getting through the game. It also brought me to a realization: while the controls are fine, the forward momentum isn't quite right.

Controlling Sonic--especially in the air--is a bit like driving a weak four-cylinder car with overdrive. It starts off a little sluggish, but you hit a certain point where your forward movement just sort of spikes unexpectedly. That's kind of what Sonic is like here. In Sonic 1 and 2, he starts off slow for just a hair, and it's a very smooth and rapid progression to high speed. In Sonic 3, this is abridged a bit by having a higher starting speed, and thus slightly less of a (still-smooth) ramp. In Sonic 4, you start off slow, and the acceleration is more like a hyperbolic curve. It doesn't feel right, and it makes it particularly difficult when you have to do some mid-air maneuvering to hit specific targets... such as bouncing around on the aforementioned bumpers. Your character will be falling too slowly to reach your target, and then all of a sudden you'll hit the spike in acceleration and overshoot your target at the last second. Physics in Sonic have always felt a little jury rigged (to make loops and wall running and whatnot work), but this just flat-out feels broken.

And to jump back to the previous point: the level design is questionable in places. A level will be moving along just fine, feeling like a Sonic level should, then you'll just run into something wrong or out of place. In the Labyrinth-ripoff zone, this takes the form of a dark level that's only marginally lit by a torch, and features sections where you have to precisely light torches and time jumps to manipulate platforms. It feels thrown in just for the sake of saying "See? We did *something* new!" It doesn't work, it's not fun, and it feels both out of place and broken. In the Metropolis-ripoff zone, this took the form of a series of boulders you had to roll along on top of, as they fell through a series of chutes. In one of the old games, if you'd fallen off of one of these boulders, you would have either fallen to a "lower" path or (in a worst-case scenario; think Sandopolis) ended up in a loop that took you back to the beginning of the puzzle. But in Sonic 4, you just fall into a giant endless pit, where you die when you hit the bottom of the screen. Classic Sonic doesn't do that; in fact, that's one of the most memorable traits of Sonic level design, at least to me. There are no pits of nothingness. There may be one or two spike pits, but everything connects in some way. You don't just fall off the screen, unless it's a glitch. The GBA Sonic games had one or two pits, but not enough to really be noticeable; they mostly remained true to the Genesis designs. However, this problem got really bad in the Sonic Rush games... and here it is again.

It was nice that--for the first time in I can't even remember how long--they didn't try to bog the game down with any dialogue or cutscenes whatsoever. They also give you an overworld map, which I can understand for replay value--that way you can just jump in and replay the levels you want to--but doesn't quite make sense as implemented. As it stands, you can go to any level at any time, even if you haven't beaten the ones leading up to it. The only restriction is that the boss battles are locked until you beat all three acts in a zone, and the final boss is locked until you beat all the boss battles. This is unnecessary, and it kind of takes away from the feeling of progression and accomplishment. Sonic 1 and 2 had straight level-to-level progression, and Sonic 3 had acts that flowed into each other, and zones progression smoothed by quick transitional animations. That would feel the most natural; the stage select is nice from a usability standpoint, but they really should have only given you access to a level after beating it. Just a personal preference.

I don't think I have to spend too much time discussing the price. $15 is a bit high for a download, especially considering this is only the first quarter of the game. As a result, the full game will be $60, which is the full retail price of a new title. If that's what they wanted to do, they should've just released it on disc, rather than abusing the download feature to keep price fixed at initial retail. As it stands, the game is overpriced.



So, that's that. In short:

- Sonic 4 is better than any console Sonic in the last 10 years. It is better than the Sonic Rush games, and about on par with the Sonic Advance games.
- It is overpriced, and due to being DLC rather than a physical entity, it always will be.
- It feels more like a rehash than a "next entry." It does feel a little like Sonic Team giving up, but their attempts at keeping Sonic fresh have been so abysmal that maybe this is the better choice. The old stuff done well is better than horrible new stuff.
- The character animation sucks, and there's something slightly off about his movement physics. However, the controls are responsive, and the rest of the artwork is just fine.
- The level design is a mixed bag. It feels "right" most of the time, but occasionally (about once per zone) you'll just run into a big wall of stupid.

All in all, I'd say it feels more like the best Sonic fan game ever rather than the next real entry in the series. It is worth playing, but it's probably not worth the price tag.

I will say that even if it played like Sonic 3, I wouldn't say it was worth the cash they're charging per episode, there's just not enough content there.

[Drakul]

I'm not sure why people find the Casino Zone cannon section so hard. I breezed through it. You just jump into the cannon, aim at the cluster of rings in whichever direction and fire away. If that just leads to a 10-ring powerup, just fire straight upwards next time.

I did think the torch lighting bit to open and close platforms was a bit rubbish, though.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I didn't find it too hard once I knew the direction, I just thought "You want me to do WHAT in a Sonic game?!"

[Drakul]

I feel the same way everytime I have to go through a water based level in any Sonic game. Sonic's about speed, so why do they want me to crawl across the seabed for 15 minutes?

[Drakul]

Who else has bought the game? According to the friends section of the leaderboards, it's just me and Khuntry.

The games actually really good but too short. I was hoping episode 2 would be out in a month or two but I've read they haven't even started on it yet and it could be as far away as September 2011.
That's less of an "episode" and more of sequel. I'd have thought episodes would have been released much closer togethor.

I've just got one achievement to get and one more Avatar Award and I'm at 100% with the game.

The leaderboards are already screwed with people having Time Attack scores of 0:00:00 and Score Atack scores of 999999999999. At 1st place on every single board is some guy called No1SonicFan or something. I reported him for cheating/tampering and some other people to but nothing get's done, does it?

[Kalyx triaD]

Actually I think we got it. Not sure, I just seen them playing it.

[Khuntry]

This game is definitely not worth the price imo.

[G]

It's worth the price I paid, $3. I'm having a hard time beating the boss on Lost Labyrinth. Always get caught in the walls.

[Chavo Classic]

This game is definitely not worth the price imo.

The game is way too short. Some of the achievements are fun to get (completing the first zone in under one minute was satisfying once I figured that one), but overall it's not worth 1200 MS points.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Sonic Fan Remix is where it's at

http://www.destructoid.com/sonic-fan-remix-project-demo-now-available

http://sonicfanremix.com/screenshots/Act1_02.jpg

[Fignuts]

Three words, for all of you complaining about this:

Super Meat Boy

Your disappointment will be washed away by 2d platforming bliss.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yuji Naka retweeted that Sonic Fan Remix is 256 times better than Sonic 4 :heart:

[Khuntry]

Totally agree with Yuji there. Wish there was some sort of boss battle in that demo

[Xero]

Sonic Fan Remix is where it's at

http://www.destructoid.com/sonic-fan-remix-project-demo-now-available

http://sonicfanremix.com/screenshots/Act1_02.jpg

This will get quashed very soon by Sega. Bank on it.

[Khuntry]

Sega could at least learn a little bit from this before they do.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Hope not. Sega have never gone after fan projects before. Really hope they've not changed much.

[Khuntry]

Got a point there. Why start now

[Nowhere Man]

I really honestly loved playing it (although the Lost Labyrinth boss fight was utter bullshit). Not a perfect game-- there were a few parts that seemed unnecessarily difficult just out of bad design-- and the levels seem to be based around trial-and-error design, in that you'll only be able to avoid certain enemies and traps if you've already been hit by them and know they're coming next time. My biggest gripe is that it's just too damn short for the fifteen bucks.

Don't know if it was worth the price, but it's still a blast to play.

(also, was anyone else disappointed that the bonus levels are like the ones from Sonic 1 instead of Sonic 2?)

[Drakul]

I really enjoy playing the game aswell. What bit's were unnecessarily difficult? The only one I can think of is the part in the dark level where you have to light certain torches and not other ones to get past but that was more annoying and pointless than unnecessarily difficult. I really didn't like the homing attack at first because it seems to be a little tempremental at times, showing me I could home in on an enemy and then changing it's mind when I press A and end up dashing into the enemy mid air and losing my rings. I seem to have gotten used to it now, though.

It is a little short for the price to say the least. 800 points would have made more sense than 1200.

I thought the bonus stages were fine but did get frusterating a couple of times. Mainly because of those stupid bumpers. I think Episode 2 will have bonus stages from Sonic 2 because I think Sonic 4 is going to be some kind of "reboot". Episode one is Sonic 1 with just Sonic going solo. Episode 2, I'm betting will have Tails in it and if they do an Episode 3, we'll see Knuckles again, I'm sure.

I'm 99.9% complete with this game. I've got all the Chaos emeralds, I'm very close to the top on a lot of the leaderboard, I've got 999 lives and I have 1 of 2 Avatar Awards. I just can't get the last one even though it's insanely easy to get, I miss out by just one or two rings.

[Drakul]

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I saw an interview the other day where they said the game would feature a new graphics engine and a new physics engine.

[Drakul]

Ok, I think the 360 has info and screens up early. I stumbled across them. 10 screens but only 3 are viewable.

Incase you can't see them, the screens show a night time temple stage with Sonic & Tails doing what looks like a team attack. It looks like a spin attack but Sonic & Tails are in a sort of "tombstone piledriver" position. An enemy on screen is clearly based on a boss from Sonic 2 on the Master System and Gamegear, a pig like robot.

Another screen shows them under water with Tails pulling Sonic up through some underwater caves.

The final screenshot is a Bonus Stage which is very similar to the Bonus Stage in Sonic 2 for the Megadrive/Genesis.

Reading the games marketplace description, the text does mention they will have "ingenious combination moves" and we can play co-op both locally and online.

Told Kotaku, incase it is a leak. Given I can only view 3 screens and it mentions online co-op, it could be. I'd imagine they'd announce online co-op and tag moves in a trailer rather than just throw it up on the marketplace.

[Drakul]

Ok, they corrected the error and the screens are no longer visable on the games marketplace page. Luckily, I took a photo of each of the 3 screens with my (crappy) phone. TPWW exclusive.

Sonic and Tails in a tombstone ██████████
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/Drakul_bites/s4e2a.jpg

Sonic and Tails underwater:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/Drakul_bites/s4e2b.jpg

Bonus stage. Not wure why this turned out smaller than the others:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/Drakul_bites/s4e2c.jpg

[Kalyx triaD]

Nice.

[Emperor Smeat]

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/588/screenlg1-620x-2_1.jpg

Some debates regarding if there will actually be a purple version of Sonic or if it is only due to the new lighting effects Sega said they've added to the game. Sega hasn't confirmed nor deny a purple Sonic as a character but he does show up in other screens.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/sonic-4-episode-2-getting-purple-sonic

[Captain of Fun]

Bought sonic cd. So much better than this new crap.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

If you can get Sonic Generations cheap, do it just for the first half of the game which is fantastic.

Once you get past the Sonic Adventure levels, level design goes downhill, but the awesomeness of the first half is not diminished.

[Drakul]

I Enjoyed SG. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the end boss. Everything else was fine.

[Iop]

They should really make a game where Sonic and Mario team up agaist Bowser and Doctor Robotnick. It would be the greatest platformer ever made.

[Mooияakeя™]

Actually a good idea, specially for a 2D game, unique to that design would defo make it sell more. Would be far quicker to make too.

Pixel art isn't dead!

[Drakul]

People have been wanting it since they started doing cross overs. There were even rumours that Sonic was in Mario Galaxy 2 because certain screens showed areas too steep for mario to run up. Then we found out it was Yoshi.

If they haven't done a cross over platformer by now, I don't think they ever will. It'll just be Olympic minigames and, maybe, the next Smash Bros.

[Drakul]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lCYbmTL_fTM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

Sega says Episode 2 will probably be the last episode and if a third episode were to be made, it probably would take a lot longer to arrive than Episode 2.

"We are looking forward to hearing the feedback from the users for Episode 2, but we are currently not planning to release another episode. We just want to see how the users accept this episode."

http://www.screwattack.com/news/further-sequels-sonic-hedgehog-4-not-currently-planned

[Emperor Smeat]

A bunch of new screens released with a boss battle shown and Metal Sonic as a playable character.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/588/6831742660_08a6d3bc67-1.jpg

http://www.screwattack.com/news/sonic-4-episode-ii-new-screenshots-released

[Emperor Smeat]

PSN gets the game on May 15, XBLA gets the game on May 16.

PC and iOS will be launched at a later date in May but wasn't revealed when. Android users have to wait until June and Windows mobile users are last with a July release.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/sonic-4-episode-2-slated-may-release

[Emperor Smeat]

Sega is giving away a free third episode sort of for those who purchase both Episode 1 and Episode 2. The only catch is both have to be on the same system for the deal to take effect.

It is being called Sonic 4: Episode Metal.
The Game will feature Metal Sonic as the primary playable character where you play through Stardust Speedway Zone from Sonic CD, all zones of Sonic 4: Episode 1, and a rumored 3 or 4 exclusive zones that only Metal Sonic can play.

There might be a paid version for those who don't purchase both episodes and just want the Metal episode although nothing confirmed so far.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/looks-there-will-be-third-episode-sonic-4-after-all

[Emperor Smeat]

Online co-op confirmed and Sega explained how co-op works when playing with the AI and with another person.

"This is available in both the single player adventure, where players control Sonic and only control Tails when in the combination moves, but also in two-player mode (both online and local) where a player controls each character and they share combination move duties... Furthermore Episode II features a brand new graphics and physics engine so the game looks better than ever and Sonic feels like he did in the days of the Mega Drive."

http://www.screwattack.com/news/co-op-revealed-sonic-4-episode-2