Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Encyclopedia
is an episodic platform video game
and a sequel
in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The game was developed by Dimps
alongside members of Sonic Team
and is intended to be inspired by and similar to the original Sonic the Hedgehog titles on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
Episode I was released in October 2010 with slight variations in exact date and price among its six platforms, iOS, PlayStation Network, WiiWare
, Xbox Live Arcade
and Windows Phone 7
. Episode II is currently in development and will be released in 2012.
manages to destroy Doctor Eggman's space station, he decides it is time to take a much deserved break. After parting with his companions Tails
and Knuckles
, Sonic sets off to explore new territories alone.
However, unbeknownst to him, his nemesis, Dr. Eggman, has survived their last encounter, and has revisited and improved some of his very best robotic creations in another attempt to defeat Sonic. Sonic must travel through a variety of zones to defeat Dr. Eggman once again.
The first episode sees Sonic traveling through four main zones: Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear, facing against Dr. Eggman as he reuses and enhances some of his old creations and contraptions, culminating in a battle in his E.G.G. Station. If the game is finished with all seven Chaos Emeralds collected, a post-credits cut scene is shown, teasing the audience with the appearance of Metal Sonic
as a character to appear in the next episode.
Episode II
Episode II, which is currently in development, will primarily focus on Sonic's rivalry with Metal Sonic, following their last encounter during the events of Sonic CD
.
side-scrolling
platformer
reminiscent of the original Sonic games. Players control Sonic the Hedgehog, using mechanics such as the original spin dash and power-ups including the Bubble Shield and Speed Shoes. New to Sonic 4 is the Homing Attack, seen in recent 3D Sonic titles, which zooms Sonic towards either an enemy or an interactive object in the field, such as a bumper.
Unlike the first three classic Sonic games, after completing the first act the player is able to freely choose which zone to play via a world map, or choose to play them sequentially one after the other. Each of the four zones contains three acts followed by a separate boss battle act, rather than the boss being included at the end of the third act. The boss battles, similar to the zones themselves, are similar to and inspired by the boss battles and zones from older Sonic titles, but with variations added. Once all acts and boss battles within each zone are cleared, players gain access to a fifth and final zone.
Special Stages, accessed by finishing an act with at least 50 Rings and then jumping into the Giant Ring that appears at the end of the stage, are based on the Special Stages in the original Sonic the Hedgehog. The player must tilt the playing field in order to navigate Sonic through a maze within a set time limit to collect a Chaos Emerald, collecting rings to open gates and time bonuses along the way.
Returning for the first time since Sonic the Hedgehog 3
& Sonic & Knuckles
, Sonic can transform into 'Super Sonic' during regular levels after collecting all Chaos Emeralds from the aforementioned Special Stages, and at least 50 rings within the currect act.
The game is playable in up to 1080p
high definition
on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and 480p
on the Wii. The iOS and Windows Phone versions of the game can be fully controlled with either the accelerometers or a virtual d-pad. Certain levels also make specific use of the accelerometers. Players are also able to upload their game information to online leaderboards to compare level completion times and high scores.
The game's existence was first revealed at GameSpot on September 9, 2009, under the code name Project Needlemouse, derived from the name of Mr. Needlemouse, an early prototype of Sonic the Hedgehog pitched to Sega by his designer Naoto Ōshima. The site published a brief teaser trailer, and an interview with Sega's Ken Balough who acknowledged that "old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay" and stated that "Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots".
On January 11, 2010, Sega of America began a "character countdown" on their blog, removing potential playable characters from a list, which by January 14, 2010 revealed the game would feature Sonic as the only playable character. Also shown was concept art which showcased classic badniks from early Sonic games.
On February 2, Sega updated the front page of Sega of America's website with a short flash animation which featured a sample of music from the game, reminiscent of old Mega Drive/Genesis sounds. The game's proper title was revealed on February 4, 2010, as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, along with debut footage.
The game was developed primarily by Dimps, with some members of Sonic Team. The project leader is the current head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, who has worked on various Sonic games – notably as senior level designer for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, to which Sonic 4 is billed as a direct sequel. Music and sound are composed by Jun Senoue
, also a mainstay of recent Sonic games, and were intended to be reminiscent of classic Genesis titles, via the use of drum samples from Sonic 1 and 2 and relatively lo-fi synth samples.
The decision to create the game using a 2D
graphical style was made after considering old Sonic fans' possible reactions to the game versus those of younger players:
Not long after Sonic 4 Episode I was officially announced, rumors surfaced that the game was available to members of the Xbox 360's online game testing service for developers, PartnerNet
. On April 3, PartnerNet was shut down overnight due to the leaks. Footage from the leaks received harsh criticism regarding the game's physics and certain levels.
On May 20, 2010, Sega announced that Sonic 4 would be available for the App Store for the iOS and that the game would be delayed from its original Summer 2010 deadline to Late 2010 to extend development time. Izuka claims that this was because while he planned for all versions to be similar, two levels that worked on iOS did not work as well for consoles. The iOS version retains these levels, which utilise accelerometer controls, while new levels were built for the console versions. The announcement of the delay was also accompanied by an interview with Sega's Ken Balough, in which it was explained that Sega had taken note of fan reaction to the game and were incorporating said feedback into the development of the game. Areas specifically mentioned from fan feedback were a reworking of the "floaty" nature of the gravity and physics, and a redesign of some level design and elements in order to accommodate more of a momentum-driven gameplay that was a staple of earlier entries in the series.
Episode II
In regards to Episode II, Sega Brand Manager Ken Balough has mentioned that "the idea is to introduce new zones with things you haven't seen." He has also hinted that Episode II may have a larger budget than Episode I, due to the latter being received very well commercially. Sega of America Community Manager Aaron Webber also hinted that Tails may appear in Episode II as well. On August 23, 2011, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka stated that “this year, 2011, is the anniversary, so we’re focusing on the celebration title, but moving forward to 2012, Sonic will still be going, so I’d hope to provide Episode 2 then.” He also said that Sonic Team “knew about the anniversary year," and that "Generations
was planned way in advance," therefore "it was always our plan to release Episode 2 after Generations.” He however stated that they couldn't say whether there would future episodes after Episode II. In preparation for Episode II's release, Sega
are re-releasing Sonic the Hedgehog CD to digital platforms in Winter 2011, billing it as a 'prequel' to Sonic 4 as the events of Episode II will rely heavily on what occurred in CD.
gave the console version of the first episode a score of 8.0 and an Editor's Choice award, calling it "short but sweet and well worth downloading." They rated the iOS version 7.5, criticizing a lack of Retina Display or leaderboard support for that version. GamesRadar
gave the game a score of 9/10, calling it "deserving of the name, Sonic the Hedgehog 4." 1UP.com
gave it a B rank, praising the game's speed while criticizing some occasional poor design such as boss battles and puzzles. Popzara said the game was "as if a long-lost 'good' Sonic title was left to defrost in today's modern HD, graphics-hungry world. GameTrailers
gave the game a 7.5 score, calling it a worthy investment for Sonic fans. Digital Spy
gave the game five out of five stars, with reviewer Liam Martin saying with regards to living up to the game's hype: "Despite some issues with the size of the game and its difficulty (it's very easy), the answer is yes, but only just."
Criticism of the game from reviewers included poor physics and lack of momentum, which were not identical to the momentum-based physics from the 16-bit Genesis games.
It holds Metacritic
scores of 81/100 on Wii, 74/100 on Playstation 3, and Xbox 360 a 72/100.
In speaking with VG247, Sega West CEO Mike Hayes has stated that Episode 1 cleared over a million downloads across all the platforms.
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
and a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The game was developed by Dimps
Dimps
is an Osaka, Japan-based video game development studio with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan. Employing a staff of 218 people, it is known for developing such games as the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai trilogy for the PlayStation 2, and the Sonic the Hedgehog games specific to the Game Boy Advance and...
alongside members of Sonic Team
Sonic Team
is a Japanese computer and video game developer established in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan in 1990, originally known as Sega AM8. The Japan-based division is also known as G.E. Department Global Entertainment. The studio has collaborated with several in-house Japanese studios as well as other American-based...
and is intended to be inspired by and similar to the original Sonic the Hedgehog titles on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
Episode I was released in October 2010 with slight variations in exact date and price among its six platforms, iOS, PlayStation Network, WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
, Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
and Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...
. Episode II is currently in development and will be released in 2012.
Plot
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles. After SonicSonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
manages to destroy Doctor Eggman's space station, he decides it is time to take a much deserved break. After parting with his companions Tails
Miles "Tails" Prower
, better known by his nickname , is a character, as well as the main deuteragonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, animated series and film released by Sega....
and Knuckles
Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna is a video game character of the Sonic the Hedgehog game series, including spin-off games and comics. His first appearance was in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in 1994 to introduce a new rival for Sonic. He was presented as an antagonist who was tricked by Dr. Eggman into...
, Sonic sets off to explore new territories alone.
However, unbeknownst to him, his nemesis, Dr. Eggman, has survived their last encounter, and has revisited and improved some of his very best robotic creations in another attempt to defeat Sonic. Sonic must travel through a variety of zones to defeat Dr. Eggman once again.
Episodes
Episode IThe first episode sees Sonic traveling through four main zones: Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear, facing against Dr. Eggman as he reuses and enhances some of his old creations and contraptions, culminating in a battle in his E.G.G. Station. If the game is finished with all seven Chaos Emeralds collected, a post-credits cut scene is shown, teasing the audience with the appearance of Metal Sonic
Metal Sonic
is a fictional character and a recurring antagonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. In the series, Metal Sonic is an evil identical robotic duplicate of Sonic the Hedgehog, created by the series antagonist Dr. Robotnik, and is able to match Sonic's every move and even surpass his...
as a character to appear in the next episode.
Episode II
Episode II, which is currently in development, will primarily focus on Sonic's rivalry with Metal Sonic, following their last encounter during the events of Sonic CD
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
, or Sonic CD, is a critically acclaimed 1993 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Sonic Team for the Mega-CD/Sega CD. It marked the first official appearance of the characters Metal Sonic and Amy Rose...
.
Gameplay
The game is a 2D2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
side-scrolling
Side-scrolling video game
A side-scrolling game or side-scroller is a video game in which the gameplay action is viewed from a side-view camera angle, and the onscreen characters generally move from the left side of the screen to the right. These games make use of scrolling computer display technology...
platformer
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
reminiscent of the original Sonic games. Players control Sonic the Hedgehog, using mechanics such as the original spin dash and power-ups including the Bubble Shield and Speed Shoes. New to Sonic 4 is the Homing Attack, seen in recent 3D Sonic titles, which zooms Sonic towards either an enemy or an interactive object in the field, such as a bumper.
Unlike the first three classic Sonic games, after completing the first act the player is able to freely choose which zone to play via a world map, or choose to play them sequentially one after the other. Each of the four zones contains three acts followed by a separate boss battle act, rather than the boss being included at the end of the third act. The boss battles, similar to the zones themselves, are similar to and inspired by the boss battles and zones from older Sonic titles, but with variations added. Once all acts and boss battles within each zone are cleared, players gain access to a fifth and final zone.
Special Stages, accessed by finishing an act with at least 50 Rings and then jumping into the Giant Ring that appears at the end of the stage, are based on the Special Stages in the original Sonic the Hedgehog. The player must tilt the playing field in order to navigate Sonic through a maze within a set time limit to collect a Chaos Emerald, collecting rings to open gates and time bonuses along the way.
Returning for the first time since Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
& Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States at Sega Technical Institute by members of Sonic Team, and was published by Sega worldwide on October 18, 1994.As well as working as a standalone...
, Sonic can transform into 'Super Sonic' during regular levels after collecting all Chaos Emeralds from the aforementioned Special Stages, and at least 50 rings within the currect act.
The game is playable in up to 1080p
1080p
1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and 480p
480p
480p is the shorthand name for a video display resolution. The p stands for progressive scan, i.e. non-interlaced. The 480 denotes a vertical resolution of 480 pixel high vertically scanning lines, usually with a horizontal resolution of 640 pixels and 4:3 aspect ratio or a horizontal resolution of...
on the Wii. The iOS and Windows Phone versions of the game can be fully controlled with either the accelerometers or a virtual d-pad. Certain levels also make specific use of the accelerometers. Players are also able to upload their game information to online leaderboards to compare level completion times and high scores.
Development
Episode IThe game's existence was first revealed at GameSpot on September 9, 2009, under the code name Project Needlemouse, derived from the name of Mr. Needlemouse, an early prototype of Sonic the Hedgehog pitched to Sega by his designer Naoto Ōshima. The site published a brief teaser trailer, and an interview with Sega's Ken Balough who acknowledged that "old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay" and stated that "Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots".
On January 11, 2010, Sega of America began a "character countdown" on their blog, removing potential playable characters from a list, which by January 14, 2010 revealed the game would feature Sonic as the only playable character. Also shown was concept art which showcased classic badniks from early Sonic games.
On February 2, Sega updated the front page of Sega of America's website with a short flash animation which featured a sample of music from the game, reminiscent of old Mega Drive/Genesis sounds. The game's proper title was revealed on February 4, 2010, as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, along with debut footage.
The game was developed primarily by Dimps, with some members of Sonic Team. The project leader is the current head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, who has worked on various Sonic games – notably as senior level designer for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, to which Sonic 4 is billed as a direct sequel. Music and sound are composed by Jun Senoue
Jun Senoue
is a video game composer and musician from Wave Master, well known for some of his contributions in many Sonic the Hedgehog games. He is also the guitarist for the band Crush 40, which also contributes to many Sonic the Hedgehog games.-Biography:...
, also a mainstay of recent Sonic games, and were intended to be reminiscent of classic Genesis titles, via the use of drum samples from Sonic 1 and 2 and relatively lo-fi synth samples.
The decision to create the game using a 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
graphical style was made after considering old Sonic fans' possible reactions to the game versus those of younger players:
Not long after Sonic 4 Episode I was officially announced, rumors surfaced that the game was available to members of the Xbox 360's online game testing service for developers, PartnerNet
PartnerNet
PartnerNet is the name of the developers-only alternative Xbox Live network used by developers to beta test game content downloads, and games developed for Xbox Live Arcade...
. On April 3, PartnerNet was shut down overnight due to the leaks. Footage from the leaks received harsh criticism regarding the game's physics and certain levels.
On May 20, 2010, Sega announced that Sonic 4 would be available for the App Store for the iOS and that the game would be delayed from its original Summer 2010 deadline to Late 2010 to extend development time. Izuka claims that this was because while he planned for all versions to be similar, two levels that worked on iOS did not work as well for consoles. The iOS version retains these levels, which utilise accelerometer controls, while new levels were built for the console versions. The announcement of the delay was also accompanied by an interview with Sega's Ken Balough, in which it was explained that Sega had taken note of fan reaction to the game and were incorporating said feedback into the development of the game. Areas specifically mentioned from fan feedback were a reworking of the "floaty" nature of the gravity and physics, and a redesign of some level design and elements in order to accommodate more of a momentum-driven gameplay that was a staple of earlier entries in the series.
Episode II
In regards to Episode II, Sega Brand Manager Ken Balough has mentioned that "the idea is to introduce new zones with things you haven't seen." He has also hinted that Episode II may have a larger budget than Episode I, due to the latter being received very well commercially. Sega of America Community Manager Aaron Webber also hinted that Tails may appear in Episode II as well. On August 23, 2011, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka stated that “this year, 2011, is the anniversary, so we’re focusing on the celebration title, but moving forward to 2012, Sonic will still be going, so I’d hope to provide Episode 2 then.” He also said that Sonic Team “knew about the anniversary year," and that "Generations
Sonic Generations
is a 2011 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, produced by Sonic Team for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo 3DS...
was planned way in advance," therefore "it was always our plan to release Episode 2 after Generations.” He however stated that they couldn't say whether there would future episodes after Episode II. In preparation for Episode II's release, Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
are re-releasing Sonic the Hedgehog CD to digital platforms in Winter 2011, billing it as a 'prequel' to Sonic 4 as the events of Episode II will rely heavily on what occurred in CD.
Reception
Reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I were mixed to positive. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the console version of the first episode a score of 8.0 and an Editor's Choice award, calling it "short but sweet and well worth downloading." They rated the iOS version 7.5, criticizing a lack of Retina Display or leaderboard support for that version. GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
gave the game a score of 9/10, calling it "deserving of the name, Sonic the Hedgehog 4." 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
gave it a B rank, praising the game's speed while criticizing some occasional poor design such as boss battles and puzzles. Popzara said the game was "as if a long-lost 'good' Sonic title was left to defrost in today's modern HD, graphics-hungry world. GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
gave the game a 7.5 score, calling it a worthy investment for Sonic fans. Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the game five out of five stars, with reviewer Liam Martin saying with regards to living up to the game's hype: "Despite some issues with the size of the game and its difficulty (it's very easy), the answer is yes, but only just."
Criticism of the game from reviewers included poor physics and lack of momentum, which were not identical to the momentum-based physics from the 16-bit Genesis games.
It holds Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
scores of 81/100 on Wii, 74/100 on Playstation 3, and Xbox 360 a 72/100.
In speaking with VG247, Sega West CEO Mike Hayes has stated that Episode 1 cleared over a million downloads across all the platforms.