Project Needlemouse -New 2D Console Sonic

Sonic 4: Episode II

Being one of the many annoying loud Sonic fans, I thought I'd post my thoughts in a spoiler. This is what I put on the Sega forums.

Fair points mate. I guess they just wanted to get the hype train going again by announcing new changes. I noticed the distinct lack of mention of other things too. I was waiting for him to mention gaining speed when rolling in a ball. God I hope they've fixed that. Defies the laws of physics. Then again, so did everything else... wall sticking!

If they can just take what they established in Generations, i.e. a more Mega Drive style, I'll be happy. I did pick up on that one line too though: "...obviously in the scope of what's possible." He's got his own back.

Whatever happens, I'm sure I'll get it, it's Sonic after all.

Anyone else notice no mention of WiiWare? That service is a joke anyway. Likely it'll come to Wii U in some shape or form. No 3DS or Vita either? Maybe more will be announced over time.

The Wii's size limitations probably killed it's chance of getting episode 2 if they're really trying with this episode. I hope it gets a 3DS release for those who only have Nintendo devices as it's not fair to suddenly exclude them.

First pics!

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463117

Looks sweet!

Sonic 2 bonus levels!!

( Edited 14.02.2012 21:35 by Azuardo )

The visuals look far better than the first.

AHHH IT LOOKS SO PRETTY.
I was expecting it to look more different but.. I'm definitely ok with this. Also looks like Tails will follow Sonic around, lovely!

And the old halfpipe special stage, I wonder if it'll be like Sonic 2's or another of the billion variations from other Sonics..
EXCITED THOUGH and new Zones too will hopefully look even better in motion!

Looks alot better, hopfully gameplay wise it will be better than the rather pathetic first attempt.

Mr James2t3 said:
Looks alot better, hopfully gameplay wise it will be better than the rather pathetic first attempt.

Which were the best 'classic' physics since Advance, to be fair. So yeah it sounds pretty promising. I'm mostly worried about stage design (bottomless pits) and music (tiny loops of mediocre tracks).

9 official screens from SEGA. Some were leaked already, some new ones.

http://www.sonicstadium.org/2012/02/sega-officially-releases-nine-more-sonic-4-episode-2-screenshots/#more-25983

Trailer on 23rd of Feb.

Looks to be quite good although I'd like the see a playhthrough of a level to see what the physics are like. Couldn't really tell from that trailer.

Yeah, too stop-start to get a good idea. I reckon it'll be better than Episode 1, but still maybe not as close as Generations' physics were. But that's fine with me. Sonic's full-speed running animation looks too slow though. They still need to add his full-speed Sonic CD animation.

Game has online co-op. Looks like Tails might be playable by himself.

Achievements/Trophies list revealed.

Key new info:

- 3-act structure returns
- Tails might be playable in single-player, based on the trophy list
- First zone is called Sylvania Castle Zone
- Winter carnival area is White Park Zone
- Sonic & Tails' combo move is called Rolling Combo
- Sonic 2's Sky Fortress returns with Metal Sonic fight
- Optional world map
- Red Rings

( Edited 25.02.2012 00:55 by Azuardo )

I for one won't be getting my hopes up for solo playable Tails, I think the achievement probably means "play 50 co op stages" or something.

And, Sky Fortress is a new Zone I'm pretty sure? In Sonic 2 it was called Wing Fortress, and according to earlier interviews there's only one throwback Zone this time around.
Which I'm pretty sure is Sylvania Castle Zone being a throwback of Aquatic Ruin Zone (and maybe a little bit of Marble Garden Zone).

Since Dimps are doing development I think the physics will be at least as good as Sonic Generations 3DS', which were better than the main console version's in some ways. Still, kind of hard to tell from the trailer.

Fuck yeah.

Just revealed on Gamespots “On the Spot” was that owners of both Sonic 4 episodes (on the same system I believe) will get “lock-on” technology where you will be able to play as Metal Sonic in both games! Plus, purchasing both episodes gives you four exclusive levels. Along with this news, the release date have been revealed for the US. May 15th for PSN, May 16th for LIVE, later May for PC, June for Android and July for Windows Mobile. Also, expect to see a new trailer with a new level revealed later today.

Some of you may have heard about the "Beta 8" version being leaked onto Steam, and I've managed to play it. I decided to only play the first Zone to leave most of the game as a surprise for launch, but here are some impressions.

- physics are much better than Episode 1, still not up to scratch though, spin attack physics especially. Still if you let go of the controller down a steep hill you will automatically run/roll down it etc
- music has better compositions, still not up to scratch, and still a shitty soundfont that brings the whole thing down. Some tracks sound really cool despite that.
- Tails' flying physics suck unfortunately, also in CoOp Sonic can't jump into his hands to fly like in Sonic 3, it works more like Advance 3. Mostly a little niggle but still why
- CoOp stretches screen and when one player goes off the screen they return to the other player in a ball like NSMBW
- Stage design is overall better, bigger, more robust, less bottomless pits (they're still around though). Less mindless boosters (there are still a fair few though hurr) Hard to say if it's up to standard but ya pretty good.
- Episode Metal is a measly 4 stages long, there is no true lock-on allowing players to play through a reworking Ep1-Ep2 back to back.

Apparently Beta 8 is an early Beta.. so there's a chance some of these things (except lock-on features) could be improved before launch, not getting my hopes too high for that though.
All in all better than Episode 1, seems like a solid game, but still not really a 'classic'.

Thanks for the impressions. Episode 2 was never going to be the return to classic style most hoped for, but I don't mind since I enjoyed Sonic 4 for what it was. Any additional improvements made for Ep 2 are very much welcome. The niggles sound annoying, but again, since this is never going to be classic Sonic, I can overlook it. It's still Sonic, and it's still 100% worth the £9.99 it'll sell for.

Azuardo said:
Thanks for the impressions. Episode 2 was never going to be the return to classic style most hoped for, but I don't mind since I enjoyed Sonic 4 for what it was. Any additional improvements made for Ep 2 are very much welcome. The niggles sound annoying, but again, since this is never going to be classic Sonic, I can overlook it. It's still Sonic, and it's still 100% worth the £9.99 it'll sell for.

I'm really not a big fan of Episode 1 anymore, I can see myself liking Ep2 quite a lot though.
My biggest wish is for a future release to 'fix' Episode 1's shitty physics and maybe ditch some of the bottomless pits.

EDIT: Also I know what you mean. The game stands well enough on its own two feet, but..
SEGA promised a classic
I want a classic

It's a shame that Sonic 4 is not.
It's a shame that SEGA can't seem to pull off what they did 20 years ago, and make crappy PR excuses when questioned about them.

( Edited 26.04.2012 22:33 by SuperLink )

I'm more disappointed that Ep 2 doesn't let us play as Tails alone and allow for different paths in both Episodes. I hope with a possible Knuckles Episode 3 they'll let us do that.

I recently read rumours of Generations DLC, but not sure if that was just wishful thinking. Hope they make a Generations 2 of sorts.

Oh yeah, I agree on that. When I treat Sonic 4 as 'not really Sonic 4' I can get enjoyment out of it, but that isn't what they promised - you're right. Pre-release lies have pissed me off a few times this gen. Sonic 4 and FFXIII-2 the main offenders from the top of my head.

Some people will moan about us not liking change, but I have always preferred the originals to the modern takes of platformers. If they just copy/pasted Sonic 3's engine to make Sonic 4, that would have made everyone happy.

( Edited 26.04.2012 22:47 by Azuardo )

Azuardo said:
I'm more disappointed that Ep 2 doesn't let us play as Tails alone and allow for different paths in both Episodes. I hope with a possible Knuckles Episode 3 they'll let us do that.

I recently read rumours of Generations DLC, but not sure if that was just wishful thinking. Hope they make a Generations 2 of sorts.

Oh yeah, I agree on that. When I treat Sonic 4 as 'not really Sonic 4' I can get enjoyment out of it, but that isn't what they promised - you're right. Pre-release lies have pissed me off a few times this gen. Sonic 4 and FFXIII-2 the main offenders from the top of my head.

SuperLink said:

I doubt DLC, I also seem to remember SEGA saying Generations would be the only time Classic Sonic returned.

Azuardo said:

Have read the exact same thing, but I brought it up because I read the DLC thing recently, so thought it's possible they'd reconsidered. I always said when I first heard Classic Sonic would be a one-off that they would change their minds once they see how well Generations does. Hopefully this proves the case and we do get more Classic Sonic some way or another.

But I also really hope Classic Sonic gets continued use, not as like a ~mainstay~ but as a bonus or unlockable skin for Sonic in future games.
I really love both Sonic designs.

Pity, that. Maybe there won't be any more :L

Would definitely appreciate some Generations versions of some other levels, though. Ice Cap, Final Rush...

After seeing a few videos of Episode 2 in action it just looks like more of the same, as in they havn't seemed to have fixed anything that annoyed me about the first episode.
I'll give the demo a go when it eventually arrives just incase stuff changes.

Mr James2t3 said:
After seeing a few videos of Episode 2 in action it just looks like more of the same, as in they havn't seemed to have fixed anything that annoyed me about the first episode.
I'll give the demo a go when it eventually arrives just incase stuff changes.