Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 Review

Published by: SEGA

Developed by: Sonic Team

Release date: 16th May 2012

Price: 1200msp

Just when you thought Sega had given up on the episodic re-imagining of the Sonic games, Sonic 4: Episode 2 spins it’s way onto your dashboard in a shiny blue flash. It’s been 18 months since episode one, and it appears that Sonic Team have spent that time addressing some of the criticisms aimed at the first effort. Various changes have been made to the look and feel of proceedings for this one. While Episode one was based around the Original Sonic game, Episode 2 is a fusion of the original Sonic 2 and Sonic CD; Incorporating the plots of both games within the same tale, including the details of Metal Sonic. This time, you control Sonic and/or Tails in Multiplayer mode. There are four zones, each with 3 acts and a boss battle, and also a final boss zone. Each zone has it's own unique look and feel, with a good aesthetic variety between them. Sonic Team have ensured there are plenty of fresh stages and layouts here, whilst including a good mix of classic moments from Sonic 2 that series stalwarts will remember fondly. I'm sure you all know how a Sonic game plays, so i'll move on to the nitty gritty!!



Gameplay:

As i said, Sonic team have made several distinct changes to this episode. Sonic in episode 1 was much maligned for being far too slow, slugish and erratic to control. Luckily this time, the whole game has a better pace to it, and Sonic and Tails handle much more like they do in the original Megadrive titles. The devs have incorporated a new momentum based physics system, which feels much better. It's still different to the original games; You still speed up and come to a stop more gradually, and it can be a bit slugish at times, but there is certainly an improvement.

The homing attack is present in this game too, in which an on screen reticule targets enemies or interactive objects as Sonic jumps, and with a single tap of the B button, he will home on said object. This move is a bit of an annoyance at times. It can be a bit hit and miss. It doesn't always seem to work when you think it should, and also it can be used to cheaply navigate certain parts of the environment that would normally have required good timing and skill.

The main change to the gameplay is the incorporation of a number of co-operative moves which see Sonic and Tails team together to negotiate obstacles with a single button press. For example, the "Copter combo" sees Tails grab Sonic and, using his twin tails as helicopter blades, the two of them can periodically fly over certain hazards. These combo moves are essential for negotiating certain parts of a level, and also in defeating certain bosses. Speaking of which, the boss fights in Episode 2 are quite different to others you may have encountered in other Sonic Titles. They are longer battles than normal and require tactics other than simply repeating the spin jump.

The stages themselves incorporate sections designed to allow use of these special moves, and as such the game plays differently to any other Sonic game at times. Levels are quite big, with some memorable moments both new and old, but on the other hand, there are far too many lazy, bad design elements, such as instant dead ends that just feel wrong, as well as power ups so isolated that by the time you find any enemies or open areas on which to use said upgrade, the effect has worn off. There are also far too many on rails rollercoaster extravaganza sections, where you are reduced to nothing more than a spectator, no skill required!! These are fun of course, but a classic Sonic game incorporates a higher percentage of interactive platforming sections. Much of the play is still typical "Sonic" however. The difficulty of the game comes from the fiendishly placed traps and enemies that are unavoidable until you have played the level through and learnt the layout, and you'll have fun learning the more rewarding routes through the stage.



Graphics:

The graphics are really lovely, colourful and inviting. The overly shiny, plastic fake look of episode one is gone. Things look much nicer and more organic, mainly due to the replacement of the pre-rendered backgrounds of the predecessor being replaced with nicer polygon based vistas!

Sound:

Again, an improvement in the main. Efforts have been made to make the music more reminiscent of the 16-bit era of the original games, while as usual, the traditional 16-bit Sonic hallmark sound effects are retained here. Boss music can be annoying though. Some of it loops every ten seconds or so, which gets frustrating.

Multiplayer:

Local and Xbox Live based co-op is provided, with full leaderboard support for each and every stage. Rubber banding and teleportation is used to keep Sonic and Tails on the same screen should one player fall behind.

Achievements:

A mixture of easy and hard cheevos here. This is not an easy 200 by any means. You are required to find all chaos emeralds, complete the game in one sitting and defeat all bosses as "Super Sonic" in order to gain the full gamerscore, amongst other things.



Synopsis:

At the end of the day, whether you like or hate this game, depends on if you're a Sonic purist or not. The game plays quite differently in places, and the physics are not like the original games. These factors will put off some Sonic stalwarts. Let's be realistic though, Sonic Team have to design a game that will appeal to all, and I think they have endeavoured to do so. The game-play is less hardcore than the 16-bit titles, and in a market where a large part of the demographic demands simpler game-play, this is probably a frugal thing to do. There is however, an element of laziness in the level design I feel, which loses the game a point from my score.

There are some free bonus levels available for those of us who also own episode one, which allow you to play as Metal Sonic and experience some cut scenes that fill in some of the story. This is a nice addition to the package.

I did enjoy the game, and there are some good moments, both new and "Classic". There is plenty to enjoy here even for many Sonic fans. Have an open mind for the changes and you'll be ok. It's no Rayman, but I would have scored it an 8 if it wasn't for those lazy bits!!

As it stands, i shall award it a decent 7 out of 10.

Good review mate and honest too. I'll probably still pick this up as I've picked up every Sonic title so far, I'm just a big blue hedghog fan I guess!

Nice review picked this up as I have all the other XBLA sonic games done and don't like missing a set. I'm not a Hardcore sonic so hopefully the changes are nice as i'm always open to new things

In my opinion it felt like the tails gimmick was a bit overused but that's just me being nitpicky xP. If sonic 4 was standalone and not trying to tie it into the old sonic story I don't think I would mind it as much

Yeah. It is used a lot. I think they were trying to change the gameplay somewhat. I suppose they have too after so many Sonic games!

Rubber and Banding..... I'm out




nice work though Colne

Good review colne matey, but i think i'll pass, never been that big a sonic fan. And wasn't keen on the demo's for the other xbla Sonic games.

great review as ever mate

Not for me, but great review dude!