Sonic the Hedgehog 4: A Review of the Long-Awaited Sequel
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, and his adventures have spanned multiple platforms, genres, and generations. But for many fans, the peak of his glory was in the 1990s, when he starred in a series of classic 2D platformers for the Sega Genesis. The last of these games, Sonic & Knuckles, was released in 1994, and left fans wondering what would happen next in the story.
It took 16 years for Sega to finally deliver a proper sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which was released in two episodes in 2010 and 2012. The game promised to bring back the gameplay elements that made the original games so popular, such as the Sonic Spin Dash, the Homing Attack, and the colorful zones. But did it live up to the expectations of the fans? And how does it hold up today? In this article, we will review Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and see if it is worth playing.
sonic the hedgehog 4
Introduction
What is Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a platform game developed by Dimps, with assistance from Sonic Team, and published by Sega. It is a sequel to Sonic & Knuckles, and follows Sonic as he sets out to stop a returning Doctor Eggman, who has teamed up with his old nemesis Metal Sonic. The game is divided into two episodes, each containing four zones and a final boss. The first episode was released in October 2010 for various platforms, including iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Windows. The second episode was released in May 2012 for iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, and Linux.
Why did fans wait 16 years for this game?
After Sonic & Knuckles, Sega decided to focus on developing Sonic games for their new console, the Sega Saturn. However, none of these games were direct sequels to the Genesis games, and some of them were poorly received by critics and fans. For example, Sonic X-treme was a cancelled project that was supposed to be the flagship title for the Saturn, but suffered from development issues and internal conflicts. Sonic Jam was a compilation of the Genesis games with some added features, but not a new game. Sonic R was a racing game that had mediocre gameplay and graphics. And Sonic 3D Blast was a spin-off that used an isometric perspective and had mixed reviews.
In 1998, Sega released Sonic Adventure for their next console, the Dreamcast. This game marked a major shift in the series, as it introduced 3D graphics, voice acting, multiple playable characters, and a more complex story. While many fans enjoyed this game and its sequel, Sonic Adventure 2, others felt that they strayed too far from the original formula and lost some of the charm and simplicity of the Genesis games. In addition, Sega faced financial difficulties and discontinued their console business in 2001.
For the next decade, Sega continued to produce Sonic games for various platforms, but none of them were considered true sequels to Sonic & Knuckles. Some of them experimented with different gameplay styles (such as Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic Riders, and Sonic and the Secret Rings), while others tried to recapture the 2D gameplay (such as Sonic Advance, Sonic Rush, and Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis). However, none of these games were universally acclaimed, and some of them were heavily criticized for their glitches, controls, level design, and story. For example, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) was a reboot of the series that was intended to celebrate its 15th anniversary, but it was widely regarded as one of the worst games in the series due to its numerous technical and gameplay flaws.
Meanwhile, fans of the classic games started to create their own fan-made projects, such as hacks, mods, remakes, and original games. Some of these projects were impressive in their quality and creativity, and showed that there was still a demand for the classic style of Sonic games. Some of the most notable fan-made projects include Sonic Megamix, Sonic Before the Sequel, Sonic After the Sequel, and Sonic Mania.
In 2009, Sega announced that they were working on a new game that would be a direct sequel to Sonic & Knuckles, and that it would be released in episodic format. The game was titled Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and it was meant to be a tribute to the fans who grew up with the Genesis games. The game was developed by Dimps, a studio that had previously worked on some of the 2D Sonic games for handheld devices. The game was also supervised by Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team and one of the original designers of the Genesis games.
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How does it compare to the previous games in the series?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a 2D platform game that follows the same basic gameplay principles as the Genesis games. The player controls Sonic as he runs, jumps, spins, and collects rings through various zones. The game also features some of the familiar elements from the previous games, such as loop-de-loops, springs, spikes, enemies, power-ups, checkpoints, and bonus stages. The game also introduces some new features and mechanics, such as motion controls, online leaderboards, achievements/trophies, and downloadable content.
The game is divided into two episodes, each containing four zones and a final boss. The first episode is set after the events of Sonic & Knuckles, and features some of the zones that are inspired by or based on the ones from the first two games in the series. For example, Splash Hill Zone is similar to Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Casino Street Zone is similar to Casino Night Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), Lost Labyrinth Zone is similar to Labyrinth Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), and Mad Gear Zone is similar to Metropolis Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992). The final boss of this episode is Doctor Eggman in his Death Egg Robot from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992).
The second episode is set after the events of the first episode, and features some of the zones that are inspired by or based on the ones from the third and fourth games in the series. For example, Sylvania Castle Zone is similar to Aquatic Ruin Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), White Park Zone is similar to IceCap Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994), Oil Desert Zone is similar to Sandopolis Zone from Sonic & Knuckles (1994), and Sky Fortress Zone is similar to Wing Fortress Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992). The final boss of this episode is Metal Sonic in his Metal Sonic Kai form from Knuckles' Chaotix (1995).
The second episode also features a new playable character, Tails, who can fly, swim, and carry Sonic. The game also allows the player to use a co-operative mode, where two players can control Sonic and Tails together. The game also has a special episode, called Episode Metal, which is unlocked after the player has both episodes. This episode lets the player control Metal Sonic as he follows the events that happened between Sonic CD (1993) and Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Gameplay
Features and mechanics
Sonic Spin Dash and Homing Attack
One of the main features of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is the return of the Sonic Spin Dash, which is a move that allows Sonic to curl into a ball and charge up speed before launching himself forward. This move was first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), and it became one of the signature moves of the series. The game also introduces a new move, called the Homing Attack, which is a move that allows Sonic to lock onto an enemy or an object and dash towards it in mid-air. This move was first introduced in Sonic Adventure (1998), and it became one of the staple moves of the 3D games. The game uses these two moves to create a fast-paced and dynamic gameplay experience, where the player can use them to navigate through the levels, defeat enemies, and reach hidden areas.
Zones and levels
The game consists of eight zones, each containing three acts and a boss act. The zones are based on or inspired by some of the zones from the previous games in the series, but they also have some unique features and gimmicks. For example, Splash Hill Zone has swinging vines, waterfalls, and giant wheels; Casino Street Zone has slot machines, cards, and pinball tables; Lost Labyrinth Zone has mine carts, torches, and water puzzles; Mad Gear Zone has conveyor belts, pistons, and gears; Sylvania Castle Zone has underwater sections, rotating platforms, and water spouts; White Park Zone has snowboards, roller coasters, and ice blocks; Oil Desert Zone has sandstorms, oil slides, and cacti; and Sky Fortress Zone has propellers, cannons, and hang gliders. The levels are designed to challenge the player's skills and reflexes, as well as to reward exploration and replayability.
Boss battles and special stages
At the end of each zone, the player faces a boss battle against Doctor Eggman or Metal Sonic. The bosses are usually based on or inspired by some of the bosses from the previous games in the series, but they also have some new tricks and patterns. For example, the Death Egg Robot from Episode I has a jetpack and a laser cannon; the Egg Serpentleaf from Episode II has a snake-like body and a flamethrower; and Metal Sonic Kai from Episode II has a giant form and a plasma cannon. The bosses are designed to test the player's timing and strategy, as well as to provide a climactic showdown.
In addition to the main levels, the game also has special stages that can be accessed by collecting 50 rings and entering a giant ring at the end of each act. The special stages are based on or inspired by some of the special stages from the previous games in the series, but they also have some unique features and gimmicks. For example, the special stages in Episode I are similar to the ones from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), where the player has to collect rings and avoid bombs in a rotating maze; the special stages in Episode II are similar to the ones from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), where the player has to collect rings and avoid obstacles in a half-pipe; and the special stages in Episode Metal are similar to the ones from Sonic CD (1993), where the player has to destroy UFOs and collect time stones in a 3D environment. The special stages are designed to reward the player with Chaos Emeralds, which can be used to unlock Super Sonic and alternate endings.
Graphics and sound
Visuals and design
How does the game look in HD?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is the first game in the series to use high-definition graphics, which means that it has a higher resolution and more detail than the previous games. The game uses a 2.5D style, which means that it combines 2D sprites and backgrounds with 3D models and effects. The game also uses dynamic lighting and shadows, as well as particle effects and motion blur. The game looks crisp and colorful, and it runs smoothly at 60 frames per second on most platforms.
How faithful is the game to the original style?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 tries to recreate the style and feel of the Genesis games, but it also makes some changes and updates. For example, Sonic's design is based on his modern appearance, rather than his classic one. He also has more expressions and animations, such as blinking, smiling, and frowning. The zones also have more variety and depth, as they feature multiple layers, parallax scrolling, and dynamic elements. The game also uses some elements from the 3D games, such as rails, springs, dash panels, and boosters. The game tries to balance nostalgia and innovation, but some fans may prefer one over the other.
Music and sound effects
How does the game sound?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 uses a mix of synthesized and orchestral music, as well as some electric guitar and piano. The music is composed by Jun Senoue, who is known for his work on Sonic Adventure, Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Generations. The music is upbeat and catchy, and it matches the mood and theme of each zone. The game also uses some remixes and references of some of the music from the previous games, such as Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant Zone, Flying Battery Zone, and Stardust Speedway Zone. The game also uses some voice clips and sound effects from the previous games, such as Sonic's jump sound, Eggman's laugh, and Metal Sonic's screech.
How well does the music fit the game?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 tries to emulate the music style of the Genesis games, but it also adds some new elements and influences. For example, Splash Hill Zone has a tropical vibe, Casino Street Zone has a jazz vibe, Lost Labyrinth Zone has an ancient vibe, Mad Gear Zone has an industrial vibe, Sylvania Castle Zone has a medieval vibe, White Park Zone has a winter vibe, Oil Desert Zone has a desert vibe, and Sky Fortress Zone has an airship vibe. The music fits well with each zone's atmosphere and gameplay, but some fans may prefer the original music over the new one.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a platform game that is a sequel to Sonic & Knuckles. It follows Sonic as he tries to stop Doctor Eggman and Metal Sonic from conquering the world. The game is divided into two episodes, each containing four zones and a final boss. The game also has a special episode that lets the player control Metal Sonic. The game uses a 2.5D style, with high-definition graphics and dynamic effects. The game also features some of the classic gameplay elements from the Genesis games, such as the Sonic Spin Dash, the Homing Attack, and the special stages. The game also introduces some new features and mechanics, such as motion controls, online leaderboards, and co-operative mode. The game also uses a mix of synthesized and orchestral music, as well as some remixes and references of the music from the previous games.
Final verdict and rating
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a game that tries to please both the old and new fans of the series, but it also has some flaws and shortcomings. The game is fun and fast-paced, but it also lacks some of the polish and charm of the original games. The game is faithful and nostalgic, but it also feels repetitive and derivative. The game is impressive and modern, but it also suffers from some technical and design issues. The game is a decent and enjoyable platformer, but it is not a masterpiece or a classic.
Therefore, we give Sonic the Hedgehog 4 a rating of 7 out of 10. It is a good game, but not a great one. It is worth playing, but not essential. It is a sequel, but not a conclusion.
FAQs
Q: How long is Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
A: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a relatively short game, as each episode can be completed in about an hour or two. However, the game also has some replay value, as the player can try to collect all the Chaos Emeralds, unlock Super Sonic, beat their own scores and times, and play with different characters and modes.
Q: How can I play Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
A: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is available for various platforms, including iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Windows, and Linux. However, some of these platforms may have different versions or features of the game. For example, the Wii version does not have HD graphics or online leaderboards; the iOS and Android versions have touch controls and accelerometer support; and the Windows and Linux versions have Steam integration and achievements.
Q: Is Sonic the Hedgehog 4 canon?
A: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is considered to be canon by Sega, as it follows the events of Sonic & Knuckles and leads to the events of Sonic Mania. However, some fans may have different opinions or interpretations of the game's story and continuity.
Q: Is Sonic the Hedgehog 4 finished?
A: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was originally planned to have three episodes, but only two were released. Sega has not officially confirmed or denied whether they will release a third episode or not. However, some fans speculate that Sonic Mania may serve as a spiritual successor or replacement for the third episode.
Q: What are some other games similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
A: Some other games similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 4 are Sonic Mania, which is a fan-made game that pays homage to the classic games; Sonic Generations, which is a game that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the series by featuring both classic and modern versions of Sonic; and Sonic Colors, which is a game that combines 2D and 3D gameplay with colorful worlds and power-ups.
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