Brokenkev
14th February 2010, 16:53
Did your heart sink when SEGA Mega Drive ceased to continue and no new plans for another 2D adventure starring the blue hedgehog was announced, but instead a spin-off series was released?
Did you think "this isn't what it once was" when playing the likes of Sonic Heroes or more-recent Sonic Next-Gen or Sonic Unleashed.
Well, now your prayers have been answered as SEGA and Sonic Team re-live the original series with a new direct sequel for the first time in 16 years.
Retro Gaming Fans unite, what could possibly happen in the world of Mobius regarding the destruction of the Death Egg at the end of the mega blockbuster game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (& Knuckles, both were originally intended to be one game), as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4 is making it's way to a console near you.
This direct sequel from 1994 will feature old badniks return, and the old gimmicks such as spin dash and double jump, and possibly even shields of different types to battle different enemies and allow skills such as walking on lava and breathing underwater. As well as some new additions (including the ability to do a Homing Attack when jumping). Sonic 4 looks to re-spark the fans of the original series as well as introducing new fans to the world of Sonic through a two-dimensional side-scrolling world consisting of zones and acts.
Figure 1: Sonic running through a Mushroom Hill-esque environment in the upcoming 2D platformer
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/Sonic_4_Screenshot.jpg
With new cel-shaded high-definition graphics adding to the graphical power of the 2D game, it looks to be a real keeper, keeping the graphics of the recent Sonic next-gen games, to keep the feel of 2010 while offering the retro gameplay of 1992.
What's more? The game will see the returns of the original Badniks of the Sonic the Hedgehog series to generate some new HD tie-in with the original Saga.
Figure 2: Return of the MotoBug!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/Sonic_4_Concept_Art.jpg
In the early stages of announcements and revealings, we are very hopeful of return of other concepts such as Sonic being the only playable character, meaning that older fans won't have to learn of new spin-off, characters that steer away from the speed factor such as Silver the Hedgehog's psychic ability or Big the Cat's fishing expedition that was probably added because of SEGA's love for their Bass Fishing game. Some let-downs in few eyes will most likely be the lack of Dr. Eggman returning to the name he had in 1994 of Ivo Robotnik, and possibly the (apparent) lack of cameos of Knuckles and Tails, but that might not be so. It is emphasised that Sonic will be the only PLAYABLE character.
Figure 3: Reminiscant of the old Sonic the Hedgehog games is the logo for this episodic epic
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Sonic_4_Logo.png
With the lack of content been announced so far, aside from a single screenshot and badnik concept art, it is hard to tell how this game will play out, but their official website www.sonicthehedgehog4.co.uk/en is yet to reveal more. One criticism appears to be the game being episodic for digital download which means that rather than a full game being made and released, individual parts of the game will be sold seperately and build up to a massive game. If this game adds up to be £120 in digital downloads, will it really be worth the money? Our hope is that a single episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will feature about eight zones, making one episode reminiscant of the original Sonic games. But why not just release that one episode as the full game at a cheaper price? Here's hoping our dreams are fulfilled by this game, but in 2010, we'll have to wait and see if this is the case.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be released in the Summer 2010 (no confirmed date, which also makes us pout), and will be available for Digital Download on Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, WiiWare, and one more platform that is yet to be announced (although rumours say it's the iPhone).
LOVES:
- Classic speed
- Finally getting more of the Sonic story, although the story was never the main focus of the early Sonic games
- Here's hoping for no pointless cut-scenes between acts and zones, and just continuous action
- Sonic being the only playable character
- Easy to control, two dimensional side scrolling
HATES:
- Having to wait 16 years for this sequel despite the demand for the 2D platformer
- Games not meeting the hype given
- Dr. Eggman being called Eggman
- Episodic release could not be very in-depth, and might be useless
- Price of episodic release could build up, and money could better be spent on a full single-release game for £40
From the People who Made: Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Billy Hatcher & The Giant Egg
A review will be up upon this game's release and I'll post preview updates as information is be revealed.
Discuss.
Did you think "this isn't what it once was" when playing the likes of Sonic Heroes or more-recent Sonic Next-Gen or Sonic Unleashed.
Well, now your prayers have been answered as SEGA and Sonic Team re-live the original series with a new direct sequel for the first time in 16 years.
Retro Gaming Fans unite, what could possibly happen in the world of Mobius regarding the destruction of the Death Egg at the end of the mega blockbuster game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (& Knuckles, both were originally intended to be one game), as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4 is making it's way to a console near you.
This direct sequel from 1994 will feature old badniks return, and the old gimmicks such as spin dash and double jump, and possibly even shields of different types to battle different enemies and allow skills such as walking on lava and breathing underwater. As well as some new additions (including the ability to do a Homing Attack when jumping). Sonic 4 looks to re-spark the fans of the original series as well as introducing new fans to the world of Sonic through a two-dimensional side-scrolling world consisting of zones and acts.
Figure 1: Sonic running through a Mushroom Hill-esque environment in the upcoming 2D platformer
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/Sonic_4_Screenshot.jpg
With new cel-shaded high-definition graphics adding to the graphical power of the 2D game, it looks to be a real keeper, keeping the graphics of the recent Sonic next-gen games, to keep the feel of 2010 while offering the retro gameplay of 1992.
What's more? The game will see the returns of the original Badniks of the Sonic the Hedgehog series to generate some new HD tie-in with the original Saga.
Figure 2: Return of the MotoBug!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/Sonic_4_Concept_Art.jpg
In the early stages of announcements and revealings, we are very hopeful of return of other concepts such as Sonic being the only playable character, meaning that older fans won't have to learn of new spin-off, characters that steer away from the speed factor such as Silver the Hedgehog's psychic ability or Big the Cat's fishing expedition that was probably added because of SEGA's love for their Bass Fishing game. Some let-downs in few eyes will most likely be the lack of Dr. Eggman returning to the name he had in 1994 of Ivo Robotnik, and possibly the (apparent) lack of cameos of Knuckles and Tails, but that might not be so. It is emphasised that Sonic will be the only PLAYABLE character.
Figure 3: Reminiscant of the old Sonic the Hedgehog games is the logo for this episodic epic
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Sonic_4_Logo.png
With the lack of content been announced so far, aside from a single screenshot and badnik concept art, it is hard to tell how this game will play out, but their official website www.sonicthehedgehog4.co.uk/en is yet to reveal more. One criticism appears to be the game being episodic for digital download which means that rather than a full game being made and released, individual parts of the game will be sold seperately and build up to a massive game. If this game adds up to be £120 in digital downloads, will it really be worth the money? Our hope is that a single episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will feature about eight zones, making one episode reminiscant of the original Sonic games. But why not just release that one episode as the full game at a cheaper price? Here's hoping our dreams are fulfilled by this game, but in 2010, we'll have to wait and see if this is the case.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be released in the Summer 2010 (no confirmed date, which also makes us pout), and will be available for Digital Download on Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, WiiWare, and one more platform that is yet to be announced (although rumours say it's the iPhone).
LOVES:
- Classic speed
- Finally getting more of the Sonic story, although the story was never the main focus of the early Sonic games
- Here's hoping for no pointless cut-scenes between acts and zones, and just continuous action
- Sonic being the only playable character
- Easy to control, two dimensional side scrolling
HATES:
- Having to wait 16 years for this sequel despite the demand for the 2D platformer
- Games not meeting the hype given
- Dr. Eggman being called Eggman
- Episodic release could not be very in-depth, and might be useless
- Price of episodic release could build up, and money could better be spent on a full single-release game for £40
From the People who Made: Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Billy Hatcher & The Giant Egg
A review will be up upon this game's release and I'll post preview updates as information is be revealed.
Discuss.