Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Official Thread

[Devil N]

After toying around with the demo for some time, I have to say I have given Sonic 4 a bit of a better shot. The physics are still not up to par in my opinion. I have found by constantly holding the directional button even down hills etc, I have been able to keep up Sonic's momentum.

I noticed that too on one of my demo playthroughs. It's like the developers at least tried to imitate the old Sonic's physics, but didn't notice that different people have different playing styles and that each style has its own distinct feel. With Sonic 4, there is really only one style of play that 'works', and if you happen to be used to a 'wrong' style, then the game will simply not work for you.

Shame, Sonic 4 comes very very close to being a worthy follow-up, but they really should have paid more attention to the subtleties of the original games' physics.

[sheath]

I spent some time with it yesterday muscling my way through the Casino levels. The Labyrinth zone had me thinking I could take this game in stride, until the bottomless pits. They're everywhere! Gads, this is why I quit Sonic Rush and sold my DS, I loved the gameplay mechanics but the level designs were straight out of a Mario game. Still, I'd rather play this than yet another cinefest/FPS. So, I'll probably finish it. I need to finish Sonic Megamix too though...

[TheFace]

I don't know, there were lots of pits in Sonic 1 - lower areas of Green Hill, Scrap Brain Zone, etcetera.

[sheath]

Yeah, I'm trying to remember that when it happens in Sonic 4. I much prefer the later games in this respect, when you fall you just lose time. One thing I really really very much enjoy about Sonic 4 is that you can restart the level you are on using the menu and it restarts with no load time. I cannot even count how many modern games that claim to be "retro" miss the significance of this option.

-edit-

I just got through most of the Mad Gear stages and keep dieing from traps. I have decided, I don't like this game. I love it! Once I figured out what the Sonic Adventure team was thinking for the gameplay and physics it has been a good experience overall. I really enjoy the Sonic 1 level design emphasis in particular. It shows that the game's team actually played the original Sonic enough to figure out what made it tick, and I appreciate that they did not just rip its core mechanics out and make new levels. This game is just as capable of speed runs and exploration as the original and every bit as playable while challenging.

[Cornholio857]

Yeah, I'm trying to remember that when it happens in Sonic 4. I much prefer the later games in this respect, when you fall you just lose time. One thing I really really very much enjoy about Sonic 4 is that you can restart the level you are on using the menu and it restarts with no load time. I cannot even count how many modern games that claim to be "retro" miss the significance of this option.

-edit-

I just got through most of the Mad Gear stages and keep dieing from traps. I have decided, I don't like this game. I love it! Once I figured out what the Sonic Adventure team was thinking for the gameplay and physics it has been a good experience overall. I really enjoy the Sonic 1 level design emphasis in particular. It shows that the game's team actually played the original Sonic enough to figure out what made it tick, and I appreciate that they did not just rip its core mechanics out and make new levels. This game is just as capable of speed runs and exploration as the original and every bit as playable while challenging.

As I posted earlier. I always find I come back to the Special Stages to get the Best Time. I'm now working on Splash Hill Zone.

I also really liked Lost Labyrinth Act 2. I liked the idea of lighting your way with the torch. Reminded me of Sandopolis Zone Act 2 . Except in that Zone you HAD to keep it lit!

[Dere]

It's kinda boring and plain. I personally have this problem with most/all of the Sonic 3 zones, I've always liked S&K's better

After reading this, I can't help but reply. I have to ask: How on Earth are most/all Sonic 3 zones boring and plain? They're huge, diverse, speedy, and feature dozens of alternate paths and secret areas. Level design-wise, I would have to say they're the best ones (along with the S&K Zones) in the classic series, Sonic 1 and 2's Zones more simplistic, short and plain. You want to see truly boring and plain levels? Look at Sonic 2's stages. 70% of them are boring, slow-paced and feature mediocre level design with slow advancement that doesn't allow you to run for more than 5 seconds. Seriously, out of its 10 Zones (not counting Death Egg, which is just an arena for the final bosses), the only fun and speedy ones are EHZ, CPZ and CNZ. The rest of them are slow and tedious, which is sad for a Sonic game. People give shit to modern Sonic games for not offerring enough speed-based gameplay, but Sonic 2 is worse in this area than, say, Sonic Unleashed (where the speed-based stages made up 50% of the game, rather than 30%) when you look at it objectively. And then there's Sonic 1, where half of its Zones were slow and boring as well. By contrast, even the most slow-paced Sonic 3 Zones (ie: IceCap and Launch Base) have complex layouts and plenty of speed. Frankly, I'll take the worst Sonic 3 Zone over 70% of Sonic 2's and 50% of Sonic 1's levels any day of the week.

[Pulstar]

It's personal opinion really. We can argue all we want; most people have formed their preferences and will stick to them. For example I agree with your assessment of Sonic 3, but would you agree with me that Bare Knuckle III is the best in the series? Maybe not..

As for Sonic 4, it seems they stopped after episode 2. I wonder what future 2D Sonic has in store for us, if at all.

[Da_Shocker]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Pulstar again.

[miru]

I personally thought it was okay, but I can understand why someone would be very upset at it.

[Qjimbo]

The problem with it was it wasn't taken seriously. It had that same low-budget feel like the Sonic Adventure games had - not enough money, time and good developers were thrown at it. It fell victim to the whole "That'll do" attitude that had burdened the Sonic franchise up until Sonic Generations. I think the issue is that Sonic games appear simplistic, people don't think it will be that hard to make one, so not enough effort is really made to create a great game. Sonic needs to be treated like any other premier video game title. Nintendo recognized this with their franchises and most of their recent 1st party games with Mario and Zelda feel polished, well rounded and smart, and Sonic needs to be treated the same way, with a dev team that will really put their heads together to create something awesome, not just a game that meets a set of requirements.