Sonic 4 Episode 1 (Review) Playstation 3

There was a time when Sonic was a household name. It was once believed that Nintendo’s italian plumber, Mario, could never be replaced or even matched in popularity. For the longest time, this was fact — until Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog for its 16-bit console system, the Sega Genesis.

Suddenly, gamers were introduced to a new way of platform gaming. They could navigate levels at tremendous speeds, free furry animals from mechanical prisons, and battle the oddest boss ever – Dr. Robotnik (Dr. Eggman). Later sequels introduced his sidekick Tails,  Knuckles, and enemy Metal Sonic.

It has been almost 25 years since Sonic has had a sequel. Sonic Adventure for Dreamcast was Sega’s attempt at bringing the blue hero into the 3rd dimension, and while it was still worth playing, it lacked the same finesse that made the original series so memorable. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is the long-awaited sequel to the original 2D series.

Sonic is back in HD splendor, all redrawn in 2D, and his world is absolutely breathtaking. The game world is broken into four zones  – Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth, and Mad Gear. Splash Hill is actually a tribute to the classic Sonic series. Splash Hill – Act 1: The Adventure Begins is filled with familiar scenery like palm trees, brown, checkered platforms covered in lush, green grass, and log bridges that fill in gaps across waterfalls. There is also a host of familiar enemies that litter the landscape.

The other levels – Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth, and Mad Gear – all borrow popular elements from previous 2D Sonic games, but the levels offer enough originality in their designs to keep the experience feeling fresh. The Casino Street Zone is very similar to Casino Night from Sonic 2, so fans of the series will be pointing out the similarities as they play.

The biggest question remains for most Sonic gamers; does Sonic 4 deliver and rekindle the magic that made the series so iconic? Sonic 4’s mechanics stay true to the originals, with a few exceptions. Our blue hero can still curl into his trademark ball, spin in place, and then speed up a towering obstacle, but his ball speed has been reduced. The running physics have also been altered. When trying to run from a dead start, Sonic seems to take longer to gain speed.

Additionally, Sonic’s speed seems to be slightly slower when running through multiple loops. This change in game physics – especially in this case – will cause veterans of the series to struggle when navigating large loops. This is not necessarily a flaw, but a change in the game’s physics. Once you grow accustom to these changes, Sonic 4 is actually quite fun and it feels very classic.

Chaos Emeralds are still attainable via a bonus game. Sonic is sent to a psychedelic world where the environment must be rotated to send him around corners, collecting coins and eventually reaching the end of the maze (where the Chaos Emerald is located). You are timed during the bonus stages, so reaching the end and collecting the Chaos Emerald can be challenging and also frustrating at the same time. Luckily, you are awarded trophies for your efforts.

Sonic 4’s controls are pretty straight-forward and stick to the original formula. The directional pad / Analog stick control Sonic, and either the X or O button(s) can be used to attack, jump, and speed roll (while holding down the directional / Analog stick and then releasing the button).  Basic, but perfect.

There is no questioning the graphics; Sonic 4’s HD visuals are absolutely stunning. The world comes to life in vivd, HD colors, the sprites have been re-drawn, and while Sonic’s running animation looks awkward compared to the original, it still deserves recognition. The music is also quite memorable; it reminds you of how important well-composed music can be during a video game experience. The Lost Labyrinth has some of the best music in the game, bar none.

Sega has taken a step forward in Sonic’s evolution. It can be argued that some franchises are better off in the 2nd dimension, and this release is proof positive. While some of the classic feeling was lost due to the HD graphics and tweaks made to the physics, there is enough nostalgia to keep you glued to the screen. Despite some of the changes made to Sonic 4, fans will still enjoy this sequel.

Mike ‘STGuy1040’ Pittaro
Platform: Playstation 3 (Available on PSN)
Price: $14.99
Developer/Publisher: Sega
Official Sonic 4 Website

Review Score
Graphics
The HD visuals are simply breathtaking.
Sound
There are some great tunes in Sonic 4; Sega did a fantastic job.
Gameplay
Even though Sonic's physics were tweaked, the game doesn't suffer too much from these changes. Hardcore fans may find these changes upsetting, but once you learn Sonic's new groove, the game plays perfectly fine.

Overall
Sega has taken the Sonic series in the right direction. Hopefully Episode 2 will include more zones and additional tweaks to our favorite blue hedgehog.