Remember Sonic 4: Episode 1? I sure hope you do.
(Looking at the post below this one is cheating. Stop that.)
Sega’s Sonic 4 Brand Manager Ken Balough confirmed today that Episode 2 of the series within a series is already in production. Naturally, we’ll have to wait for the first images and teasers of gameplay.
However, a few key points were stressed about Episode 2. According to Sega, since Episode 1 sold pretty well, Episode 2 may be allowed a bigger budget for development. A lot of elements in Episode 1 that players found problematic are also being addressed, with additional feedback from Sega of America and Sega of Europe being considered. One of these includes focusing on level elements that have never been seen before.
Lastly, the company stressed that, despite a certain teaser at the end of Episode 1 when all the Chaos Emeralds are collected, Episode 2 will not be a remake of Sonic CD. The amount of episodes Sonic 4 will hold has also been long decided by the company.
So get ready for another year of Sonic 4 goodness. Hopefully this time around, things won’t cause such a massive uproar about every minute detail under the sun. Also physics.
[Via Sonic Stadium]
68 Comments on this post
Leave a CommentThe reason there was a giant uproar about “every minute detail under the sun” is because this really isn’t Sonic going back to his roots. Sure it’s 2D – that’s about it.
I know all I’d be 100% happy with the same old Genesis graphics, same old gameplay style, same old everything – with just new levels.
What they did with Sonic 4 was just not what we’ve all been wanting.
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by Ralph
See, I understand that. But when I saw people going off about eyelid colors... well. You'll have to excuse my slight jadedness on the topic.
Reply left on 2.25.2011 by GeneHF
My main problem with Sonic 4 (aside from the atrocious physics) is the lack of originality in the level theming and design. Episode 1 is an almost complete ripoff of Sonic 1, with a Sonic 2 level thrown in for good measure. Sonic Colors, by contrast, tried to mix previous level themes into comparatively original levels. I don't think I've seen a level quite like Sweet Mountain in any previous Sonic game. Casino Street? Just Casino night with a few elements from the Sonic 2 beta.
I might mention that I don't have Steam or any other way of actually playing it, but I've seen videos. I'm not impressed in the slightest. I hope Sega can come up with something original, rather than a total ripoff of a game I've played innumerable times already. I'm not that nostalgic, and I'm not too hopeful for the next episode. I've got my fingers crossed, though...
Reply left on 2.25.2011 by Jaeger
*waits for the leaks because nothing ever stops Sonic fans*
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by JaxTH
And now, the fun begins! Strap yourselves in, kids.
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by MegaDash
One of these includes focusing on level elements that have never been seen before? alright prepare for another minekart level
also please SEGA, better physics and music, and maybe more zones!
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by sonictopfan
First level is a beach. Called it.
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by Quint
What traditional Sonic game (other than some of GG titles) doesn't have a Beach/Grassland theme as the first level? That almost saying "There are going to be gold rings in Sonic."
Reply left on 2.27.2011 by Streak210
Oh god. Retro fan rage AGAIN.
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by Nickster99
We await thy trailers oh mighty ones…dig you data unravelers LOL. Dig…DIG UNTIL YOU DIE LMAO…Where’s WENTOS when ya need em these days lol?
Comment left on 2.25.2011 by Shadowbane2009
Stuck in Sonic Unleashed doing business there, that's what.
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by FieraDevilWings
It won’t cause an uproar over every minute detail if every minute detail isn’t all wrong this time. ^_^
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by AesPir
Like. And very true. This is why I sent big angry letters to SEGA from March-August last year. At least 5 a month.
Reply left on 3.6.2011 by Super Volcano
Sonic Advance all over again but with less levels and more suck sigh. (though Sonic Advance 1 and 2 was better oddly enough O-o )
I’ve been to the future actually, and my future self has played episode two.
He says it still sucks.
He was also sitting in the corner and wouldn’t move. Just sat there shaking.
Perhaps I should never play it and create a small paradox….. hmmmm…. well I could try it once….
ah crap.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by shadow1w2
Dangit, YOU caused 2012!
QUICK, CHANGE THE CHANNEL
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by FieraDevilWings
I personally loved episode 1, I think it was a sweet idea to show some rehashed levels with new twists in them. They also felt fresh because of the graphic differences.
I actually dont consider splash hill or lost labyrinth to be as much of rehashes as casino street or mad gear.
If you consider splash hill a rehash then you also consider emerald hill a rehash…
Lost labyrinth I basically just consider a completely new level… Its not event that much like labyrinth zone from sonic 1.
I also love all the music for episode 1 and I love the homing attack, I also love the boss battles. Even the physics have grown on me, but i cant deny the they could use some tweaking.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by TheDanimator
Also considering this is a prologue to what is the MAIN plotline of sonic 4 and re introducing sonic back to his roots... It makes sense that there would be rehashed elements.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by TheDanimator
I personally detested episode 1, I think it was a terrible idea to show the same rehashed levels with crap physics in them. They also felt stale. Seemed like a half-hearted rehash. I also hate all the music for episode 1 and I can't stand the homing attack. Rehash? Talk about the boss battles. And the physics are all wonky, and i cant deny the they could use some major tweaking.
Reply left on 2.27.2011 by The Danimal
Not a Sonic CD remake you say? Hmph, we’ll see about that. They’ll find a way to rehash something. I’m sure of it.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Demise the Hedgehog
Personally I’m just glad to see ‘character at the end of sonic 4 here’ getting a starring role again!! And I actualy preferred sonic colours because dispute what sega claims, it’s mOre retro that episode 1. When you see old enemies in exactly the same context your used to then it isn’t real retro, it’s a blatant reuse of available resources(see: valve). In sonic colours you see the enamys your used to in a new context, eg: motobugs in starlight carnival!! It was a huge retro moment to see the motobugs in a new light!! And supersonic was the best!! I remembered on sonic 2 where I refused to go to chemical plant zone without the 7 chaos emeralds. Why? Because I could. It was great to see supersonic revived in a new light, 3d. I just don’t think sega could be REALY retro with episode 2, Unless it’s completely original.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by MetalShadowChaos
If problems are being filtered out of Episode 2, they better damn well post an update for Episode 1 with these changes! D:<
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Ricky Teh Hedgehaug
Kinda makes you wonder doesnt it?
I mean, will they connect?
I assume so, because it seems like more of the map will be uncovered.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by TheDanimator
Sonic fans care to much
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Lurker
Consider what site you're on. You're looking at about 80% of the users here being the Genesis-era Sonic fanbase. There is a reason that people are going to complain about this one if Sega doesn't get even the smallest or first detail right on reveal. Because Sonic 4 Episode 1 didn't do them justice.
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Um… You people realise Episode 1 was a PROLOGUE to Sonic 4 right? THAT is why is used SO many gimicks and copies from the old Sonic games. It was made to remind the OLD fans of the past saga and tale and tell NEW fans about the old adventures as well. It was a re-fresher for fans both old AND new so that they wouldn’t feel stumped or left out when the story of Sonic 4 begins. It’s kind of a… Narration to Sonic 4. Like… “Hey, this is what has happened so far” then at the end, it’s like… “Now you know the past story… So the tale of Sonic 4 can now begin!!” Basically, Sonic 4 narrates itself so far.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Chris K.
I agree and disagree with this...
I dont think episode 1 was made at all to tell the stories of sonic 1 and 2. Because it doesn't.
But allot of what you said is basically what i said in my post. They wanted to re introduce sonic to his roots.
Now that i think about it, it was a really smart move also because they could kind of test out what they would do for the MAJOR part of sonic 4 on the prologue, and aren't you people glad they did? We will probably be getting a game with better physics because of it.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by TheDanimator
I hope this indeed not a remake of a Sonic game “cleverly disguised” as a new game. I also think anyone hoping to see it be just like the Genesis games might wanna lay off the retro fanaticism, since yes the Genesis games were great, but they too had plenty of flaws.
I like playing fun platformers, fun games. So if Sonic 4: Episode II is that, that is enough for me.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Cloud_765
Well one problem is, there really are not that many ideas for zones left...Can you think of any that have not been done? I am sure they are out there but yeah.
I really like what they did with lost labyrinth, because to me it felt completely new, but sort of re used labyrinth.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by TheDanimator
Pretty much the only way there won’t be an uproar is if they keep the entire process under wraps until it hits the download services. These days, you can’t show so much as a silhouette of a logo without everybody giving their two bitchy cents on how they apparently already hate how it plays a year before the thing’s out.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Astro Man
And uh, and taking ques from Sonic CD is a bad thing now? Sonic CD felt unique – there needs to be more of that “Japanese” style of Sonic in the franchise.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by FileTrekker
Poll: How many of you say Episode II will be just as bad or worse than Episode I? And then, of those of you who think Ep. II will be better, how many think SEGA will STILL eff it up in SOME way?
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Writer’s Blah
Post that as a poll on the forums - and 50% of the voting, let me tell you, will be voting that Episode II will be bad. Not 99% because there are SOME people that are actually giving Sonic a chance this time.
Reply left on 3.1.2011 by FieraDevilWings
You people suck.
You want the same Sonic graphics but with new levels? That’s why Megaman 9 and 10 sucked.
I don’t remember anybody complaining how Donkey Kong Country Returns didn’t have the same SNES models.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Jack
Simple: DKCR played WELL (and lived up to its new name)! Also, MM9 and MM10 did NOT suck (where did you get that idea?). As for Sonic 4, well, they already explained that you you.
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by AguFungus
I still believe the game would not have been blasted as highly (at least by the fans) if it were named "New Sonic The Hedgehog". People put too much stock into the name.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by GeneHF
And until now, I don't remember ever seeing anybody complaining about MM9 or 10. First time for everything, I guess!
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by ChaoticFox
Good point on the DKCR one, not to mention that the original developers (Rare) weren't in it thanks to a certain opposite-of-Megahard. (Nintendo changed him around in Jungle Beat into the more crazy type of ape as well, almost trying to get rid of the past traits of any of the Rare-developed DK games.)
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Jack says:
"You people suck."
Blatant baiting much?
Reply left on 2.27.2011 by travelsonic
That's not the problem. I don't get what's so hard to understand about the complaints raised against Sonic 4. The main issue was never the graphics, though the models were indeed incredibly lazy. (Seriously, he keeps that same dumb smile no matter what is happening. This also happens with Eggman. Why can't they even make him stop smiling when he's getting blown up? Is it THAT much to ask for some effort?)
The real complaints have all be about the engine. Hell, even my girlfriend, who had never played a Sonic game besides Adventure until I had her play Sonic 4, was absolutely floored by how bad the game played. We even went through and listed off the good points of the game, of which there are quite a few, and made a game of guessing which parts of the team seemed to give a rat's ass about the game. The level design was almost consistently impressive, and some of the level art was, as well, though there were parts that just looked horrible and/or derivative. But the engine completely ruined the flow of the levels and how well they were generally designed.
Reply left on 2.26.2011 by Scripten
http://img35.imageshack.us/i/1296245850923.jpg/
But really, considering how much sega has stomped on us, i’m not having any high hopes for this game, even if they take into some consideration from some feedback. Modern sonic is modern sonic and sega has no means of going back, even if all we want is at least one game that plays like the classics.
Sure, i’ll buy it, sure, i’ll play it and enjoy as much as i can, but i’ll still have high hopes I won’t be very satisfied
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by TEhMAn92
"but i'll still have high hopes I won't be very satisfied"
WAIT A SECOND
You HOPE that you're not satisfied? You practically condemned Sonic and Sega just by saying that.
Reply left on 2.28.2011 by FieraDevilWings
Although it isn’t a remake of CD they could include elements like the super peel out move
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Thomas
Yes.
Reply left on 3.1.2011 by Scarletdark
In the meantime, I’ll be walking on the ceiling.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Samba-boy
I suspect that ceiling-running will play a bigger part in Sonic 4: Episode II than ever before. After all, it was “something we couldn’t do with the Genesis’ and it was only a minor feature in Episode I.
Real talk.
Comment left on 2.26.2011 by Trogdorbad
Dear Sonic Team
We saw how you guys did Sonic Colors. How about telling Dimps what you guys learned since you all actually went back to study the old games and Dimps didn’t?
Comment left on 2.27.2011 by Haru
I Can’t wait for this. And if we find the beta of Episode 2? It’s Party!
Comment left on 2.27.2011 by lolzvid
Is this supposed to be good news?
I doubt it.
Comment left on 2.28.2011 by Metalshadow6
Good news for us who like to see people whine (like me) :3
Reply left on 3.1.2011 by FieraDevilWings
I only had 3 problems with Sonic 4 Episode I: It’s The lack of originality (There was some, but little) and I know this may not count as a reason, but the uproar of the fans. I hope Episode II has some new levels never seen in a 2D Sonic Game like, A level on a highway, A volcano level or even a city that has been destoryed or a normal city in the winter.
Comment left on 3.1.2011 by Icee
Ack. Boring game is boring, but I seriously hope the second episode is worth my $15.
Comment left on 3.6.2011 by Metalshadow6
I can’t wait until this disappointment will come out, the fact they’re being so secretive of the game will be it’s down fall.
Have fun with a game that will feature the same amount of levels with no added additions.
Comment left on 3.7.2011 by Conker
They have masses up the classics in the first episode. Just hope this episode will be good.
Comment left on 3.13.2011 by kachan64