Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

Sonic, I remember when you used to be cool, man!

There's no doubt that Sonic and disappointment go hand in hand these days. Ever since the blue, spiky hero went 3D the overall quality of his games went down, down, down. Despite the advanced technology of modern video game consoles he just didn't have the same edge he once did on the Mega Drive. However, the 2D GBA and DS games made a noble effort and were good in their own right.

Sixteen years after the release of Sonic 3 & Knuckles Sega and Team Sonic had FINALLY delivered...a big letdown. In all that time THIS is the best they could come up with? It's not even an original game, rather just a remake of four Sonic 2 levels. Yeah...you read that correct, FOUR levels plus Special stages and Death Egg ending. That's pathetic!

It wouldn't be so bad if these levels were enjoyable but they frequently suffer from bad design. It feels like they were hacked together by a bunch of amateurs. Why gives us a ten-second invincibility power-up where there are no enemies? Why are there no cut scenes? And why is Sonic soooooo slow???

I usually hate cut scenes, but if this is supposed to be a continuation of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles story then you could have fooled me. It has nothing to do with those games. No Knuckles. No Tails. No continuity between levels. No ending scene! No catchy theme tunes. How dare Sega release a game that just isn't finished.

I'm not sure how many 'Episodes' are left in Sega's revival of the original Sonic series, or when they will be released, but if it took them 16 years to produce this one I guess we're in for several more anti-climaxes and letdowns.

Graphics A Sound B Gameplay C- Lasting Appeal D

After "Sonic 3 & Knuckles" (which is easily my favorite of the Genesis era Sonic games), there has never really been a main line Sonic game that would reach the heights of the legendary genesis games that featured the blue speedster. The advance games were ambitious and memorable, and the rush series did a decent job in combining old and new, but in terms of pure classic 2D Sonic goodness, the main line genesis games still reigned supreme. So, after about 16 years, Sonic Team finally unveiled a teaser to the official "Sonic The Hedgehog 4". Finally! A game to put the blue blur back on the map!

...or at least, it was supposed to. Instead, we get one of the most laziest and sorry excuses of a Sonic game ever made, and after that long of a wait, it hurts real bad. For one, this game has basically nothing to call its own. It shamelessly reuses the exact same level themes and tropes from the first few Sonic games, with the only thing done is giving them new names. The boss battles are also copied directly from older games-funnily enough, sometimes in the same theme as they took place in the original game they took place. Both of these issues take place the ENTIRE game, so there's little to no originality here-a first for a Sonic game. The special stages are also just ripped straight out of Sonic 1, with the biggest difference being that there's now a countdown.

If that weren't bad enough, the gameplay and physics are absolute nonsense. Sonic feels a lot more restricted and annoying to play as than usual, and while he can still go fast, he doesn't FEEL fast, if that makes sense. Mix all of this with the fact that this game is pitifully short, and what you've got here is a crystal clear reminder that the developers just didn't care with this one.

That's not to say there's nothing good about it, as the visuals, for as uninspired as they are, do a pretty good job at merging modern Sonic with classic Sonic. The music is actually quite good, as it's lively, hooky, and memorable. While it's not my favorite Sonic OST, it's definitely the best part of this whole package. And while the controls are worse, the level design, itself, isn't terrible, as it has a decent focus on speed, and the ability to lock on to enemies to attack them (from the 3D games originally) can be pretty fun. Lastly, there are a few (out of many) boss battles that are new and interesting, and even though the majority of them are reused, I'm at least happy about that.

Everything else? Trash. This feels ZERO percent like a 4th Sonic game. It feels like a whipped up history of Sonic levels compilation with some tiny quirks thrown in there, and that's it. Nothing more. And the fact that it has the balls to call itself "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" when all it does is reuse assets is really frustrating, because instead of an actual great continuation having that name, it's this lazy piece of garbage. It takes no steps forward, but it takes many steps back. It's not just a bad game, but it's also pretty insulting. Sure, it's not like one of the worst games I've ever played, but, aside from name only, this is NOT Sonic 4.

I know everybody saying Sonic 4 is bad but I actually think this is fun! I have to say Sonic 4 is easy and fun. I like it. Oh and the music is spot on and it sounds just like the SEGA Genesis games. And I like the whole Genesis thing going on here. Sonic 4 is the best game ever and I think everybody should say that too. So I'll give this game a S rank.

With years of bad games Sonic Team follows up on the complaints by returning Sonic the Hedgehog to a retroactive version while still giving him the 21st Century makeover. Sonic 4 Episode I promises to be a the first true sequel to Sonic & Knuckles but unfortunately it's mostly a retroactive rehash with nothing to truly tie it back to the classic.

The stages for the most part are cookie cutter cut outs of stages past with added challenges some good others just plain bad. Lost Labyrinth for example has the most ludicrous stroke of luck puzzle that few could figure out without several time outs and game overs, added with a even worse boss fight. Each act is also filled with one overly difficult platforming section which results in a lot of cheap deaths and a lot of luck. The boss fights are also rehashed from games past. Great for nostalgia but sorely lacks in originality.

Game physics are a problem. It's the most common complaint and they really are. To often the Fastest Thing Alive slows down on an incline however the controls are more stable compared to Sonic 06. The worst part of the mechanics is Sonic uncurls from a ball when launched into the air. Perhaps to get people to take advantage of the homing attack.

The Special Stages are also overly hard with a new perk added: A Time limit. Why is beyond me but it will make the quest for the emeralds much harder. It's nice though to throw back to the stages of Sonic 1 as opposed to the Blue Sphere or the race.

Jun Senoue composed the music and the music is a mix of good and bad but mostly unmemorable tracks compared to older titles. The art is wonderful and the graphics are pristine. Sonic 4 is okay. It's only okay. Worth $20 but Sonic Colors turned out to be the better title for 2011.