Sega Listened!

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"SEGA has announced Sonic 4: Episode I. It is, as GameSpot reports, a 2D downloadable game with 3D visuals.

The announcement is part of the Project Needlemouse build up SEGA has been pushing since last September 2009. "Needlemouse" refers to Sonic's codename when the game that would become Sonic The Hedgehog was initially being pitched.

While teasing this Project Needlemouse project, SEGA has stated that the game is a return to Sonic's 2D roots and that the blue hedgehog will be the only playable character.

The game will pick up after Sonic & Knucles, but, as "Episode I" indicates, this is a new story arc.

When asked if this means the title is episodic, associate brand manager Ken Balough told GameSpot: "As mentioned, I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles. In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it's also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what's in store for episode two!"

So that's a "yes" to episodic Sonic?

The game will feature traditional Sonic mechanics like spin dash, power sneakers and whatnot, but also an added "homing attack".

Sonic 4: Episode I will be heading to the PSN, Xbox LIVE Arcade and WiiWare this summer. It's possible to use motion control with the Wii version and SIXAXIS controls with the PS3 version."

Source: Project Needlemouse Is... Sonic 4, Episode I - Top - Kotaku

So after 10 years it seems like Sega finally listened to it's fans! I'm not so sure about the whole episodic thing but as long as they don't charge say 800MS for the first episode and it not being a full size game (like Sonic 1, 2 and 3 etc) I'll be happy.

 

I'm not entering the hype train yet, for now it looks like the Sonic Team finally got the freedom to listen to their fans and put some love and nostalgia in a Sonic game again. If the quality of this will be alright, then I'll see this as Sonic's answer to New Super Mario Bros!

 

I'm wondering how the episode thing will work out. Hopefully they'll throw it on Steam some times as well, along with Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Sonic CD, Sonic R and Sonic 3D, but probably not..

 

It will probably be 800MSP as its never been released before and Sonic 1, 2, and 3 were released a long time ago (obviously). I honestly can't say I like the look. I'd prefer it to look like the classic sonics, it just looks sorta stupid in my opinion.

 

I didn't like the graphical looks for New Super Mario Bros either, it's the gameplay that made me enjoy it. And I agree with this for Sonic as well, I just like the 90's cartoony look for platform characters, all those characters including Megaman and Jazz Jackrabbit had influences from 80's and 90's cartoons. But obviously, anime and CGI animation has changed that and games have to follow that trend..

 

I am looking forward the release!! Juhu! I hope, Sonic 4 will be like NewSuperMario for NDS. Finally no 3D-Jump'n'Run Shit!!

 

I still need to play Sonic Heroes. I've had it for a while, never really played it..

 

Or just take a look at Jack & Daxter trilogy (PS2). First part was a nice (ok ok, 3D) jump'n'run. But then, the second and third part. Suddenly it was a GTA SciFi clone.. with weapons, vehicles, open city... nonsense².

Imo jump'n'runs should stay jump'n'runs. Sonic, Mario and other should be sidescroller.

That is the reason, i hopefully wait for Sonic 4!

BACK 2 THE ROOTS

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with 3D jump 'n run gameplay, as long as the quality is alright. Developers can basically waste any project in any genre. See Mario 64, which is considered one of the best jump 'n run games even though it's all 3D.

 

Yeah, Mario 64 was awesome, but if you look at some of the 3D versions of Sonic, they just leave you cringing. Top down, not much in the way of camera movement, inability to zoom in or out. Though they almost had it right with Sonic DX. I might splash out for this one, but am not sure yet, I'll read the reviews prior to purchase.

 

Sonic DX and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle were great but everything after went to hell. I like 2D sonic and I like 3D sonic (some anyways) but I don't like them mixed up.

 

Sonic Adventure was nice. I liked the music. I liked the music in Sonic Rush as well.. I guess Sonic games just have great music.

 

I'm looking forward to Sonic Adventure and Sonic 4 on the 360, I never had a Dreamcast or Cube so am yet to play it.

Some people have Sonic Adventure on the 360 already, it was uploaded to partnernet then removed a few hours later, as was AfterBurner which has since been leaked to the masses.

 

Sonic Adventure is also on PC, so if you can't wait you could play it on that.

 

Thanks Assassin, googled it and one of the results was a download of it on Digiex!

Great stuff.

 

Some say Sonic games began te fail even before Sonic Adventure, with Sonic 3D Flickies Island (or something), I actually liked that pretty much and I still have the original PC disc somewhere. I personally think the last Sonic game that was actually good was Sonic Heroes, though the Sonic game I enjoyed most in my life was Sonic Adventure 2, it was in my cube for months non-stop.

Also, I've never joined the hype of instantly prefering the 2D Sonic classics over the 3D aventures. Indeed, the camera wasn't always right with both adventures, though that was the case with most old 3D games. I got through classic Sonic 1 and 2 on my 360 with all achievements, and I have to say that some parts were rather annoying if it comes to speed.

You know, Sonic's speed is a nice feeling in 2D, but you constantly take hits by spikes and pits, and some other 'flaws' in the level design. While in Sonic adventure, it's a lot easier to plan what you're doing in full speed even for 'first-timers' on the levels.

 

I did, not really worth it though with how long it took. Probably about 200 hours just to get all the emblems. The level is rather short but its sorta interesting. Though for some reason I could never get higher then a C rank on that level, no matter how many times a tried, it was always a C.