Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (WiiWare/PSN Review) by Carl B.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Dimps, Sonic Team
System: WiiWare, PSN, XBLA, iOS
Release Date: October 11, 2010
October 13, 2010, by Carl B. - Sega and Nintendo were the main competitors back in the 16-bit generations of the 90's with possibly the two most well known gaming mascots: Sonic and Mario, respectively. Sega wanted to cash in on the success the platforming genre had brought by the Super Mario series, but with so many different platformers out there, Sega had to come up with something completely unique. Thus Sonic the Hedgehog was born on the Sega Genesis, providing players with fresh, fast-paced platforming, loops, and stout competition for Nintendo. Over the years the quality of Sonic titles has declined, most notably after Sonic Adventure 2 released on the Dreamcast in 2001. The more recent Sonic games have had portions that are truly great, but eventually get bogged down by a poor gameplay mechanic specific to the game; Sonic Unleashed had great daytime levels, but during nighttime levels Sonic would turn into a "werehog" and the game became a slow-paced beat 'em up.
On October 11, 2010, Sega released part one of the episodic Sonic the Hedgehog 4 on WiiWare (along with PSN and XBLA later in the week), a revival of the classic 2D Sonic gameplay that had been missing for so many years. Has Sega finally returned glory to the Sonic name, or is part one of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 another low-quality effort?
The past few years have seen many revivals of old franchises with retro visuals and soundtracks, with Capcom releasing the 8-bit Mega Man 9 and 10 over WiiWare, PSN, and XBLA. Each episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 features the same 16-bit visual style for backgrounds with 3D models for Sonic and enemies. The 16-bit backgrounds look almost hand drawn and have multiple layers to give the illusion of distance; overall, very great looking.
Four different zones with three acts and one boss for each make up episode one, for a grand total of 16 main acts. The four zones are Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth, and Mad Gear. When every act for the four zones are cleared, a fifth zone called E.G.G. Station will open up for players to complete. Each zone is inspired by classic levels from Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, but each feature their own unique designs and challenges. Splash Hill Zone is a beginner zone similar to Green Hill Zone, with basic platforming challenges and a plethora of loops that have become a staple in the Sonic series. Casino Street Zone has platforming segments where players have to jump on moving cards to cross large chasms, along with obstacles that send Sonic shooting in different directions. Lost Labyrinth has the most environmental challenges out of each zone, with rolling boulders Sonic has to ride on and run away from. Mad Egg has a metallic aesthetic and is the second hardest zone overall, right after E.G.G. Station.
The big question is whether Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 stays true to its retro roots instead of throwing in a werehog, a sword, or some other weird gimmick - the answer is a resounding "yes." Sonic the Hedgehog 4 feels like a Sonic game from the early 90's, thanks in part to the beautiful visual style and awesome retro soundtrack, but mostly due to the fast-paced platforming the series was known for originally.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 only takes about two to three hours to finish all the way through, and for a $15.00 price tag that's a bit disappointing. Online leaderboards are available for players to upload and see their times and scores from acts compared to other players around the world, effectively adding to the replay value of the short game.
The Verdict
Sound
14/15 - Retro tunes bring back fond memories of classic Sonic.
Graphics
18/20 - Beautiful 16-bit backgrounds give the illusion of distance in each act of the game, and 3D models for Sonic and enemies have very fluid animations, making them look natural in the environments of the title.
Appeal
19/25 - Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will only take players roughly two to three hours to complete their first time through. Online leaderboards give some replay-ability, but it isn't quite enough for the $15.00 price tag.
Gameplay
39/40 - Fast-paced gameplay brings episode one back to what made the series great initially. The series-staple loop-de-loops have never been so refreshing.
Overall
90/100 - Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One is a giant step in the right direction to making Sonic a great series once again. With future episodes in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 coming soon and next month's release of Sonic Colors on Wii and DS, Sega is looking to redeem past mistakes in a big way.
