| Platform | OVERALL |
|---|---|
| WiiWare | 7.40 |
| Overall | 7.40 |
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Sonic 4, look at that name, a name that promises so much. A return to the Genesis Sonic games we all loved, the era where Sonic was at it's best. That name alone is the reason this downloadable title has gotten so much attention, if you promise us Sonic 4 you better give us Sonic 4. Sadly they failed in making a game that lives up to the Genesis titles, but the game itself still manages to be a quality game that is great for speed running. There are going to be two types of people who play this game, those that loved the Genesis Sonics and know everything about them and those that aren't too familiar with them. The Sonic fans will instantly feel something wrong the second they move Sonic. He gains speed very slowly by running, instead you have to do a homing attack with no target to artificially create speed (or you can spin dash). Turning Sonic into his ball form doesn't retain momentum, for instance if you are falling down a curved structure being in ball form won't build momentum to launch you up a wall. The addition of homing attack totally changes the way you attack enemies and even navigate the level. There are paths where you must use the homing attack as a enemy bridge to a platform, I don't remember doing that in the Genesis games. Sonic simply feels off, it's more Sonic Rush than Genesis Sonic. The level design is the other area where the game has issues. For some reason Dimps and Sonic Team felt the need to fill most acts with some sort of gimmick. One level has you using a torch to light up a dark path and even use it to solve puzzles which bring the game to a screeching halt. Another level is filled with cannons that you must use to shoot yourself around the level. One could say this adds a nice variety to the game, I say it takes away from the core Sonic gameplay which is why we are playing this in the first place. Sonic didn't need a bunch of game altering powerups or gimmick filled levels cause his core moves were different enough from any game out there. Each level in the game is loosely based on a previous Genesis Sonic level. The levels did not feel as well designed as any of the Genesis Sonic levels, especially the ones they are based on. The last world, Mad Gear is the only time in the game where I saw flashes of Genesis Sonic, it gives me a little bit of hope for the next episode. The boss battles are all taken from Sonic 1 or 2. They start just like the old battles but soon turn into something different. Homing attack makes some of these battles easier than they once were. Dr. Robotnik now gets a period of invincibility after he gets it, that completely throws any old school Sonic fan off. Overall they are decent battles and the final one is a very well done fight. Special stages return, as always they house the seven chaos emeralds. This special stage is modeled after Sonic 1's special stage but instead of moving sonic around you rotate the level. Once again not as good as what it was based on. The stages aren't terrible, they can be a decent challenge but they might frustrate more than anything. I feel the game is not at the same level as the Genesis Sonic titles. My first run through I was actually a bit disgusted by it all. Once I started to replay the levels in time attack to compete on the leaderboards then I started to enjoy myself. If there is one thing Dimps knows how to do it's to make great levels to speed run. All of a sudden all these new mechanics can be used to speed Sonic in ways you wouldn't think possible. Advanced players will need to learn how to not use homing attack on enemies so that they can keep their momentum while hitting them. I love finding the fastest route in a level and then working on execution to shed those precious seconds off the time. This is where most of my enjoyment is coming from, which is much like the Rush games. I never played the Genesis titles to speed run, they were a joy just to play. I don't feel that way about many recent Sonic games, they are more about speed running than a quality first play experience, this game is no different. Sonic games are known for the their excellent music, someone forgot to tell that to this team. The music is bland and boring. At least the game looks nice, I love the art style and its cool to see classic Sonic enemies reborn in these graphics. The game is not long, but then again the old Sonic games weren't either. Expect to finish it in about an hour. There is little to no difficulty, part of that is the level select which removes any use for lives or continues. Even if there was a true game over you probably would never see it cause none of the levels are that dangerous and the game gives out lives like candy. At $15 the price is too steep for most. If you really plan to sink your teeth in the game and compete on the leaderboard you will get your moneys worth. If not, well you paid $15 for an hours worth of game, a game that isn't as good as Sonic games available for less on the virtual console. Sonic 4 Episode 1 isn't a disaster, it seems like the extra time did allow Dimps to create a better game. Sadly it has to be compared to the past and it simply doesn't live up to it. As it's own game it is a fun, solid title that I feel many will enjoy. |
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Posted by Dvader Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:20:43
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travo (2m)
It says a lot (sadly) about where SEGA and Sonic is that Sonic 4 is a DL game, when so many lessor games carrying the Sonic banner have had full retail releases.
Mario has been able to tap into his origin with SMBWii, Sonic at least deserves the same.
I was particulary disapointed with your description of the start-up spped being wrong. Sunsh a small detail to have missed, and it had to have ben missed given that there would be no reason to consciously miss it.
There appear to be, from your review, signs of hope, and for $15, that is enough to consider it.
Overall though, Sonic, and his plight, is a marker of the harsh realities of the free market.