Sonic 4: Episode 2 is out

I'm sure you're all already aware of this, but Sonic 4: Episode 2 is now out on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7 and PC.

So feel free to share your thoughts on the game if you've played it, and here's the launch trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHvOK2BIZ5w

It's fun, but can be very frustrating.

I don't have the game yet, but I've heard the music, and it's just okay. I mean, it's not bad...but it's not to the level that I think most Sonic games usually are at. It looks great, though.

I would say the music is better than Episode I's though. Except Mad Gear. But oh well.

I beat the game, and the story's not bad for a classic game, but still doesn't beat STH3&K.

I got all the red rings, chaos emeralds, beat Episode Metal, and completed the main story of Episode 2. So I guess that's enough for a review:

The first thing you'll notice that has been improved over Episode 1 are the graphics. While they aren't as good as Generations' of course, they still look good enough to the point where they would only need to tweak them slightly in Episode 3 (Assuming they'll actually develop another episode). The music (At least in my opinion) is better too. Though I feel that it's forgettable, when you listen to it, you can actually enjoy it.

But what everyone truly cares about is the gameplay, and while I can definitely say that it isn't quite on the same the level as the classic games, it's certainly a step in the right direction from Episode 1. The physics are actually pretty natural this time whereas in Episode 1 it almost felt like the physics were the gimmicks itself. Still, they don't quite have the free feeling that the classics did. That's the thing, it doesn't feel as free as it should. I can't quite wrap my finger around it, but it's as if the game has the level design of a Megaman game, but the gameplay of a Sonic game (Admittedly that's a bit of an over exaggeration, but still). It's not necessarily buggy, nor are the physics restricting, but it's just a little automated at times.

Another thing that contributes to the points I mentioned above, are the combo moves that you do. A lot of the times, they force you to do a combo move with Tails, which isn't really as bad as it sounds, but there is one move that's basically like the frenzy wisp in Colors, but less rewarding and more cheap.

All in all though, the game's still fun, and unlike Episode 1 I'll probably being replaying this one from time to time. However, like Generations, it feels like it's just too small. I know that sounds greedy, and while it kind of is, I feel that a lot of the recent Sonic games have this problem, where you find every secret, every unlock-able, and yet you feel like you just got started. It sort of sucks the re-playability away. But that's only a minor complaint as quality overall triumphs over quantity. After all, the classic games were very short, yet most consider them the best in the series.

Oh, there is another minor downside that I won't get too worked up over, but will address. As you probably know, owners of both Episode 1 and 2 get the free Episode Metal DLC. However, all it contains are four acts, each of which are based on the four zones in Episode 1, and I personally felt that the opening act was surprisingly and delightfully challenging, while the other three, especially the last two, were very easy and unsatisfying. However, it's free so I can't complain too much. But if you didn't get it for free, I'd recommend not wasting your money on it, unless you're a diehard Sonic fan.

One more thing: I played one game of the multiplayer, and for me, it was very laggy, and felt more like a race than the co-op mode it was trying to be. But I only played one game so I won't jump to too many conclusions.

Overall I give it a solid 8.2/10.

Well, I will say my co-op experience started with lots of lag, but by the time we got a couple acts in it ran smooth. I have DSL Internet and it's pretty far from my PS3, so I figure if you have a better situation than that, you'll be fine.

But yeah, a great review Jmh. You should do that more often.

IGN put up their review:

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/19/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-ii-review

Good review, but I feel the score was a little off.

The Freedom Fighter wrote:I would say the music is better than Episode I's though. Except Mad Gear. But oh well.

I beat the game, and the story's not bad for a classic game, but still doesn't beat STH3&K.

No classic game beats Sonic 3 and Knuckles. But anyway, I am considering getting the game, and the music that I have heard is pretty good, but kinda forgettable.

I've only heard mediocre things about the game.

Chaos_Overlord wrote:

The Freedom Fighter wrote:I would say the music is better than Episode I's though. Except Mad Gear. But oh well.

I beat the game, and the story's not bad for a classic game, but still doesn't beat STH3&K.

No classic game beats Sonic 3 and Knuckles. But anyway, I am considering getting the game, and the music that I have heard is pretty good, but kinda forgettable.

Definitely. Although I will say I still have White Park Act 2's theme in my head. But that's thanks to Twinkle Park.

Well.. I have the iOS version... and for a mobile game... it's pretty darn impressive.
I'm not sure how it can compare with other console games on a console like the PS... but it's currently my favorite iOS game :P
Everything is perfect.
My only complaint is that, once we select a level via level select, upon completing the level, we should be taken back to the level selection menu... NOT be automatically transferred to the next level.

karkooshy wrote:Well.. I have the iOS version... and for a mobile game... it's pretty darn impressive.
I'm not sure how it can compare with other console games on a console like the PS... but it's currently my favorite iOS game :P
Everything is perfect.
My only complaint is that, once we select a level via level select, upon completing the level, we should be taken back to the level selection menu... NOT be automatically transferred to the next level.

Well in the console version you have a choice. Straight shot it or choose the next act. It does seem kind of odd the iThing version doesn't have that option.

Awesome review, Jmh, although when you said the classic games were very short, didn't they have at least 20 levels each(I mean, if you put Sonic 3 & Knuckles together, of course)?

Episode 2's better than Episode 1, but it still doesn't beat Sonic CD and Sonic 2 (sorry, no mention on S3&K).

SonicFanPS2 wrote:Awesome review, Jmh, although when you said the classic games were very short, didn't they have at least 20 levels each(I mean, if you put Sonic 3 & Knuckles together, of course)?

Sonic 1 has 18 acts and the Final Zone, Sonic 2 has 19 acts and the Death Egg Zone, Sonic 3 has 12 acts, Sonic & Knuckles has 12 acts and the Doomsday Zone, Sonic CD has 21 acts, Sonic 4 Episode I has 12 acts and E.G.G. Station, along with 4 boss acts, and Sonic 4 Episode II has 12 acts and the Death Egg mk. II, along with 4 boss acts.

I wouldn't say the boss acts count, or E.G.G. Station, but you could count Death Egg mk. II. So yeah, each episode has a low number of acts, but combined it has the highest number of acts.

*didn't read thread because of spoiler potential*

Answer yes or no, and if you explain why don't give a spoiler-filled explanation -- assuming it has enough plot to it to have spoilers, I guess -- or I will murder you: Is the game (Both episodes; I have neither right now.) worth getting? Please and thank you, etc.

gawd this game is just as horrid as the first one. Screw this game and lets all play sonic fusion lol

I offer the following rebuttal:

Gods, you're just as horrid as a pile of turds. Screw you, and let's all play "Beat JMan to death."

I won't even bother with this one. It's fake Sonic.

Sonic Adventure 2 wrote:I won't even bother with this one. It's fake Sonic.

I love this guy already you should play Sonic Fusion with us

The Freedom Fighter wrote:

SonicFanPS2 wrote:Awesome review, Jmh, although when you said the classic games were very short, didn't they have at least 20 levels each(I mean, if you put Sonic 3 & Knuckles together, of course)?

Sonic 1 has 18 acts and the Final Zone, Sonic 2 has 19 acts and the Death Egg Zone, Sonic 3 has 12 acts, Sonic & Knuckles has 12 acts and the Doomsday Zone, Sonic CD has 21 acts, Sonic 4 Episode I has 12 acts and E.G.G. Station, along with 4 boss acts, and Sonic 4 Episode II has 12 acts and the Death Egg mk. II, along with 4 boss acts.

I wouldn't say the boss acts count, or E.G.G. Station, but you could count Death Egg mk. II. So yeah, each episode has a low number of acts, but combined it has the highest number of acts.

Thanks, Freedom! I guess, in that case, it'd be more accurate to say about 20 acts, but do special stages also count?

SonicFanPS2 wrote:

The Freedom Fighter wrote:

SonicFanPS2 wrote:Awesome review, Jmh, although when you said the classic games were very short, didn't they have at least 20 levels each(I mean, if you put Sonic 3 & Knuckles together, of course)?

Sonic 1 has 18 acts and the Final Zone, Sonic 2 has 19 acts and the Death Egg Zone, Sonic 3 has 12 acts, Sonic & Knuckles has 12 acts and the Doomsday Zone, Sonic CD has 21 acts, Sonic 4 Episode I has 12 acts and E.G.G. Station, along with 4 boss acts, and Sonic 4 Episode II has 12 acts and the Death Egg mk. II, along with 4 boss acts.

I wouldn't say the boss acts count, or E.G.G. Station, but you could count Death Egg mk. II. So yeah, each episode has a low number of acts, but combined it has the highest number of acts.

Thanks, Freedom! I guess, in that case, it'd be more accurate to say about 20 acts, but do special stages also count?

I didn't count them, but if I did, STH 3&K would win thanks to Blue Spheres. :P Every other game only has seven Special Stages except Sonic 4, which has 14.

I liked it, all in all. Here's my review of it : http://garliccheese.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/new-game-review-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-ii/

Schnickelfritz wrote:I liked it, all in all. Here's my review of it : http://garliccheese.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/new-game-review-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-ii/

Great review, Schnickelfritz! It was excellent! I really liked how you started it off.

SonicFanPS2 wrote:

Schnickelfritz wrote:I liked it, all in all. Here's my review of it : http://garliccheese.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/new-game-review-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-ii/

Great review, Schnickelfritz! It was excellent! I really liked how you started it off.

Much obliged.