Sonic 4 Episode I & II - Review
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- Опубликовано: 15 апр 2023
- It was supposed to be a return to old-school greatness. Was it?
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Opening "Sega" jingle is from Astal for the Sega Saturn.
Ending Music during the credits is from Batman for the Sega Genesis.
SLX Logo
By: Jan Neves
RUclips Page - / jan3d
Intro by Evan S.
portfolio.tsestudios.com/
Episode Notes:
1. PC version shown.
2. I didn't have any issues running this. I picked up my Xbox One controller and off I went. Any performance hits you see are mainly because of the screen capture software I was.
3. This was originally meant to be a mobile game entirely. And it shows in many ways.
4. I can't help but feel there was an Episode III planned all along and was cancelled because the other two did not sell as well as Sega had hoped. 
Игры
This is the... Most positive outlook I've seen on this pair of games in quite some time.
Agreed, I wasn't much of a fan of these but loved Sonic Rush and Mania.
Yeah. It is nice to see this kind of positivity while also acknowledging and even validating the criticisms these games had.
@@dnmstarsi My issue is that it feel like Sonic to me, slightly off in the same way Street Fighter EX stuck me upon playing for the 1st time.
Ikr 👀
me too
One thing I hated about Episode 1 is that if you let go of the forward button in midair, your momentum would just suddenly die and you'd plummet to your death. I don't like going full speed after a jump in a Sonic game because that's where they like to put cheap traps to kill you or knock your rings out of you, but Sonic 4 Episode 1 pretty much forced you to do it.
I never even bothered to get Sonic 4 part 2 because I was so disappointed with the first part. How slow and different it felt moving Sonic around was my biggest gripe with it. Thank goodness Sonic Mania exists. That is the true homage to classic Sonic.
I bought both, even though Part 1 was a disappointment. Personally, I liked Part 2 less... You'd think that having Tails would be cool, but the game forces you to use gimmicks like the roll move, and I just don't like that. It feels like the game stops while doing that. And the physics are also bad like in Part 1... Definitely, Mania is the best Sonic product in...almost 3 decades, I'd say... Unfortunately, it has been a full 5 years since Sonic Mania, and Sega never thought, "You know that game made by fans that the fans and critics absolutely loved and which also sold well. Maybe we should have them work on another game with all new stages." Nope. They were content to let Sonic die again. It's a reason why Sega will never be great again. The people who run it have no idea what they're doing, and don't care at all about fans. On top of that, they won't even make a decision that has no risk, doesn't even involve their staff, and is guaranteed to make a profit for them.
@@Rationalific sega really are a piece of work. They hate that fans made a better game than they can and won't allow a sequel, or even make that sequel themselves, even if it turns out to be a disaster
@@ridensroom6957 Yep... I agree. It's unfortunate.
Unfortunately, Sega wants more games like frontiers. I feel like mania was a one and done sort of thing, which is a real shame as it was successful and loved by everybody.
It’s free on mobile so you have no excuse now
A new Sega Lord X video is a great way to finish off the weekend.
Thought you didn’t do positivity?
There's one detail you've missed: the iOS version of Sonic 4 episode 1 has two exclusive levels not found in any other version. The Casino level Act 2 has a pinball-themed minigame instead of the regular level. And Lost Labyrinth Act 2 is a tilt-controlled wild minecart segment instead of the regular level.
Sonic Mania was fantastic and the only Sonic 4 we needed
And even then Mania fails too as a Sonic 4.
@thaneros it totally didn't but you'll never get a sequel like that ever again.
With sega consistency is a pipedream. The fandom is too divisive to permit that happening.
Mario on otherhand adheres to basic core tenants in gaming mechanics. Something that sorely lacks with sonic bc sonic has never transitioned properly into 3d.
To see sonic fail in 2d however is sega really dropping the ball.
@@axelgear666 Don't get me started on Mario lol. Sure the games are well made but the creativity died in that series decades ago.
@thaneros I can always come back to revisit a good Mario game. But I agree with you. Id really love to see a new decent starfox game and wario land title (not wario ware garbage)
Somerhing that isn't mario
@thaneros but coming back to sonic
Sonic has always relied on being "cool" to be more popular than Mario. It was pretty much after the mega drive era that people didn't see him as cool anymore, so Sega tried various spin-offs and changes to the classic Sonic formula to get Sonic back in the highlight again. But those efforts have left Sonic unpopular.😂
What a pleasant surprise! Never did I think you'd talk about these games, but look forward to hearing your thoughts!
I had fun with these games at the time of their release. My biggest issue were the floaty physics & it was definitely too short. Its a shame Episode 3 was canceled.
It was?😅
@Gracekim24 Yeah. It would've been cool to at least have the full experience instead of two-thirds. Just saying.
I'm with you. While I understood why there were many who were not fans, I enjoyed both, especially Episode 2.
An unexpected but welcome review! This is a divisive pair of games among the fanbase for sure.
@@victor.elkins nobody likes episode 1 but I believe episode 2 has its fans. I think both games as a whole are very underwhelming and not sonic games I’ll ever go back to play
Sonic 4 makes knuckles chaotic’s feel like a masterpiece.
Normal. Knuckles chaotix is a excellent game.
I have a lot fond memories of Sonic on the Genesis from my teenage years. it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling just thinking about it.
I was never really a Sonic fan, but came to love Sonic 2 and, later on, Sonic CD, widely viewed as the best of the Sonic games. It makes me glad that I bought the Sega CD back in the day... though I left SEGA when I saw how criminally underused all of this expensive hardware was.
@@MaxAbramson3 Sonic CD is pretty good too.
Admittedly, I wasn't alive when the Genesis launched. That being said, the classic trilogy and Ristar are some of my favorites and I can still say that at 27.
@@evan2902 Those were turbulent years for gaming. Sorry that SEGA of Japan turned down the PlayStation deal.
My biggest issue with the games, there was NO MOMENTUM. You could basically walk up hill or stand still in the middle of it!
If you rolled down, there was no gravity and the speed was constant. Even the developers acknowledge this but decided not to do anything about it!
I think, it's the most positive review of Sonic 4 I've watched.
I love Sonic 4 so much, it's my second favorite Sonic game, thanks for the review!
You should play Sonic 1, 2,and 3.
@@smash461986 I do, multiple times a year in fact! Last week I went through Sonic 3K on Jam and, a couple days before I had played through Sonic 1, on Jam also.
*At Sega Hq*
"We should make a new 2D sonic game that bridges the old and new fanbases! We'll use modern Sonic have him visit both classic and new levels and we'll get DIMPS to make it!"
"...huh? what the heck is a sonic advance"
Sonic deserves so much better. It all takes me back to the end of the Dreamcast. Thanks to a dvd player from PlayStation and other factors of course, our hero has been dragged through the mud.
There's something about the 3D look that never truly translated well from the anime inspired look of the 16-bit design. I first noticed this during Sonic Blast on the game gear, and playing Sonic 4 left me with a sense of dajavu.
The whole game has a plastic look to it, Mario pulled off putting a 3D model into a 2D world, it should have been sprite based with brand new sprites and not these models or the Genesis models.
Anime inspired doesn't sound quite right, specially since Sonic's original design borrows heavily from Felix the Cat, a bit of Disney there too, so cartoon style would be more appropriate. Anime also doesn't have the best connotation nowadays, specially with the decadence of anime art-direction from the early '00s tendencies to this day.
At least a lot of the artwork for the 2000s era games still had 2D style Sonic, even when they were bringing his gameplay into 3D with the Adventure games on the Dreamcast.
I sort of get what you mean. Both the Classic and Modern Sonic designs look better in 2D illustrations and sprites than 3D models. Maybe Sonic Team should've pushed for a more cel-shaded look for their 3D games, like Jet Set Radio, Hi-Fi Rush, or the recent 3D Zelda titles. Kind of like what they did for Sonic Shuffle on the Dreamcast.
Yeah, Sonic is way better in proper 2D.
It's a breath of fresh air to see positive thoughts about this game. I'd really like to see your thoughts on the Advance trilogy.
They made sonic feel like a tank.
Sonic 4 = Sonic tank
Sonic and the Secret Rings = Sonic Car
I hope this means we're getting a Sonic 06 review from you SegaLordX 😂
Uh oh 👀
I love your contents so much you're an absolute the most SEGA fan I ever know!
I purchased both episodes back in the day and I enjoyed them, but what annoyed me the most was the fact that they were supposed to be three episodes, and ultimately they scratched the third one.
Originally, Sonic 4 wasn't supposed to be called "Sonic 4" or even be a console game at all. It was originally titled "Sonic the Portable" and was meant for mobile devices. That explains the odd graphics, and thrown together feeling the game gives off. Seeing as it was originally a project for mobile devices, the idea that the budget wasn't very big isn't far fetched.
I’m a huge gamer but I missed out on the arcade era. Never had a Sega machine either. I like your videos though and this one hit me in the nostalgia personally because I was in early high school during Sonic 4’s initial release. Not even a big Sonic guy but that’s why I enjoy getting a different view from people like you. Keep it up 🎉
Knowing your long history with Sega games it's nice to finally see you share your own opinion on their previous attempt of returning Sonic to his classic roots. I played both of these games back when they originally came out, but I will admit that it can be hard to appreciate them as much now after getting Sonic Mania (the game everyone wishes they had made Sonic 4 like from the start). Although Episode II still holds up a bit better for me with its better graphics and more effort for originality compared to the previous part, and I do still have it on my Xbox 360.
I even still remember the amount of work I had to put into meeting the Xbox 360 version's achievement to finish the final boss without getting hit so I could unlock Dr. Eggman's clothes for my avatar. At least I know I don't have to do that again.
It's crazy how positive the review sounded until 10:40. With all the problems you listed after that it's a wonder you liked this game at all. I mean those are like all the foundational blocks of what makes a Sonic game and you tear them apart with good reason lol.
Another solid review! Thanks for all that you do.
"A sequel to Sonic & Knuckles". You seriously dont know how much of a smile that phrase put on my face.
I appreciate your opinion SLX.
what killed me was the mixture of seemingly 1 badnik (the blue floating guys) and the lock-on dash. I've never enjoyed a 3D sonic, and upon seeing the targeting system being utilized so often, sonic 4 quickly grew distasteful.
It feels like they used lock-on as a crutch, or easy bandage, instead of a feature to be played with but not necessary for enjoyment.
love how they recreated and expanded the labyrinth zone in this game. it looks beautiful
I think the most compare this to Generations and say Generations IS Sonic 4. I don't know never played this one here so I can't say much about it. But it is good to hear that someone likes it!! I think we need more modern SEGA Stuff on this channel too :)
I love new Sega Lord X videos 😊
omg have been meaning to check these out for YEARS 😲
As you rightfully said, Sonic Mania is exactly what Sonic 4 should've been. Paying homage to the original games whilst also updating the formula. Sonic 4 was clunky and ugly. I was hyped for it, but it was an immediate disappointment. Even on consoles, it looked and felt like a mobile game, plus, the recycling of stage, enemy and boss ideas just made the whole experience feel pointless and made me wish I was playing the superior 16 bit games of my youth.
episode II didn't recycle bosses I think? They even made a joke about it in the first boss. And it did have new ennemies, altough they did recycle many ennemies from Sonic 2 and 3. Sonic Mania is indeed more beautiful and original, in any case that's for sure.
I think if they even went back and rebuilt Sonic 4 with the Sonic Mania engine and combined the episodes they could make it way better. They could keep the team abilities and all that fun stuff but make it work nice with the Sonic Mania physics.
I'm 53 years old.
How do I not know about these 2 games. BMM
Great episode!
I agree with you, I always felt these games were.. fine. Part 2 is better for sure but neither were too memorable in the long run. Either way fun to hear your thoughts and it's nice to think about these games again. Great way to end the weekend!
I definitely didn't see this review coming.
I honestly love this game. I think it's beautiful and really fun to play.
I'm curious if you've tried any of the Freedom Planet games? Freedom Planet 2 came out last fall and it's a superb Sonic like game.
It doesn't play like Classic Sonic at all...
Even Sonic 4 itself is WAY closer to that gameplay compared to FP1 and 2
There's a rom hack for Sonic 1 that lets you play as Lilac the dragon from Freedom Planet. It's called Lilac the Dragon in Sonic X Freedom Planet. I agree, the Freedom Planet games are a great sonic fix, even though they're really different as well
@@EggFighterXB- yeah I wouldn't say they play the same, but I do like them a lot actually. Unlike the more modern Sonic games, I actually do like the different gameplay twists that FP changes up however.
@@TransCanadaPhil Why? In Freedom Planet you're more vulnerable
@@EggFighterXB- I just think it's a good game that's all, and that many old school Sega fans would like it.
I remember playing this game on the ps3 when it came out and i did not like chapter 1 and it was a loooong time until chapter 2 came out and I really enjoyed that one. I have never played it agan since then, but seeing this video made me wanna replay it.
You’re so right about this game should have been on the Saturn - a 2D game with 3D going on in the background.
Sonic Mania is the true Sonic 4
Oh boy I'm so ready for this
Just got the Sonic Encyclo-speed-ia the other day and have been reading about all the games. I'm reaching this game in the book, and I actually forgot it existed. I remember having mixed feelings about this game back then.
I don't think the developers were afraid of failing, to me it is more like an homage to 1 and 2. I do agree on the fact Sonic's jumping feel and animation were slow or sluggish. I really enjoyed the look, I think it was right in the sweet spot of old meets new. I enjoyed the music, the look and most of the feel, not all haha. Maybe it's because I am much older, and the nostalgia of the early days pulled me in.
Clearly Mania was better in nearly every way, but I feel like the direction of Sonic 4 wasn't bad. Everything was nearly there, but just a bit off. Level design, animations, feel, sound, music, everything just missed the mark despite being on the right track.
I understand you on the sometimes questionable physics and slow animations, but as a huge Sonic fan thats played most of the games, I enjoyed the music in both episodes, and had alot of fun with both. It came out during a particularly hard era of my life, and brought me so much joy, itll forever hold a special place in my heart.
There are so many other things I want to see from sega's back catalog including their superscalar days in the arcade, that I simply have no room in me to give a rip about anything Sonic anymore.
It's funny! I was JUST watching Cybershell's video on this horrible attempt at a Sonic sequel! 😂😅😂😅
The most important feature of Sonic 1, 2, ... is the physics, with proper inertia. Here they butchered it, it's not horrible but clearly worse than the Genesis physics. In ep1, you can tell they make Sony spin only once in the air, so a 360 degrees, which is why it looks so slow, in ep2 it looks like they made it do a 720 deg rotation, so that's an improvement. I guess it needs 1080 or 1440 degrees to looks more dynamic.
The physics felt off in this, but I really liked the detail in the worlds, it felt like they took the core levels from past games and modernized them in interesting ways. I enjoyed playing them when they came out and still do today, happy to see this fair take you give the games, X!
Ep. 2 is not aviable in my region so I had to use "other methods" to play it. I really like 4, it´s charming and fun
This looks amazing to me.
I will be looking for this game now
Would be cool if you could talk about Tee Lopez’s contribution to Sonic Mania his music numbers for the game where very well executed.
I love sonic 4
the 16 bit look and feel and resolution is just way better looking. pixel art is amazing
Great review. SLX!
I would just like to point out that "45 minutes - 1 hour" of content is perfectly fine for an arcade game. The whole idea of arcade games is that you can play them again and again and finish them quickly. Where you get the job done and move on, or start again. Great examples are fighting games, or boardgame like videogames [like chess]. Where the fun is found mainly in the repeatable gameplay itself [like the original Sonic games].
Contrary to story-based games [like modern Sonic games, RPGs, etc.] where you are invested in the story more than anything, and hence they tend to be very long. Where the gameplay, while obviously necessary to be good, becomes secondary. Furthermore, most story-based games that want to remain popular rely heavily on arcade-features, like multiplayer team deathmatch or something like that, for people to keep playing them [Shooters are a great example of this]. Heck, sometimes is the quick-arcade experience parts of those games that make them popular and enjoyable in first place.
Story-based games are contrary in nature to arcade ones. And there's nothing wrong with neither, they are just different entertainment experiences, so is perfectly fine for arcade games to not be very long, for as I said, their value comes in their repeatable gameplay. [And as long as they are priced fairly, of course.]
To be fair, a Sonic 4 never should have been considered an "arcade" game to begin with. You carry the weight of a full fledged sequel and you need the content and playability to back that up.
Why I like your reviews so much finally clicked on this video. These are dispassionate opinions from a passionate gamer.
Sonic has always had dope music
True
Haven’t played it myself, but I did use the Metal Sonic track on the Sonic episode I made back in 2020 on my video game music show.
the main issue that bugged me the most was movement in this game. Jumping, running, walking and even attacking were all slow. I think that had something to do with game’s 30fps target frame rate.
A 2D 30 FPS game!? That would suck!
This is the type of game that I will try to complete and then afterwards, I will only play my favorite stages.
The Sonic 1 style bonus stages look like they would be way more fun with the new control scheme.
Awesome 👍 great work segalordx
Awesomeness video please do more thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I honestly wanted to love this game when it came out. I grew up the the Genesis and loved the physics of the original Sonic 1 to Sonic and Knuckles. Between the clunky animation, physics, the music not being quite right (personally I think the team should have worked with original sega genesis audio drivers and chips to create sonic feeling music to help capture what the fans were looking for) and the length of the games, I couldn't help but feel this was another sonic game that couldn't hold up to the standards. It's a shame. I personally think though they should have just brought out a finished version of Knuckles chaotic with the bugs fixed and upscaled for modern displays. Anyways great video and I hope to see more content about our beloved 2-D edgy the hedgy games. Perhaps some DS versions.
Wow...looks amazing
I love learning 😊
I like the music, but perhaps they would sound better with more proper Genesis sounding audio outside of the drums. There was supposedly a 3rd episode planned but I don't think the first two sold well enough for it. Fans were pretty upset with Episode I because of the bizarre physics. Episode II fixed a lot of issues and perhaps if both games were more consistent in this regard we could have had an Episode III.
I'll say this. The intro for the bonus round in Sonic 4 II is great... Sonic and Tails don't just appear in the half-pipe, but rather jump into it, and fist bump when they collect enough rings to advance. That gives the game a lot of welcome character.
True
I think my young kid may like this , thanks for the review!
Good review. I always thought the games looked super ugly and souless but I’m glad you enjoyed it
Thanks!
I don't know if it's true, but I read somewhere that Sonic 4 was originally a mobile spin-off game that, partway through development, Sega decided to rebrand as a mainline game and port to home consoles. It makes sense given the atmosphere of gaming in 2010 - companies were experimenting with the nascent platform and were generally convinced that mobile gaming was replacing home console gaming. It also resembles Sega's trademark inconsistent, top-down decision-making. And Sonic 4 definitely *feels* like a mobile offshoot and not something that was intended to be a true successor to the original games.
I'd choose this over the 3D versions any day of the week.
Love the review by the way.
I remember downloading Ep. I and telling my family how many years/decades it has been that I had been waiting for Sonic 4. Once I started playing though, it immediately felt off. Despite it not feeling like a true sequel, I did enjoy the game and regret that we never got an Episode III.
Playing Sonic 4 Episode II on a iPad looked pretty snazzy and it was really fun.
I was a day 1 buyer of both episodes and remember having fun but feeling like something was 'off'. I'd grown up with the original MegaDrive games so like yourself the control and game feel is something you notice straight away - which is odd considering the developer Dimps had already done a stellar job on the physics with their Sonic Advance games. There's rumours they simply used the Sonic Rush engine for this which would explain why 4's slower pace wreaks havoc with the physics, resulting in the infamous glitch of standing still upside down in loops and on walls.
Episode I was exciting at the time because Sonic returning to his purely 2D roots on console was a big deal but the longer I spent with it the more I didn't like - be it the unoriginal level themes, lazy boostpad-filled design or the grating 10-20 second loop music. Episode II was leagues better across the board but I think too much damage had been done by then and the ending leaves a bitter taste in your mouth as there's no Super Sonic boss or hidden ending, it just...ends. The Sonic CD references were cool but ultimately led to nothing. Little Planet was there but only as background art so like, why even bother? Maybe the planned Episode III would've expanded on it but since it got canned we'll never know.
Anyways, amazing review as always my dude!
Great video! I have to say I agree with Sega Lord X, dispite all it's flaws I still had fun with these games.
Thanks for this!
In hindsight, this actually looks way better than I remember thinking it looked when it released, for a 2010 game. Gameplay looks as clunky as I remember though.
For 2023 however, it looks like a soulless mobile game.
Thanks for the review! I purchased episode 1 for my 360 and never could make my way through it. Mostly for the reasons you mentioned. I wanted to enjoy this game but couldn't. I never purchased episode 2.
I played both these games when they first came out, but my impression was that these were the same games that we played before, only not anywhere near as good. I do remember feeling that whenever Sonic would stop it was really slow trying to get him to start up again, and the airship at the end of episode II had some pretty unfair and cheap sections. These were one and done games for me. The biggest negative thing is that Sonic Mania is the real Sonic 4, and it sucks that it can't be called that because this game already used the title.
Sonic CD or Sonic Mania seems like Sonic 4 to me 🙏🏽They should make a 2D Sonic for the Sega Saturn 🙏🏽
Thanks for this review. When I played these games on release I was immediately put off by the sluggish physics/animation in places, and the plastic looking pre-rendered graphics. So I never gave it much time. But there's more to it than that and this review offers a rounded view of why that's the case. The stage graphics are nice. I'd like to go back and play it with a fresh perspective, but I think I've been too spoilt by Generations and Mania.
Sonic 2 style bonus stages look fun and seem to be an improvement over the original at least.
It looks good didn't know about that one
I remember playing the demo for these but then never really played them was nice to see an honest in depth review. On a related note I've always wanted Konami to do something like this with Castlevania as in make a new game with todays technology and make it 2.5D and make it like the older style games not the symphony of the night style. Not that I'm knocking those games just that style has been done a lot and would like to see another game in the other format again.
Have you played Dracula X Chronicles for PSP? Good stuff.
They kinda did that with Dracula X Chronicles. There’s also Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate but that’s more of a 2.5 Symphony inspired game than what you’re looking for
@@officialFredDurstfanclub I have both and they are good but I want something new. Dracula X chronicles is a re-release, absolutely great games but I'd prefer they make something new or do a remake kinda like Sega did with part 1 of sonic 4
Underrated games
Wow, It looks amazing imo.🥰
I actually kinda like the music. Yeah it sounds like a few ones are just meh but there sounded like there were some real bangers in there.
The soul less music is perfect for me due to the fact I have no soul. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it….I’m old and stuck in my ways. Good video!
I remember playing this on the wii and having some fun. Years later i can see why it was hated
Well, as you said, the history of the player definitely matters here. My first exposure to sonic was the GameCube when I was around 7 years old, but I also swapped consoles with some of my relatives often around the same time so I also got to play the classics on the Genesis around the same time. When these came out, I thought they were great but also understood they were low budget and not meant to be a "real" AAA experience as a teenager. I'd still rather play generations or Mania nowadays, but for what were my "salad years" in gaming as a teenager (when I was more concerned with chasing things other than games), these were fine. Episode 2 is still alright if you just have to check out this duology, but the first can be skipped otherwise.
I didn’t know these even existed!
I couldn't click faster to see SLX's take on this hot pile
The RUclips algorithm knows me well
When episode 1 came, I Kinda liked it. It wasn't because of the questionable quality of prior entries, it was just because it had 2D with some 3D elements like homming attacks in it. But then I realized... That they basically just rehashed Sonic 1 and 2, and I became less keen on episode 1. Now I appreciate the game, more because of the janky physics than the actual content.
And I loved episode 2 because it wasn't another rehash of Sonic 1 and 2 (And if I'm gonna be honest, I would love another Genesis-esque Mania game, but without ANY of the Genesis stages, no Green Hill, no chemical planet, but a original game with the Mania enginem I don't wanna feel too much dependent on fangames to get this kind of experiences)
Yeah Mania is everything I felt what would have made an awesome Saturn Sonic game for back in the day. With the work by someone way smarter than I am about porting I'm sure they could do an almost 1:1 version on that hardware.
Aside from the…bizarre psychics and art direction, I always thought the naming of these as Sonic 4 was weird, too-I always thought of Dimps' own Sonic Advance 1 as the de facto Sonic the Hedgehog 4.