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Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog 4"

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The music has also been criticized for its poor choice of synthesized instruments, as well as low-quality DAC recordings from [[Sonic 2]] that vary little between songs. [[Jun Senoue]] said that he looked into using a [[Mega Drive]] soundfont, but could not find a NEC PC-88 (a popular 80s Japanese computer with similar sound hardware) to run the software on.
 
The music has also been criticized for its poor choice of synthesized instruments, as well as low-quality DAC recordings from [[Sonic 2]] that vary little between songs. [[Jun Senoue]] said that he looked into using a [[Mega Drive]] soundfont, but could not find a NEC PC-88 (a popular 80s Japanese computer with similar sound hardware) to run the software on.
  
Another controversial issue is Sonic's design, which uses the modern style model that debuted in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' and has since received refinements until its most recent state in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]''. Many fans say that the classic Sonic design should have been used, and a [http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bring-the-classic-sonic-to-sonic-the-hedgehog-4.html petition] was set up for SEGA to include a classic model. However, in a magazine [[Takashi Iizuka]] said that the classic style wasn't returning, as all games since ''Sonic Adventure'' have featured Sonic in his modern design. However, this was proven false with the upcoming PS3/360/3DS game ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', where the Classic style of Sonic was used again along side his Modern counterpart. It is unknown whether this occurrence will be strictly for this new title, or if he will be used in future games.
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Another controversial issue is Sonic's design, which uses the modern style model that debuted in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' and has since received refinements until its most recent state in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]''. Many fans say that the classic Sonic design should have been used, and a [http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bring-the-classic-sonic-to-sonic-the-hedgehog-4.html petition] was set up for SEGA to include a classic model. However, in a magazine [[Takashi Iizuka]] said that the classic style wasn't returning, as all games since ''Sonic Adventure'' have featured Sonic in his modern design. However, this was proven false with the upcoming PS3/360/3DS/PC game ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', where the Classic style of Sonic was used again along side his Modern counterpart. It is unknown whether this occurrence will be strictly for this new title, or if he will be used in future games.
  
 
==Production Credits==
 
==Production Credits==

Revision as of 22:06, 20 January 2012

For similarly-titled media, see Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (disambiguation).

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Sonic4ep1 iOS icon.png
System(s): Nintendo Wii (WiiWare),
Microsoft Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade),
Sony PlayStation 3 (Sony PlayStation Network),
Apple IDevices, Windows Phone 7, PC (Steam)
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: 2D platformer

</div>

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a Sonic the Hedgehog episodic game with its first episode released on October 7th, 11th, 12th, and 13th in the US regions, October 7th, 13th, and 15th in the EU region, and October 12, 13th in the JP region. It was originally codenamed Project Needlemouse, after Mr. Needlemouse, the name given to several early prototypes of Sonic.

Episode I was first announced on the GameSpot website on September 9th, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the Sega Dreamcast. The game is a 2D, download-only title on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, WiiWare, and Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch; and features HD graphics on the former two platforms. It is a direct sequel to Sonic & Knuckles and is set after the events of that game. It is being released in episodic format, with its storyline spread across several episodes. Takashi Iizuka, who was involved in level design in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, is involved with the development, while Jun Senoue is the game's Sound Director.

On March 22, NGamer revealed that the game will have 3 Episodes, each comprising 4 Zones. [1] Each Zone has 4 Acts, the last of which is a boss battle with Sonic's perpetual nemesis Dr. Eggman.

Episode II has been announced by Gamespot via teaser trailer, but not much else is known other than that Sega has announced that Tails will be in, due to a tidbit relating to a poem called "The Hedgehog and the Fox", which would refer to both Sonic and Tails. Tails has been confirmed in the teaser trailer. Metal Sonic will be in Episode II, as shown in the secret ending of the game and the teaser trailer. It was announced later in an interview that Episode 2 would be releasing sometime in 2012.

Plot

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set shortly after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles and takes place before the events of "Sonic Adventure". After Sonic manages to destroy Doctor Eggman's space station, he decides it is time to take a much deserved break. After parting with his companions Tails and Knuckles, Sonic sets off to explore new territories alone.

However, unbeknownst to him, his nemesis, Dr. Eggman, has survived their last encounter, and has revisited and improved some of his very best robotic creations in another attempt to defeat Sonic. Sonic must travel through a variety of zones to defeat Dr. Eggman once again.

Episode I

The first episode sees Sonic travelling through four main zones: Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear, where he battles Dr. Eggman and altered versions of his past contraptions. Upon handling Dr. Eggman's four initial mechanisms, Sonic then squares off against the doctor in a boss battle marathon. If the game is finished with all seven Chaos Emeralds collected, a post-credits cutscene is shown, teasing the appearance of Metal Sonic in the next episode.

Episode II

Episode II, which is currently in development, will primarily focus on Sonic's rivalry with Metal Sonic, following on from their last encounter during the events of Sonic CD.

Gameplay

The game intends to replicate the feel of 16-bit era Sonic games with elements such as side scrolling levels and classic-style badniks. Sonic is the only playable character. Each zone features 3 acts, similar to Sonic 1's design, along with a boss act. The Homing Attack and Spin Dash are present. Monitors return in this game, and power-ups attainable from them include the Speed Shoes, Shield, and Invincibility. Special Stages are present and take place in Sonic 1-esque levels which must be navigated by tilting the level with either the D-Pad or through motion controls on supported systems. If all 7 Chaos Emeralds are collected in the Special Stage and 50 or more rings are collected the player will be able to transform into Super Sonic, a feature which has not been implemented in regular levels in an action Sonic game since Sonic 3 and Knuckles. The transformation is activated by pressing a button that is not Jump, making transforming into Super Sonic less likely to be accidental. In the Wii version, it's simply the 1 button, while on the 360 it is the X/Y buttons.

Platform Differences

In order to fit within WiiWare size limits, music in the Wii version uses a sequenced format similar to MIDI or module formats. As a result, there are noticeable differences from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions' recorded music. As the Wii is not capable of producing high definition graphics, the screen resolution is also smaller.

The iOS version contains some differences found in the PartnerNET build, and retains some changes found in that build, including the rotating minecart stage in Lost Labyrinth Zone and the Score Attack section in Casino Street Zone. The camera rotates when running through loops in this version also.

Only the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions support custom soundtracks.

Criticism

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 has been criticized for its "floaty" physics, likely due to its use of the Sonic Rush engine. This can often result in various oddities such as Sonic being able to stand sideways on walls. Following negative reception from older builds, it was confirmed that the physics would be tuned up for the final release, however it has been stated that dramatic changes in the way the game plays would require extensive level-redesign, which was not possible in the time limit set until the game's release.

The music has also been criticized for its poor choice of synthesized instruments, as well as low-quality DAC recordings from Sonic 2 that vary little between songs. Jun Senoue said that he looked into using a Mega Drive soundfont, but could not find a NEC PC-88 (a popular 80s Japanese computer with similar sound hardware) to run the software on.

Another controversial issue is Sonic's design, which uses the modern style model that debuted in Sonic Adventure and has since received refinements until its most recent state in Sonic Unleashed. Many fans say that the classic Sonic design should have been used, and a petition was set up for SEGA to include a classic model. However, in a magazine Takashi Iizuka said that the classic style wasn't returning, as all games since Sonic Adventure have featured Sonic in his modern design. However, this was proven false with the upcoming PS3/360/3DS/PC game Sonic Generations, where the Classic style of Sonic was used again along side his Modern counterpart. It is unknown whether this occurrence will be strictly for this new title, or if he will be used in future games.

Production Credits

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 credits

Resources

Artwork

Episode I

Episode II

External links


Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Sonic4EpI PC title.png

Main page (I|II|Metal)
Comparisons
Maps
Achievements
Downloadable content
Credits


Magazine articles
Reception


Development
Hidden content
Bugs
Hacking guide

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
PlayStation 3 PlayStation Network
PS3
 2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I | Sonic Adventure     2011  Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog Anniversary Bundle | Sonic the Hedgehog CD     2012  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II | Sonic Adventure 2 | Classic Sonic Bundle | Sonic the Fighters     2013  Sonic the Hedgehog Master Collection    
Xbox Live Arcade
 2007  Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog 2     2009  Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I | Sonic Adventure     2011  Sonic the Hedgehog CD     2012  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II | Sonic Adventure 2 | Sonic the Fighters    

Template:SonicIDeviceGames

filler
Wii Virtual Console
WiiWare
 2006  Sonic the Hedgehog | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     2007  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic Spinball | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island     2008  Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)     2009  Sonic Chaos | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I    
Steam
 2010  Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic Spinball | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island | Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing     2011  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles | Sonic Adventure | Sonic Generations     2012  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I | Sonic the Hedgehog CD | Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II | Sonic Adventure 2     2013  Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed     2015  Sonic Lost World     2017  Sonic Mania | Sonic Forces     2019  Team Sonic Racing     2022  Sonic Origins | Sonic Frontiers     2023  Sonic Colours: Ultimate | The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic Superstars     2024  Sonic X Shadow Generations