Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal
From Sonic Retro
| Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System(s): Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade), PlayStation 3 (Sony PlayStation Network), iOS, Android, Steam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher: Sega | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Sonic Team / Dimps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre: Action | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal is a free downloadable "Lock-On" part of the episodic game Sonic the Hedgehog 4, released along side of Episode II. It enables any player who owns both Episode I and Episode II on the same console to play Episode Metal, thereby acting very similar to the Lock-On Technology pioneered by Sonic and Knuckles. Episode Metal explains the backstory to Metal Sonic's return in Episode II and also serves to connect Sonic 4 to Sonic the Hedgehog CD, befitting the latter game's recent re-release on digital download services.
To access Episode Metal, the player must beat at least one Act (so, for example, you could simply play only Sylvania Castle Zone Act 1) of Sonic 4: Episode II, and then again choose Single Player; now, Episode Metal can be selected from the stage select map by switching to the Sonic 4: Episode I map.
Contents
Plot
Sonic 4: Episode Metal is set after the events of Sonic 4: Episode I and before Sonic 4: Episode II. Dr. Eggman sends a probe out to the fabled Little Planet to find the remains of Metal Sonic, who is languishing in Stardust Speedway after having been defeated there by his target and the inspiration for his design, Sonic the Hedgehog. After locating Metal Sonic, Eggman remotely shocks him back to activity and instructs him to return to Sonic's world, which in Episode II is at its closest point to the Little Planet since the time of Sonic CD. Metal flies to the world, and there he begins his journey to return to full power and face Sonic once more.
Acts
Each of Episode Metal's four Acts occurs in one of the four main Zones of Sonic 4: Episode I. However, the Zones occur in the reverse order compared to their original appearance. Each Zone's single Act contributes to revealing some of the reasons behind their appearance in Episode I:
- Act 1: Metal Sonic Returns – Mad Gear
- This act shows that Mad Gear was built to help restore Metal to a battle-worthy state.
- Act 2: The Altar's Hidden Treasure – Lost Labyrinth
- At the end of the act, Metal Sonic finds a hidden power in the labyrinth that gives him his purple charge attacks.
- Act 3: Electric Road – Casino Street
- Act 4 - In Pursuit of Sonic – Splash Hill
- At the end of this Act, Metal Sonic finds the rocket that Sonic used in Episode I to reach the E.G.G. Station; Metal Sonic then uses it to catch up to Sonic, who is now in Episode II's second Zone, White Park.
Gameplay
Episode Metal implements Episode II's physics in Episode I's Zones. The new Acts have layouts modified from those of Episode I, making Episode Metal something of a 'hard mode' version of Episode I. This could be considered similar to Knuckles the Echidna's routes in Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
Artwork
External links
| Sonic the Hedgehog 4 | |
|---|---|
|
Main page (I|II|Metal) |
show;hide
Episode I:
Episode II: Episode I: Episode II: Episode I:
Episode II: |
| Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems | |
|---|---|
 |
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 |