Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (PS3, 360, Wii, Windows, Android, iOS)

So, last week Sega hyped up some big news concerning Sonic the Hedgehog 4, only to let us down by announcing a delay and the iPhone version that everybody had already predicted. Lame. This week, however, those looking forward to the portable version at least got a bit of cool news, with Sega stating that it'll get two special stages.

These unique levels will make use of the iPhone tilting controls, which might indicate that the controversial mine kart level has been removed from the console game and stuck here instead. While I still think the person playing the mine kart made it look worse than it was (because he clearly sucked at it), this will be good news for most players who weren't keen on the concept.

In any case, this might make the iPhone version worth buying even if you download the console iteration. At least if you're a big enough Sonic fan. We shall have to see how the rest of the interface works out.

I could understand one of the home consoles getting exclusive content, but iPhone? Nice one SEGA

suzzopher wrote:

So, last week Sega hyped up some big news concerning Sonic the Hedgehog 4, only to let us down by announcing a delay and the iPhone version that everybody had already predicted. Lame. This week, however, those looking forward to the portable version at least got a bit of cool news, with Sega stating that it'll get two special stages.

These unique levels will make use of the iPhone tilting controls, which might indicate that the controversial mine kart level has been removed from the console game and stuck here instead. While I still think the person playing the mine kart made it look worse than it was (because he clearly sucked at it), this will be good news for most players who weren't keen on the concept.

In any case, this might make the iPhone version worth buying even if you download the console iteration. At least if you're a big enough Sonic fan. We shall have to see how the rest of the interface works out.

http://www.destructoid.com/sonic-4-getting-two-exclusive-stages-on-iphone-174625.phtml

I could understand one of the home consoles getting exclusive content, but iPhone? Nice one SEGA

Jaxley wrote:To be honest I think it'll turn out...fine. But not old school Sonic amazing. Maybe a 7/10, 8/10 if the reviewer's feeling nostalgic.

chalkitdown wrote:That looks strawberry floating awful. So many things wrong with it.

Check out Sonic Colours instead mate

tomvek wrote:E3 Off-Screen Footage

Jazzem wrote:...I think it looks pretty good

suzzopher wrote:

chalkitdown wrote:That looks strawberry floating awful. So many things wrong with it.

Check out Sonic Colours instead mate

tomvek wrote:E3 Off-Screen Footage

After what feels like ten years of defending this game from cynicism and letting my cautious optimism ring out across the land, I finally took the long-awaited opportunity to put Sonic the Hedgehog 4 through its paces at E3. I took on the Xbox 360 version, and while Dale North already has a cool preview up, I can't help chiming in with my own Jimpressions.

So, Sonic 4 currently gets a confident "yes" from me. It's a damn good game from the three acts I played, with gorgeous graphics, wonderful sound, and a truly classic feel that this Sonic fan really appreciates. The homing attack, rather than making things too easy, manages to add an extra level of challenge. Knowing when to use it and keeping an eye on opportunities to do so is crucial and tricky. I did notice it can get a bit confused when you're too near your target, but for the most part it works well.

The game puts a focus on level design instead of speed, which is the one major thing I wanted from the game. My one issue is that Sonic himself is a big sluggish when first controlled, as he seems to take too long to get a reasonable pace of movement going. However, once he does (and once his legs become a nostalgic rotating blur), the game is smooth as butter. Also, the boss fight with Robotnik? Frigging class!

With gorgeous animations and gameplay that really feels like an evolution of the original formula instead of a grossly misjudged "reinvention" of the series, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 makes me smile. That's all that needs to be said.