Bloggers critique Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1 gameplay footage (updated!)

February 7, 2010 by Jeffrey L. Wilson
Filed under: Action

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Last week, Project Needlemouse was revealed to be Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1, SEGA’s attempt to bring the blue blazer back to his 2D, side-scrolling roots. With the announcement came an accompanying video that showcased a snippet of in-game footage, which prompted cheers and jeers across the gamingverse. We reached out to a number of our blogging friends to get their opinions on the much-anticipated titles – - here are their reactions.

Daniel Lloyd, The BBPS
While I’m excited and think this is finally a step in the right direction for both SEGA and Sonic, the episodic feature has me just a little worried/curious. It could be nothing, only time will tell. But that aside, count me in as a believer in Sonic’s return.

Torrence Davis, The Bitbag
It’s about fucking time. That’s all I gotta say. Back to the roots.

Kerry Murray, Clodhop
With the popularity of such games as Street Fighter IV, New Super Mario Bros., and Bionic Commando: Rearmed it proves possible there is still room for 2D sequels in the current market’s generation. SEGA will hopefully follow the recipe for success, which seems to be “Stay true to the original”.

I have to honestly say that the promo video is a very wise first step in winning back Sonic fans. SEGA openly acknowledges in the video that this game will be a direct sequel and in the same style as the first three. If you’ve been longing for a return to the same formula that first made Sonic a household name, the wait is over.

Jesse “Main Finger” Gregory, Wing Damage
I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised by what little the trailer has shown of Sonic 4’s gameplay. I was a bit worried they would still try to add dynamic camera angles that would end up making things awkward. Instead, what’s shown looks very much like the New Super Mario Bros. Wii approach which is definitely something I can get behind.

I do hope, though, that they can strike a good balance between old and new. The level shown off looked straight out of the old titles and I’d like to see them make themed worlds we haven’t seen before, but with classic gameplay. I also hope that some of the old composers are working on the music because the original Sonic games have fantastic soundtracks.

I’m not sold on the concept of an episodic platformer. It was never the narrative that drew me to the series. But if each episode is about as long as a classic Sonic game, that should work out fine. I just don’t want to have to wait months in between every 3 or so levels. I’m not that patient.

I’m very interested to see what kind of bonus stage they cook up for collecting emeralds since that is pretty different between each game. To sum it up, I’m cautiously optimistic about Sonic 4. The level design of the old games was very complex with its many branching paths and I fear the new title might forget that. Time will tell.

Chris Gampat, 2D-X, The Phoblographer
I’m very, very excited about seeing and playing this game and I really hope that Sega puts more emphasis on gameplay value rather than storyline as that’s what the old-school Sonic games were really about. At least year’s Comic Con, Sonic fans were all like, “What the hell is this?” When they saw Sonic and the Black Knight. Hopefully, Sega is really going back to their roots and making this feel like the game I went crazy for as a young lad. I’ll be one sad panda if not.

Tim Torres, 2D-X, The Grump Factory
Remember the initial Sonic Unleashed announcement? It looked pretty close to the feel of the original games, too, until at the last moment SEGA revealed the werehog segments and lapped up our tears. They are master trolls, but hey, this new one has the number 4 in the title and, based on three seconds of footage, it looks like they might finally have a clue. But SEGA needs to do more than pay lip service to the aesthetic of the original games. They need to reassure everyone over the age nine they still have what it takes to make a good game starring their company mascot. If they don’t pull any fast ones I’ll buy Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 the moment it goes live. Until then I remain cautious.

It’s about fucking time. That’s all I gotta say. Back to the roots.

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More 2D-X Goodness:

Project Needlemouse becomes Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

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Tags: 2d game, 2d graphics, bloggers, sega, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

Comments

3 Comments on Bloggers critique Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1 gameplay footage (updated!)

Drigg on Sun, 7th Feb 2010 3:42 pm

Story added…

Your story was featured in Drigg! Here is the link to vote it up and promote it: http://www.gamekicker.com/Gaming-News/Bloggers-critique-Sonic-the-Hedgehog-4-trailer...

aion database on Thu, 11th Feb 2010 2:20 pm

Fantastic news! It has been deemed a worthy sequel to the brilliant Sonic 3. It’s going to have wings, badniks, bosses and end-of-act spinners. Sonic is truly back with an improved graphics and gameplay. Cheers to Sega! :)

Jeffrey L. Wilson on Thu, 11th Feb 2010 2:49 pm