Project Needlemouse becomes Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

February 4, 2010 by Timothy Torres
Filed under: Action

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[Updated with video!]

This morning at 3AM Eastern Time, GameSpot in conjunction with Sega answered the prayers of an entire generation who grew up during the halcyon days of the Genesis. No more stupid sidekicks, we cried. No more dull treasure hunting, no more disjointed gameplay, no more awful camera to constantly wrestle with. No more werehogs.

Taking a cue from Mega Man 9 and the hallowed niche it carved, Sega’s taking Sonic back to his 2D roots. Project Needlemouse has been revealed, and it is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, a direct sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. To paraphrase Jaleel White’s now YouTube-Pooped into senselessness cartoon version of the blue guy, we’ve been waaaaiitiiiiing.

Mixing 3D visuals with a 2D plane the first episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will see release as a downloadable title this summer on the PlayStation Network, XBox Live and WiiWare. Although all versions will be identica,l the Wii version will use motion controls in some areas and the PSN one will use Sixaxis. As to why we only get “the first episode”, Sega associate brand manager Ken Balough explains Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be a large tale with several chapters much in the same way Sonic & Knuckles was the conclusion to Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Hopefully, this means chapters will be reasonably priced and Sega won’t leave us waiting in Valve-like states of anxiety wondering when the next installment will see the light of day.

As for the 2.5D look Mr. Balough says Sega wanted to make a Genesis-style game with today’s modern graphics, so old and young fans accustomed to new-fangled polygons could both enjoy what Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has to offer, which will include the “the core of what classic Sonic fans desire.” The spin dash, power sneakers and all “Sonic favorites” should return, including the homing attack from the Sonic Adventure games. How that will translate into 2D is up in the air. Does that mean no more precision jumping to bop the baddies?

There will also be leaderboards for the fastest level completion times. The music, like the graphics, will mix 16-bit synth with modern sound.

Although the teaser trailer only gives us the slightest hint as to the direction they’re on it seems Sega’s found a happy medium between the modern Sonic Adventure-style games and the oldschool (good) ones. After a decade of lousy games I can’t help but remain cautious. A few things raise red flags, like a homing attack in a 2D platformer and Mr. Balough’s keen insistence that he’s one of us unwashed, whiny fans. On the other hand, the Sonic cartoon-watching, comic-reading, Burger King toy-collecting kid in me is jumping, sprinting and eating chili dogs for joy. This is the type of Sonic game I’ve waited for since the credits of Sonic & Knuckles finished rolling. We have a short wait ahead of us to see what it will really be like.

Don’t disappoint us now, Sega. You got us old fans by the jewels now.

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Project Needlemouse returns Sonic to the forefront

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Tags: 2.5d game, 2d game, 2d graphics, genesis, project needlemouse, sega, sonic the hedgehog 4: episode one