Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II

After waiting 16 years for another great main line 2D Sonic game, we were greeted to "Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I", which was much less of a continuation, but more of a compilation of levels that had identical themes used from past games, as well played much worse than ever before all while doing nothing interesting. It, in more ways than one, felt like a slap in the face instead of the celebration it was meant to be.

2 years later, and we're greeted to this: a much better game. Still not anything good, mind you, but unlike Episode I, I can't really call it bad, either. It's average. The visuals are a lot more detailed this time around, the gameplay, while still worse than the Genesis games, have been greatly improved and is now what I deem "decent", the inclusion of tails, as well as the new moves you can do with him to help you through levels is awesome and well executed, the game actually has original theming (FINALLY) and does a decent job in having it stand out, and the boss battles are a lot more ambitious, as well.

This game finally has just enough to it to where I can call it "okay", even if nothing more than that. Partially because of the levels and music. The levels, despite having more to them, are surprisingly uneven and a bit forgettable. While I wouldn't say the levels are bad, they really don't have a whole lot going on in them. There should have been more thought put into the level design. Same can be said about the music. For as bad as "Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I" was, it, at least, had some very good and memorable music. Here? Not really. All of it sounds a bit samey, and none of it is relatively memorable. This is one of the only soundtracks in a Sonic game that I can't say is good, as it's mostly completely disposable. And even though the originality is much higher this time around, the developers couldn't help themselves into reusing the special stages AGAIN, but from Sonic 2 this time around.

Aside from that, I can see how some may like this game. But just like Episode I, it's heartbreaking to see these games have the title of "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" when they do so little to push the envelope, and while this game definitely does a better job, that doesn't change the fact that the genesis games still did everything this game did, but so much better.

Apparently, there was going to be an Episode III, but because of the backlash from these 2 episodes, it never happened, which I'm a bit torn on. On one hand, at least Sonics legacy isn't being tarnished anymore. On the other hand, if the trend of each game improving a fair bit was still true, Episode III could've actually been good.

We'll never know, but thanks to the likes of the masterful "Sonic Mania" that would release 5 years after this game, I think it's alright to leave these games in the past, because even though this game is an improvement over Episode I, it still has too much going against it for it to be anything that worthwhile. It's a lot more original and competently made, but it's also forgettable. Nothing essential, and despite its name, this isn't the true Sonic 4.

Better then original that's it..............ok fine it ruins sonic 2 and I am happy that it was scrapped before it could ruin sonic 3 and the Controls are better but whatever you do don't play this game.

Sonic 4 Episode II the new and continuation of the Sonic 4 franchise and still can't seem to get the right footing when it comes to attempting to mirror it's Sega Genesis days. With this episode your faithful side-kick Tails returns for some fun but the fun isn't quite enough to save this title.

To start on the more positive end, the physics have been marginally approved over Episode I's sloppy physics. Sonic won't be getting stuck in loops or on hills this time but Tails certainly won't be a great help in carrying you. The levels are actually original this time instead of rehashes from past games the way Episode I did and bosses aren't rehashing either.

The one exception is the Special stages from Sonic 2 which aren't dazzlingly confusing with per-rendered CG Graphics but aren't any easier as ring placement and the still slightly sluggish physics make it difficult to collect rings.

Negatively the game falls short with Tails. You are forced to carrying him along for every stage. No Sonic alone stage, no Tails Alone options just forced to group up. There are a number of puzzles which involve precision timing and grouping of abilities. Most of these are relatively easy for the most part but there are areas where puzzles are just plain cheap.

Bosses are also cheap as most of them require Tails the less than polished flight mechanics make it difficult to attack Dr Eggman and the game more frustrating. Metal Sonic is in the game but feels more like a last minute shoe-horn in due to the success of Generations. The DLC Episode Metal is pointless as it's just Episode I with Metal in place of Sonic. I guess I can't complain too much on that as it was free with owning Episode I, but if somehow you can purchase Episode Metal, don't.

Two Player is best avoided. In this game Tails in Two Player Mode is linked to Sonic (which was actually in the Beta Version of Sonic 2) thus if one of you dies you both dies. Only play Two Player if you want to grief your friends.

Sonic 4 II isn't anything special. The very least it was cheap and not a waste of the $55 like the padded out Generations game. The bosses are cheap, the stages have cheap traps, Metal Sonic was clearly thrown in at the last second. The graphics are nice, the physics are slightly better, but the music is still substandard. I don't even want an Episode III now, it's probably for the best it's not in the works any time soon.

Seriously, who is in charge at Team Sonic? Who is supervising the quality control at Sega? Who gives a product like this a big tick and judges it fit for release? They ought to be fired!

I still enjoy games featuring Sonic, but only if I lower my expectations first. Generations was decent, if unspectacular, and All-Stars Racing was a ho-hum time-waster. Sonic shot to world-wide fame with the original Mega Drive games, which still hold up today. It took 16 years for Sega to continue the series, but Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1, which was released to great disappointment in 2010, was a goddamn travesty.

It took them another 2 years to release episode 2, but it feels like it was programmed over a long weekend, with plenty of break-time. There are no real new levels (as with Episode 1) and all are re-hashed from previous games (as with Generations - meaning Sonic the Hedgehog has not given us new levels in YEARS!). The re-hashed zones are Hill Top, Mystic Ruin, Ice Cap, and Oil Ocean. There are three levels each and one boss fight (totaling 16 levels). And let me tell you...the design is so lazy that literally not five seconds will pass without some amount of armchair-ripping frustration. Even the Special Stages are the tubular tunnels from Sonic 2, and the control of Sonic on these stages is just as stiff as it was in 1992. There are no cut-scenes either so the Zone progression is completely disjointed and there is accessible story. But there is a lock-on system (a fake homage to Sonic 3 and Knuckles) in which you get to play a few levels from Episode 1 as Metal Sonic if you also have Episode 1 on your console. It's pointless and offers no further lasting appeal.

If Sega ever get around to releasing Sonic 5 (in 2028 at the current rate) I have a long, long list of improvements and suggestions for them. No...make that direct orders. First of all - NO MORE UNDERWATER LEVELS! They are agonizingly slow. Even without that, Sonic takes far, far, far, far too long to get up to full speed. And then, when you do get going, the game cruelly slams you into a dead end. Why??? We buy these games for speed! It's like Sega is deliberately punishing you for the very reason you purchased the thing! Also, get rid Tails. Listen, I love Tails, but he should be operating on his own in the background, he should NOT be something that Sonic depends on to get through the levels.

There are 12 trophies, and most of them require far to much gameplay that most people will be willing to dedicate. I got three before I gave up. If I stuck with it I'd have ground my teeth down to the gums. It is not a generous or rewarding game and it should be hung around the necks of all Sonic Team employees as a mark of shame. With the weight of this drek around their necks they might make a better effort when Sonic 5 comes around in 2028.

Graphics A Sound B Gameplay D- Lasting Appeal F