Sonic 4 Episode 2

Developer: Sega
Genre: Platformer/Action
Online: no
Multiplayer: no
Price: £5.27
Move to SD: Yes
Size: 358MB Download
Compatibility:

About - 

Following the events of Episode I, Metal Sonic has returned to form a formidable alliance with Dr. Eggman! To face this new evil, Sonic will have to call upon an old friend to help him save the day! Now joined by Tails, race across four brand new Zones and take down fearsome new badniks with deadly combination moves in order to put an end to this dastardly duo's plans!

Collaborative Play Team up with a friend via Bluetooth or Wi-fi and take control of Sonic and Tails as they battle against Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic!

Fully Xperia Play Optimized and USB controller supported!!

 

 

 

Review

If I were to own a games console of any form and it didn't have Sonic the Hedgehog, I wouldnt be happy.  The day when Sonic CD came out for Xperia PLAY, I was as excited as a fat kid in a candy shop.  Then when out of the blue Sonic 4 episode 1 turned up, I was gob smacked.

So Sonic 4 as a complete series is supposed to take on directly after Sonic 3, or Sonic & Knuckles... ok there is a slight inconcistancy there but who cares.  It takes us back to that original timeless gameplay of running through levels, hoops and smashing through random animal shaped robots, hopefully without dropping your stash of golden hoops.  This truly is a fantastic video game for Sonic enthusiasts or new gamers a like.  I enjoy playing this game on my Xperia PLAY, my Tablet S or even in my living room on my PS3.  Doesn't seem to be available for my PS Vita sadly btu that's a whole different disappointment which I will bore you with another day.

The way Sonic 4 episode 2 looks, plays and even sounds is perfect.  Greatest Sonic game yet since the Mega Drive and I hope they continue to keep these coming.  I have almost completed both epidsodes now and need more!  Did I mention it has multi-player too?  No?  Ok well it does.  You can pair up two devices via Bluetooth inside the game settings to play with friends.  It would be pretty cool to have some kind of online mode perhaps but not in this version.

Unlike episode 1, Sega this time have fully optimised this game for the Xperia PLAY and USB game pads.  So the virtual on screen controls disappear and the game menus can be controlled with the D-Pad also.  Not that this really bothered me but it does make the game more enjoyable if you have a full screen.  I think this is why I don't get on with touch screen games so well, cos every button on screen you are pushing, you are blocking the action.  I guess that's why we all love the Xperia PLAY so much.

I remember seeing the announcement video on YouTube and reading a comment from someone criticizing the amount of spring boards used even on a straight line and I thought to myself; 'honestly, is that all you can moan about?'.  But actually, I kinda of agree with that person.  There is a few moments in the game where you do just seem to get thrown from board to board, just to achieve walking forward.  Not an issue as Sonic is all about high speed platformer action but I do think that perhaps they have abused this function on this game.

If you have purchased the episode 1, you also get a bonus zone unlocked for you too.  These are the metal Sonic levels and you get to play the metallic devil himself.  These extra levels are quite difficult actually, so if you are a hardcore Sonic gamer, these will definitely challenge you.

I guess my one disappointment with this episode of Sonic 4, is the bonus levels where you can earn the chaos emeralds.  This is based heavily on the tube shaped special stages that graced our gameplay on Sonic 2.  I loved them but for some reason I don't like these ones.  I don't think it is the levels, I think it's more to do with the fact that there is so much unnecessary video sequences.   Like when you have to wait 10 seconds whilst you watch Sonic and Tails give each other a high five.  It kills the adrenaline of it I think, it should be faced paced al the way.

So there is my 2 cents on this release of the all time great, Sonic the Hedgehog.  I think it's fantastic.  I think Sega have done really good with this game.  Delivering us fans what we want, which is classic platformer action but with HD graphics and modelling.  Delivers it pretty well, don't you think?

 

Video

Featured in our Latest games for Xperia PLAY, summer 2012 compilation