Wii

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

Despite this, Sonic 4 is a blistering sequel that hammers every nostalgia button going, yet at all times manages to feel like it's an entirely new game, rather than an exploitative rehash.

Ein zwar nur fünf bis sechs Stunden lang unterhaltendes, jedoch anspruchsvolles und gut designtes Arcade-Hüpfspiel. Für Platformerfreunde und eingefleischte Sonic-Fans der ersten Stunde nur wärmstens zu empfehlen -- wenngleich wir einige heftige Mankos bekritteln müssen.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 isn’t perfect, but it is pretty good. Perhaps its most serious problem is its short length; you can have everything done in just a few hours, which is odd for a game costing about $15 USD on most systems. The majority of that short time is very fun however, so if you’ve been hoping for a new Sonic game that is faithful to the classic style then this is worth checking out.

Sega accomplished what they set out to do with Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, and that is to take players to a time when Sonic was all about the speed and platforming. There are no bugs and glitches, the controls are tight, and save for a few annoying spots, the levels dazzle in their ingenious design. It might not be the exact, same caliber of quality as the Sonic Genesis games, and this could make it seem a step back for Sega, but it is still a great game that proves that when done right, Sonic really does shine.

The fans who clamoured for a "proper" Sonic adventure will be thrilled by Sonic 4: there’s no dialogue, no cutscenes and no sidekicks. A dozen side-scrolling stages, seven torturous special stages and five classic bosses all adds up to a great Sonic game. It’s a shame there just isn’t more of it as this won’t last skilled players too long, but the gameplay is so joyous you’ll revisit it time and again.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 doesn't do very much that's new. Instead, it takes a step back to a time when Sonic was awesome. I would like to have been able to bring a friend along to play as Tails and experience the old Sonic levels in a new way -- in co-op. Otherwise, there's really little to complain about. Sonic 4 is short, but sweet and well worth downloading.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is a fantastic return to form for one of gaming’s most venerable characters. It brings gamers back to a time when the name Sonic meant 2D platforming with attitude while finally giving the series a push in the right direction. I just wish there was more of it, the game feels half finished and to be charged a premium for the first ‘episode’ of a game that won’t last the time between lunch and supper is a definite no-no in my book. Still, if Episode 2 can right these wrongs and deliver both the gameplay and value that gamers expect for their money, then Sonic is definitely a hedgehog redeemed.

It's good game, but it's mostly just recycled Sonic content with a fresh coat of paint. It's fun, and it has all of the niceties you'll find with modern games, such as leaderboards; however, it still comes up a bit short for all of the hoopla over Sonic returning to 2-D. It's a good buy for new and old fans of Sonic alike, but don't expect it to rock your world.

Unless you’re a diehard fan trying to get all of the Chaos Emeralds, these dozen levels probably won’t last long enough to justify the money you spent on them. Instead, you might want to consider sticking with the originals. You’ll get more out of them.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is a good enough start to what will hopefully be a more refined and usable experience. It is better than some of the more recent games, and although has addressed some issues with the move back into 2D, still suffers from awkward and unpredictable controls. Aside from the gameplay issues, Episode 1 is worth considering - however perhaps try out a demo version (on other formats) or a friend’s copy before buying.

With a toe-tapping soundtrack, glitzy presentation and obvious accessibility, Sonic 4 Episode 1 has much to be proud of. Gamers who recall the early nineties and yearn for a simpler time when true 3d was restricted to bad sci-fi movies should lap this title up, but there’s definitely a sense that it could, or indeed should have been more. We don’t often reference the overall score here at D+PAD, but in this case Sonic misses out on a fourth star by a single blue hair, largely down to the lack of imagination applied to the worlds and that terrible end boss. We hope to see these issues remedied in Episode 2, however, in which case we’ll be happy to offer the speedy hedgehog our full support. Sega, it’s over to you…