Professor Beef
Banned
I was planning on it, but the negative press from Cross Assault (as hilarious as it was) combined with the on-disc DLC turned me off from it.
We solved that ages ago, remember?
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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II |OT| Let's Go, Friend of Friends!
- Thread starter Azure Dream
- Start date
I was planning on it, but the negative press from Cross Assault (as hilarious as it was) combined with the on-disc DLC turned me off from it.
We solved that ages ago, remember?
BlazeHedgehog
Member
Anybody out there with the PC version want to do me a favor? Could I have a screenshot of Sky Fortress Act 1, with Sonic standing on the wing of the Tornado?
No. I don't know how long these things take but I seriously doubt it will be done by then. I'm just the programmer.
BlazeHedgehog
Member
Excellent, thanks!
That action is just a Japanese cheering gesture (ganbaru), an element used a lot in kids themed shows/games.
I suppose culture was lost in translation.
DICKS AHOY
Banned
So far I think the game is average, and this is coming from someone who hated the first game. This entire episode endeavor still seems pretty pointless, but at least I've had some genuine fun with it now. Some neat ideas and clever homages (as opposed to Episode 1's flat out rehashing) are littered throughout which gives the game a lot more personality than Episode 1 had, but it still feels more like a 'remix' of the old games rather than a proper sequel beyond White Park and levels still have a pretty obvious Rush-influence which doesn't work at all for this slower paced game. Boosters really are a truly worthless addition to the classic Sonic style, though the game doesn't feel as 'automatic' as Episode 1 often did at times so I guess they're not as badly abused this time.
Music is considerably better than the first game, though it's still not great and all the complaints levied at it in reviews makes me hope they get some more composers onto a possible Episode 3. Graphics are great and small touches like flags whipping up as you rush past them or just how a lot of the badniks mill about and react to you now as opposed to their static paper-mache look in the first game are appreciated. I can still see why people would still hate the game (as I said, for me it's still merely average, maybe veering on pretty good if you're comparing it to other typical XBLA/PSN platformers), but you'd have to be lying to say there hasn't been a huge improvement this time around.
I'd recommend anybody on the fence to at least try the demo. Act 1 of White Park felt like a pretty good indicator for how most of the other game plays; some good bits, some clever bits and some stupid shit (mostly the boring as shit Bubbles chains who still stick out like a sore-thumb in every stage and bits where if you do anything but hold right while being chased you'll probably die in a pit, regardless of Tails).
Music is considerably better than the first game, though it's still not great and all the complaints levied at it in reviews makes me hope they get some more composers onto a possible Episode 3. Graphics are great and small touches like flags whipping up as you rush past them or just how a lot of the badniks mill about and react to you now as opposed to their static paper-mache look in the first game are appreciated. I can still see why people would still hate the game (as I said, for me it's still merely average, maybe veering on pretty good if you're comparing it to other typical XBLA/PSN platformers), but you'd have to be lying to say there hasn't been a huge improvement this time around.
I'd recommend anybody on the fence to at least try the demo. Act 1 of White Park felt like a pretty good indicator for how most of the other game plays; some good bits, some clever bits and some stupid shit (mostly the boring as shit Bubbles chains who still stick out like a sore-thumb in every stage and bits where if you do anything but hold right while being chased you'll probably die in a pit, regardless of Tails).
Finished this game today, having got all of the emeralds and red coins. Also went back and got the under a minute achievement and
one.
This is a much, much better game than the first episode. The lack of stupid level gimmicks like rope swinging and torch puzzles is great. The levels themselves are a lot more fun to play, though they do play themselves a bit too often at times.
The special stages are fun. A bit of a pain in the ass toward the end, but what else are special stages for? The last one in particular was rough, but I blame that on how poorly they teach you how to use the tether. Anyone else discover that you can just pause and restart a bonus level before failing out?
The final boss was a pushover and the actual ending was
Fun game. I kind of wish I waited for a sale, but it's leagues better than Ep 1.
take down Metal Sonic in the plane
This is a much, much better game than the first episode. The lack of stupid level gimmicks like rope swinging and torch puzzles is great. The levels themselves are a lot more fun to play, though they do play themselves a bit too often at times.
The special stages are fun. A bit of a pain in the ass toward the end, but what else are special stages for? The last one in particular was rough, but I blame that on how poorly they teach you how to use the tether. Anyone else discover that you can just pause and restart a bonus level before failing out?
The final boss was a pushover and the actual ending was
a massive, massive letdown. Why no second form? Why no actual final cutscene?
Fun game. I kind of wish I waited for a sale, but it's leagues better than Ep 1.
Is there a trick to this Im missing? I tried a few times and could never seem to position myself correctly.
I discovered you can
knock the cannonballs back at him by jumping into them
as Super Sonic, so I don't know if you can do it as regular Sonic or not
Nocturnowl
Member
Is it odd that I consider these some of the better points of Ep 1? bar that one torch puzzle.
I don't know that I think it's odd. I think we just have different tastes. I wasn't a huge fan of them, but I could see how someone might like them.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
I don't know if you can do it as regular Sonic (never tried jumping at them), but you can use the Tornado's spin attack to knock the cannonballs back at Metal Sonic.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
So I went back to play a bit of Episode 1 yesterday, and the difference isn't exactly like night and day, but there certainly is a marked difference between the two.
The artstyle in Episode 2 is so much better, and Sonic handles better in Episode 2 as well (except for rolling and going down slopes (ie: for some reason his speed is constant as opposed to going faster and faster).
I think the level design in some parts is better than Episode 2. You aren't colliding into enemies or bubbles when you go high and uncurl (and thus hit the enemy and lose your rings) like in Episode 1.
Music's better in general as well, but it kind of feels like the loops in Episode 2 are a little short? It might just be me. But with that said, it's not like that music in Episode 2 is stellar or anything. It still has problems.
But the overall feeling I get from both of the games is that they're just 'there'. They don't really do anything substantial or special that adds to the series too much. You can argue that Team Attacks in Episode 2 (as opposed to the attacks in Sonic Heroes) might be something 'substantial', and when they work pretty well, yeah, they're kinda fun to use. If they improve on team attacks for a theoretical episode 3, then it might be fine. But as of right now, I'm not really getting much out of either game.
The artstyle in Episode 2 is so much better, and Sonic handles better in Episode 2 as well (except for rolling and going down slopes (ie: for some reason his speed is constant as opposed to going faster and faster).
I think the level design in some parts is better than Episode 2. You aren't colliding into enemies or bubbles when you go high and uncurl (and thus hit the enemy and lose your rings) like in Episode 1.
Music's better in general as well, but it kind of feels like the loops in Episode 2 are a little short? It might just be me. But with that said, it's not like that music in Episode 2 is stellar or anything. It still has problems.
But the overall feeling I get from both of the games is that they're just 'there'. They don't really do anything substantial or special that adds to the series too much. You can argue that Team Attacks in Episode 2 (as opposed to the attacks in Sonic Heroes) might be something 'substantial', and when they work pretty well, yeah, they're kinda fun to use. If they improve on team attacks for a theoretical episode 3, then it might be fine. But as of right now, I'm not really getting much out of either game.
You can't. I tried. :lol You have to use the Tornado for that, I guess.
The only bit of level design that annoyed me in this game was that part in White Park Act 3 where if you don't homing attack at least one of each pair of the walrus badniks quick enough they freeze and block your way, and there is no bubbles and they block the way you came from. You can't rolling combo those frozen bubbles either can you?
Otherwise had quite a lot of fun with this one. Excluding that bit above I didn't really think any of the challenging sections of the levels were cheap or anything. No doubt tricky, like the bit in the Sky Fortress Act 1 were you have to homing attack the turtles as Tails buggers off for a bit, but nothing like some of the really cheap crap in the first episode.
Also I'm probably in the minority here, but I really enjoyed the bosses because they were long and sometimes hard. I thought the Oil Desert boss was one of the most creative in a Sonic game for some time. I didn't like dying at the end of them when I didn't know what to do the first couple times, though, but eh.
In general though I felt this was a lot easier than episode 1. The special stages were a cakewalk in comparison as was the final boss.
Otherwise had quite a lot of fun with this one. Excluding that bit above I didn't really think any of the challenging sections of the levels were cheap or anything. No doubt tricky, like the bit in the Sky Fortress Act 1 were you have to homing attack the turtles as Tails buggers off for a bit, but nothing like some of the really cheap crap in the first episode.
Also I'm probably in the minority here, but I really enjoyed the bosses because they were long and sometimes hard. I thought the Oil Desert boss was one of the most creative in a Sonic game for some time. I didn't like dying at the end of them when I didn't know what to do the first couple times, though, but eh.
In general though I felt this was a lot easier than episode 1. The special stages were a cakewalk in comparison as was the final boss.
Diablohead
Member
You can, first thing I did on 360 and ios and it works.
That part sucked so bad. You just have to jam on the swim and hope you make it.
I know right, what is this, a video game
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Ah well. I kept losing my rings when I tried it so I just did it with the Tornado. At least there're three ways to do it (Regular Sonic, Super Sonic, Tornado), so it isn't really that hard when you know what you have to do.
I feel like Episode 1's scores were inflated, then, and Episode 2 is getting along the lines what Episode 1 should've got.
Diablohead
Member
I believe you just have to make sure that you are not falling after a jump, so attack it just before it hits you. Homing attack is a no no
It's a fun game, not brilliant but worth playing through at least once somehow, maybe wait for a price drop or sale which I would think will happen this summer at some point, 1200 is a big asking for what this game is.
I don't think so personally. As I stated before, the experience and vibe of Episode I feels better. The style of Episode II just doesn't click with me, and it's like it's trying to be so many different things at once where Episode I was just trying to be a classic.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Ohhhhhhh! That's what I was doing (falling). Thanks.
It doesn't suck; it's just mediocre and has its share of flaws. But it's better than Episode 1 in some respects, and I think people should play through the demo to gauge how much they'd like it. Episode Metal isn't very good at all, btw.bluebird said:
It isn't worth the asking price, though. Wait for a sale.
This just makes me want to post this because even though I've encountered it myself, I'm not entirely sure what it does, outside of being a mechanic to take out all of the enemies onscreen. Edit: I know it's reminiscent of a Team Blast, but there are just two enemies onscreen. :/
Nocturnowl
Member
Well score attack is the name of the main game, the more you mash the more points? yes this is the only other purpose I can think of.
To make it even better the power up is only obtained once you've actually got past both enemies making it further pointless.
lol
If you played that part you'd know how unfair it is. And if you're just being snarky, well, cool.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
Let me put it this way: Episode I was so bad I wish I could hate it into the deepest pits of Hell where it would be tortured by Hitler, Stalin and Michael Bolton for eternity after having been passed through Satan's digestive system. Episode II is an OK game with a few occasions of bad level design and bosses that take far too long to defeat.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Episode I was no were near that bad.
Man, I played a bit more Episode 2 before jumping back to Generations where I spent the better part of two hours playing. Sonic Generations might just be one of my favorite games of the generation (ha ha). It really is just so much damn fun to play and feels really slick on the PC.
Shotgun Kiss
Member
I was planning on it, but the negative press from Cross Assault (as hilarious as it was) combined with the on-disc DLC turned me off from it.
We solved that ages ago, remember?
Wow, I'm amazed at how much difference that actually makes. Classic Sonic looks noticeably worse, and Modern Sonic looks noticeably better.
Solid SOAP
Member
So after beating it a handful of times, trying for all Emeralds and certain achievements, I can honest to God say that this is a quality game worth purchasing if you're a Sonic fan. If not, it's okay, the level design is decent and it's fun to just sit down and run through for an hour if you have time to kill, but I can't see myself recommending this to anyone who isn't a fan. It's a bit short for $15 and there's nothing particularly remarkable about it either, but it's a fun game that is rather enjoyable from start to finish, unlike Episode I. A solid 6/10 game, I don't think that it's the pile of shit that many make it out to be but it isn't perfect either.
Professor Beef
Banned
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
^ohgod.
It's very fun, and it looks and sounds fantastic. And hey, we have competent Modern design in both Sky Sanctuary and Rooftop Run. That's something. But seriously, Colours and Generations are great. I like Unleashed too, but it certainly isn't for everyone at all.
Generations is, alongside Pac-Man Championship DX, a good example of a game that I like to play on a weekly basis. It'd be per diem if I put in a lot of game hours on weekdays.
It's very fun, and it looks and sounds fantastic. And hey, we have competent Modern design in both Sky Sanctuary and Rooftop Run. That's something. But seriously, Colours and Generations are great. I like Unleashed too, but it certainly isn't for everyone at all.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
What does this game have to do with Episode I? God forbid you actually play the game before just bashing it.
RobbieNick
Junior Member
Episode 1 raped my mother!!!
Please, Episode 1 is not nearly as bad as some people are making it out to be. It just has poor, stiff physics. Otherwise it's a half-decent downloadable title.
Please, Episode 1 is not nearly as bad as some people are making it out to be. It just has poor, stiff physics. Otherwise it's a half-decent downloadable title.
and bad level design
and springs and boosters EVERYWHERE HOLY SHIT BETTER NOT SLOW DOWN EVER OH SHIT
and horrible music
Nocturnowl
Member
It's time for me to confess that I liked the following themes from Sonic 4
Splash Hill Act 3
Lost Labyrinth Act 3
Mad Gear Act 3
Basically Act 3 delivers the goods, now if only they were done with different instruments/samples.
Splash Hill Act 3
Lost Labyrinth Act 3
Mad Gear Act 3
Basically Act 3 delivers the goods, now if only they were done with different instruments/samples.
And all this for just fifteen dollars! Wow what a steal!
RobbieNick
Junior Member
LOL You picked my top 3 as well.
I'd also like to highlight Modern Chemical Plant's design. The immediately branching paths at the beginning are really clever (for both rewarding different levels of player skill and making a lot of sense in the environment), and the level is peppered with a lot of minor shortcuts and room for improvement on subsequent playthroughs. From a spectacle standpoint, free falling down the giant vat of the bubbling blue chemicals is impressive, and running through the zone as it falls apart is a neat twist (even if it goes a bit over the top with explosions at the end).
Heck, if I didn't strongly dislike the way the kart handled, I'd probably feel like heaping some praise on Modern Seaside Hill, too. There's a lot to love in Generations, even if it has a handful of glaring flaws.
Yeah, if only...
: /
Nocturnowl
Member
I like to think that the previous 2 acts were like WIPs for the zones theme and the act 3 ones are what nail it for the most part.
The casino zone is okay on the whole but sounds a bit too plain, lacks the glitzy feel it should have.
Well there's always the route without the kart right? personally I didn't mind the karts control, better than the actual one in heroes at least.
As far as multiple routes go Speed Highway modern is a damn good one, really rewards you for searching off the main path.
RobbieNick
Junior Member
That's the odd thing with Episode II the sampling/mixing is better but but a lot of the compositions are poor.
Have you played White Park Act 2? Think about all the boosters in Splash Hill Zone, and make it the entire level.
White Park Act 2 is essentially a cutscene. Iizuka feels they are necessary for some reason, though.
RobbieNick
Junior Member
White Park Act 2 is the literal version of "hold right to win". I don't know what the hell they were thinking on that one.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
It looks pretty in screenshots used for marketing?