Episode 1 is off to a great start.
After several playthroughs, all I can say is "So far, so good".
*Gameplay*
The Story
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Episode 1 takes place sometime after Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Sonic's by himself at the moment and is currently exploring new frontiers. Eggman on the other hand has been selecting and upgrading his best inventions so that he can get rid of Sonic and so that he can rule the world in peace.
Sonic's Moves
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Sonic's moveset in Episode 1 is similar to his Sonic Adventure moveset, minus the Light Speed Dash and Light Speed Attack. For the Xbox Live Version, you use either A or B is to jump. Depending on how hard you press either button effects the height of it. Admittedly, it does feel awkward sometimes.
His Spin Dash in this game can be powerful, especially if you try to jump when releasing it, which will give you some speed and some height.
If you press the A/B button twice when near an enemy, spring, or random target, you'll perform the Homing Attack. If you're not near an enemy, spring, or random target, it becomes a quick Air Dash that pushes him as if he hit a soft Spring. When you're airborne and see the Homing Attack Cursor, you have about 5 seconds to decide whether or not to use it.
As mentioned in interviews, the homing attack is optional (only 2 levels where you may be forced to use it). When you come across enemies you can either bounce off of them 1 by 1, like you did in the retro games or use the Homing Attack. Either way you have to carefully time your attacks so you don't miss and fall into a row of spikes or a bottomless pit.
There's a new feature in Episode 1, which has been noted before release as an issue by fans, known as Uncurling. Uncurling is basically whenever Sonic is send up a ramp using a Speed Booster, as he becomes airborne he stops spinning. This is a big problem because he becomes vulnerable to any enemies waiting off-screen.
Super Sonic
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Once you collect all the 7 Chaos Emeralds, you can become Super Sonic during Regular Acts, after you've collected 50 or more Rings, and pressing the X/Y buttons. Like in the retro games, Super Sonic is a combo of the "High Speed Shoes" and "Invincibility" so he's fast and destroys any enemy he touches. Plus, his jump is higher and his Home Attack range is bigger. His rings still deplete as you play and he reverts back to normal once it reaches Zero.
Zones and Acts
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After clearing Splash Hill Act 1, all the other Regular Acts will be unlocked. Instead of being forced to play Acts from Zone 1 to the last Zone, players can now choose to go to the World Map and pick where they want to go next.
I actually liked being able to do this, because if I wanted to replay a stage or leave to pick a different level, it automatically takes brings me back to the World Map without me having to do it manually. If you want to do it the old way, press the Y button after clearing an Act/Special Stage when the "Play to Next Act" appears.
For a game that only has 5 Zones and 7 Special Stages, it does pretty well providing a challenge. Acts increase in difficulty from Act 1 to Act 3, while Zones range from Splash Hill being the easiest, Casino Street being slightly harder, Lost Labyrinth being intermediate, and Mad Gear being the hardest. Regarding the size of the levels, they seem to be about the same length as the Acts in Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
Although names and designs seem similar to that of the retro games' levels, every Zone's Act (except Splash Hill) adds new elements to the mix that set them apart.
Each Act offers different challenges as well as shortcuts and hidden passages. Also, you'll sometimes get a heads up with the Headings like "Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 3: Underwater Maze Escape".
Badniks' (which are the enemies Eggman used in the past) difficulty also range depending on the Zone. Well, except for Bubbles, who appears in every level, come in groups, and is stationary. Their only purpose is to act as stepping stones, although you may accidently fly into them when moving in midair.
As for the Monitors, they're the same as in Sonic 1. You have 10 Ring, High Speed Shoes, Invincibility, Shield, and Extra Life. Sorry, no elemental shields at the moment.
Special Stages
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In order to reach the Special Stages in this game, you have to do 2 things:
-play the regular Acts and reach the goal with 50 rings or more
-jump into the giant ring before the goal sign stops spinning
As for the Special Stages themselves, they are remade from Sonic 1. The changes? Well...
-there is a time limit now
-instead of controlling Sonic through a rotating maze, you control the maze by rotating it clockwise or counterclockwise while Sonic bounces off the walls and falls downward
-you need to open at least one gate first, by collecting rings, in order to get into the area with the Chaos Emerald. The gate shows a number of rings needed before the opening jingle plays
Like past Sonic games, Special Stage difficulty varies. I found the second emerald hard to get yet the last one was easy. You can also cheat by pressing "Retry" in the pause menu before time runs out.
Once you get a Chaos Emerald, an icon will appear over the Act where you got it, so you can't replay the same acts to get to the other Special Stages.
Boss Acts
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Once players have cleared Acts 1, 2, and 3 of a Zone, the Boss Act will be unlocked.
Most of the machines Eggman uses are upgraded versions from old models from in Sonic 1 and 2. Once you've hit him 5 times he starts using the last resort, which is different for each boss.
You won't be able to spam the Homing Attack because most of the Boss Acts have Eggman out of Sonic's reach, especially during the Last Resort moments. Also, the rebound for the Homing Attack is different for Eggman. Instead Sonic going up into the air, like with the Badniks, he goes off into the opposite direction, usually the other side of the screen.
You won't be able to use Super Sonic either because there's a small amount of rings in Boss Acts.
Version Differences
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Well, Act 2 of Casino Street and Lost Labyrinth are different in the Console Versions and the Iphone versions. I believe the Wii version has motion control for the Special Stages. As far as the Xbox 360 version goes, there are a few avatar awards (basically a Sonic costume).
Overall Gameplay Score: 9
*Graphics*
The game looks good, literally. From character animations to the levels to the World Map, everything has a unique look.
Overall Graphics Score: 9
*Speed*
Whether you're running in one direction, spin dashing, using a High Speed Shoes Power Up, or using Super Sonic, you'll be able to experience speed as you leave a trail of dust clouds behind you.
Overall Speed Score: 9
*Sound*
If I remember correctly, music for the game is done with 8 notes. Mad Gear still has the best level music in my opinion.
Some of the sounds are reused from other games, while some of them have been remixed. The Special Stage music/sounds remind me of NiGHTS.
I do feel like Eggman's regular Boss theme needs some work.
Overall Sound Score: 9
My Final Overall Score for the game is 9.
Episode 1 takes bits and pieces of elements from the retro and the modern Sonic games and creates a new 2D game. There are a few issues, but hopefully they can be fixed in the next episode (which is teased when you beat the game with all 7 emeralds). This isn't Sonic Retro Remix. This isn't Sonic Advance 4. This is Sonic 4: Episode 1. If you're waiting for all the episodes to release, more power to you although I would recommend trying out the demo or finding someone who has downloaded the game and try it out yourself.