Check out Sonic's new adventure as he goes back to old school style.
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Sonic Team/SEGA
System: Steam (PC)
Total Score: 83/100
Value Score: 8.3/10
• Story: 7/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 takes place shortly after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles and sometime before the events of any other Sonic game. Sonic has decided to part with Tails and go on a new adventure himself in a new land. In the meantime Dr. Eggman has decided to take out Sonic after enhancing his machines.
• Characters: 7/10
o Sonic and Dr. Eggman return in the game however there arent any new characters or any other returning characters however the enemies have changed dramatically from what they've been in other games and offers a fresh new look and feel to the sonic series.
• GamePlay: 9/10
o Just like any other Sonic game, you go through different zones with different acts and a boss battle at the end. A lot of the familiar features and abilities from past Sonic games have been re-introduced along with the fact that Sonic can now use the homing attack (which was a unique skill in the Adventure series) in the game. The gameplay has a bit more puzzle aspects compared to the other 2D games. Just like any other sonic game you have check point posts where if you die you can come back to rather than starting all over again - you will also be able to collect chaos emeralds to eventually become Super Sonic to reach new heights like the other games.
• Graphics: 10/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 uses a new engine for its visual design. Completely going off the usual 2D 16 bit retro area style - the developers decided to rework the original engine in modern light. The game's far more fluid in motion than any sonic game that has been out. The visual designs are nicely done with everything from the appearance, lighting to the texture. Absolutely one of the most gorgeous looking games to be made with a appealing and colorful tone.
• Sound: 10/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 uses a reworked audio/sound system which brings back a lot of the old tunes from the older games but remakes them with a better bitrate and quality.
• Music: 9/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 uses completely new sound track and offers little to no remixes from the older games (most of which are just the usual themes you would expect such as clearing a act). Despite that fact it still has and uses similar style to the old industrial tech tunes we are so familiar with the older sonic games.
• Length: 5/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1's main fault is the length. Although there are 5 zones with 3 acts each - you can easily finish the game within 2-3 hours. Of course there is time attack to make your records better but that isnt really appealing.
• Replay Value: 7/10
o Despite the fact that the length of the game isnt as much - the level designs are nicely done and offer different paths like the older games. You also have the option to play the special stages again which you have completed. You also have the option to directly fight a boss of a zone rather than going through a set of acts before having a chance to fight them.
• Player Value: 9/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode is an amazing sequel with what they've done adding a Sonic in a colorful and vivid world, amazing fluid visuals, a upbeat Soundtrack, and amazing re-telling of Sonic's fight against Dr. Eggman. However despite that it still has its faults such as the fact that the game's length is a bit of a lowside and the lack of some key Sonic characters missing out. Regardless this game is still a nice addition to the hardcore Sonic fan and any fan of the platformer/adventure genre.