Enjoy another instant classic in the Sonic universe!
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Sonic Team/SEGA
System: Steam (PC)
Total Score: 90/100
Value Score: 90/10
• Story: 8/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 takes place a few months after the events of Episode 1. Little Planet from Sonic CD makes a return. Dr. Eggman who was secretly planning a bigger plot from Episode 1 has events set out for Episode 2 - plans he had since Episode 1. As Dr. Eggman heads out to carry out his plans he discovers that Little Planet is coming near their world and decides to reawaken Metal Sonic who was left after his defeat from Sonic CD (which more than confirms that Sonic CD takes place Sonic 3). After being revived Metal Sonic decided to explore through the old stages of Episode 1 to obtain a sacred power that he had sensed. After obtaining the power he has more than become capable of matching with Sonic in terms of Power. After encountering Dr. Eggman along with the reawakened Metal Sonic, Sonic has decided to recruit back his buddy Tails to help him defeat the duo.
• Characters: 9/10
o Tails and Metal Sonic makes a return after being absent from Episode 1 - Sonic and Dr. Eggman make a return as well. New enemies have been added to the mix along with some remakes of the first enemies from the first few games as well.
• GamePlay: 10/10
o Episode 2 continues off the gameplay scheme as Episode 1 but includes a few new nice additions thanks to the inclusion of Tails. Sonic and Tails can do team moves which can range from flying with Tails and rolling into obstacles. Players who have a original file from Episode 1 can also unlock Episode Metal which is a expansion of Episode 1 but you play as Metal Sonic in the game who plays more like Episode 1's sonic without the help of a secondary combo skills (via Tails). Zones and acts return like the other Sonic games, check point posts allow you to come back at that point rather than starting all over again, and now Red Star Rings have been added which is equivalent to a Koopa/Dinosaur coin from Super Mario World. All of the power ups from the first game also make a return.
• Graphics: 10/10
o Just like in Episode 1, Episode 2's visual design is amazingly well done with all the lighting, shading and texture detailing. Episode 2 uses the same engine as Episode 1.
• Sound: 10/10
o Episode 2 uses the same sound effects in quality and bitrate as the first sonic game. A lot more of the old sound effects have returned thanks to the inclusion of tails and new sound effects relating to Metal Sonic have been added as well.
• Music: 9/10
o Episode 2 uses similar if not the same tracks as the first game but also includes several new tracks related to the new stages. You also have several remixes of older games such as the racing level from Sonic CD against Metal Sonic.
• Length: 6/10
o Episode 2 is a bit longer than Episode 1 however it is as short in terms of completion. Excluding Episode Metal, the game should take you about 3-4 hours to complete. There are about 5 zones with 2-3 acts each. If you include Episode Metal you get 4 additional levels (no bosses or additional acts).
• Replay Value: 8/10
o The amount of stages and the inclusion of special stages have added more to the replay value along with the fact that you can now play multiplayer with a friend and do some of the newly added challenges that related to the racing/time of the levels (which did not exist in the first game).
• Player Value: 10/10
o Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 is a great improvement of the first game with adding a bit more to the storyline and action in the game. A far more variety as well has been added to the overall design along with the fact that there is a nice addition of two returning characters with one character being a focus with a remake of the first episode's levels in its core storyline. The new Team combo system adds a bit more to the overall gameplay that you never experienced in a Sonic game and thanks to the visual design and the ear relaxing music this game is a instant buy for any Platformer and Sonic lover. The game also adds a bit more challenges and replay options that were missing from the first game.