SEGA has finally announced the official name for Project Needlemouse! From here on out, it will be known as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I! The news was released on Gamespot.com at Midnight PST. We now finally have a true sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles after all these years. According to Gamespot, the game is going to pick up where Sonic & Knuckles left off. Does that mean the story is going to pick up there as well? I can only assume so, but time will tell us for certain. Sonic 4 will be released this summer for download on the XBox, PS3, and yes, even the Wii! The game will also feature motion controls for the Wii and PS3, although it is still unknown as to what they will be used for.
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The main question I am asking is, “What does the subtitle, Episode I imply?” It could mean that the game is going to be a big one and they are releasing it in parts, “episodes.” Maybe this episode will have Sonic as the playable character while possibly Episode II will have Tails, Knuckles, or someone else as the main protagonist. For now it is uncertain what the subtitle actually means. But I’m sure we’ll be finding out very soon!Will Sonic 4 live up to its hype. I personally think it can. SEGA sure seems pretty positive about it. What do you think?
For all of the latest updates on Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, be sure to check out my Sonic 4 Update Blog.
February 4, 2010
#1
calling it Sonic 4 this late into the game is is bit daft imo, and i hate the episode 1 thing, but it makes sense if its going to release only though DLC, Problem is, DLC is normally short gameplay, so are we only going to get like about 3 levels each episodes charged at stupid price? hope not.
February 17, 2010
#2
Evidently some of the gameplay was leaked.
http://www.wiinintendo.net/2010/02/16/sonic-4-splash-hill-zone-footage/
It reminds me a bit of a high definition Sonic 1 the way it’s layed out and some of the same badniks from the classic franchise are in it.
I do agree that calling it Sonic 4 is way late in the game, but then again Disney has been doing quite a few “sequals” to very old movies as of late. I do think the name lacks originality, and I thought the canceled Sonic Xtreme was supposed to be the continuation of the story from Sonic 2,Sonic 3 and S&K.
I have to admit, I personally think the gameplay looks sweet, a lot of fun and I look forward to playing this game someday when I can afford a decent game system.
But I have my gripes about Sonic going back to 2D, and just having Sonic versus Eggman/Robotnik. If this is trully the Sequal to S3&K, then personally I think at least Tails should be in it since Tails has been around since Sonic 2, with Knuckles being a possible optional character.
As for it being downloadable, I guess the only thing that bothers me is, would there be a way to back the game up should the system crash?
February 17, 2010
#3
I’ve actually been working on an article about the leaked content on The Sonic Zone. My only hold up is that I’m making it so people can comment on it. (Hopefully…)
And yes, it would be nice to have at least Tails and Knuckles in it. I think SEGA are taking to many steps backward. Much like Nintendo did with New Super Mario Bros. on the DS.