The Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Megathread

Damnit SEGA. Fire Iizuka already.

 

It was posted a while ago that the leaked build is already at least 9 months old.
Edit: 11 pages admittedly isn't “just a few” :v:

 

Well you never know, this video might be showing off a version that's even older.

Mind you we're talking about two different ports here. It's very possible that the Wii version of the game is slightly behind the times. So the 360/PS3 versions are worked on first, then it's ported to the Wii with various bits being removed, then the iPhone.

So hypethetically the 360 version might be 80% done while the Wii version is only 60% done. Or something like that.

 

There are some minor changes to music, most notably being one act that has actually had its music revamped completely. We'll reveal which act this is as part of our S4 Update Blogs.

Physics in general are not going to see too many massive changes, though know that I did push months ago to see how much would be possible. The biggest hurdle here was the level design, and the many ways that even small physics changes require updating almost every stage. It is never as easy as many might think, but I did ask and made sure it was brought to certain people's attention.

Our biggest focus with the updates has been to make a game that people can have fun playing. When you play Sonic 4, whether you're an old fan or a new fan, that you can enjoy the levels and not have any moments that are too frustrating or difficult, or that make you want to stop playing. No moments where a random gimmick forces you to lose the fun factor that the game had. This is why Lost Lab Act II saw major updates from the original design, and why other parts of the game are also being polished, including another big level update I think you guys will be glad to hear of.

In addition to the big stuff, and though physics won't be changed to the extent I know some people here would like, we have thrown in a number of small but important updates to other minor parts of the game. They are things that I doubt most reviewers will ever take note of, but that you guys as fans will hopefully appreciate. Some of these will also be revealed in our next S4 Update blog coming this month.

Though it's impossible to fulfill every request,I hope that the changes we have made will prove that our claims to have been listening are founded solidly, and that while we can't make every single person happy, we are doing what we can to make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

 

Since the music has been updated, can you replace the tracks already available on the main site with the ones that have been changed in some way so we can listen closer?

Also, does this mean we wont be getting anything tomorrow? Might save some of us a day of staying up all night to see what's up. :P

 

Any little bit helps. Thanks for the update!

Well, if complete physics overhaul isn't going to happen, I guess the only other complaint valid that I care about is the uncurling.

 

I'll assume that will be Casino Street Zone Act 2 since that was the worst track and wouldn't fit a non-score attack level. Thanks for your quick response.

Looks like a lot of people are going to be fuming over the physics news, but hopefully Episode II will have more issues fixed.

 

Most are pretty minor, to that point that I don't think it really calls for updating on the website. The entirely new track, though - quite possibly.

 

He didn't say it wasn't going to happen. He said it wouldn't be to the extent we want. That doesn't rule them out completely.

As long as the changes make it that much closer to the original Mega Drive titles... I'm good.

Oh and Ruby, please explain this to us, as said by Iizuka himself:

We DON'T WANT Speed Boosters, or not the amount that we have seen.

 

Thanks for updating! I'm glad you're still at it. Is it possible we could have a ETA for the new blog update?

 

Well if the physics haven't been massively changed then no, you haven't been listening. You seem like a nice enough guy, Ruby and I know you've done all you can, and I don't personally blame you for the shambles this game has become. But in lieu of getting "Sonic 4 as we truly imagined it" could you grant me one final request? I'd be grateful if you'd pass on the message to Iizuka that he's an ignorant, talentless hack that couldn't organize a piss up in a brewery.

Thanks

 

How about you get the menu track posted on the site? There isn't a clear rip around and I actually like this song.

 

Did they remove a speed booster inside that small passage with the checkpoint? I distinctly remember one in there.

 

My suggestion would be to expect few to no physics changes, so that if or when you do notice any minor updates in the final game, you'll appreciate them. I think this is better than people really expecting them to change too much, and conversely expecting something different than they get when they download it. Keeping expectations realistic is the key.

As to the Iizuka-san quote, what were you looking for in a response? It sounds like his personal opinion to me, so there's not too much room for me to comment further.

 

No disrespect meant to you, RubyEclipse, but quite honestly that's sad. It made me chuckle. This is just... no, I understand if it's something like an unlockable character or a secret area, but physics? No, that's just ridiculous.

 

Sounds rather disappointing considering that the physics have been a major concern in this game. Out of interest, have you actually shown anyone Mercury's Sonic Physics Guide?

By the way, could you push out LLZ2's music track to the website so I can push out my SMPS import?

 

So are we ever getting a sonic game ever again? Or should we stop waiting? Personally I think you might be able to save this sinking ship if the engine was completely overhauled for episode 2 but even that is a stretch. This is not an attack against you in particular because I know you're pretty much powerless to do anything about it, but if SEGA is 'listening to the fans' and physics/uncurling/etc was the major complaint, and nothing is being done about this how is that listening at all?

Also, you need someone new to run the franchise, your current game designer/project manager is running things into the ground.

 

Expecting a game equal to or better than a 16 year old game, yeah VERY unrealistic.

I tell you though, it's unrealistic expecting the people you're trying to bring back to the franchise to buy and put up with what a shoddy effort this is (though no doubt many will).

 

Pretty much this. He has no idea what classic fans want, nor does he care and he's more than made this known in that interview.

 

False alarm, he jumped over it. It figures...