[JakeyBoy]

Episode I is supposed to be a throwback. Episode II isn't.

Source on this please. And besides, it shouldn't have been a throwback. I have no problem with the idea of a throwback, in fact it's a pretty great idea, but Sonic 4 shouldn't really be a throwback, Episode 1 or not.

[XCubed]

Episode I is supposed to be a throwback. Episode II isn't.

Source on this please. And besides, it shouldn't have been a throwback. I have no problem with the idea of a throwback, in fact it's a pretty great idea, but Sonic 4 shouldn't really be a throwback, Episode 1 or not.

Ken Balough himself said that Episode 1 is more like a prologue to re-familiarize fans with the series which is why it was more of a Sonic 1/2 Deluxe Version. You are all lying if you say you never wanted something like that (it's just that they made it a part of Sonic 4 instead). It would have been boring to have a real Sonic 1/2 HD with the same exact level layouts. Episode 2 is where the real fun will start.

[JakeyBoy]

1) Ken Balough himself said that Episode 1 is more like a prologue to re-familiarize fans with the series which is why it was more of a Sonic 1/2 Deluxe Version.
2) You are all lying if you say you never wanted something like that.
3) It would have been boring to have a real Sonic 1/2 HD with the same exact level layouts.
4) Episode 2 is where the real fun will start.

1) Ok. Thanks.

2)

I have no problem with the idea of a throwback, in fact it's a pretty great idea

Awesome, I guess I'm not lying.

3) No it wouldn't. It would be pretty great. And besides, that's not what I'm imagining at all. I'm thinking 3rd and 4th Acts. But still, not in Sonic 4. Sonic 4 deserves some tasty new stuff. Dimps are pretty creative when it comes to level themes (except maybe the first zones).

4) Yeah, that certainly says a lot about Episode 1. I would have rathered they skipped that and went straight on to the "real fun".

[Blue Blood]

Sonic 4 so far has proven itself to be a misguided and lazy effort. All I can hope for with E2 is that it's of the quality it should be.

[W.A.C.]

That it won't be made.

Seriously, at this point starting over from scratch would be a better idea than trying to resuscitate the heap that is Sonic 4.

Agreed. I wish the next episode is the entire, true Sonic 4 "as we truly imagined it" and have episode 1 just viewed as a prelude, throwback game.

Edit-

For future release(s), I think if they would be less likely to emphasis on in-level gimmicks if they went back to doing 2 acts per zone instead of 3.

This post has been edited by W.A.C.: 27 November 2010 - 10:37 AM

[MarkeyJester]

Lock-on technology =P

Having not played episode I myself and only judging by the videos I've seen; it needs new levels, brand new levels, with new objects/gimmicks, while reminiscencing and repeating past levels needs to stop. Music needs to be filled with a variety of themes and instruments, maybe call in profession musicians, use the advanced technology that's been given. The style of the characters I wouldn't mind seeing been knocked down a notch to say 1991-1996/7, especially sinse it's Sonic 4 here. And this statement too:

Seriously, at this point starting over from scratch would be a better idea than trying to resuscitate the heap that is Sonic 4.

[Black Squirrel]

Ken Balough himself said that Episode 1 is more like a prologue to re-familiarize fans with the series which is why it was more of a Sonic 1/2 Deluxe Version.

To be honest this seemed more like an afterthought on Ken Balough's part in an attempt to defend the fact it clearly recycles content. Nobody will really have a clue why this stuff is being recycled other than the designers, and I reckon it's mostly to cut development costs than anything else.

[Twimfy]

A rick roll that never stops and won't allow you to turn off your system or TV. Gotta be better than Ep 1.

[The Taxman]

Moving on from the obvious physics and new zones malarky, a random question of game size and graphics:
If you had the choice between the current setup of 4 zones per episode in HD, or a more meaty episode (like Sonic 2 or 3 length) in old skool sprite 2D ala Castlevania Rebirth, which would you choose? Is Sonic 4 something that needs to look modern, or can it afford to take a step back to the 16/32bit era?

Is it important for Episode 2 to be consistent with 1 or would you be happy to see a complete shift in graphic style/features/physics etc etc

[Shadow Hog]

Oh, the 16/32-bit graphics, no question about that. I'm not too worried about the graphics as-is, though, unlike some people.

Echoing the physics comments here. Faster acceleration, no loss of momentum just because the direction isn't pushed, spinning on ramps should be NOTICEABLY faster than just running down it sans speed shoes, et cetera. In fact, they should go back and fix the physics for Episode 1, too, with this release.

Other than that, the level design was pretty darn good quality, so just try to keep that up. No "gimmick" stages like the ones everyone whined about from the PartnerNET leak. I was rather pleased with Episode 1's quality, physics notwithstanding (seriously, those blew, fix them), so with any luck Episode 2 shouldn't be too hard to come out better.

Oh, but make it cheaper. $15 is too damn high. $10 is more in line with what a game like this costs.

This post has been edited by Shadow Hog: 27 November 2010 - 12:02 PM

[Polygon Jim]

Moving on from the obvious physics and new zones malarky, a random question of game size and graphics:
If you had the choice between the current setup of 4 zones per episode in HD, or a more meaty episode (like Sonic 2 or 3 length) in old skool sprite 2D ala Castlevania Rebirth, which would you choose? Is Sonic 4 something that needs to look modern, or can it afford to take a step back to the 16/32bit era?

Is it important for Episode 2 to be consistent with 1 or would you be happy to see a complete shift in graphic style/features/physics etc etc

Preferably HD hand drawn art, same length as S4EP1, and a complete shift from the style of the first episode.

This post has been edited by Polygon Jim: 27 November 2010 - 12:10 PM

[wazkatango]

I want Episode 2 to be made by some other company than Dimps. Problem solved.

Also, SEGA, pull a Mega Man 9/10 and get Masato Nakamura to do the music.

[Zephyr]

Have Dimps use Mercury's physics guide.

[Black Squirrel]

Is it important for Episode 2 to be consistent with 1 or would you be happy to see a complete shift in graphic style/features/physics etc etc

I think the idea is if it was consistent with Episode 1, it would be a flawed product. Because pretty much everything in Episode 1 was several steps behind what you see in modern video games. Very reminicant of games released a decade ago on the Dreamcast in my opinion, and it looked like the whole thing was done on the cheap as a result.

In terms of graphics, I'd like to see a game that looks as if it was from the 32X/Saturn era, though perhaps without the problems such as slow loading times. I think if Sonic 4 had started development straight after Sonic 3, it would have been released around the 1995/1996 mark, so it makes sense.

But it should definitely be outsourced to another company, preferably one not situated in Japan. Sonic 3 was heavily influenced by people like Micheal Jackson and early 90s western popular culture. I don't think Japan can relate all that well to it, and seem more determined to make sequels to Sonic 1 than Sonic 3, if you get what I mean. The Japanese have never really cared that much for Sonic, while the younger video game developers in the western world will have grown up with Sonic and will remember it fondly.

But let's face it, none of this will happen. Dimps will have a contract to build x number of episodes and they'll be too afraid to mix things up.

[True Dude]

Has anyone found out exactly how many episodes there's supposed to be yet?

Also, on relation to the topic, they should replace all of Ep. 1s music with saxmans CINOUSSU'S jazz scat remixes and have him compose all future music.

This post has been edited by True Dude: 27 November 2010 - 05:47 PM