The Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Megathread

Newsflash: The bosses in sonic 4 Ep 1 aren't exactly the same as their previous counterparts either.

+ - SHZ boss has the 360 spin, and if it takes too long to beat him you go into a chase mode (according to endri) CSZ boss doesn't drop bombs, he tries to pick you up and drop you into spikes. He also bounces around the room like a pinball in rage mode. LLZ boss has a completely different level layout, and then has an actual boss part which is completely different from any classic sonic boss we've seen. MGZ boss has a chasing section that completely changes the way the boss plays, as he shoots out all different types of balloons you have to dodge. Blue balloons which move fast, golden balloons that are giant, and I think there were more but I can't remember. ESZ boss shoots hands down from the ceiling, moonwalks, runs quickly, and the way you hit him becomes completely different once he gets into ragemode. You have to hit one of his own hands into him, electrocuting him, and then you have a chance to hit him.  

 

Didn't page 5 contain all this rehash... It's kinda obvious that this episode is "inspired" from the original games so must anytime something that comes up that has a comparison screenshot from the classics spark such a moan?

 

A lot of people don't like DK's bigass grin they seem to give him in all the new games, not so different from the hate for Sonic's Nike smile.

Not a terrible complaint as he looks like an asshole, but considering you won't even be able to see it while playing it isn't a big deal at all.

 

Not that Donkey Kong Country Returns is even vaguely on-topic, but I would like to register that the complaints regarding it sound fucking stupid.

Ahem.

As for the bosses—yeah, glem3 outlined it more or less on the dot. Only one I have a real issue with is Splash Hill's boss. The pinch mode looks like it'd be a fun switch-up if only it lasted more than one swing in most cases.

Granted, we haven't heard any word on whether or not they've rebalanced any of the bosses, so the final verdict on this point remains to be seen.

EDIT: *looks back*

Seriously, people citing Sky Sa—oh, for the love of possums.

 

But he had a big ass grin in the original game!

 

Sonic & Knuckles is allowed to reuse boss battles as it's a different enemy at the helm! But it's also a bit of fun, added right at the end of the game (remember there would have been a dozen original boss fights before it). In fact, Sonic 3C is immune from any boss battle complaints because it has sub-bosses too. That's a lot of effort being put into boss battles right there.

Sonic Advance put in those classic boss battles as a throwback to the original games. At the time it had been a pretty huge gap between S&K and Sonic Advance (and I think the general consensus is that not many people played with Sonic Pocket Adventure). And again these followed a heap of original bosses. You're allowed to have throwbacks every now and then, and the bosses that followed were original, anyway.


The difference with Sonic 4 is that it mindlessly recycles bosses and enemies, without changing their design that much. It's a bit lazy. In fact, it's a lot lazy. It's a trivial problem compared to other sections of the game but it shows a distinct lack of imagination, which is dumb because they've had a whole sixteen years to come up with something better. These bosses exist solely for the nostalgia factor surrounding the "hardcore" Sonic fans, who Sega apparently seem to believe will only be happy if they're force-fed Sonic 1 and 2 again and again, which is completely untrue. The whole game is a throwback, and nobody wants a throwback, they want a new GOOD game containing the design elements and gameplay that made the series successful in the first place, rather than SONIC WITH SWORDS or SONIC X HUMANS. It's why it's called Sonic 4 and not Sonic 1 HD.

 

No he didn't, they started giving him "the grin" in like, Mario Party 5 or so, he never had it in the Country games or even 64. Find me one piece of art with him looking like a door, I'll bet that you won't be able to find one.

 

Oh, of course! Because it's Mecha Sonic driving, it's definitely not a rehash, even if it plays exactly the same! But new attack patterns? BAAAW REHASH!

 

And that should end the arguing over the grin. He had it ever since his debut title people. Anyone who complains about the grin is retarded. It's not like Sonic's Nike grin which looks ridiculous. DK's grin is a trait down to the very fault.

 

If the original DKC is correct, that is in fact Cranky Kong, not the current DK (who in storyline terms is the grown up Donkey Kong Jr). -shot-

Anyways... Yes we get it, the bosses are rehashes with new moves. I for one am not bothered in the slightest by this. This is turning into bitching for bitchings sake people, seriously, get a grip.

 

I realize this, I'm just sad that the "best of" levels that they picked were Metropolis Zone and Labyrinth Zone. I would have preferred Marble Garden and Ice Cap or something

 

Sonic 1 and 2 were the most popular games with the general public, ergo this entire game is based on them. The only S3 things in E1 are Batbot and Bubbles, and both are there to fill gaps that other enemies simply couldn't.

 

Alright, then how about Chemical Plant Zone and Aquatic Ruin Zone?

I'm really just not a fan of Sonic 1 levels. Damn you Labyrinth zone Boss!

 

But he didn't have it in DKC

 

Even Batbot barely qualifies as a Sonic 3 enemy, what with being conceived for HPZ in S2 and later scrapped.

 

@ Aquaslash

Not really to this sort of extent, and the numbered Sonic series was always really good about keeping things fresh in the ideas department. Not saying I'm averse to the whole "best of" thing as long as it steps out before it wears out its welcome, but I'm just sayin', y'know, the balls-to-the-wall nostalgia-trippy deal could easily be seen as contrived by the cynical.

So I should by extension be able to end all the whinging about the "divide" between Sonic's eyes and people complaining about how he smirks rather than smiles by... pointing at Sonic 1's title screen? OF COURSE! I've solved the riddle of all existence! :specialed: