First Sonic 4: Episode 2 details emerge

By Fred Dutton Published 25 February, 2011

"A lot of really great ideas" promised.

First whisperings of what we can expect from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 have sprung forth from SEGA HQ.

As spotted by fan site The Sonic Stadium, brand manager Ken Balough has been answering questions in a Sonic 4 thread over on the official SEGA forum.

He hasn't given much away, other than confirming that work is underway on the sequel to last year's downloadable 2D platformer, and that SEGA is looking to improve on the original.

"SoA and SoE are both giving feedback and input on Episode II. Episode I did very well for SEGA commercially, and thanks to everyone's support, we definitely have a lot of traction going into Episode II," he wrote.

"This usually means better budgets, etc. That said – I see a lot of really great ideas going into the next installment."

"I certainly cannot deny there were some elements that could have been done better – and I could say that about most games I've worked on," he added elsewhere in the thread, addressing fan criticisms of Episode 1.

"That's why Episode II gives us that opportunity to address them (or as much as possible)."

As to when the game might be ready, Balough would only say, "You definitely wont have to wait years and years a la Duke Nukem Forever."

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (44) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • captain_Carl #1 1 year ago

    Really didn't like Episode 1 all that much. Hopefully this one is better

  • gamerhuggster #2 1 year ago

    Hmmm... Playing just the demo of episode 1 was enough to put me off buying the full version. How is it possible to go 2D old skool stylee and totally break the gameplay. Hope this is the return to form I was hoping for the first time around.

  • Mister-Wario #3 1 year ago

    Sonic 4 just looks really sterile to me. I wish they'd kept the original look of the Megadrive titles, but oh well. I've heard mixed opinions on the control, too.

  • ShadowMountain #4 1 year ago

    Episode 1 was awful. Honestly I'm not one of those crazy sonic fans but it really doesn't hold against 1-3 + Knuckles. Physics were off, animation was crappy and music wasn't good.

  • metalangel #5 1 year ago

    I should hope so, after "a load of old shit" was delivered in Episode 1.

    Key point for me: Sonic's physics were WRONG WRONG WRONG.

  • FenderMaster #6 1 year ago

    I really enjoyed Sonic 4 Ep 1, and I'm a hardcore old school fan that hates Sonic Rush/Advance 2.

    The renewed focus on platforming was just what I wanted, the only misstep for me was slightly curious physics (Sonic dropped straight down if you let go of the D pad, even if you run jump with significant momentum.

    If they fix these oddities i'll love the sequel even more, but I finally like Sonic again, so I' optimistic.

  • Gojiratron #7 1 year ago

    "You definitely wont have to wait years and years a la Duke Nukem Forever."

    Ironic considering there's over 16 years between Sonic 3 and 4 ep 1...

  • shirotsku #8 1 year ago

    I really enjoyed the first episode. Loved the individuality of each of the acts. Only criticism was that it felt like half a game, particularly for the price point.

  • Shinetop #9 1 year ago

    Fix the momentum and I'll give it a shot. Fix the weird slow running animation and I might even consider buying it.
    Edited by Shinetop at 26/02/11 @ 00:07

  • Eraysor #10 1 year ago

    Day one purchase for me, loved Episode 1 (not that it couldn't be improved, but it's certainly the best Sonic game since Sonic & Knuckles by some considerable distance).

  • Bander #11 1 year ago

    "Ironic considering there's over 16 years between Sonic 3 and 4 ep 1..."

    Good to know that the game is in the hands of people that know Sonic's history.

    Also, looking at the forum, it seems like the fans are just demanding more of Sonic's Shitty Friends to be included :( That, and no rehashed stages, but for there to be lots of rehashed stages.

  • handsonhips101 #12 1 year ago

    Make it more fluid please. Sort out the stupid jump mechanic.

  • JoeGBallad #13 1 year ago

    Episode 1 was great. Episode 2 will be better.

  • Kremlik Verified Co-Founder, Crash To Desktop #14 1 year ago

    basically echoing what Gametrailers predicted here but I'm kinda worried that they liserned to the 'NEEDS MORE SPEEEEEED' crowd more then anything, aye the movement was a bit off, but a Sonic where you just hold right and watch the game play itself - really do not want...

    Forgotten by a lot it seems or just that many came late to the party Sonic 1,2 3 and S&K were great because they were good platform games not racetracks, even Sonic Colours hit the right spot on that at least with the 2d parts of the game, and TBH Ep1 dispite the 'flow' of Sonic did actally have the platform elements and timing that felt like the old Sonic titles.

    Theres a reason why the 3d games didn't sell as well as they should (dispite the epic cheese of the plots) thanks to the 'speed' it was more 'on rails' and detached gaming, irronically the games need to slow down to actally be a good platformer.

  • dsmx #15 1 year ago

    Is one of those great ideas fixing it so sonic actually has momentum instead of stopping dead if let go of the analogue stick? Or how about sonics amazing ability to stand on an almost vertical surfaces?

  • Nithron #16 1 year ago

    I actually managed to be disappointed by the first episode. Considering that I spent £1.79 on it in the App Store, and I thought it was going to be terrible, that's quite an achievement.

    If you change one thing, guys, just do something about the music. The rest of the game was quite bad, but honestly, there's an entire archive at ocremix.org of Sonic the Hedgehog game remixes, made by fans, and they don't mind devs using them - so there's no excuse for the godawful noise that was playing in the background of Episode 1.

  • Sunyavadin #17 1 year ago

    One word. Momentum.

    Sonic 1 had this concept, so clearly it's not hard.

    SFR has it, dammit! It should not be the case that ceasing to hold the stick in a direction mid-jump causes an INSTANT LOSS OF SONIC'S MOMENTUM, resulting in a vertical drop...
    I've made Sonic games myself that had it in Games Factory when I was a teenager, damn it! IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, PEOPLE! (Though it is required for rocket science to work)...

  • azazel_fallenangel #18 1 year ago

    When it comes to Sonics other characters, believe it or not, I missed them in 4.
    Back in the day, me and my friend went back to mine after every primary school day and played through all of Sonic 3 Knuckles on co-op(especially when we realised tails couldn't die, so the boss fights were pretty easy :-) ).
    Tails and Knuckles, then they should stop at that. They both worked and brought another interesting game mechanic to the table.
    Was a bit shocked they didn't include a multiplayer of some kind to be honest.

  • Shadders #19 1 year ago

    Bought Ep1 on the strength of Eurogamer's review..

    Felt a tad mugged off to be honest.

  • BM #20 1 year ago

    Here's a "really great idea" for you, change the fucking AWFUL music of episode 1 back to the original Sonic score for the next one

  • SeesThroughAll #21 1 year ago

    Improve the physics, and make sure Metal Sonic is in it!

  • asphaltcowboy #22 1 year ago

    Is one of the really great ideas "working physics"?

  • Jay-ITFC #23 1 year ago

    I've never disagreed with Eurogamer (9/10) so much over a game. Usually you guys are spot on but this was a 6 or a 7.

    Sunyavadin is spot on the lack of momentum mid-jump unless you were pushing in a direction was crippling. Momentum is what Sonic has always been about! FIX IT PLEASE!
    Edited by Jay-ITFC at 26/02/11 @ 10:47

  • metalangel #24 1 year ago

    The other physicsy problem was Sonic reverting to a standing (and vulnerable!) position when he was bounced off certain elements. Hitting the button to spin only made him spin once before resuming "standing".

  • WinterSnowblind #25 1 year ago

    Hate to beat a dead horse, but yeah, I really don't know where the 9/10 came from. The game did FINALLY put more of a focus on platforming over "more SPEED!" but that was ruined by the god awful physics, poor level design and ear bleedingly bad music. It also felt like more of a "Sonic: Best of" collection, rather than a sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

    As far as I'm concerned, Sonic 4 was their last chance to fix the franchise. It's failure just proves that it's beyond help.. at least with the current developers. It's a little sad that fan projects completely eclipsed it in terms of quality and gameplay.

  • richyroo #26 1 year ago

    Better backgrounds
    Better music
    Better movement physics
    No infuriating torch light puzzles please

    That is all!

  • nasanu #27 1 year ago

    "I certainly cannot deny there were some elements that could have been done better – and I could say that about most games I've worked on,"

    They should stop hiring this guy...

  • Ryze #28 1 year ago

    Standard Sega cut/paste comment:

    SEGA must DIE.

    Its IP needs to be owned by a company with the competence and understanding to manage and deliver consistently high quality gaming products in the 21st century. Sammy are not that company. Therefore...

    SEGA must DIE.

  • devilmyarse #29 1 year ago

    If they fix the broken physics I would buy it.

  • Kaminari #30 1 year ago

    Too little too late.

  • The-Bodybuilder #31 1 year ago

    Let's not kid ourselves, folks.
    We all know why ep1 wasn't great. You know it, I know it, we all know it, yet no one wants to admit to the glaring truth.....


    Ep2 needs more Shadow The Hedgehog.

    Edit: To the "negger" (?), I'm guessing a sense of humour is not part of your repertoire then? :D
    Edited by The-Bodybuilder at 26/02/11 @ 16:44

  • Mister-Wario #32 1 year ago

    Rage_Quit_Rob: Why is it so radical to expect things to improve over time? It's not even a 3D Sonic game...

  • dsmx #33 1 year ago

    I've managed to do it with no effort at all I just let go of the analogue stick on a slope and if sonic actually had momentum it's an issue that wouldn't exist if sonic had momentum.

  • OllyJ #34 1 year ago

    Less puzzles, less ultimate timing sections, less shitty daths from enemies you can't predict and better boss fights.

    The best level on ep 1 is Zone one act 2, fast, fun and not a lot in the way of crap to slow you down.

  • smelly #35 1 year ago

    Episode 1 wasnt great.. but it was better than the pile of shit which was colours...

  • Daikon #36 1 year ago

    As to when the game might be ready, Balough would only say, "You definitely wont have to wait years and years a la Duke Nukem Forever."

    Or a la Sonic 4: Episode 1 perhaps?

    Pot. Kettle. Black.

  • Climhazzard #37 1 year ago

    I didnt like the controls, which were sort of the same but totally broken if that makes sense?? I was trying to play it like the old sonic games and it just didnt work!

  • frostcircus #38 1 year ago

    I'm struggling to find the emerged details in this article. There's the shocking confirmation that a game subtitled 'Episode 1' will be followed by 'Episode 2', but while that is certainly an earth-shaking reveal, it is only one detail. The headline lied to me.

  • handsonhips101 #39 1 year ago

    oh and no stupid blind jumps or using baddies to get across large voids.

    frustrating when it doesnt work and you plummet to death. again.

  • fatbob1080 #40 1 year ago

    There's a few negative comments about ep 1s music. I enjoyed it. I thought it was a big improvement over the ds sonics or any of the 3d ones. Fixed momentum would be nice for ep2. I mainly hope they don't add stupid story sections between stages

  • BlitzwingHaz #41 1 year ago

    I thought it was good apart from the silly difficulty ramp in the end boss and of course the physics issues. And it was too short. Can't see overhalling the way Sonic controls so I guess I won't bother getting it.

  • SG #42 1 year ago

    Eraysor
    26/02/11 @ 00:11

    Day one purchase for me, loved Episode 1 (not that it couldn't be improved, but it's certainly the best Sonic game since Sonic & Knuckles by some considerable distance).

    Well it's not like it had a lot of competition is it?

  • SHPanda #43 1 year ago

    So no details emerged then...

    Or at least that's how the article read to me.

    If they bring back the physics and momentum from Sonic 1- Knuckles I'm in. If they've ignored the criticism (despite just saying they're taking it on board) and have just gone with Episode 1 physics then... [DuncanBannatyne] I'm oot! [/DuncanBannatyne]

  • alcides #44 1 year ago

    Great ideas like shitty physics and episodic content?