Sonic 4 Episode II Xbox 360 Impressions

Sonic 4 Episode II Red Ring

Windows Telephone Key has eagerly covered SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II always since its kickoff official proclamation. The Windows Phone version is still due out in July, merely the panel and PC versions take already arrived. As such, here are my impressions of Sonic iv: Episode II on Xbox Alive Arcade.

Episode II has a larger budget than the original game and information technology shows. The game starts out with an actual intro sequence, followed past more than story bits afterward on. Graphically, Sonic and Tails are fully 3D and look bully in shut-ups like those in the bonus levels. The backgrounds feature more interesting and varied locales than before, such as White Park's snowfall-covered theme park. New lighting and show furnishings impress too. These graphical improvements extend to the currently-available iPhone version, and then expect a similar boost on Windows Phone as well. I wish I could say the music had improved, but it sounds as unimpressive as the last game. Tin't accept everything, I gauge.

As with Episode I, there are 4 zones, each with three acts a piece. My favorites are the third and fourth zones, Oil Desert and Sky Fortress. The desert phase involves features unique set pieces similar sliding downward oil slicks, jumping to avert sinking into quick sand, and frantically climbing silos every bit they fill with more expiry-dealing sand. Sky Fortress starts out with Sonic riding along on Tails' biplane, merely as he did in Sonic 2. After that engaging aerial sequence, look frontwards to navigating the exterior of an balloon, running along walls, and firing Sonic from cannons to reach new areas.

Head past the break for more Xbox 360 impressions and details on the upcoming Windows Phone port!

Like a boss

Like before, every zone culminates in a challenging boss battle. You'll besides face a couple of unique bosses on the new Death Egg, which unlocks after the previous zones are cleared. Some folks criticized the last game'southward reuse of classic bosses rather than original creations. This time out, each dominate is completely new except for fan-favorite Metal Sonic. Eggman's latest robotic creations fill the screen with their immense size and each one works much differently than the others. They really are i of Episode Ii's highlights.

On the downside, most bosses accept a few too many hits to defeat, seemingly to compensate for the absurd new ability to use Super Sonic during dominate battles. (As before, completing all seven special stages unlocks Sonic's powered-up class.) Super Sonic deals twice the impairment, but reverts to regular Sonic should you run out of rings. Oh, and the final boss is far, far less annoying than Episode I and Generations' beastly finish bosses. With or without Super Sonic, the last baddy is actually fun to trounce rather than frustrating this time out.

Heroes in a half-pipe

To step into Super Sonic's shoes, y'all'll need to complete 7 special stages (as per serial tradition). This time, the rotation-maze special stages from Episode I have been replaced past 3D Sonic 2-fashion half-pipes. These provide a cornball smash while also introducing a few choice new mechanics such as an detail that strings a ring-collecting tether between Sonic and Tails. They also get pretty tough, but thankfully you can pause and select to retry any special stage or even the regular ones without losing a life. There'southward also an Accomplishment for collecting all of the rings in the get-go special stage, which is extremely tough to exercise by yourself. Thankfully...

Sonic and Tails squad up

Sonic 4 Episode II Roll Combo

Adding to the fun factor likewise, Episode Ii sees the flying fox Tails render to Sonic'due south side. He follows forth in unmarried-player, only in co-op games you can choose who plays as Sonic and who gets Tails. The little guy tin't perform Sonic's homing attack, making him less of an offensive character. To compensate, he tin fly for a brief time, making it easy to fly over problem spots and admission new areas. Sonic and Tails now take three philharmonic moves that you'll rely on whether playing past yourself or with a friend. These permit Tails to carry Sonic over chasms or through water, equally well as roll up into a powerful ball together. To larn more about how multiplayer works, check out my detailed co-op review.

Multiplayer is Episode Ii's best addition, so we're naturally dying to learn whether it volition be included in the Windows Phone port. The iPhone version does support local co-op using 2 devices, so there's a fair chance… Peculiarly given that SEGA's upcoming Super Monkey Ball 2 on Windows Phone will support local wireless multiplayer also.

Connectivity bonuses

Ane bonus we can definitely count on is that gamers who buy both episodes of Sonic 4 on the same platform (including Windows Phone) become to unlock Episode Metallic from within Episode Ii. This way details the events following Sonic CD (a game nevertheless MIA on Windows Telephone) and Episode I from Metal Sonic's perspective. It consists of iv Episode I acts remixed with new challenges and Episode II'south much-improved physics engine. It's over pretty apace, just nevertheless a fantastic extra.

SEGA has too worked in a special advantage for gamers who buy Episode Ii on both Xbox 360 and Windows Telephone. Progress can be transferred betwixt both versions, making unlocking stages and features in the upcoming mobile version a cinch for XBLA early on adopters. The feature is already built into the XBLA game's menu, but naturally won't get live until July. Certain, not everyone wants to buy the same game twice, but Xbox 360 gamers who ain Windows Phones (including almost of our staff) love these connectivity features.

Overall Impression

Sonic 4 Episode II Oil Desert

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Two is a fantastic follow-up to the previous game. It improves on many of its predecessors faults (physics, graphics, and bosses) while adding great new features like cooperative play. The level design still shows some rough edges (particularly White Park 3), just the fun parts make upward for a few forced instances of trial-and-mistake. If you lot still dear Sonic or platformers in general, don't hesitate to give Episode II a endeavor.

Sonic 4: Episode II is available now on XBLA, PSN, and Steam. All three large-screen versions price $14.99. The iPhone version rings up at $six.99, so expect the same cost when Episode II arrives on Windows Phone this July.

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