Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is Sega's new attempt at making amends with Sonic fans after years filled with faulty games, lackluster stories and different attempts at re-imagining the franchise.

With remastered versions of classic levels from iconic arcade Sonic titles, new powers from later games, and high definition graphics, at least on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 seems to be one of the better titles in recent times featuring the speedy blue blur.

Is it any good? Let's find out.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be an episodic title, with each iteration bringing new levels, mostly borrowed from classic arcade Sonic titles, as well as new abilities for the Sega mascot.

Episode 1 features levels from the original trilogy of Sonic titles, more specifically Ocean Splash, Lost Labyrinth, Casino Street, and Mad Gear, all remastered in high definition, but still featuring classic enemies, designs and tricks.

Go through classic levels ...	... and face off against Dr. Eggman

Basically, if you played some of the original 2D Sonic arcade games, you will find familiar elements in all of these levels. Sonic controls really well, and the homing attack will come in handy most of the times, even though there are a few glitches that prevent Sonic from actually hitting the targeted enemies in certain areas.

The gameplay of Sonic 4 finds the exact balance between speeding through a level but still seeing its important things and letting you collect most of the rings or bonus items. In later areas your reactions will be tested to the millisecond, but, most of the times, the game is pretty fair.

You won't find any new characters in Sonic 4, which is probably for the best, as you will definitely enjoy yourself going through the levels as Sonic, and eventually facing off against the evil Dr. Eggman, while battling the usual types of enemies.

Sonic 4 also allows players to access a level select screen, sparing them from going through the acts all over again just to experience one specific level. There are four categories, each with four individual acts, three regular ones, which you can select right from the start, and a boss fight with Eggman. If you get through the boss fights, you will earn access to special stages, in which you need to guide a rolled up Sonic through a specific maze to unlock a chaos emerald.

Go above ground ...	... and underwater

In theory, this all sounds pretty great, with Episode 1 serving up some classic 2D gameplay, with familiar levels, featuring the Sonic we once knew, but there are quite a few faults.

Bearing in mind that Episode 1 should be considered an appetizer to a remastered Sonic experience, novice players won't exactly have a great time, at least in levels from Lost Labyrinth or in Mad Gear, which require pinpoint accuracy and split second reactions.

Sonic 4 is a difficult arcade game, which, most of the times, rewards players from going through lots of moves without any interruptions, but, in some moments, might be a bit too difficult for its own sake, and will drive away many players.

Sega needs to really ramp up creativity with the next episodes and really tweak the difficulty throughout all of them, or even add special settings, in order to cater to both the new and the long time players.

Most of the times, the level design is pretty straightforward, but in certain areas, like Casino Street, you'll find yourself wondering where you need to go or what things you must trigger. Expect cheap deaths to always hamper your progress, especially in the last few stages of each level category.

Sega's Sonic Team did manage to create a few interesting levels though, especially the opening one in Ocean Splash, which feels just like dusting off your old Genesis (Mega Drive) and starting up Sonic 1. Also, the mine cart section in Lost Labyrinth is surprisingly fast paced, and is a breath of fresh air from directing Sonic all around the level.

Swing off vines ...	... and jump on trampolines

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 follows the basic formula of successful titles: there's just Sonic and he is faced with a wide array of levels and puzzles through which he must blaze through as fast as possible. The graphics look great, the levels are pretty reasonable, and this is just the quintessential 2D Sonic experience.

This, for any Sonic fan, is the stuff dreams are made out of.

Sadly, Sonic 4 doesn't exactly deliver such a great experience, with a few cheap deaths and complicated acts in certain levels, but it is a step in the right direction for the speedy blue hedgehog.

If Sega's Sonic Team will be careful with the following episodes, Sonic might once again become popular with the regular gamers.