Miles "Tails" Prower Helps Sonic in Sonic 4: Episode II

Warning, Minor Spoilers!!!!!

            It has been a year and a half since Episode I was released and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  This title included a new graphics engine and fixed physics, but is it enough?  This episode continues the story of Episode I and helps incorporate the story of Sonic CD into the main Sonic the Hedgehog games (I.e. Sonic 1 through 4:2)

            The story begins four months after the events of Episode I with Sonic having recruited his best friend Tails to help him defeat Metal Sonic and prevent Dr. Eggman from completing a new Death Egg.  This new machine is built around Little Planet, which will create a time traveling Death Egg.  Sonic and Tails arrive at Sylvania Castle Zone and the adventure begins.

            The game plays like Episode I in that there are 4 levels, each with three acts and a boss act.  The fifth level has one act and a final boss act.  The gameplay is similar to Episode I; Sonic still retains his spin dash and homing attack but he gains a few new moves too.  Sonic and Tails can perform new combination attacks at anytime.  If it is activated on the ground Sonic and Tails will perform the rolling combo, a super Spin Dash which is faster and more powerful than the regular attack.  Copter combo is activated in the air; Tails will fly and carry Sonic.  If it is activated underwater, the submarine combo allows Tails to carry Sonic and will spin his tails to propel both of them forward.  There is even a new item box which allows Sonic and Tails to destroy all enemies on screen, gain a large number of points, and collect lots of rings as a reward.  Collectables in this game include the seven Chaos Emeralds as well as a hidden Red Star RING in each act; the RINGS serve no other purpose than to get an achievement. 

The special stage from Sonic 2 returns, well it’s also from Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Rush, and Sonic Colors, and Sonic Generations.  To enter a special stage the player must reach the goal sign with 50 rings or more, just like Episode I.  The goal is to collect the set amount of rings within three rounds.  The special stages differ in that there are not only bombs which make you lose ten rings, but also eclectic bombs which slow you down.  Sonic and Tails can also use the Sonic Boost technique from Sonic Rush and modern Sonic games, but it is a gradual speed boost rather than an instant boost.  There is even an item in the special stage that creates a line between Sonic and Tails; all rings that touch this line are collected.  There are even springs that can take you to alternate pathways for better or worse.

The best thing about this is during single player mode.  In Sonic 2 lots of people were cheated out of collecting a Chaos Emerald because Tails got hit; not only in this game does Tails follow you more precisely, but if he gets hit the player is not penalized.  These special stages are actually fun and I love playing them. 

Once all the Chaos Emeralds have been collected Super Sonic is unlocked and can be played in all stages, including boss acts this time.  Interestingly, when the combo moves are activated with Super Sonic, he will return to normal and will not transform again until the player activates it again.

            The graphics in this game are not groundbreaking, but they are pretty amazing.  It really shows itself off in Sky Fortress Zone Act 3 and that boss fight.  It takes place during sunset and you are able to see all the light and shadows from the characters and even the rings.   I love that environmental damage is back.  In Episode I the only thing that could hurt you was an enemy.  In Episode II avalanches from White Park Zone and fire from engines in Sky Fortress Zone can hurt and even cause instant death, which is awesome!

            This game isn’t without its faults, however they are minor.  I dislike how there are plot holes in the story.  In the opening Sonic and Tails arrive on the Tornado and jump off of it.  In Act 1 of Sky Fortress Zone they are back on the Tornado, they then land it on the fortress in Act 2.  Then the boss fight takes place with the Tornado, which they ran away from in the previous two acts.  Also, they ditched the Tornado on the falling fortress, so the Tornado is destroyed?  

Also, I don’t understand why the Chaos Emeralds are as big as Sonic’s head!  It just doesn’t look right; when he transforms the emeralds are smaller than his head again.   

Even though there are fewer speed boosts and springs, there are still plenty of them.  DIMPS needs to stop doing this and allow the player to gain speed, not give it to them.

I don’t like how the stage results are handled.  In every other Sonic game the points are totaled in real time, while in this game the stage is blurred and this huge score tally is presented and blocks everything behind it.  Also, I hate how the animals are rescued from the capsule.  In every past Sonic title the animals jump around in excitement for freedom, here they slowly escape and even sometimes trip on the ground.  It just looks odd to me. 

I also didn’t really like how the game ended because it did not have a proper conclusion like episode I or any past Sonic title, although this could be that the ending cutscene may be the opening scene for Episode III or Sonic 5, much like how it happened in Sonic 3 as it led into Sonic & Knuckles. 

Overall, this is a huge improvement over Episode I and does deserve the title of Sonic 4.  I wish they had made lock-on technology for this to connect to Episode I and replace Episode I’s sprite with Episode II’s.  This game is very fun and has lots of replay value.  There is even a local and online co-op mode, this is the first console Sonic game built for online connectivity.  I give Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II an 8 out of 10. 

Episode II in available now on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Playstation Network, Nvidia Tegra 3 Android devices, Steam, any Android device, and iOS. It will be available for Windows Phone sometime in July.