Plus, more details regarding what to expect
Continuing our coverage from earlier today, it seems that over at SonicStadium, they have a scan of Game Informer’s Sonic the Hedgehog 4 article from this month. The images themselves hint at plenty of new information regarding the game and its mechanics. I’ve taken the liberty of cleaning the scan up as best I could, so let’s run through what a lot of the images represent…
These winding tunnels were a big part of Green Hill Zone in Sonic 1, and they obviously make a return appearance here.
Breakable walls, another classic Sonic staple, make their return.
Previously hinted at in secret, how this zipline functions is currently a mystery – there was a zipline in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but there was also a zipline in Sonic Rush, and both functioned relatively differently. If I had to guess, this functions more like the Sonic Rush equivalent.
Perhaps the most important one, this image showcases the Bubbles enemy revealed a few days ago. Returning is the crosshair graphic from Sonic Unleashed, to show which enemy you’re locked on to for the homing attack. The puffs of smoke present in this image suggest that Sonic is executing a homing attack chain, similar to what was seen in the 3D Sonic games.
Along with these images, comes even more information from RobbieNick, this time about what shields players will find in the game:
While Sonic 4 will have shields, Episode 1 will only include the one hit shield. Just enough to help get your rings to the end of the stage.
And even though Sega of America’s Ken Balough originally stated that Sonic 4‘s episodic nature was a tribute to Sonic 3‘s ability to lock on to Sonic & Knuckles, according to RobbieNick’s insight in to the Game Informer interview, Takashi Iizuka is saying otherwise:
[Iizuka] says the reason they went episodic is that the game is too big to smaller hard drives (Wii and iPhone likely?) to fit in all at once and he didn’t see players paying $60 for a 2-D Sonic game on disc. (Hellllooo. New Super Mario Bros Wii anyone?!!)
We’ll keep you posted.
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I would like to note that this seems to prove the previous sonic 4 player claim false (since he said environmental shields would appear.
So that’s why it wasn’t on disc.
To me, the reason for it not being on disc doesn’t seem like a big deal. Beside it would be $50 on Wii. . .
…I didn’t really like the crosshairs from Unleashed; mostly because of how they stuck out and that chime that played whenever it appeared. I don’t like the puffs of smoke either.
I may actually side with Iizuka on the retail disc, though. Even though it was only $40, New Super Mario Bros. Wii definitely wasn’t worth it in my opinion. I’ll wait till I get my issue in the mail.
@Professor Pickle: I liked them, personally. It’s better to know what you’re locked on to than to have to guess.
EDIT: New Super Mario Bnos. Wii was actually $50, not $40; my mistake.
Man this info just keeps getting better and better.
Looks like the zipline will end at the post, then spin, allowing Sonic to either go up for the platform above, or go forward at the platform its on.
The game mechanics are looking good, though im still “iffy” on the homing attack thing.
This game is going to be great, so that’s why its episodic but that only increases excitement to download the next one right, either way the homing attack is a nice modern feature. good to see the breakable walls i hope the giant special satge ring returns at the end of the acts.
I’d rather if Sega waited, completed all the episodes and released them on physical media as a complete ‘Sonic 4′. Plus, assuming this would delay Project Needlemouse until next year they could coincide the release with Sonic’s 20th anniversary.
Oh my god! Im getting more and more excited about Sonic the hedgehog 4 Episode 1!
and on the sonic stadium they show that SEGA already have listed Ep 2! I hope that when summer (July its due) comes that the Episodes will be coming out month after month hopefully! And thats some good info there, also im typing this from my phone and i hope it posts.
I`d still buy it it was 60$ hell even if it was 120 $ I`m made of money
@Edwin Shy: …you mind lending me a couple hundred thousand?
I love the breaking wall effect.
To tell you the truth SEGA made a right financial move in this 2-D game. When New Super Mario Bros Wii came out I felt like the game was overpriced because I heard that 2-D Mario games are easy to complete and it is since I played it. Now I felt like I wanted to play Super Mario Galaxy (or wait for the 2nd installment) because it was worth the $50. I agree to Takashi Iizuka for seeing not pay $60 for a 2-D Sonic game.
Takashi is smart to do that…
It’s hard to pay for a $50-$60 game in these days… well to me it is…
New Super Mario Bros. Wii…I keep hearing it wasn’t all that great XD
so I don’t care that it made it to the disc.
Sonic 4 for $5 or whatever is the best choice.
)
(plus Wii needs better WiiWare games
In the zipline picture, below the ring count. Is that the alleged hornet badnik?
It looks really good I think. Can’t wait! And a picture said 400 MS points, if that’s true, it’s cheap! A good game that is cheap is something good!XD But the only problem is that I don’t know if the game is good…but it’s cheap.XD
Ya i can agree that New Super Mario Bros. Wii shouldnt had been a on the Wii i would raher want it on the Ds i mean a 2D game on a home console? that is $50 sorru but i am renting the game from gamefly Sonic 4 is actually is more reasonable.
sorry*
“he didn’t see players paying $60 for a 2-D Sonic game on disc.”
Not to be rude or anything, but… is he stupid? If it’s gonna be too big for smaller HHDs in the end, that’s all the more reason to put in on a disc. Lastly, people do infact buy games upon impulse when they see them on the shelves.
Great info… great game
I want this game so bad, it look pretty damn good
, still I’ll prefered if they had make it look more like Unleashed in the 2d stages, but oh well… stilll pretty damn good 
STH4 will be awsome