What More Could be Revealed–or Changed?
Though community interest has again spiked for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 in light of Monday’s precursory announcement of a reveal slated for tomorrow, one request has remained constant among those watching–whatever it is, it better be good.
“What don’t we know about Episode 1; we have seen the entire game,” noted NeoGAFfer Nico when the news broke.
Some reaction leaned in Sega’s favor, specifically regarding the company’s willingness to officially release new details after nearly all of Sonic 4 was revealed in video form several weeks ago. Where concern lies is in whether the information will be enough to sway split opinions on what’s already been seen–or if the information will even be new, period.
“Jesus Christ SEGA, the game has been leaked wide open,” said Sonic Retro forumer Endri Lauson Monday. “Thousands of people have played the game, finished it, and got all the achievements… before it was even released! [....] I had no interest in this game whatsoever, and I wonder what the hell SEGA is trying to do.”
Lauson was one of the first in the community to publish his impressions from the Sonic 4 leak on the research hub, which is one of two sites hosting tomorrow’s announcement.
“Unless they come along with a brand new game and say: ‘lol jokin’! this is the real game!’ It’s better May 20th not be the day they are announcing the fourth platform the game is going to be released, or, in the worst case scenario, the first official game footage,” Lauson continued.
General speculation has been more grounded, however. Many believe proper disclosure of another zone, a firm release date, a possible disc release, tweaking of what already exists, or even the option of a classic Sonic is more likely. But the game and all its zones, in its current state, have been revealed though leaks, while initial digging through the Sonic 4 website revealed a broad release timetable for July, and plans to bring the game to the iPhone (though the recent release of the iPad could complicate that.) What’s more, Sega of America’s new VP Alan Pritchard acknowledged demand for a Sonic 4 disc release recently. So, much of that would be old news for those who’ve payed close attention to what’s already been revealed.
“I’m guessing this huge announcement is just going to be another trailer and some gameplay videos or something accompanied with the release date and the announcement of the iPad version that we’ve known is coming since forever,” wrote NeoGAFer I AM JOHN.
“I wouldn’t get too excited. I doubt it will be anything big,” added Sega forum senior member jmh yesterday. “I hope I’m wrong though.”
Should the announcement not be significant, others wonder why Sega would subject both themselves and supporting websites to a new level of scrutiny–especially as previous official build-ups have yielded little substantive material.
“Remember the last time SEGA had some big surprise for Project Needlemouse? Boy, that concept art sure was worth it,” wrote Sonic Retro forumer Moonshadow Caz yesterday, adding that he doesn’t suspect this will be as trivial. “But all I’m saying is don’t get your hopes up too high.”
Indeed, there’s no guarantee that whatever is announced tomorrow will turn the tide of public opinion around. Some fans, like Candescence at Sonic Fan Games HQ, have used the leaks to make up their mind.
“The whole episode has been leaked, more or less, and I’ve already concluded that it’s a lazy, sub-par rehash,” he wrote. “It’s virtually impossible at this point for Sega to get me excited about it now.”
For his part, at least one Sega employee is trying to keep people excited–while acknowledging not everyone will be satisfied with what’s to come.
“The reality is that people will never be completely happy,” wrote Sega community manager RubyEclipse on NeoGAF late yesterday. “No matter how good a game may be, someone will always complain. It’s part of the Internet. That said, I do think the majority of people [....] will be pleased with what they hear Thursday.”
TSSZ News will cover tomorrow’s release and community reaction, where opinions like these could either be quickly turned around, or firmly cemented.
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*sighs* I still can’t see why sega is doing empty promises… its best after the Sonic 4 episodes to give sonic a rest for 2 or more years…. I’m fine having the sonic franchise take a breather.
Tails is playable in Episode 2
I’m interested to know if RubyEclipse thinks most people are pleased with Sonic 4 so far, because if he/she (I don’t know which) thinks most people are pleased, the “surprise” will probably be concept art or another zone, or an enemy. However, if he/she thinks that most people are displeased, we may get something that will blow our minds. Or not.
Considering the hype about this, I doubt its going to be just concept art. Doubtful it’ll wind up being mind-blowing, though, especially since the PartnerNet links screwed anyone’s hopes up of ever actually playing the game before seeing the content (though in my case, I avoided all the leaks… which is surprising, since I usually don’t).
Regardless, I still like what I see and I’ll play it and enjoy it. And here’s hoping that Microsoft fixes all these insane PartnerNet requirements that caused such leaks in the first place. Perhaps restrict it quite a bit, too.
They are probably going to “wow” us by telling us its coming out for i-phone.
“The whole episode has been leaked, more or less, and I’ve already concluded that it’s a lazy, sub-par rehash,” he wrote. “It’s virtually impossible at this point for Sega to get me excited about it now.”
Words of wisdom, and it’s exactly how I feel.
Here’s what I thank about Sonic 4 ep.1
It’s a homage to Sonic 1 and 2.
Ep.2 might be a homage to Sonic 3.
So you might need to wait till Ep.3 for the Real Sonic 4.
I wonder what the sonic franchise will be in after the sonic 4 episode series. we try to hope but it comes up short.
You know what would get me excited? A developer walkthrough.
Something about it hints that maybe they have made changes to episode 1 to address the criticisms,his posts seems to be speaking to people that have watched the leaks and thinks they will be excited for tomorrow’s reveal, can’t think of much else that would excite those that followed the leaks but I’m not getting my hopes up Ruby has been winding up fans like this for months.
It could just be another part in their community focus since this is being done with Retro and TSS, making fans think their voice is being heard while Dimps works away oblivious to it all.
gee you peopIe sure hope for the best. And here I though sonic fans were negative little twerps. Must have been wrong. Regardless of whats to be revealed I will hope for the best like a normal fan
@ ThE InFoRmEr
The franchise will remain exactly the same. Just look at Capcom with Megaman 9 and 10. Nothing has changed.
@ Mike
i have to agree with you on that one but the problem is will the Sonic franchise ever continue, take a 2 year break, or stop?
Sonic 4 will be episodic and like the first fable 2 chapter… the first episode will be FREE! wouldn’t that be nice.
The ONLY thing that could be big – is if SEGA announces they have already finished the other episodes, and release screen-shots with episode one, a trailer for each episode.
@ ThE InFoRmEr
It’ll continue on as usual. Sonic Team is probably hard at work on the next main title as we speak. I here Sonic’s 20th birthday is coming up.
Oh my god! I just sat here and watched a whole playthrough of Sonic 4, and like, I don’t even want the game, you know. Instead of waiting for the release and playing it then, I think I’ll hack and play it now! I think the game is so Sonic The Hedgehog 1 and 2 all over again, and I hate that, even though I was waiting for that my whole life. And what’s with Sonic’s Eyes? And his Shoes? and his Running Animation? And his so not 2D. So totally not an auto-buy for me, unless they, you need, change back to the genesis days, like they should have done.
SONIC IS SO LIKE….. DEAD!!!!!
(Sonic 4: Part 2 is release and the Sonic Cycle continues)
Well Dr. Eggfan, hopefully they address the more logical complaints, instead of listening to those crybabies demanding that any and all bottomless pit segments are removed (Even though they’ve shown up in classic Sonic games), or people who complain about green eyes.
If they improve the gameplay so it matches the classic Sonic games, I don´t care at all of anything else: It will be a damn good announcement. Even if that´s only an unlockable option or something like that.
Let´s see what happens…
I`m not moaning okay, but Sonic 4 IS actually, a rehash…
Splash hil zone looks like Green hill, and Mad gear Zone is metropolis, etc.
Ah well, any sonic is awesome for me ^_^ Still if my friend ever hacked Ep 2, I will not play it this time
wheres the press release
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awww Tristan you’re jealous because Sega givinig the cool guys over at Sonicstadium and Retro the attention they deserve for taking away the leaks from their sites unlike you here. If were a good boy and didn’t just put any leak that surfs the net in here you could’ve been with them. Be a nice boy next time T.
@3thmthm
Considering he will just report on it as the news breaks as per usual – and I got MORE info by him reporting more than the ‘cool guys’ have, which I thank him for. He has no reason to be ‘jealous’ we want all the news we can get dammit.
@ MiracleChao
If you werent being sarcastic then I know exactly how you feel.
This news coming up better not be facepalm-worthy.
Seriously though, I think I’ll really like Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Although I do have to say they couldve done episode 1 better, it looks about the same as Sonic Advance 2′s engine with Advance 1′s level design, a homing attack and classic throwbacks, which isn’t a problem to me. I could definitely enjoy the living crap out of tha game, because I’m not gonna deny the fact that those things make it sound like Sega’s best idea since 1999.
If anything, I hope they at least revise the engine some (fix some of the issues seen in the leaks), improve the music and the graphics some and maybe announce what’s in store for a new episode (or better yet a classic Sonic skin :p). If they could do those things I think they’re good to go.. for now. I don’t want every episode to feature level revisiting.
If I hear one more complaint about Sonics eyes in Sonic 4 I am going to go on a shotgun rampage – kidding, but still, STFU about his eyes for gods sake! And every other minute detail that you don’t agree with for that matter.
Indeed Malady. Journalism like it used to be, instead of just being a PR fest. “Well, we won’t reveal anything, but isn’t Sonic 4 just wonderful? Sega is so wonderful too. Alright, that about wraps it up for the “report”"