‘Two key areas have changed’
SEGABits’s report on a leak of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II has provoked lots of responses already in the community, which is unsurprising considering history seems to be repeating itself regarding gameplay issues and fan response. However, TSSZ News can reveal information which largely contradicts what SEGABits have been reporting.
First, we have heard that the big change in the game regards the physics. We have been told directly that the game has better physics than Classic Sonic in Sonic Generations, with the inconsistencies in Sonic’s momentum not appearing at all. Whether the PartnerNet version of Episode II is an earlier build cannot be determined at this point but, if our source is correct (and it has been in the past), then one would assume so.
Second, our source has told us that Episode II‘s presentation has been iterated: the game now has less of a ‘glossy’ feel. Outside of this, we have no word on whether anything else related to the style of the game has changed.
This is the only information we were told about by our source. We have no word on gameplay mechanics (yet), whether level design is less automated, or what zones are going to feature. The only additional piece of information that we know of is that the musical direction is the same as Episode I.
SEGA of America’s Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough has already teased us on an official reveal for Episode II, so it seems the wait on concrete information for the next episode of Sonic 4 is finally over. As always, stay tuned to TSSZ for news on when more concrete information is revealed.
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Can you get the source to provide proof? Even if you can’t show it to us just saying there is proof is much appreciated.
This is pretty exciting! But the words “pinch of salt” come to mind somehow.
Pointlessname: We have much more confidence in this source than you should in what Segabits reported re: physics. We will likely be retracting the original Segabits sourced story re: Physics, but it’s still up right now because this story references it. That’s all we can say.
-T
Alright Tristan, if these guys have proved reliable in the past, then I suppose I can take your word for it.
Don’t think I’m insulting you Tristan, but…
I’m sick of this “Confidential Source” of Sonic 4 Episode II crap that various fansites are implying they have.
I want to know who’s the bloody source of all this Sonic 4 Episode II information is and I want to know why don’t they show some bloody screenshots/videos to prove that they tell the truth. I’m not believing SEGABits, but I’m not believing you either, the fact that he was right in the past according to you doesn’t prove that he’s right.
That’s all I’m saying about the matter.
Awesome Sauce
Blue Wisp: It’s absolutely a fair point. Know that we protect sources to…well, protect sources. Remember how Sega employees and lawyers went on the warpath after the Ep. 1 leaks? We want to be able to bring you information like this without putting undue pressure, or risking jobs, livelihoods, etc.
Here’s what I will say as a counterpoint. Segabits’s alleged source claimed to have photo/video evidence. We make no such claim here, but on the other hand, right now, a large portion of Segabits’s information has turned out to either be obvious, or proven inaccurate.
-T
@Blue Wisp To be fair, SEGAbits’ source was just some anonymous stranger, this seems to be a known and trusted source. Also, you can’t just openly reveal yourself and give out details/images/videos of an unreleased game without permission, they’d get their asses sued off by Sega. In the end you either believe it or you don’t.
Back and Forth, Back and Forth, ugh this is more annoying than the PC version of Generations
Pointlessname has it right. This is going to come down to who you want to believe, and what you want to believe. The past 24 hours have been so haphazard with information, and with a game like this so polarizing, we certainly understand the skepticism.
-T
I love how everybody is always demanding proof nowadays. Same happened with 3DS Generations despite how many people didn’t believe all the negative hype surrounding it, and now this.
I guess I’m one of the few here who believes this unnamed source of Tristan’s is credible. Unfortunately, the words “the game has better physics than Classic Sonic in Sonic Generations, with the inconsistencies in the Sonic’s momentum not appearing at all” don’t fill me with hope as to whether Episode II’s Sonic will have better physics than Episode I. Then again, he did say that nothing has been mentioned of the gameplay mechanics, so I can understand not being in the know about how the game momentum/physics/whatever-you-call-it works.
Also, I liked the “glossy” look (and the music style), but I’m looking forward to how Episode II looks.
I simply cannot wait.
Improved momentum gameplay??????
so if better than SG does that mean rolling down hills will speed you up and not slow you down now? or when your running fast sonic won’t slow down?
is it due for release soon??? its already on partnernet ????? momentum for the win
so long as the music isnt as annoying as Splash Hill act 1, im good. It was nice at first, BUT GOD AM I SICK OF IT.
All this Episode II info is getting confusing…
@darkgomugomu
Off topic, but Splash Hill makes any level in Generations hilarious to play (except Green Hill).
@sonichedgehog I did it with Speed Highway modern in my playthrough just for shits and giggles XD
This is great news. I had a good time with Sonic 4 Ep. 1, so having better physics will make this game really freakin’ good!
I guess I’ll take your word for it if it’s from a trustworthy source. And if the physics really are better, then that’s a relief.
Pikachu in a sombrero disappointed me once already. Lets hope for the best!
After hearing about Cryptic Clock Zone, I was immediately hooked on Episode II.
God! IF your listening, please don’t let SEGA/DIMPS screw the music for these stages up! If the theme for Cryptic Clock Zone even remotely sounds just a wee bit like Splash Hill Zone or Casino Street Zone, please do something to tell those idiots that their idea is bad!
Throw some lightning, hail their office down! Hell, throw Zeus down so he can take a crack at them just so they know that you don’t like the theme!
Very good news if this is true. I liked most of the music so I don’t really care If there not changing it. If they can correct the level design and make it more like Generations, we might just have something good on our hands.
Very promising news. Great.
if this is true it’d be nice for them to patch these changes into episode 1
Fix the damn music No it doesnt sound retro it makes my ears bleed , The Classic games sounded alot better. There is a big difference between retro sounding and fucking technically limited shit that was EP1 music.
Yeah I’m more inclined to believe this tbh – I mean did anyone seriously believe the physics wouldn’t improve in the next episode at all?
And as for that likely fake zone, whenever a rumour is really specific, more often than not it’s fake.
Doesn’t surprise me that the physics are better than Generations(console version) considering the fact that the 3DS version had perfect physics nearly replicating the Genesis game physics
I wouldn’t say perfect physics. But the basics are more familar like the jump. Things like roll still don’t work in Gens 3DS. I’m hoping for the same or better in Episode II.
I kind of liked the “glossy” of the first episode,,,
@Mike: Hey, I remember that. @Jak: I want Colors quality music.
So like…can we still be Tails and Knuckles like they said a long time ago?
Because I’m fucking sick of Sonic only.
Episode 2 baby…let’s do this!
I hope super peelout is going to be in episode II
Even though I thought the physics in Episode I was somewhat tolerable, with as much complaining about it as the fanbase has displayed in the past, I would at least think that improving the physics would be a priority in Episode II. Anyway, I have a feeling they at least tried to tweak the physics in the next episode, and I really don’t think anyone should jump to conclusions by believing someone who is rumored to have played the game. (possibly an early build at that)
I saw some screenshots of the new HD port of S4E1 for the iPad, and now I think I know what Tristan’s source means when they claim it’ll have a less “glossy” presentation.
Screenshot from S4E1HD for iPad:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/37936015/Photo%20Dec%2021%2C%2010%2044%2046%20PM.png
I’m still not entirely sure what is meant by a “glossy” look. The only thing glossy I see in Sonic 4 Episode 1 that isn’t supposed to be is the grass in Splash Hill.
I will say that the background in Lost Labyrinth looks beautiful though, even if it doesn’t really evoke “Sonic” much.
Heh, sounds good. Those were two of my three major gripes from E1. Now they just need to remove speed boosters and lower the amount of springs, and BOOM – Classic Sonic is back baby!
HECK YEAH!!! i loved S4E1,i´m super excited to S4E2!!!
Better physics sounds promisng. I would also like to see bigger and more detailed levels in S4 E2 like in Sonic 3&K and there needs to be more than four levels which is no enough. I would say seven levels in the format of E1, ie 3 acts and a boss.
@SteveLovesSonicCD That might be a bit overboard IMO. Probably 6 levels with 2 acts and a 3rd act that ends in a boss would be better
Hopefully they do 2 things, lockon to ep1 and stage transitions, get rid of the hub world then im happy,
I just can’t wait for the Next Major Sonic Series Title to come out. I want to be fast-paced like Unleashed/Colors/Generations, but have the epic story and cut scenes like Adventure/Adventure 2 and Sega if you going to give a Final Monster-Like Major Enemy make it more like Perfect Chaos or the Biolizard, not Ugly, Nasty-looking or Misshapened (Perfect Dark Gaia/Solaris).
The information regarding the physics is not specific enough to have faith in. If someone just says “the momentum inconsistencies are gone” and nothing more assuring, it sounds like that someone has ignored the points of classic physics this specifically refers to because they aren’t really aware of them.