No Gameplay Footage, but Balough Says “We Listened”
Early this morning, Gamespot released a moderately lengthy interview with brand manager Ken Balough which formally announced Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2. Courtesy of Woun, that interview and trailer are embedded below.
While the trailer itself shows no gameplay footage, only hinting at the return of Metal Sonic and Tails, Balough assures fans in the Gamespot interview that the game will be built with “a brand new graphics engine, and a brand new physics engine,” according to him. TSSZ’s Jonathan Charles first corroborated those details about physics and hints of visual improvement last week.
Balough did not elaborate whether Dimps remained on board for Episode 2, but did say specific problems like uncurling or standing on a wall would not be a problem anymore. In fact, much of the discussion below concerns those physics gripes that became a community staple during Episode 1′s development.
The other big change this time is the apparent lack of Wii support for Episode 2. Balough says a release for XBOX 360, Playstation 3 is assured, but the game will also be out for several mobile platforms, including iOS, Windows 7 Phone, and Android.
Check out the interview below. Thanks to the numerous News Tipsters who clearly have been awake in anticipation a lot longer than we were today and sent this in.
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@Nuzamaki90
I agree with HyperMetal and Blade.
That was a VERY jerkish comment. And it should be clear that “almost everyone” canNOT afford luxuries such as those. They are expensive and some Sonic fans ONLY have a Wii and are upset by the platform’s exclusion. And it’s not like they can just say “Oh no! I don’t have that system! Eh. I’ll just go buy it.” -_-
Remember guys, Nuzamaki90 is the same guy who said that the Wii was worse than 2006.
Who the fuck wants to see a trailer in the exact style of the ones that reminds them of what a crushing disappointment and complete scam Episode 1 was? God I hate that cunting music they use in Sonic 4 trailers!
@Ricardo
Do you expect a shout out from Ken for defending that detritus?
Dimps made the game not Sonic Team, Dimps doesn’t give a a shit about what we think they reused the Sonic Rush engine because their a sweatshop developer that push out mediocre games and made Street Fighter 4 under heavy supervision from Capcom, Sonic Team does give a shit but they don’t want to bother working deeply with Dimps so we get skillless homing attack chains over bottomless pits oh and bottomless pits in every level.
Sweet, the fights have started! Hang on, lemme grab some popcorn
If the Wii was the thing holding the game back from having more than 4 zones and CD quality music then good riddance to it! It’s probably coming to PC (Episode 1 was added to the Steam registry) I Laurent it will run on very low spec computers such as the ones you’re posting to complain about this on.
Speed is something that is not given; but rather earned through dedication.
Speed is not found by simply pushing a boost button, but by building momentum. It is the reward for skill in the face of difficult challenges – this kind of speed is the most exhilarating, not only because it is fast, but because of the pure perfection such speed exemplifies. This is the truth of the original Sonic games – and this is the truth of Project Needlemouse.”
http://youtu.be/NlqTd_VBeKY
To the people who said that Sonic 4 was “okay” and that “Sonic fans are just impossible to please it’s the same as the old games, guys”… F*** You.
@SonicXX14 – Right, I totally forgot about Dimps….Damn you for reminding me they still exist!! XD
Anyway, Sonic fans are possible to please. The whiny little kids that want everything in a Sonic game don’t count. The resonable Sonic fans are the possible ones to please. Others, that go like “THIS SHIT SUCKS!!11″ “IT SUCKS BECAUSE IT AIN’T GOT THIS OR THAT!!!” Don’t count either. Those are just trolling fans that are unreasonable, and back up their shit with lame excuses.
Also, it’s not right for you to say “fuck you” just because a person thinks Ep 1 is okay. Episode 1, for me, was okay. Go ahead and say it for people saying their opinions. Say it if you have the heart to do it. :/
@Blade and @SonicGo
Well said by both of you. I am also a person who only own a Wii as a current gen game console, an I have been very happy with it, it is the console that has the games that I like. I also have an iPad and iPhone so I will be able to play this game (though I will have to do it with virtual buttons which kinda sucks). However, I cannot go and buy another generation console (and a generation that is coming to an end) just because I want to play one game.
Now to those who only own a Wii and no other gadget. I know how it feels like, there was a time when I did not have an iPad or iPhone either, and I realize you will miss some games. But do not loose hope, most of you are probably reading this off a computer. Sonic 4 Episode I was seen on the Steam registry (just like how Sonic Generations was seen on the registery before it was released) which means that the second episode will most likely also come on Steam. Furthermore, I can assure you that the game is running on Smartphones which is not as strong as a regular computer (a cortex A9 chip found on the iPad 2 is just a bit more powerful than the most recent Intel Atom processors) which means that it will most likely run on your computer, even if you do not have the most powerful computer in the world. You must also remember that the game in coming later in 2012, so if you are planning on getting a Wii U there is a high chance it will come on that platform, or it might come on a platform that you own (the first episode came on many platforms after the initial release). Chances are you will get the chance to play this game, even if you cannot play it on the Wii, so try to stay positive.
@Stephan I don’t remember saying such things. If you can get a link to the post where I said that, that would be super badass. If you can’t find it, then shut the hell up and stop with the lies that do nothing more than add more space to this article.
@Blade and HyperMetal
I just realized that I forgot to add Steam into the list. First off with Blade: I never said at all that just because I own some high tech gadgets, everyone else owns them too. The keyword to that part of the post was “Almost”. I haven’t bragged at all, I haven’t called anyone who only owns a Wii a noob. Exactly what I said is that if you don’t have any of the stuff I listed, your obviously screwed. You don’t need to have all of these stuff, but if you don’t have at least one of them (including the PC), you either have…
A. Been living under a rock for the past few years.
B. Can’t afford to buy any of these so you really shouldn’t be complaining at all
or
C. You don’t like video games.
Again I say, Generations and CD didn’t come to the Wii so that should have been a nice little hint that Episode 2 wasn’t coming to the Wii either.
@HyperMetal Way to make a quick judgement, bro. I wasn’t trying to be a dick at all. All I was saying is that if you don’t have a Android, 360, PS3, PC, Windows Phone, or a IPod Touch, then I don’t know what the hell to tell you. If you own a PC, and not just a Wii, then you shouldn’t be raging because there is a big chance Ep 2 is coming to Steam as well.
It is simply amazing how much an unreleased game can cause so much turmoil and unrest amongst the community.
@Nuzumaki90
I only have a Wii and a 3DS, so I missed out on the console version of Generations. Normally, I wouldn’t really care, like with Unleashed. But what really makes me mad about Ep.2 is that Sega tells us prior to reveal that the game WILL be on those platforms. Remember when rumors of Sonic Anniversary were rampant? The game was listed for Wii, DS, PSP, PS3, and Xbox 360- a large list. Then the trailer came and the former 3 platforms were mysteriously cut off. That upset me: that they broke a promise they made to us.
I remember one article (can’t remember just what it was) that said that Episode 2 was coming to the Wii. I went out and got a points card.
And now this? There’s nothing else on the Wii shop that I need…
@AM
Yes, I’m on a computer, but I have a Mac -.- d*mnit
Those at Sega really hate the Wii, don’t they.
1. Unwiished- they just HAD to make a nearly identical PS2 version. It’s almost like they tried to mock the Wii’s “previous-generation capabilities”.
2. Ep.1- watered down music, higher price.
3. Generations- no Wii version just because of LACK OF HD? What kind of reason was that? And to prove that they moved on, they made a 3DS version.
4. CD – wasn’t even released. -.-
5. Ep.2 – same as above >:( Oh, and to drive it in, they put it on smartphones. Are they trying to imply that an average iPhone does better than the Wii?
Notice a trend?
@A
I have a Mac too. For gaming purposes you can dual boot your mac using a copy of Windows XP – 7 and the games should run fine (in fact even when a game is made for a Mac OS X, I often find that it still runs best on the Windows side). As for current gen consoles, I also only own a 3DS and Wii, but I found that if there is a game that I really want to play that is not on those platforms it is usually on Steam or PC DVD or both.
Amazing how much shit gets thrown simply by mentioning Sonic 4 news, be it positive (like the facts this interview brought) or not.
@A
To be fair though, some of the thing Sega could not really help considering their budget. On the positive side we did get Sonic and the Secret Rings (which was better than Sonic 06) we also got Sonic Colors, and while Sonic Unleashed did not make use of all of the Wii’s capabilities it was still a decent game overall. Sonic CD is available on the gems collection which is very inexpensive (I found it plus a Gamecube controller for about $10). Also, we may not have gotten Generations but almost all the games protreyed in Generations can be played on the Wii (through the original releases, virtual console, and the GameCube backwards compatibility mode, except Sonic 06) I know this is an odd way of looking at it in terms of Generation.
I really feel sorry for the people that wont be able to play this game because they lack the proper funds to purchase the right systems. So in honor of that I will make a Lets Play on my youtuhe channel when it comes out (The Channel is TheSonicBoom248)
@Chris: You should do a commentary version, and a silent walkthrough version.
Unless you’re not the “commentary talker” type 
I’m gonna subscribe to you soon.
everyone who complains about why EP2 is not on wii is because:
1) its sega for crying out loud, there suppose to rival nintendo especially there consoles
2) im sorry you can’t afford it but that doesn’t mean sega is gonna butt fuck everyone last minute(sometimes they do)
and
3) if you live in europe and complaining im disappointed the collectors edition of generations wasn’t enough….(number 3 is off topic kinda)
Sonic 4 discussions are always…heated. :V
@Ricardo
“Wow, I see how it is. So it looks like the physics nor the inclusion of Tails don’t do it for you. Keep your faith at zero then, you’ll see in the end how good the game is, unless you’re bittersweet about the game.”
Bittersweet my ass. I still want Sega to cancel this shit and TRY AGAIN.
“It seems as though you’re not even excited for this game. Well, while you’re being skeptical, the rest of us (including the fans who hated Ep.1) will get hyped. SEGA hasn’t let us down since Sonic 4. Continuing that, is Colors, then Generations.”
Again you fail. Sega has let down the classic fanbase and for those who hated Episode 1? They’d rather play amazing retro revivals like Mega Man 9, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, or Donkey Kong Country Returns instead.
“Don’t even say Sonic 4 is a big dissapointment. Sonic 4 was a success. Sonic 4 was only a big dissapointment TO YOU. SEGA did listen. People wanted Sonic to go back to his roots, and that is what SEGA did. SEGA tried to give Sonic 4 a new feeling with Sonic.”
Bullshit. If Sega did listen, people who knows quality when they see one would be playing a proper sequel to S3K right now. When S4 failed, the true return to Sonic’s roots came from Generations HD (i.e. Classic Sonic) and if Sega wanted to give S4 a “new” feeling,
they could’ve think of just adding originality to the zones, badniks, and bosses.
“Since Sonic is now modernized, SEGA gave him a new set of physics. SEGA could’ve easily went back to the old physics if they wanted to, but they didn’t, because they wanted to give Sonic a new feeling. Turns out that didn’t work too well. So now what? SEGA took grusome feedback from fans, and listened to them.”
But since Sega/Sonic Team keeps releasing the classics EVERY FUCKING YEAR, you’d think they would’ve studied on what made the classics good and how they’ve stayed great two decades later. And they did listen to the feedback, they’ve spent more time working on Colors and Generations HD.
“Cool story bro, tell me again how SEGA and SonicTeam don’t listen”
Typical excuse from a butthurt SonicFag. Have a nice day.
I’m a bit dissapointed that they didn’t show off any screenshots or footage, but oh well… It’s still all good news. The fact that SEGA’s listening to the community and using it to better their games is remarkable.
Well I can see the same divide that accompanied episode 1s reveal has hit again, this time without the need of, I dunno, little things like gameplay footage, the kind of things it usually takes to start an argument around here lol.
I’m staying out of it this time, I remember defending Sonic 4 all through the lead up to its release, only to be disapointed by the final game and having to admit that maybe the haters were right.
I miss the arguments me and Wiiplayer used to have though :s good times
Yes this arguing/banter is entertaining. At the end of the day SEGA are in the busines of making money. SEGA were delighted with Sonic 4 Ep1 as it made a shit load money. Success on digital platforms is the future (or the present).
I would like to know just how well Sonic CD is selling. By the sounds it, CD has been very successful. This along with Ep1′s success should give SEGA enough encouragement to do a great job with Ep2 while charging a shit load of money for it.
Regardless of whether Ep2 is a good game of not, if it sells well that will encourage SEGA to make an Ep3 maybe even Ep 4. This should also encourage SEGA to re-master/re-release games like Sonic 3 & Knuckles which some fans acknowledge wasn’t just a great Sonic game, but was one of the greatest 2d games ever made. With the excellent retro engine and a sonic fan (Christian Whitehead) assisting them, then the near future looks very good as far as Sonic is concerned.
I am looking forward to Ep2. Tails inclusion is a big deal as he can fly and swim and explore a hell of a lot more than Sonic can. All Sonic can do is run and spindash. So you could argue that Tails is the better character as so much more variety.
@SSJSonicXX14
My words EXACTLY… no, really!
http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?showtopic=27501&view=findpost&p=653231
So either great minds think exactly alike or you’re a thieving bellend! Find your own fucking voice!
And not a Ceejus nor Sonical to be found here. I just don’t feel these heated arguements are complete without their involvement.
I just wanna see some screens before i judge it (like any sane person). I saw an article where they were even using a new physics and graphics engine, along with new animation cycles. I’m extremely curious to how this plays out. 1 screen, thats it. Just one.
You Sonic 4: Episode 1 haters are unbelievably pathetic. You are an absolute idiot if you think Colors, Unleashed, Secret Rings, or Black Knight were better than Sonic 4: Episode 1. You whine, moan, bitch, and complain about what? Sonic stopping halfway up a slope? That’s fucking cosmetic at best. The physics worked well in Sonic 4, given the fact that you had a Homing Attack. It’s pathetic that you act like Sonic “purists”, saying that Sonic 4 sucks because the physics weren’t as fluid as they were back in the Genesis era, when you probably don’t even LIKE the games from the Genesis era! You’d rather jump on the Sesame Street Sonic bandwagon that is Unleashed, Colors, and the storybook series! The flaws in those games FAR outweigh anything minor in Sonic 4: Episode 1. Let’s see, where do I even begin? Too much of an emphasis on speed and less on precision platforming and control, bad shading, spotty response time, bad dialogue, crappy voice acting, cheesy 4-year old storyline, and boring side missions… and that’s to only BEGIN the complaints about all four of those games.
Seriously, SMFH at you modern Sonic Team fans. And watch, you’re excessive bitching is most likely going to have a negative effect on Episode 2. Lame.
*Poof*
@Ceejus – Same here. I like Ep. 1 better than BK, Unleashed, but not Colors. However, this is my opinion, and that is your opinion. So that’s that.
@QuietGuy92 – Your post is an example of a lame excuse. Btw, butthurt Sonicfag? Who says that, trolls? I wasn’t the one complaining when Episode 1 came out, now was I? You were. So who is the butthurt Sonicfan? You are. You think that just because you post negative comments, people will fear you? Heck no! It actually makes me laugh at how a person gets mad at a company for making a “bad” game. Thousands of other games are out there, why don’t you try them out, while SEGA makes a “good” game? Unless all you like is Sonic, and like to post bad comments and think that SEGA will listen to you. Your sad man, real sad. Come back when you stop throwing tantrums over videogames. I always get the last word, because I don’t let pointless people, like you, get to me. If you wanna take your anger out on something, then go to a dark alley and get some gangsters to chase you and beat you down. That way, you’ll have more fear, than hate
Thanks, I’m having a nice day! Nice try Quietguy, but find a different guy to troll with. Nothing you say will make me care. Now get out, or go become the boss of SEGA so you can control Sonic the way you want.
@Ricardo
If you seriously think I’m an egotistical asswipe, you’re goddamn wrong. Unlike you,
I respect other’s opinions like a reasonable fan should. And from the way you reacted to my dislike of Sonic 4 in a immature manner, that’s why I called you a Sonicfag.
I’m not even upset by your lame excuse of a comeback. After reading your hurt feelings over a fucking video game, I started laughing my ass off.
You fail. You fail SO FUCKING HARD, its tragic and if you like playing rushed, poorly-programmed, and shitty games like S4, go right ahead. There’s tons of better, well-
polished games for me to choose from anyway.
Have a Happy New Year, dumbass.
@QuietGuy – Respect? Ya, riiiiiiiight. My ass. I think you got it wrong, it’s Sonic fan, not Sonic fag, but you can call yourself whatever you want. Did I want you to be upset about videogames? No, I wanted you to get it through your fucking head.
Who the hell still says “You fail” ?? 10 year olds, that’s who. Thank you, I will continue to like games like Sonic 4, and no shitty opinion of yours can tell me otherwise.
I’m sorry, but my ass isn’t dumb. Man, these words you say, it sounds like your scared.
Happy New Year, QuietGuy.
Hug your family and tell them you love them!