Getting Errors on Sega’s Blog? Grab ‘Em Here
Minutes ago, Sega at least attempted to release new screenshots from the upcoming Sonic 4: Episode II. When they did so, the website was overloaded.
But no worries, we have them for your review in our gallery below. They are of varying size; some are 720p resolution, and others are in 1080p. All show off two, perhaps three of the game’s stages. They are all different from what Microsoft revealed earlier in the week.
Also revealed today is that Gamespot will host the first gameplay trailer starting at NOON Eastern time next Thursday, the 23rd. We will afford rolling coverage of that reveal from the moment it happens, to all the reaction from it. In the meantime, check out the screenshots. Thanks to all who quickly submitted this information.
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In the third shot we see a giant ring past the signpost. I’m surprised they’re not doing the Special Stages via starposts, following Sonic 2. Ideally I’d love if they hid the giant rings around like S3&K, and would *really* help with stage exploration and replayability. But looking at these gorgeous pics I really can’t complain!
Alright! Lookin good! Hopefully we get some names of the zones here pretty soon.
The running animation looks even cheesier with the new models/art style. It’s guess it’s possible that it will look better in motion though.
This feels even less like the Sonic 4 I truly imagined, seeming to stray even further away from it’s 16-bit roots than episode 1… but I can’t really complain – it looks great. I wouldn’t mind seeing the series continue on in this direction (provided the physics are up to snuff, of course), or seeing a full game done in a style like this.
I’m surprised the graphics are getting such flak. To be honest, Sonic 4 Episode 1 looked terrible. A blend of photo-realistic scenes and cel-shaded character sprites that just didn’t meld together. While the animation would definitely benefit from a more hand-drawn style, I think that before we get there this is definitely an improvement. Backgrounds don’t clash nearly as badly and the character motions look far less awkward.
While not ideal, I think this is a step in the right direction as far as Sonic 4′s style goes. We can hope for either a devolution of graphics in Sonic 5, which either classic sprites or even Sonic Advance-like graphics, or a step-up to a more ideal Hand-drawn style, making animation look fluid and crisp.
23rd? I’ll be there.
In the meantime, these are awesome!
Hm, this is coming pretty quick. Though I do think its a lot better than what they did with Generations. They were killing me.
Hey, I see Baldy McSnowshair in one of these!
The game is looking better!, can’t wait for that new gameplay trailer to blow me away even more!
The Eggman snowman is hilarious
@Cold Dog
I very much doubt that there will ever be a Sonic 5. I hope I am wrong. Sonic 4 will probably last for 6 years at least. If SEGA are going to do four levels each time then there will be at least 3 episodes maybe more.
These 9 screenshots look even better that the first 10 screenshots shown. Its funny, almost as if SEGA have tried to out do Microsft with their own screenshots.
They screenshots look so good. I will definitely by ths game. There appears to be lot more content on Ep2. Looking forward to it.
AQUATIC RUIN ZONE, ANYONE?
@MilesKnightwing
Other than the addition of a second player, there really isn’t any more content. It’s just better looking content. The game’s still slated to be a mere four level romp, just like the last one.
I really do love the whole “Pine Winter Zone”. I think it looks great. I really like the foreshadowing in the stage too showing that you’re just about to the Carnival.
I’m getting a massive “Kirby’s Return to Dreamland” vibe from this, which is fantastic.
This time there’s no Wii to downgrade the game.
What happened to the new 3DS article?
Shan: It has been retracted on the basis of old information.
-T
I wonder how many great sonic shorts we will see in the future regarding tails getting trashed burnt and lazered again lolz… So far I’m liking what I’m seeing here though. Seeing it in action is usually a much better deal though.
Can’t wait to see Tails on the verge of death again! This really is coming along great, I’m glad they released some pics cause i was starting to get worried. Well if that gameplay video next week holds up, we may actually have something that everyone can agree is good (minus the blind ones)
Seeing as I have Winter recess this upcomkng week, I’m not missing out on this. This game is looking awesome, the stages look gorgeous, and Tails returning as a playable character with the inclusion of co-op is a welcomed addition. My body is ready.
Photoshop flowers.
Brack border and cutted flowers.
This is horrible.
But the rest is ok.
^Shut the fuck up and enjoy the Sonic
I’m super cereal right now.
Still looking good.
Is it me or did i saw a new hummingbird badnik, a fish, and a werid looking badnik in the second screenshot? Maybe today we’ll learn about them?
I really cannot wait to get this game. The special stage in this game looks like its going to be awesome. Really glad that you don’t access the special stages from star posts anymore because that took me a long time to do in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Still looking for a PlayStation Vita release ^_^
Definitely an improvement to Episode 1′s visuals. It actually reminds me of Donkey Kong Country Returns Visuals, in HD, which is obvious a good thing.
As far as the physics are concerned, the fifth screenshot definitely suggests a massive improvement.
Finally excited for this now
Oh God Lucaz Hinz,you are complaining about flower pics in a sonic game which is a game plays with light speed.You are did worse things to sonic,even more than eggman.You are officaly final boss of sonic 4.
@StarDust
But this is not professional in game.
Is my first photoshop work with 16 Years Old.
Look street fighter 4 or any professional game. Not have this.
@Lucas Hinz
“Photoshop flowers. Brack border and cutted flowers. This is horrible.”
Horrible, my ass. The visuals in EP2 are an improvement to the plastic, generic style of EP1.
Jesus, do you ever stop and think before you’re type EVEN MORE stupid shit?
Someones forgetten this is just a DOWNLOADEBLE game.Strret Fighter 4 is a REATİL game.Cant you even understand the difference ?
@QuietGuy
Just be quiet,you know he is offical sonic troll,you dont have to feed him by talking,or arguaing with him.Maybe i am going little too much,but he deserves it.LOl,go and look his Comments to posts,ninety percent of his comments are trolling or complaining.one percents is for saying “hmph,not bad but it could be better”
@Stardust
Oh, I’ve talked with Lucas before.
I’m not surprised that he hasn’t been banned yet.
Lucas’ broken english is more obnoxious than the “photoshop flowers”. lawl.
Ok, no retail game.
Braid.
I don’t accept game edited in photoshop or static graphics.
@ChaotixFox
Sorry my english. But you understand my point.
If you play for example: flower, wipeout, pacman 20th or any no retail game… you don’t see visble horrible point. Only small details.
I told you to not to feed trolls. I dont know why that guy acting so weird,like trolling using photoshopeed flowers,but things that he saying is just too nonsense.
@MilesKnightwing
Hope in vain, buddy! They’ve stated previously that Sonic 4: Episode II would close off Sonic 4 as far as the production team were concerned. From there, the only logical step is Sonic 5. Not that I’m hoping it’ll be called Sonic 5, frankly I’d rather they stuck to “Sonic [SOMETHING]” as they have done with every other game [Sonic & Knuckles, Adventure, Heroes, Riders, etc...]. The number 5 just sounds awful on a game, almost as awful as 4.
Of course, I’d love to see more stages to make it a more balanced whole, but I think we won’t be seeing that as far as the episodic Sonic 4 is concerned.
Hoooly crap, that forest zone looks HEAVENLY! Loving the atmosphere!
And juudging by the Tornado entrance, which I always love, it looks like a great fit for a first zone. The animations are WAY better than Ep. 1, the badniks don’t look anything like plastic, and Tails is… Well, it’s tails, I love it. Gameplay? ITHINKYES
Why do people even respond to Lucas anymore? You’re just feeding his insane hatred for all things logical.
C’mon guys. You may be Sonic fans, but I expected better.
Also, 3DS needs this game.
@HyperSonic
I’m fan of games.
All games i played don’t have many problems compared with sonic.
This is reality =/
The music, gameplay, collisionboxes, graphics decide a professional game or not.
Duke Nukem Forever for example. Is the pure example of errors. I love Duke Nukem but this game is horrible.
Gameplay is the only thing that matters. Period. End of story/discussion. You are wrong.