A brief glimpse for those quick enough to catch it
Sonic 4: Episode 1 was a turning point in Sega’s history of security mishaps and leaks. The entire game leaked months in advance, prompting Sega to go back and retool certain levels after fans had reacted poorly to them. From that point onwards, Sega seemed to take greater care in keeping their secrets a little more… well, secret.
But now it’s happened again – a playable build of “Sonic 4 Episode 2 Beta 8″ was made publicly available earlier this morning on Valve’s personal computer gaming platform, Steam. Given that it’s a Saturday and most people are currently sleeping in or at work, it would have gone quietly unnoticed until the error was corrected – but Sonic Stadium managed to catch it. This “Beta 8″ was taken down within a couple hours of going up, but it was out there long enough that a small handful of people managed to get their hands on the game and provide us with an extended glimpse at what it looks like – we suggest you take a look at these as soon as you can, as one would expect Sega to send take-down notices.
As one can tell, this build does not immediately appear to be the full game – listed levels only include Sylvania Castle, Oil Desert, and White Park, with noticeable empty space where more stages could go.
If we’re able to tell you more, we’ll be sure to do it.
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“visuals =/= gameplay
music =/= gameplay”
Yeah, and gameplay alone =/= a game. The Atari is your defense? Then why don’t all games still look and sound like Atari games anymore? It’s because the horrible audio and visuals was born out of necessity not choice. If Ocarina of Time was released at the same time as the first Zelda, who the hell would have remembered Zelda 1? No one. Regardless of which game has the stronger gameplay the visuals and the audio are KEY factors in creating a bond with the audience.
The only reason video games have grown into the successful industry that they are today is because they advanced to the point of being able to engross the audience with atmosphere and emotion.
Where would Mario be without his World 1-1 theme that everyone in the world knows and can hum to themselves?
Why do people pine for the revival of Ice Cap Zone so much when without the music it’s just another standard ice level?
Why does you heart start racing when you’re fighting against Robotnik’s giant mech at the end of Sonic 2?
Why do people, when they can’t play their favorite game or watch their favorite movie, play the soundtrack to bring back those memories?
Oh. It’s because music. fucking. matters.
A game with forgettable music is a forgettable game. If you can sit there and tell me that the rush of nostalgia you felt when playing Sonic Generations had nothing to do with hearing those catchy old tunes again, then you can just write “LIAR” in big bold letters on your forehead and stick your right back up your ass.
@x Just out of curiosity, if you said that music is key factors in gaming, then why does Sonic 06 and Sonic Unleashed both have great soundtracks still gets a bad reputation?
@B-rad
Because music alone can’t save a shitty game. A game is a culmination of elements. The glory of video games is that it’s aural, visual, and interactive pieces working as one to create a single experience.
People that act like visuals or music aren’t important are straight up bullshitting. Sonic himself is a graphic element. Green Hill Zone is “graphics”. These are all parts that come together to make a game successful.
Music and visual design are “key” factors but like gameplay they are not the only factor.
@X
Bravo, sir <3
@B-rad
He said it was key, not the ONLY important factor.
@Thread, regarding the music
This is a 2D Sonic game we're talking about. Aside from boss fights, what exactly makes a standard platforming title memorable in the first place? The jumping? lol. It's the art (which includes level design) and music direction.
Gameplay matters, certainly, but if it were your only concern, you'd have a PRETTY stale game on your hands. Hold forward, press jump /game. The Tails mechanic is the only part of the gameplay that's even remotely unique, ESPECIALLY when you consider that Sonic's rolling physics have been nerfed to the point of uselessness. One of the joys of the classic era was a platformer with exploitable and fluid physics. Take away that and you've got yourself a pretty generic game in one of the most simplistic styles of gameplay ever conceived. That's not to say it's horrible trash, mind you, but it certainly leaves one to wonder what's left to get particularly excited about. "OH MAN! I CAN'T WAIT TO PRESS ME SOME JUMP BUTTON!"
I wasn’t saying he’s wrong. I’m a music major, so I pretty much agree what he says. I wanted to test him to see how he would answer my question without contradicting himself, and you did well my friend.
X pretty much hit it on the head.
Formula for a game = Graphics+Gameplay+Music
The formula for a “GREAT” game depends on how much time and effort and care are put into these three aspects of the game.
I forgot to mention how White Park Act 2 has a remixed sample of Twinkle Park in it.
@GoldenHedgy
Gameplay isn’t the only thing that makes a game good. Atmosphere, immersion, visuals, story, and music are all key elements in making a game enjoyable while memorable from those who played it.
Take S3K for example. Not only was it memorable for its OST, but for the huge levels providing exploration, a simple but epic story, alternate gamplay styles from Tails/Knuckles that actually makes sense (unlike the stupid shard hunting and mech-driving) and visuals which gives each zone their own “personality.”
So do some research before saying gameplay is the only thing that matters next time, okay?
@Darkgogomumu
Wrong. Music SHOULD be a concern for ANY game.
@X
Nice.
I’ve managed to download this and was amazed by the graphics , but some levels got texture spots but the game is playable , can’t wait for the final version
I pre-ordered it through steam 