After getting hands-on with Sonic 4 back at E3 we’ve been itching to play it some more…Back then we were only allowed a taste of the first level, and even then only on the Wii and Xbox, with the iPhone version at arms length only while the SEGA rep played it… He might as well danced on our graves!
So, after getting hold of the game earlier today, how does it fair? Well I can safely say that it runs and plays brilliantly. When SEGA released the emulated port of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, it not only ran poorly but the controls were unresponsive. Sonic 2 was an improvement in this area, and now with Sonic 4: Episode 1 they have finally got it right. There are two control options, tilt and touch. The tilt is a gimmick really, and to be honest I think any level-headed Sonic fan will choose the touch option. This sees you controlling Sonic in the familiar eightway D-pad. For jumping and spinning you tap the one action button.
New to the Sonic series is the enemy and object target. This allows you to quickly dash to an enemy or onto a jump pad and is activated by tapping the action button when you see red crossharis over a target. It’s a great gameplay mechanic and keeps the action running at break neck speed.
A feature which I particulary like is the ability to play any level and any zone at any given time, with only the boss levels locked until you complete the three levesl per zone. In Episode 1 there are four zones: the classic style Splash Hill Zone; the familiar Casino Street; Lost Labyrinth and Dr Eggman’s secret base, Mad Gear. To see these in action, check out out hands-on video run through below.
Our very own Torbjorn will be reviewing the game this Friday, but if you cannot wait until then, the game is on it’s way to an AppStore near you this Thursday.
Check @Touchgen to win a copy of Sonic 4 (US only)
