POSTED 29/10/10


SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4: EPISODE 1

SEGA
Xbox 360/XBLA (also on PS3/PSN, Wii/Wiiware, iPhone)

PETA rabbit on about animal rights and protecting critters from cruelty, yeah? So where the fuck have they been for the past 16 years whilst SEGA have been exploiting the spikes off Sonic the Hedgehog?!

There he was, happily shooming about his 2D worlds, bringing joy to millions worldwide, when SEGA demanded more. Ventures into 3D, Indiana Jones-styled schtick, flitting about on hoverboards (which were slower than him) and hooning in go-karts all followed. Then, the ultimate indignity – the once proud mascot was pimped out to Nintendo for those cruddy Mario Olympics games.

Shameful. However, at least SEGA appear to have mustered some belated respect for their spiky azure superstar in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, returning him to the wilds of 2D where he first frolicked – far from all that perspective nastiness. Cue Born Free theme…

It’s Sonic as we like to remember him, speeding through 2D environments – where he does his best work. There’re four zones in this first part of a planned series (the exploitation has turned upon us, the consumers), all based on ones familiar to fans of the Mega Drive classics. Each has three acts and an easy-peasy googoogajoob-dude battle.

Sonic’s environs have never looked snappier, and the aural side‘s ace. Some will have issues with control tweaks – in particular homing spin attacks (a 3D hangover) – however after a bit of time we found it an addition that works. Sonic’s become slightly more inertia-affected, too – but hey, who hasn’t 16 years on?!

Also, collect all those Chaos Emeralds and Super Sonic is back for the first time since Sonic and Knuckles. Liam and Noel will be chuffed.

It has niggles – like don’t expect longevity - but if you’re a pre-whored Sonic fan then this is what you’ve been waiting for.

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