Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

 PC
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 65
  3. Negative: 19 out of 65

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  1. DreamerTG
    Jan 22, 2015
    10
    With loads of inspiration and nostalgia, at the same time as it's own unique, fun, cute, and overall enjoyment of this game makes it worthy of the 4 at it's end.
  2. GudKos
    May 30, 2016
    10
    Sonic 4 Episode I is the best nostalgic game of Sonic series. Creators did the game brilliant because they save all classic features and style. PC Version is awesome.

    P.S. Critics, you mustn't overlook this game and we are interested in your scores and reviews!
  3. Rewe
    Jan 20, 2012
    9
    It's the sequel we've all been waiting for. SEGA, kudos to you. You have done well. Basically, if you liked Sonic 1, 2 and 3, then get this game. If you love platformers, get this game. All in all, well worth the 10$ price tag.
  4. 07GustavoXD
    Apr 21, 2012
    9
    This Sonic was a big surprise to me, and I ended up getting and it's worth! Despite the physical failure and soundtrack "annoying" is a great fun for gamers on duty. This proves that Sonic is heading in the right place!
  5. Matseb2611
    Jul 11, 2013
    8
    This game takes a humongous amount of aspects and inspiration from the original trilogy, in fact to the point that it seems it was intentional in order to provide nostalgia factor for the players. Of course that’s not a bad thing at all, especially considering that the game added some of its own twists to all of the original goodies that it included.

    Sonic 4 Episode 1 consists mainly of    This game takes a humongous amount of aspects and inspiration from the original trilogy, in fact to the point that it seems it was intentional in order to provide nostalgia factor for the players. Of course that’s not a bad thing at all, especially considering that the game added some of its own twists to all of the original goodies that it included.

    Sonic 4 Episode 1 consists mainly of 4 different zones Splash Hill Zone, Casino Street Zone, Lost Labyrinth Zone, and Mad Gear Zone each one containing 3 acts, plus a boss fight with Dr Eggman. One of really impressive features in this game is that right after completing the first act in Splash Hill, we get access to every single act in every single stage (apart from the boss acts). So as opposed to having to complete the game in a linear fashion, we can choose in which order to do all the levels, with even a chance to revisit previous levels if we want to say acquire some more lives or to have another chance to access the special stages. Another great thing is that with each new act something new is added to each of the zones and hence making each act stand out from the one before.

    Splash Hill Zone continues the tradition of the original trilogy that always has a paradisal, grassy, waterfall-infested place as the first zone, where the player can get acquainted with the game and to generally cruise through. Casino Street Zone as the name implies is the same one as we’ve seen in Sonic 2, with also some inspirations of the Carnival Night Zone of Sonic 3. Lost Labyrinth Zone is mostly based on the Labyrinth Zone from the original Sonic, except now it looks much prettier than before, and introduces some new stuff, such as balancing atop large rolling rocks, traversing dark areas, etc. Mad Gear Zone is easily recognizable as a tribute to Scrap Brain Zone from original Sonic, and even more so to the Metropolis Zone in Sonic 2, and in my opinion it’s even cooler and more epic than before. In the 3rd act of this zone, which is probably my favourite act in the entire game, for most of the time we are being chased by a huge machine, which has a single purpose to flatten us into a pancake.

    The final zone that we get access to once all the others are beaten was a bit of a disappointment though since most of it is a repetition of previous boss fights. Throughout the game we can also access the special stages, which play a lot like the ones from the original Sonic, where Sonic traverses spinning maze-like structure in order to get to the emerald at the end. What’s different this time round, however, is that we get to spin the maze ourselves in order to guide Sonic, but there is a time limit, so we must be quick about it.

    Perhaps one criticism that I’ve seen being mentioned by many other players of this game is how the control is a bit strange, and I’d have to agree to it. Unlike the original trilogy where Sonic has a lot of momentum when running and jumping, this time round, if we let go off the direction button midway through the jump, then Sonic instantly starts to fall down as opposed to continuing to fly in the same direction. It is a bit of an annoying mechanic, but it is something one can get used to fairly quickly, not to mention that a new addition of homing diving attack when in midair makes the gameplay pretty fun.

    For the most part I’ve really enjoyed Sonic 4 Episode 1. Although the overall game isn’t overly long 5 hours or so), each stage has been given a lot of detail and attention, and some new gameplay mechanics can keep the experience quite fresh in each new stage. Sure, this game does not surpass the originals, but I think it really deserves its place amongst them.    … Expand
  6. BasilZero
    Jul 26, 2013
    8
    Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode is an amazing sequel with what they've done adding a Sonic in a colorful and vivid world, amazing fluid visuals, a upbeat Soundtrack, and amazing re-telling of Sonic's fight against Dr. Eggman. However despite that it still has its faults such as the fact that the game's length is a bit of a lowside and the lack of some key Sonic characters missing out.Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode is an amazing sequel with what they've done adding a Sonic in a colorful and vivid world, amazing fluid visuals, a upbeat Soundtrack, and amazing re-telling of Sonic's fight against Dr. Eggman. However despite that it still has its faults such as the fact that the game's length is a bit of a lowside and the lack of some key Sonic characters missing out. Regardless this game is still a nice addition to the hardcore Sonic fan and any fan of the platformer/adventure genre.… Expand
  7. Tenken
    Oct 19, 2013
    8
    Lo mas decepcionante de Sonic episodio 1 es la poca innovación que tiene en mi opinión. Creo que esta claro que es como una suma de sonic 1 y 2 (Escenarios, enemigos, jefes, ETC.) pero con algunos ligeros cambios. Después la verdad dejando de lado algunos problemas en sus físicas el juego es muy recomendable. Tiene una gran calidad (al menos yo no tuve ningún problema técnico), una muyLo mas decepcionante de Sonic episodio 1 es la poca innovación que tiene en mi opinión. Creo que esta claro que es como una suma de sonic 1 y 2 (Escenarios, enemigos, jefes, ETC.) pero con algunos ligeros cambios. Después la verdad dejando de lado algunos problemas en sus físicas el juego es muy recomendable. Tiene una gran calidad (al menos yo no tuve ningún problema técnico), una muy buena jugabilidad, gráficos decentes, Historia simple pero atrapante, correcta duración y dificultad, y una muy eficiente banda sonora, ademas de que es MUY divertido en mi opinión. En conclusión considero que es una secuela digna de "Sonic 3 and Knuckles" y lo recomiendo para todos los fans de Sonic y de este tipo de juegos en general.… Expand
  8. FilemonBR
    Aug 19, 2016
    8
    Achei que ia ser ruim, estava enganado, um dos melhores jogos 2d do sonic na atualidade, prefiro mais ele que o episode 2, o grafico é bonito, mas peca na sua "gravidade"
  9. CamyVero
    Jan 27, 2022
    8
    Ejemplo claro de un juego que a mi entender le caen palos sin merecerlo. Me he comprado las dos entregas a un precio de risa. Pensaba que el juego estaba partido en dos por el tema de sacarle más beneficios y tal. Pero no, son dos juegos independientes, dos partes o episodios del mismo juego, pero que se pueden jugar por separado (algo parecido a final fantasy X y X-2). Para empezar elEjemplo claro de un juego que a mi entender le caen palos sin merecerlo. Me he comprado las dos entregas a un precio de risa. Pensaba que el juego estaba partido en dos por el tema de sacarle más beneficios y tal. Pero no, son dos juegos independientes, dos partes o episodios del mismo juego, pero que se pueden jugar por separado (algo parecido a final fantasy X y X-2). Para empezar el juego gráficamente está chulísimo. La música es como siempre en la saga, con melodías animadas y que enganchan y el control de sonic es preciso y sin fallos. De hecho me puse a rejugar el Sonic 3 despues de este y eché de menos el ataque dirigido.

    En cuanto al diseño del juego. Está claramente inspirado en los primeros juegos. Sobre todo a mi forma de ver Sonic The Hedgehog y Sonic 2. Si te gustan los juegos clásicos de Sonic, Los de Megadrive, este es un título (dos en realidad) que puedes comprar en steam por 4 duros y disfrutarlo como un enano. El juego es corto? sí, bueno, pero es que los Sonic nunca han sido precisamente un Skyrim en cuanto a horas de juego efectivas. Si te lo terminas y quieres seguir jugando vete a sacarte las esmeraldas del caos. A mi me ha durado unas 6 horas repitiendo los escenarios varias veces para ver las diferentes rutas y mejorar puntuación y demás.

    No es un juegazo. Pero es un juego de Sonic muy decente, no tiene nada que envidiar a los clásicos y además está muy chulo. Recomendado.    … Expand
  10. Pro-Payne
    Mar 16, 2014
    7
    It's Sonic. If you like Sonic, why not just buy it? I'll tell you why, take the first Sonic the Hedgehog, add fun mini-games with 3-D graphics. Although I don't like how Sonic looks. He looks like as if he was in a bad 70's movie with a green screen. Sonic team, get a better lighting guy for Sonic, I'm just saying. The act backgrounds are cool and are very colorful and has a fun artIt's Sonic. If you like Sonic, why not just buy it? I'll tell you why, take the first Sonic the Hedgehog, add fun mini-games with 3-D graphics. Although I don't like how Sonic looks. He looks like as if he was in a bad 70's movie with a green screen. Sonic team, get a better lighting guy for Sonic, I'm just saying. The act backgrounds are cool and are very colorful and has a fun art design. That will bring me to the 720p only on PC. WHY? The game would look MUCH better in 1080p. Verdict: Sonic fan? Buy it. It's a rebirth of the originals.… Expand
  11. Bruninho1997
    Oct 13, 2021
    7
    Poderia ter sido muito melhor. Na minha opinião o jogo ficou muito cru, curto, e chato.
  12. VoltronGuy
    Mar 17, 2020
    6
    Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One isn't bad, but very mediocre. It's not bad, but not good due to many things: The physics feel off (at least compared to the original Sonic games), the music doesn't sound that good (I know it's meant to sound retro), but the gameplay isn't that bad actually. The zones are colorful and have a fun art design, but really? Only four zones? Anyways, the shortSonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One isn't bad, but very mediocre. It's not bad, but not good due to many things: The physics feel off (at least compared to the original Sonic games), the music doesn't sound that good (I know it's meant to sound retro), but the gameplay isn't that bad actually. The zones are colorful and have a fun art design, but really? Only four zones? Anyways, the short answer is that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One isn't bad or good. A very mixed game indeed. :)… Expand
  13. Karlsefniy
    Aug 11, 2022
    6
    It's like classic Sonic with upgraded graphics. I did get the nostalgia feeling at times, but I don't think it is something new or memorable.
  14. SonicFan20
    Nov 17, 2022
    6
    THIS GAME DOES NOT DESERVE THE NAME SONIC 4! Mania Deserves it More than any other game. Part I Of A Two episode sega. This game has Terrible Physics If Any, Awful Music. The Stages Are literal rippoffs of the ones of the genesis days. Casino Night? Nah Casino Street. Green Hill? Nah Splash Hill. Metropolis? Mad Gear. The Names aren't even that Great. Atleast Super Sonic Is Good. EverTHIS GAME DOES NOT DESERVE THE NAME SONIC 4! Mania Deserves it More than any other game. Part I Of A Two episode sega. This game has Terrible Physics If Any, Awful Music. The Stages Are literal rippoffs of the ones of the genesis days. Casino Night? Nah Casino Street. Green Hill? Nah Splash Hill. Metropolis? Mad Gear. The Names aren't even that Great. Atleast Super Sonic Is Good. Ever Since Sonic & Knuckles We've been waiting for a True Sucesor to It. And this is it. I Know Mania Is Way Better But THATS NOT CALLED SONIC 4 This Piece o' Garbage Is. No Tails, No Knuckles. Nothing Just Sonic, Even The Older Sonic Games like Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles Had Multiple Playable Characters But NOPE This one does not. Do Not Buy This Its Garbage And Not The sonic 4 We Waited For. Oh Forgot te mention The Graphics. They're fine But In The Mobile version The're better somehow. 6/10… Expand
  15. spydercanopus
    Jan 30, 2012
    5
    Kind of nostalgic. Graphics much improved over Sega Genesis, however does not scale to high resolutions like 2560x1600 well. POV stays the same no matter what resolution. That is disappointing. Everything looks nice except Sonic and the mobs which are blocky. Set up controller by mapping it to keyboard game-mode seems to be working ok. Has support for xbox controller or keyboard mapping.Kind of nostalgic. Graphics much improved over Sega Genesis, however does not scale to high resolutions like 2560x1600 well. POV stays the same no matter what resolution. That is disappointing. Everything looks nice except Sonic and the mobs which are blocky. Set up controller by mapping it to keyboard game-mode seems to be working ok. Has support for xbox controller or keyboard mapping. Can't alt-tab back to full-screen game when minimized. Have to end the task manually and restart.… Expand
  16. DiscoDiva
    Jan 19, 2013
    5
    It was really ''okay'', I did get the nostalgia but I didnt get too much fun. The Homing Shot was annoying and it was kinda ripped off from the original but not as good.
  17. GoldenBonnie09
    Apr 8, 2020
    5
    This game is really bland. All of the zones are literally just copies of zones from the first Sonic game. Changing one word doesn't make it a new zone.
  18. schimidtwas
    Jan 15, 2021
    5
    The only positive point of this game is that it doesn't have bugs, just that ... but it can be fun, for a few but it is, it doesn't even come close to the level of Mega classics.
    I do not recommend it to most, I recommend it only to those who are very fans of the series, or to those who like 2D games very similar to the classics, even keeping in mind that this title is not good.
    Amuse    The only positive point of this game is that it doesn't have bugs, just that ... but it can be fun, for a few but it is, it doesn't even come close to the level of Mega classics.
    I do not recommend it to most, I recommend it only to those who are very fans of the series, or to those who like 2D games very similar to the classics, even keeping in mind that this title is not good.
    Amuse me? I'm not going to lie, he had a little fun with me, but he's really sick, I'll play a few times in one shot, play him every now and then, just to relax, since he's really easy, just to pass the time.    … Expand
  19. warren_beatty
    Jul 29, 2014
    4
    Sonic's movement lacks fluidity; his acceleration is pitiful, his reactions are slow and cumbersome. The game fails to deliver the basic fundamentals of a what makes a Sonic Platformer a Sonic Platformer.

    It has some nostalgia value, with classic zone themes and boss battles being revisited, but even here it falls short as the soundtrack doesn't come close to replicating the simple    Sonic's movement lacks fluidity; his acceleration is pitiful, his reactions are slow and cumbersome. The game fails to deliver the basic fundamentals of a what makes a Sonic Platformer a Sonic Platformer.

    It has some nostalgia value, with classic zone themes and boss battles being revisited, but even here it falls short as the soundtrack doesn't come close to replicating the simple brilliance of its 16-bit predecessors.

    Not the successor I'd hoped for.    … Expand
  20. patrickmurphy09
    Sep 7, 2020
    4
    I really, really wanted to like this game. I wanted to be the contrarian to the many people who have hated this game and lived to tell the tale. Sure, I was not expecting this to live up to the gems that are the original Genesis classics, but I went in open-minded. And yet, I walked away never thinking I could dislike a 2D Sonic game so much. Y'all warned me, and I didn't listen.
    Mini    I really, really wanted to like this game. I wanted to be the contrarian to the many people who have hated this game and lived to tell the tale. Sure, I was not expecting this to live up to the gems that are the original Genesis classics, but I went in open-minded. And yet, I walked away never thinking I could dislike a 2D Sonic game so much. Y'all warned me, and I didn't listen.
    Mini rant: Why doesn't spin dash work after falling off edges? Why is Sonic so dang slow? Why does even his walk animation feel slower than me trying to get off the couch after overindulging on pizza? Why are there so many free fall animations that eliminate Sonic's hitbox altogether? What's worst? These must have been all intentional gameplay decisions by the developers. I'm all for mixing things up and changing things up a bit. However, what the best Sonic games did was build upon Sonic's skills and abilities while ramping up the dificultly around them. Past Sonic games did not eliminate capabilities to make Sonic weaker resulting in increased difficulty. They strove to be additive, always adding more. This feels like they wanted to insert new features (cool) like homing attack but instead removed hitboxes that should have been retained from the previous games.
    I would also fault the developers for creating such a small world here, except for the fact that I was glad there weren't any more levels, and that I was glad the trip was just over when I finished. To say this is 17 levels compared to the classics is misleading, as five of said levels are boss fights. I recall thinking after I played Splash Hill Act One, "Hm ... that's kinda cool, I get access to the first four worlds off the get-go and then can unlock the rest later." Nope! That's it! No more than those four worlds. And they are lazy worlds with unnecessarily boring and punishing platforming. You know, the kind of boring lazy approach to platforming that is more about creating artificial challenges while having nothing interesting for the player.
    There is not a singular level I want to go back and play. The music is unmemorable, which is ironic because it is inspired by Sonic 2, mostly, which has incredible music. Speaking of, the stages here are mostly influenced by Sonic 2 it seems. You would think this would make me happy, given the love I have for Sonic 2. No. This game puts you in a world with a nerfed, slower version of Sonic that is supposed to look more visually appealing but instead just aggravates you even more throughout the process.
    I really wanted to like you, Sonic 4. I wanted to prove the other reviewers wrong. This has been my least favorite Sonic experience yet. I loathe the fact that I will still probably play Episode II in a little bit because I want to check that one off my list. Except now, I know a taste of what i am in store for. May God have mercy on my soul.    … Expand
  21. Heracross93
    Oct 11, 2022
    4
    A flawed and disappointing extension of a beloved, classic trilogy. Lazy level design and poor physics are some of its biggest issues.
  22. Mpbpl
    May 3, 2021
    1
    Easily the worst Sonic game I ever played, probably the worst Sonic game ever.
    Let's start with the engine, the sound effects are from the Adventure series, and Sonic model, the enemies, Robotnik, the crates everything seems to be 3D, the game is 2D and that is the biggest problem, this is a converted 3D game into 2D on a 3D engine.
    The environment looks like sh*t, everything else looks    Easily the worst Sonic game I ever played, probably the worst Sonic game ever.
    Let's start with the engine, the sound effects are from the Adventure series, and Sonic model, the enemies, Robotnik, the crates everything seems to be 3D, the game is 2D and that is the biggest problem, this is a converted 3D game into 2D on a 3D engine.
    The environment looks like sh*t, everything else looks like it's not on the game, but put in front of the screen like the very old games, becuase of the 3D engine, the physics are all over the place, Sonic loses moment too fast, the camera is CRAZY close, when Sonic jumps he feels like in the moon, knock back is too far, Rings go TOO FAR depending on how you get hit, i could go on on.
    The stages are the not so different version from Sonic 1, all the best stages are here but hardly improved, if at all, almost nothing was created only rehashed, and some creations make tha slower than it already is.
    Sonic has a lot of momentum but he takes waaaay too long to run, that means that there is no indication of how fast you are really going, sometimes you can simply walk a ramp when you thought you had to run, and spindash is in it's worst form, too slow!
    Besides, the maintained bonus stage is the worst in the series, and with a difference, instead of controlling sonic, you control the stage with a time limit, making the worst EVER!
    Buy SONIC MANIA!! AVOID THIS!    … Expand
  23. gml74
    Jan 2, 2013
    0
    This game insults the Sonic brand. Levels are designed in good nostalgic style but the controls of this game, at least on PC, make it frustrating to play. Add to that the poor support and guesswork required to make it actually run. If you really want a traditional sonic experience go get the classic collection or something. The updated graphics are not worth the headache.
  24. ReviewScope
    Jun 14, 2014
    0
    To be incredibly honest, this has to be the worst game I have played in my life

    Pros:
    (None)

    Cons:
    Messy Controls
    Slow, irritating physics
    Repetitive Soundtrack
    Uninspired Levels

    If you are a hardcore sonic fan, i would suggest you avoid this game
  25. referencia
    Sep 18, 2020
    0
    Absolutamente horrível, controles ruins, gráficos ruins, músicas ruins, fases ruins, não possui nada que eu possa falar "pelo menos isso".

    Não perca seu tempo com isso.

Critic Reviews

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Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Mar 1, 2012
    79
    Although I do not normally side with gamers who prefer digital versions of games, in the case of episodic games, it's perfectly rational, especially when it's accompanied by a very logical price- priced at 7 euros, Sonic 4.1 does not disappoint. [March 2012]