Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

 Xbox 360
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 168 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 168
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 168
  3. Negative: 71 out of 168

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  1. SonicFan20
    Nov 17, 2022
    5
    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. 5/10… Expand
  2. Mamba_Tabac
    Oct 16, 2010
    7
    I found Sonic 4 to be a bit of a mixed bag - there were things I really liked about it, and other things that definitely need improvement. Positives? Well I have to say it's visually stunning - the stages look wonderful, especially the Labyrinth levels. I also like how they carried over cues from Sonic 3 by having each act of a stage having slight variations on music/visuals that keepsI found Sonic 4 to be a bit of a mixed bag - there were things I really liked about it, and other things that definitely need improvement. Positives? Well I have to say it's visually stunning - the stages look wonderful, especially the Labyrinth levels. I also like how they carried over cues from Sonic 3 by having each act of a stage having slight variations on music/visuals that keeps things fresh as you progress through the game. The game also has wonderful level design, with huge chunky stages with multiple paths to be explored, which is great for replay and time attack junkies. Problems? Well it does seem a bit on the short side - but then if you compare it to Sonic 1 it does have fewer stages, but the levels are much bigger so overall it's about the same size. Also, the difficulty progression is way off. 90% of the game is far too easy - by the final stage you should easily have 30+ lives, and then the final stage presents a huge difficulty spike that comes out of nowhere, leaving the game feeling somewhat unbalanced. The physics. Boy - the physics. A lot of people have said the physics are game breaking and terrible, and granted they need improvement but they are not that bad. There seems to be some issues with the spin dash practically stopping if you go off an edge, jumps halting in mid-air if you let go of the direction, and being able to to stand and spin-dash on near vertical surfaces. However none of these are game breaking really, and only arise on occasion or if you are looking for such things. Other things? Special stages are fun if a bit frustrating, Sonic's animations are good for the most part but his running seems wrong (initially he moves faster than his animation makes it appear and his full speed animation frankly looks obnoxious, but hey...). Homing attack is a welcome addition in my opinion - it gives the exploration a bit more scope when you notice a 'lock on' to something out of reach. Music is ok - really liked the Labyrinth tunes, but the Dr Eggman theme 1 is frankly rubbish.
    Overall I think the game is worth playing, so long as you're willing to accept it's not going to live up to the Sonic 4 that's in your head. I feel it's definately a step in the right direction, but there are certainly a few more steps to go before this series is back on track. Hopefully Episode 2 will be closer.    … Expand
  3. Heelover
    Oct 19, 2010
    5
    Overall, this game has stunning graphics and includes a new weapon in Sonic's Arsenal, the homing attack. Other than that, that's about it. There isn't much in this game for 1200 Microsoft points. All the zones, Acts, enemies and bosses were derived from parts of other games, like for example the crushing wall you see in Sonic 3, the old yellow landscape with the water from Sonic 1, andOverall, this game has stunning graphics and includes a new weapon in Sonic's Arsenal, the homing attack. Other than that, that's about it. There isn't much in this game for 1200 Microsoft points. All the zones, Acts, enemies and bosses were derived from parts of other games, like for example the crushing wall you see in Sonic 3, the old yellow landscape with the water from Sonic 1, and the annoying star enemy from Sonic 2. I've pleased to at least complete the game, but as I only did it in 2 days, there isn't much lasting appeal.… Expand
  4. QuietStorm80
    Oct 17, 2010
    5
    Sega managed to NOT destroy a Sonic game finally! They also managed NOT to return Sonic to Genesis greatness either. Sonic seems slow, slow, slow. Jumping has been slowed down as well as the running which causes a few unwarranted deaths. The updated graphics are a minimal upgrade at best. The worst part is the game bears the coveted name "Sonic the Hedgehog 4." This IS NOT Sonic 4. ASega managed to NOT destroy a Sonic game finally! They also managed NOT to return Sonic to Genesis greatness either. Sonic seems slow, slow, slow. Jumping has been slowed down as well as the running which causes a few unwarranted deaths. The updated graphics are a minimal upgrade at best. The worst part is the game bears the coveted name "Sonic the Hedgehog 4." This IS NOT Sonic 4. A more fitting title would have been "Sonic Remix." The game cost $15/1200 MS points and only features 4 zones...the EXACT 4 zones from Sonic part 1 with a few changes here and there. In the end, only the most DEDICATED Sonic fans will fall in love again with the world's most famous Blue Bullet.… Expand
  5. sonicfan
    Oct 18, 2010
    5
    I had high hopes, bought the game and seemed like all the nitpicking and whining alot of fans had been shouting was true from the beginning.

    I am so dissapointed and feel ripped off big time. People that like this game have no taste in quality and I believe are mostly fanboys. Sonicteam needs to stop listening to them fanboys because they are one of the reasons why sonicteam doesn't get    I had high hopes, bought the game and seemed like all the nitpicking and whining alot of fans had been shouting was true from the beginning.

    I am so dissapointed and feel ripped off big time. People that like this game have no taste in quality and I believe are mostly fanboys. Sonicteam needs to stop listening to them fanboys because they are one of the reasons why sonicteam doesn't get encouraged to put effort in their games. This game deserves all the negativity it's getting and I hope less people will make the same mistake as I have.

    This game **** sucks.    … Expand
  6. Wily383
    Apr 19, 2012
    6
    I think this game should get more credit than it deserves. It has great gameplay, excellent graphics and music, and was pretty fun to play. The achievements are great, they're difficult and keep the player playing the game. However, there are some parts that are a bit confusing in the levels. My biggest rage about the game is the actual zones. Sega couldn't come up with any newI think this game should get more credit than it deserves. It has great gameplay, excellent graphics and music, and was pretty fun to play. The achievements are great, they're difficult and keep the player playing the game. However, there are some parts that are a bit confusing in the levels. My biggest rage about the game is the actual zones. Sega couldn't come up with any new original ideas for zones, so they just stole from a bunch of other Sonic games. Even the boss battles are stolen and modified versions of previous ones. Sega kept on advertising Sonic 4 as a sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles, but there is no story to this game at all. It just feels like a rough copy and paste from other Sonic genesis games. My last complaint is that it is too short; it's about 4 1/2 zones long, the 1/2 being the final boss level. All I can say is that I hope Sonic 4 Episode 2 actually has some original ideas in it, or they could at least rip off Ice Cap Zone from Sonic 3; that one was my favorite....… Expand
  7. nightsharks23
    Feb 18, 2013
    5
    I was spectacle when I first heard the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was coming on the Xbox Live Arcade. I didn't get the feeling that the game would be as great as the original trilogy of Sonic games and that's what I expected when I played the game. The Graphics look great and arguably the best looking Sonic game to date. The gameplay is alright. The game is very short, the levels are basicallyI was spectacle when I first heard the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was coming on the Xbox Live Arcade. I didn't get the feeling that the game would be as great as the original trilogy of Sonic games and that's what I expected when I played the game. The Graphics look great and arguably the best looking Sonic game to date. The gameplay is alright. The game is very short, the levels are basically the same from Sonic the Hedgehog 1 with minor changes. Why call this Sonic the Hedgehog 4 if you are going to rehash the original Sonic game. There are also some problem solving to get through a level which drived me insane. Last is the music the game is fantastic. The opening theme to the first level is so nice I went up listening to the same song while I'm playing my music. Not much to say about the game. Its basically the same sonic games as the others.… Expand
  8. MrSonicFan
    Apr 23, 2013
    7
    The game is not as bad as people like sonic retro make it out to be. Sure the physics are completely non existent.Which you cannot really understand as Dimps had already done classic sonic physics in sonic advance. But the level design is well done the music is catchy and the graphics are great. And when you get used to the way it plays the game is not that bad. At least it is better thanThe game is not as bad as people like sonic retro make it out to be. Sure the physics are completely non existent.Which you cannot really understand as Dimps had already done classic sonic physics in sonic advance. But the level design is well done the music is catchy and the graphics are great. And when you get used to the way it plays the game is not that bad. At least it is better than episode 2....… Expand
  9. GranTheftWalrus
    Feb 4, 2017
    7
    Sonic 4 is pretty good, it's like New Super Mario Bros and Mega Man 9/10 although those games are great and Sonic 4 episode 1 isn't great. The game is good arcade Sonic fun by all accounts, the problem is that it doesn't deserve to be called Sonic 4. It doesn't have as much content as Sonic 3 and the stages are way too similar to previous ones. The level design is great though so Sonic 4Sonic 4 is pretty good, it's like New Super Mario Bros and Mega Man 9/10 although those games are great and Sonic 4 episode 1 isn't great. The game is good arcade Sonic fun by all accounts, the problem is that it doesn't deserve to be called Sonic 4. It doesn't have as much content as Sonic 3 and the stages are way too similar to previous ones. The level design is great though so Sonic 4 pleased me as a fan of the genesis games but it should've been better.… Expand
  10. CarlosJDiaz
    Nov 9, 2017
    6
    Sonic 4 aunque tenga buena música y sea divertido.Se queda muy corto ,hay pocas zonas ,los niveles son calcas de niveles que habíamos visto en otros juegos , los gráficos son buenos pero al parecer Sonic es mas brillante que el mismo escenario y molesta a la vista, las físicas brillan por su ausencia.
    En resumen no es un mal juego pero necesita PULIRSE si se hubiera sido un juego entero    Sonic 4 aunque tenga buena música y sea divertido.Se queda muy corto ,hay pocas zonas ,los niveles son calcas de niveles que habíamos visto en otros juegos , los gráficos son buenos pero al parecer Sonic es mas brillante que el mismo escenario y molesta a la vista, las físicas brillan por su ausencia.
    En resumen no es un mal juego pero necesita PULIRSE si se hubiera sido un juego entero sin episodios tal vez hubiera sido mas bueno.
    Este no es Sonic 4 no esta a la altura de sus predecesores ni siquiera de los juegos anteriores de Dimps.    … Expand
  11. ZXSth
    Aug 6, 2023
    6
    A game that probably shoots itself in the foot by calling itself "Sonic the Hedgehog 4," but ultimately provided a half-decent experience that was too short to justify its price tag.

    Sonic 4 is definitely different from what one might expect of a numbered entry in the Sonic series. Its titular character controls in a much floatier way than he did in prior entries, and his appearance and    A game that probably shoots itself in the foot by calling itself "Sonic the Hedgehog 4," but ultimately provided a half-decent experience that was too short to justify its price tag.

    Sonic 4 is definitely different from what one might expect of a numbered entry in the Sonic series. Its titular character controls in a much floatier way than he did in prior entries, and his appearance and abilities seem to echo those of the Sonic we've seen in the Adventure games as opposed to Sonic 2 or 3. As such, this game will likely put off many who revere the Genesis games - however, as someone who thoroughly enjoyed the Adventure games, I saw this game as relatively inoffensive, but also not particularly interesting.

    Sonic 4: Episode 1 was an interesting experiment by Sega that, at worst, is not particularly fun. Its typically solid soundtrack and relatively smooth gameplay make it worth checking out for some Sonic fans, but I also believe most fans of the series may feel a bit let down by this game's design choices.    … Expand
  12. schimidtwas
    Sep 11, 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
  13. grimreapersims
    Mar 10, 2022
    6
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  14. ROTSA2
    Sep 13, 2022
    6
    64%

    It mostly feels like a rehash of the first Sonic, it's too short, and its graphics are crappy, even for a 2010 intended-for-mobile game. However, its level design and physics save the entire game.
  15. Navas7-
    Dec 26, 2022
    6
    It's probably an ALRIGHT game !
    But definantly don't deserve to be called SONIC 4 !

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010
84
#84 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 43
  3. Negative: 5 out of 43
  1. Games Master UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    88
    No just a rehash, but a brilliant game in itself. Sonic reigns once more. [Issue#232, p.88]
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    70
    A good, if unspectacular, platform outing. [Issue#66, p.104]
  3. Gameblog.fr
    Dec 22, 2010
    40
    Sonic The Hedgehog Episode 4 seems to be more of a Sonic the Hedgehog 1.2 (calling it "A.5" would put it too close to the brilliant Sonic 2...). The levels don't surprise, the soundtrack bores, and more importantly the blue hedgehog's inertia and dullness make it a real disappointment in 2010. We'll try not to resent it too much, since it's a rather cheap downloadable game, but it's still a very short game as well. Love is blind, so some may still enjoy it, but we'd rather advise them to try out the DS games, which are closer to today's expectations of a 2D journey with the supersonic hedgehog.
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