Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II Image
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61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

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6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 116 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II will expand the Sonic 4 storyline with new areas to speed through and new challenges to face.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 - 20th Anniversary Teaser Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 31
  2. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. May 16, 2012
    83
    Except for the surprisingly annoying music and the rather short playtime Sonic shows off his best side: The levels are big and invite you to explore, the teamactions are entertaining. If you're into retro-gameplay, this is one for you.
  2. Games Master UK
    Jun 25, 2012
    77
    Occasionally misguided, but not without some major wow moments and epic ideas. [August 2012, p.73]
  3. May 18, 2012
    70
    The level design, gameplay and 3D bonus rounds will definitely feel right at home with long-time players, while the frustrating boss battles and terrible soundtrack leave you wondering where Sega could've slipped up in development.
  4. May 15, 2012
    60
    It gets most of the mechanics right, and it certainly looks like Sonic, but this new episode doesn't have the heart or the imagination of the originals.
  5. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Jun 19, 2012
    60
    There's no denying the rodent's getting a little arthritic in his old age. [Issue#86, p.103]
  6. May 30, 2012
    60
    This classic Sonic game gets very hard when played on your own, but as soon as a friend joins and plays as Tails, everything gets a bit too easy. This games misses gimmicky new features and the levels do not differ much, apart from the theme ofcourse. It's fun to run around with the super speedy Sonic, but unfortunately this game lacks innovation.
  7. May 22, 2012
    40
    What we have now is a Sonic game that takes a step forward from Episode 1, but is still a step back from a game half a year old. Sonic 4: Episode 2 certainly isn't the worst game to grace the series over the years, but not even the most steadfast Sonic fans will fondly remember Episode 2 as one of their favorites, if it is remembered at all.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 45
  2. Negative: 9 out of 45
  1. May 17, 2012
    10
    Honestly people are so unwilling to give Sonic a chance. This game murders Episode 1, and exceeds in every way that Episode 1 did and didn't.Honestly people are so unwilling to give Sonic a chance. This game murders Episode 1, and exceeds in every way that Episode 1 did and didn't. Even though Im a fan Im NOT going to lie, of course the game isn't perfect, for example the music is really high pitched and jingly (sounds like a concoction of bells), and on boss fights there is an insanely amount of rings provided which kills all the difficulty the boss brings(even though you will appreciate this later when you get all the chaos emeralds hence Super Sonic )!! But the game gives you some nice trade-offs, in return you get superb graphics, great platforming, and lots of speed (not as fast as the Classic Sonic from Generations though)! I love this game because it introduces things I've never seen before in the series. It has some slight downfalls that keep it from being great, but it's a solid sequel this time around that I will play over and over, and in my opinion that's the definition of a good game... ;) Expand
  2. May 17, 2012
    10
    This game is amazing. The minute it starts the game just feels better, as it felt more like the first 3. Also, the teamwork with Tails isThis game is amazing. The minute it starts the game just feels better, as it felt more like the first 3. Also, the teamwork with Tails is great. Don't bother with the critics who rated this game, theres a lot more critics who still have to rate it too. So overall i say this is a must have to anybody. Expand
  3. May 19, 2012
    9
    A very solid release with great gameplay, pretty graphics and average music. Pick it up while it's on sale or something. You might lose a fewA very solid release with great gameplay, pretty graphics and average music. Pick it up while it's on sale or something. You might lose a few hours to it. Expand
  4. May 25, 2013
    7
    Ever since Sonic Colors, Sonic has been back on top. Lately, his games have been doing better than what he did during the 2000s decade. SonicEver since Sonic Colors, Sonic has been back on top. Lately, his games have been doing better than what he did during the 2000s decade. Sonic 4 episode 1 was a good game. Sonic Colors is my personal favorite Sonic game. Sonic Generations did great blending in classic and modern stages. next up in the line is Sonic 4 episode 2. Sonic 4 episode 1 was great, but this sequel manages to improve big aspects of the game, while others get a bit worse. The story keeps it simple like the previous games. No subplots or anything else, just a hedgehog trying to stop a doctor. I'm glad SEGA has realized that Sonic games do better with simpler stories, so it fits right in with this game. The co-op system in Episode 2 works just fine. Tails can fly and swim just well, and the spin attack, while great for getting past obstacles, seems like a bit of a game breaker. The graphics are a HUGE upgrade from episode 1, and they look beautiful. Not as good as Sonic Generations, but still very well done for a downloadable title.The controls are a lot smoother thanks to the improved physics engine. rolling as much more useful and Sonic won't stop immediately like he did in episode 1. The soundtrack for the game is decent. Some tunes are pretty catchy, with the exception of the pinch music that constantly plays during eggman boss fights. Some things, however, get progressively worse as you go along. the boss battles in the game aren't too impressive. While they are a lot more original bosses than episode 1, they seem very bland. The zones also aren't that original. they look like the zones from Sonic 2, with the exception of white park zone, which is somewhat original. But the absolute worst part of the game is the special stages. as if it wasn't bad enough that Sega is using the same half pipe stages AGAIN, the stages, especially the last 3 ones, take a lot of memorization. if you screw up too many times, you will have to start them all over again thanks to the numerous things that can assure you a failure. Overall, Sonic 4 Episode 2 is a decent game that should be checked out if you're a fan of platformers. if you liked episode 1, you'll probably like episode 2. if you didn't like episode 1, this episode may be the one you're looking for. Expand
  5. May 30, 2012
    7
    First of all, regardless of what I say in this review, I do recommend buying the game if you are an old school Sonic fan (i.e. the GenesisFirst of all, regardless of what I say in this review, I do recommend buying the game if you are an old school Sonic fan (i.e. the Genesis days sonic 1/2/3 etc). I'll start by saying I was quite disappointed with Sega's first attempt to bring Sonic back in S4EP1, which just felt awkward to play and had terrible physics. For the most part, EP2 fixes all of these issues. For example the jumping forwards/backwards momentum and the pace at which it took to get up to full running speed were awful in EP1 and I have found them to be much better in EP2 to the point where it feels like a classic game. The only part they didnt resolve in my opinion is the speed dash which still feels sluggish compared to the classic games but it by no means diminished my gameplay experience.

    The levels are huge with a number of puzzles to tackle. They also give you plenty to explore and lots to enjoy. Regards the Tails mechanic, I found it difficult to get to grips with at first but overall the mechanic of having your sidekick back is great fun and opens up new methods of tackling each level with the new abilities. The bosses were much more interesting and the difficult balance was just right compared with EP1, I really enjoyed them all. The short cut scenes make the game much more story based and involved where as episode 1 was very lacking in this department. The level where you control the plane and battle metal sonic in the sky was also fantastic and felt very nostalgic as well. Special stages are fantastic. If anything this was one of my favourite parts of the game and retrying certain stages again and again to get an emerald didnt feel tedious in the slightest, I actually found it enjoyable no matter how many times I did them. Super Sonic is awesome and the feel of his character is just right (speed wise, jump height, look etc). Finally getting the hidden red rings on each level adding an extra level of play to allow you to go back and try to get them all.

    My criticisms would be as follows:
    - The majority of the music in this game is quite bad. This for me was the only major downside to the game but once you get used to it you don't really notice it
    - Speed dash seems sluggish still, could be improved by speeding it up the more you charge
    - The difficulty of the last boss was a little bit too easy for my taste. The last boss in Episode One was too difficult and by contrast they seem to have gone to the other end of the spectrum with Episode 2. Something in the middle of the two would have been preferable. All other boss difficulties in the game are just right difficulty wise and very enjoyable

    To conclude, I highly recommend the game and found it very enjoyable and a nice trip down memory lane. I sincerely hope they take this game model and make a few tweaks for a 3rd episode which I would definitely buy following this addition.
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  6. May 17, 2012
    5
    Although there was made improvements (Such as graphics and plot), Sonic 4 Episode Two shamefully brings more of the same disappointmentAlthough there was made improvements (Such as graphics and plot), Sonic 4 Episode Two shamefully brings more of the same disappointment brought by his antecessor. Not only with physics this time. About physics, they were fixed in some points, but later it was revealed that there are scripted speed occurring on the game, again getting to ruin your fun. Tails was another broken promise by SEGA, they didn't bring him back: they brought Tails as a game gimmick, the worst treatment a character on the Sonic series could ever receive. This is summed up with the horrendous music, the same style was brought back from Episode One. So, it turns out that the game has turned to a sad example of DIMPS' abilities and SEGA's incompetence. Expand
  7. Oct 11, 2012
    0
    This is a HUGE STEP from Episode I. Graphics, Music (it isn´t the best in the series, but I enjoyed some like Sky Fortress III, OilThis is a HUGE STEP from Episode I. Graphics, Music (it isn´t the best in the series, but I enjoyed some like Sky Fortress III, Oil Desert I, Sylvania Castle III), Gameplay with Tails , everything is better. And the most important: it is hard, but not unfair. Very good, if you love 2D platform game, you must play it.
    My only concern is about the longevity, it is too short!
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See all 45 User Reviews