Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 offers fast paced platforming, but is too short and easy.
Well, the story takes off from Sonic and Knuckles. Robotnik is causing trouble again and you have to stop him.
The gameplay is your traditional Sonic gig. You run through a stage at incredibly high speeds. However, in Sonic 4 Episode 1, the homing attack is introduced. To use it, you press the button on the screen when a crosshair pops up.
Graphically speaking, the iPod Touch version looks the worst comparing to the other versions. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions look absolutly gorgeous, the Wii version while not as good still looks brilliant for a WiiWare title, and a Wii game overall. The iPod Touch version doesn't look terrible, but its surely not amazing either. It does look fine for an iPod Touch game.
The controls work fine. If you played other 2D Sonic games on the iPod Touch, you'll be familiar with the controls. You use the control pad and button on the screen. However, there are also tilt controls and some levels that are exclusive to the iPod Touch, since the tilt controls are used.
Once you beat the first stage, you get to pick the stage you want to play. Unlike the console versions, you get a menu of the worlds in this version, instead of a world map. You can actually play the levels out of order in the game.
The game also has special stages. You get to them by collecting at least 50 rings, then jumping into a giant ring at the end of the stage, just like in the first Sonic the Hedgehog. In the special stages, you tilt the world and try to collect enough rings to open passageways. However, in this game, you have a time limit, and you have to collect time to be able to collect the Chaos emeralds. Unlike the other games, if you collect all the Chaos Emeralds, you will be able to play as Super Sonic in any level, not just the last one.
The level designs are a bit over the top than the other Sonic games. There are a lot of trampolines and the levels are a lot more gimmicky. I've also noticed that the physics from the Genesis games are different. For one thing, Sonic runs faster, and some speed boosters are unneccesary.
The game is also very easy. Lives are easy to get since there are lots of rings. I was able to bank up many lives at once. The levels are easier thanks to the homing attack. Remember the slicers from Sonic 2? Yeah, those guys were maniacal in that game, but thanks to the homing attack, they aren't so bad.
The game is also very short. There are only 16 levels, and the whole game won't take you that long to beat. The game also costs $10, which is a bit pricey. I bought this game on sale for $5. However, I guess it's not really a problem since the console versions cost $15, and I felt that was too exspensive.
THE VERDICT!
Overall, Sonic 4 Episode 1 is a good game. It's not amazing, but it is a good step in the right direction. I hope the rest of the episodes are better than this. If you want to save money, then buy this version.
Final Score-
8- Great