Are you a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise or the SEGA Genesis? If so, you may be excited to know that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II was released in 2012. Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II is a must-play if you love platforming or running games.

Episode 2 is, however, more than just a platforming game. The game features more depth, with boss fights, evil villains, friends, and superpowers. Sonic also introduced a Bluetooth co-op in this episode. Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode II was developed by Dimps, with assistance from Sonic Team, and published by Sega in 2012.

The Best From Episode I and More

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II is a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and continues the story from that episode. It features players controlling Sonic as he runs through levels collecting rings and defeating enemies. There are some new additions in this installment, such as new moves for Sonic and Tails and a cooperative play mode that allows two players to control Sonic and Tails simultaneously.

The Fight Between Good and Evil

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II picks up where the first game left off, with Sonic and Tails teaming up to take down Dr. Eggman. The evil doctor has harnessed the power of the Chaos Emeralds and is using them to build a Death Egg – a giant space station that he plans to use to take over the world.

Sonic and Tails travel across various locations to stop Eggman’s plans, including jungles, deserts, and frozen tundras. Along the way, they are joined by Amy Rose, who helps them fight against Eggman’s forces. The three heroes eventually confront Eggman on board his Death Egg, and after a fierce battle, they successfully destroy it.

Tails Bring in More Drama and Adventure

The addition of Sonic’s friend/annoying pendant, Tails, was a great idea for the franchise. Having two characters means you can play co-op, and even when playing solo, the AI ​​controlling Tails is good enough to make him a valuable partner. But most of the time, Tails’ role is enhanced by combining with Sonic to create a more powerful ball (ideal for smashing large objects) or saving Sonic from falling and his spinning appendages. These aids come in handy once you start playing the game.

Although Tails has no real role to play on his own, Dimps and Sonic Team were able to provide some puzzles here and there. Thankfully, there’s no element of levels or even requirements for using his skills, which makes it even more fun, and helps players concentrate on their original missions.

The level design is simple but classic. The power-ups, detours, alternate paths, and other trademarks from Sega make the game more like a traditional, simple, Sonic platformer. The improved graphics and design make it more similar to previous Sonic games than Episode I.

You Get to Play More Than One Character in This Episode

One of the biggest changes in this installment is that players can now choose between playing as Sonic or Tails at any point during the game (in previous installments, it only allowed you to play as one character or the other throughout the game). This new development adds some much-needed variety to the gameplay and allows players to experience each level differently, depending on their chosen character. Additionally, both characters have unique abilities, which come in handy during certain sections of levels – for example, only Tails can fly, so if there’s an area that requires flight, then you’ll need him instead of Sonic.

Another change is that Amy Rose is now a playable character too! She doesn’t have a dedicated campaign like Sonic and Tails do, but she does appear during specific sections of levels, usually towards the end when you’re about to face off against one of Eggman’s bosses. You don’t have access to any special abilities when playing as Amy, but she moves faster than Sonic and Tails, making her perfect for those tight platforming sections.

The Classic Air Attack Move is Back 

Sonic’s air attack ability (which allows him to charge at a target in the air and destroy it) returned in Episode II. The kick in the air allows for better air combinations and provides one of the two true opportunities in the game to feel the speed. The second comes in the “3D” stages of Episode II, where Sonic and Tails constantly run under sticks and loops, collecting rings and avoiding (or killing) bad guys. There are very few of these bonus stages in Episode II, but when they occur, they’re great fun to compete in, especially if you have a buddy along for the ride.

In terms of graphics, not much has changed from Episode I. It’s still that colorful, bouncy, fun theme you loved. However, there are some definite improvements, most noticeably with how fluid everything looks in motion. Whether you are soaring high above clouds with Tails or dashing along at breakneck speeds, everything flows together smoothly, giving an overall more polished look and feel compared to Episode I.

Engaging Boss Fights With Simple Mechanics 

Although somewhat repetitive, the boss fights are something you should look forward to playing. The battles aren’t too complicated or too easy to discourage players. The gameplay is simple enough to keep you on track throughout the game. However, since there are two characters and more rings (which also serve as Sonic’s life meter), it’s almost impossible to die.

This new development helps players to play each round for longer durations. It also allows advanced players to increase their extra lives by collecting more rings and not fighting bosses. The first fights aren’t always easy, but you will eventually get the hang of it. Once you understand how to defeat the bosses, the gameplay will become easier, and you will find it easier to achieve your targets.

Conclusion

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II gives you everything you could want in a sequel and much more than you’d expect. There are new modes and characters, cooperative gameplay, improved graphics, and many new levels to continue the original game. I wasn’t disappointed after playing the new episode, as Sega delivered beyond my expectations. The game is not just fun but adventurous and challenging.