Sonic 4 Episode 2 offers a free chapter, but no love for Wii owners

Bobby Miller 11 Apr, 2012 at 4:07pm ET Article published in Gaming

SEGA has supplied details on a incentive they’re offering to sweeten the deal for gamers looking to buy the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2. If you own both Sonic 4: Episode 1 and Episode 2 on the same platform, you can unlock “Episode Metal” for free, which puts players in control of Metal Sonic and bridges the story gap between Sonic CD and Sonic 4. The catch? If you own Sonic 4 Episode 1 on the Nintendo Wii, you get nothing. Sonic 4: Episode 2 will not be released for the system.

Sonic 4: Episode 2 continues the revitalization of the classic, proper way to play Sonic the Hedgehog. The 2.5D sidescroller was received well by fans when it was released a little over a year ago. Episode 2 will continue the story of Sonic Vs. Dr. Robotnik (I refuse to call him Dr. Eggman. REFUSE!), while bringing another classic villain into the mix—Metal Sonic. First introduced in Sonic CD, Metal Sonic has become a prominent antagonist in Sonic-related games, shows, and comic books alike. Racing Metal Sonic in Sonic CD is one of my favorite adolescent gaming memories, and having a chance to revisit my favorite character in the franchise is certainly something to look forward to.

Episode Metal will feature the metallic speedster as a playable character. Metal Sonic tears through a new adventure across four reworked acts from Episode 1. Details are vague, but it sounds as if in an effort to explain how Metal Sonic has gone from complete destruction at the end of Sonic CD to being back in one piece to challenge Sonic in Episode 2, you’ll spend the acts of Episode Metal rebuilding yourself.

It has been announced that Sonic 4: Episode 2 will be available on PSN and Xbox LIVE Arcade, but where the previous title was released on the Wii via WiiWare, Episode 2 will not be making an appearance on Nintendo’s system. This isn’t a huge deal considering most gamers can just grab Episode 2 on another platform, but when SEGA offers something as cool as Episode Metal, it really flips a middle finger to those that bought Episode 1 on the Wii. In order to enjoy that content, Wii owners will have to re-buy Episode 1 on the platform of choice in addition to Episode 2. This sort of platform denial clearly illustrates the kind of problems that can occur with choosing an episodic solution as opposed to releasing a fully packaged game.

There is certainly a present ire in the fans that purchased Episode 1 on WiiWare. One quick glance at the comments on SEGA’s official blog tells a story of disappointed gamers who feel betrayed by the company. It would be wise of SEGA to offer a download of Sonic 4: Episode 1 on any platform for free to Wii owners of the title, but currently no plans to do so have been announced.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will be available on May 15 for $14.99 on the Playstation Network, or for 1200 points on Xbox Arcade Live.

Comments

11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:11pm Ilriyas Whelp, looks like I'm grabbing Sonic 4 eps 1&2 Gotta go fast.

Also how'd I know the first image for this article was going to be Metal Sonic.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:12pm primesuspect Any mention of a PC version?
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:24pm UPSLynx No mention of PC version, just PS3 and Xbox (plus mobile on Android iPhone, but meh)
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:28pm primesuspect So PC owners of Ep. 1 could be just as screwed as Wii owners.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:33pm Ilriyas WOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOO SEGA!
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:38pm Canti Why the hell would they NOT want to release this for the Wii. Do they not want to make money anymore?

Also,
Metal Sonic. First introduced in Sonic CD
Wat
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:40pm midga
W___________ G____________ SEGA!
Sonic fix'd it.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:45pm Thrax @Canti:

That's not Metal Sonic. The real Metal Sonic was, in fact, intro'd in Sonic CD.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 4:51pm Canti He's made of metal. He looks like Sonic. He is Metal Sonic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sonic_the_Hedgehog_video_game_characters#Metal_Sonic
11 Apr 2012 ~ 5:06pm UPSLynx That's Silver Sonic, Canti. Learn 2 Sanic.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 5:06pm primesuspect Point goes to Canti
11 Apr 2012 ~ 5:18pm Canti That is garbage. http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Silver_Sonic

Silver Sonic -"It is apparently an early version of Metal Sonic, a better known robotic double of Sonic."

That argument is like saying old school Sonic and new Sonic are two completely different characters because they're designs are slightly different.

Both are robotic versions of Sonic built by Dr. Robotnik to do Robotnik shit. They are the same Metal Sonic. Just because they painted him blue later doesn't make him a different character.

If anything is Silver Sonic this thing is. http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Silver_the_Hedgehog
11 Apr 2012 ~ 5:27pm Canti Also this from the Silver Sonic article. "Silver Sonic appears as a beta character in Sonic the Fighters, if one manages to play as Metal Sonic by changing the game codes, Silver Sonic appears as a clone of him that player two will play as."

So does that mean that if you use a character skin other than the default in a game that you're actually not the character you picked?
11 Apr 2012 ~ 5:45pm RahnalH102 Well here's the thing, Robotnik has made multiple Sonic bots. Silver Sonic and like 2 other models are bulky builds that deal more in power then in speed. Metal Sonic is a separate model and is all about going fast. Metal has also had this same jet torso and stick appendages build for all of his appearances so the one shown here was first introduced in CD even though he wasn't the first "Metal" Sonic. Whether he is indeed a remodel of the first one is unknown (to me.)

So in conclusion, you're both right, your argument is invalid.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 7:13pm BHHammy "The 2.5D sidescroller was received well by fans when it was released a little over a year ago."

That's far from the tune I heard. And honestly, I agree with -some- of them.

If they haven't fixed some of the issues they had with the first one in this second one, it isn't worth dropping your money on anyway.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 7:14pm primesuspect
11 Apr 2012 ~ 7:16pm primesuspect
11 Apr 2012 ~ 7:18pm Canti
11 Apr 2012 ~ 8:38pm RahnalH102
"The 2.5D sidescroller was received well by fans when it was released a little over a year ago."

That's far from the tune I heard. And honestly, I agree with -some- of them.

If they haven't fixed some of the issues they had with the first one in this second one, it isn't worth dropping your money on anyway.
All I remember hearing was that the difficulty really ramps up towards the end and the lack of tails following you. I haven't gotten that far yet but the main complaint I have is just the lack of explained menu controls. What key is [red square] supposed to be, etc. I haven't had any other problems though.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 8:58pm Ilriyas I personally thought 2.5D was really cool the way it made it look like you could go towards or away from the screen while still moving sideways (ex. Classic mode Sonic Generations) is just fun. I haven't noticed any real issues with it but I guess either I've got to play Sonic 4 or I have to play more SG.

I've never had problems with awkward controls or control guides I play games the same way I learn to take apart and reassemble machinery. Screw around with things until something happens then remember it!
11 Apr 2012 ~ 11:29pm NLichtman It's always good to see a Sonic game that goes back to the old-school 2D side-scrolling experience that we all know and love.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 11:51pm UPSLynx No. You are wrong, Canti. Canonically, Silver Sonic and Metal Sonic are two different robots. It says so in the manual, it says so in the comics. Heck, you can't even categorize Mecha Sonic like that, it's still another robot (and then you involve the BEM and crap gets messy because technically is IS Sonic). Robotnik built Silver Sonic, it failed. He took what he learned and improved on it with Metal Sonic. They are different constructions, they are different characters.

Your analogy fails because classic Sonic and modern Sonic are the same person, only aged. Silver Sonic and Metal are two completely different constructions. Different functions, objectives, innards, everything.

Robot Sonic was introduced in Sonic 2, but the true Metal Sonic is Sonic CD. Deal with it.

Don't mess with me in Sonic. You are not ready.
11 Apr 2012 ~ 11:53pm Thrax Real Talk™
12 Apr 2012 ~ 9:00am BHHammy Though in all fairness, let's be honest- his design in SANIC and NICKLES was the best of them all, for that time.

And he could go SUPER METAL SANIC.
12 Apr 2012 ~ 9:51am midga @Canti
I watched that on a compy right behind my boss, and almost blew a gasket trying not to laugh aloud. Thanks for that.

I've never had problems with awkward controls or control guides I play games the same way I learn to take apart and reassemble machinery. Screw around with things until something happens then remember it!
Good policy for a lot of things. I'd insert an innuendo here, but that'd run the risk of making it sound sarcastic.
No. You are wrong, Canti. Canonically, Silver Sonic and Metal Sonic are two different robots. It says so in the manual, it says so in the comics. Heck, you can't even categorize Mecha Sonic like that, it's still another robot (and then you involve the BEM and crap gets messy because technically is IS Sonic). Robotnik built Silver Sonic, it failed. He took what he learned and improved on it with Metal Sonic. They are different constructions, they are different characters.

Your analogy fails because classic Sonic and modern Sonic are the same person, only aged. Silver Sonic and Metal are two completely different constructions. Different functions, objectives, innards, everything.

Robot Sonic was introduced in Sonic 2, but the true Metal Sonic is Sonic CD. Deal with it.

Don't mess with me in Sonic. You are not ready.
I love geek rage sooooooooo much :3
12 Apr 2012 ~ 2:41pm Bandrik

This is the only TRUE Sonic sequel for me. All others are too slow. Deal with it.
12 Apr 2012 ~ 10:15pm UPSLynx I watch Sanic the Sandraker daily. It never fails to make my day brighter.