I remember being upset that this wasn't gonna release on WiiWare, lol

Every Sonic fan seems to have one or more game that they talk in this specific kind of reverence, as if its existence is this romantic tragedy. And apparent-f'ing-ly this is that game for me???

The game we know as "Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I" was at first all but a humble little iPhone game meant to cash in in the app store craze, seemingly built from the rush games' engine, borrowing its aesthetics from the series first few outings, no different from what other companies were doing with their IPs

Then some executive (likely from SOA) saw it while in development and thought that actually, this is exactly it, this is what we should hype up, expand and market as the Next Big Thing, the thing that would improve the IP's reputation

"Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II" is then a game made with everyone involved trying to just figure out what make out of this, attempting to make something out of such a thoughtless idea, attempting to make a new exciting game while handcuffed to this extremely limiting vison made out of the title that came before it. And despite its best attempts, it's been fated to only ever be looked back on when lumped with its predecessor

I had a nice time with Episode 2, the way you can exploit the team-up moves to bypass challenges has that "metal blade" fun to it and most act gimmicks being designed around it means they never get as bad as the ones in Episode 1 (though also not as interesting). White Park is my favorite zone aesthetically, it feels the most like a new take on ideas done before rather than a imitation, design-wise none frustrated or bothered me (that was the 7th special stage's job) but if I were to point out which stood out positively, the most I could say is like, Oil Desert

This is also one of those few 2.5D games that makes some use of the fact they have a whole Z-axis to play with for stage platforms, hazards and bosses, only a bit, and never as cool as what gens did, bit it still was a nice sight when it happened. I hope Superstars gets to do more stuff like that

Sonic 4 Episode II is much better than its predecessor: Episode I. It improves quite a few issues from the first game, including having better physics, level design, and boss fights. Although, none of these things are good now, just better. The game overall is just a bland experience that feels nothing like the classic games. However, I'll give this game one thing: The level themes are very unique, giving you a waterlogged medieval castle, a snowy amusement park, and a Mad Max-style desert filled with old, rusted oil refineries. These things have never been used for levels in Sonic before, and as a result, it does spice this game up a little. You could argue it's just a water level, snow level, and desert level... and in a way that is true, but Sonic 4 Episode II puts its own spin on them to make them stand out and I think that's the best part about this game. But beyond that, everything else is simply mid at best.

Comparado a Sonic 4: Episode 1 esse jogo é uma obra de arte, agora quando não comparamos esse dois jogos...

Falando sobre a gameplay ela teve algumas mudanças, foram adicionadas novas mecânicas com o Tails que são até que boas (Tirando a mecânica de voar que em 10 segundos o Tails já fica cansado)
A Trilha Sonora é ok com algumas musicas que se salvam, como a musica tema da Oil Desert que é ótima (na minha opinião)
Como o primeiro jogo a história continua ruim, genérica e esquecível
Incrivelmente os Special Stages F-U-N-C-I-O-N-A-M e são 10 vezes melhores do que no primeiro jogo. Tirando o sétimo Special Stage que (na minha opinião) é muito chato.
O jogo tem só uma fase "original" que é a primeira, o resto é reciclado do Sonic 2 e 3.
Os chefes são ruins principalmente as batalhas contra o Metal Sonic (Exceto a ultima)

O Sonic 4: Episode 2 é bem mais fácil que o primeiro mas definitivamente tá longe de ser um jogo bom.

Everything is just a little bit better than its predecessor. Better graphics, better level design, even slightly better bosses. You can even play as Metal Sonic in a side campaign, which I think is pretty badass.

Other than that, though, the physics are still a bit wonky (though not as atrocious as the last attempt), Tails is useless because can only fly for like 2 seconds, and the game as a whole is still inferior to the classics that “inspired” it. At this point, I think we all agree that Mania is the true Sonic 4.

From disappointment to improvement. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II improves on the first game while still being a mediocre product. It fixes the physics and momentum that the Dimps fucked up with in Episode 1, the levels are better designed, the special stages are a hundred times better than the claustrophobic maze, and the visuals have improved somewhat. I also like the new Tag Combo Sonic and Tails can utilize that cannot be crossed with just speed. There's a bit of fun to be had here to my surprise, but I wouldn't put it up there with the classic Sonic games. The music is hit or miss, and it's very transparent that Jun Senoue isn't the best when it comes to chiptune music, and we still see that today with Sonic Origins with a few of Sonic 3's music had to be changed due to legal issues. Even though I think the level design is an improvement, it's still bland and uninspired, and after finishing the game in about three hours, I feel nothing except pleased that I'm done with this game.

Well at least I finally played the duology, and I'm hear to say that I wasn't missing much.

I mean, it's a step up from the first game. That doesn't really say much though because almost everything is a step up. Won't be going too in depth for this one but basically it looks better, has better music, and plays better. Other than that, the controls on iOS are terrible because the screen is small and the game is mid. Overall, pretty much the definition of mid and while slightly better than the original, that doesn't say much.

Edit: I changed my score to match Episode I as this doesn't have enough going for it to be on a higher level than the first, let along with other games in the next tier.

EDIT: (13/06/2024) Minor word changes

Quite possibly the most mid Sonic game ever made, outside of Forces. The only parts I remember outright hating was some of the music and the Oil Desert boss. I still had fun, mainly with the special team up moves and White Park and Acts 2 and 3 of totally not Wing Fortress Zone. Also the visuals which look fantastic and I was so happy when Superstars when back to something similar to this, if you're not going for 2d sprites, this is how a 2D Sonic game should look