Tails flies his way into Sonic 4: Episode 2

In a recent interview, Sega Brand Manager Ken Balough teased some of what the Sonic fanbase can expect from the next episode of Sonic 4. Among other things, it was revealed that the digitally distributed successor to the Genesis-era Sonic the Hedgehog titles would allow Tails to join Sonic in his adventure.

The twin-tailed fox isn't the only one finding his way into Sonic 4: Episode 2. Sonic's old rival, Metal Sonic, will be playing the role of villain this time around it seems. Whether this means he'll merely be piloting familiar boss robots from Sonic's past, as Eggman did in the last game, or that this will be a good excuse to invent entirely new opponents for Sonic to square off against is still unclear.

Another change that Sonic 4: Episode 2 will be seeing to better contrast it with its predecessor are the new graphics and physics engines. Not only will Sonic 4 look even better, but the minds behind it promise something much more akin to the momentum-based physics of the original games. No longer will Sonic uncurl as he goes uphill.

It's still far too early to make any sort of guesses as to whether or not Sonic 4: Episode 2 will live up to the Genesis classics, as the game doesn't yet have a more specific release date than 2012, but Dimps and Sonic Team sound like they're off to a good start.

Sonic 4: Episode 2 was supposedly delayed so the teams involved could focus on Sonic Generations. With Generations out of the way, it shouldn't be too long before we have a clearer picture of what to expect. Maybe, just maybe, this will finally be the game to break the Sonic Cycle and bring back that long-lost sense of childlike wonder that Sonic fans have been missing for many years.

Staff article by Skyler Bunderson (December 30, 2011) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this news article, you can update your bio from the Settings page.