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More news of the latest Sonic title is starting to hit the web thanks to an interview that can be found in Game Informer that features Takashi Iizuka from Sonic Team.

Highlights include:

• Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Episode 1 is the prologue to the story continued in Episode 2
• The team chose episodic and downloadable content because of the hard drive space available on the Wii and other devices. Furthermore, the team thought that fans would not want to pay full price for a 2D disc game
• The game utilizes 3D CG pre-rendered characters
• The Classic Special Stages will make their return
• Tails and Knuckles were hinted as characters in Episode 2, Iizuka states “Fans will be very pleased with the cast in Episode 2.”
• The physics will be similar to previous entries in the Sonic franchise and not like Little Big Planet
• Sonic’s move list includes: Spin Dash, Rolling Attack, Homing Attack, and new move
• You must collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds to unlock the cliff-hanger ending that leads to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Episode 2

The details of this interview lead me to more questions price point- does this mean that all of the downloadable episodes will not equal $60?

I’m guessing the initial DLC idea was decided prior to the release of New Super Mario Brothers Wii because I imagine that more gamers on the Wii would be inclined to pick up a box copy as many have yet to go online.

Iizuka addressed fan concern and stated about the homing attack: “I wanted the user to enjoy an easy-to-play feeling by the attack sequence that this  allows, and find the fun routes in the air.”

Iizuka went on to further address fan concern: “If Sonic 4’s return to form is the Sonic experience you have been waiting 16 years for, then we strongly encourage you to try this.”

_{[Source: Sonic Stadium via Destructoid]}

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