| Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode III | |
 | |
Developer(s) | Sonic Team |
Artist(s) | Pikatwig |
Publisher(s) | SEGA |
Platform(s) | Xbox 360, Playstation 3, 3DS |
Genre(s) | Action, 2.5D Platformer |
Release Date(s) |  September 22nd, 2012
 September 22nd, 2012 |
Rating(s) | ESRB: E (Everyone) |
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode III is the third/fourth installment of the Sonic 4 series. The game received positive reviews.
Summary[]
After the Little Planet's escape from the Death Egg Mark II, Sonic and Tails arrive back at Speedstar Island. Then they are told they need to head for Angel Island, saying that Knuckles needs help.
The Master Emerald is stolen, leaving Sonic, Tails and Knuckles with only 24 hours to get to Robotnik's HQ and stop the World Roboticizer from enslaving the entire world.
Save Files[]
Like all Sonic games you have a save file, but this one will allow the player to play as Sonic, Tails or Knuckles. All three must be played in order to go to the final area of the game.
Gameplay[]
Sonic[]
Sonic is the fastest one in the game, he has his Spin Dash, Figure Eight Peel Out, Homing Attack and Sonic Wind techniques.
To use the Spin Dash, the player has to push the down button and press the A/X Button to charge up power.
To do the Peel Out, the player must do the same as the Spin Dash, but the player must alternate using the up and down buttons.
To use the Homing Attack the player must have the lock-on symbol on the screen and then press the A/X button.
To use the Sonic Wind, the player must push the all four buttons along with the left and right buttons.
Tails[]
Tails is slightly slower then Sonic, but makes up for it, with the ability to swim and fly and he can also Spin Dash and use the Homing Attack.
When pressing any directional button or the analog stick along with the A button, Tails can fly while above water. While underwater he can swim and can conserve air.
To use the Spin Dash, the player has to push the down button and press the A/X Button to charge up power.
To use the Homing Attack the player must have the lock-on symbol on the screen and then press the A/X button.
Knuckles[]
Knuckles is the slowest in the game he also can't use the Homing Attack, but makes up for strength, the ability to climb, dig underground and glide.
When the player presses the A button while jumping he can glide. Also while pressing the glide button near a wall, he can climb.
To use the Spin Dash, the player has to push the down button and press the A/X Button to charge up power.
While pressing the A/X button and pressing the left and right button Knuckles can charge power and drill underground.
If they player presses the A and Y/Triangle and Square buttons along with the left/right button he can break down walls and open new paths.
Stages[]
Sonic Stages[]
| Stage Name | Acts (including boss) | Boss |
| Green Rush Zone | 4 | Rush Blaster |
| Underground Mine Zone | 4 | Sewage Striker |
| Star Town Zone | 4 | Flashlight Strike |
| Sushi Town Zone | 4 | Sushi Bomb |
| Air Wave Zone | 4 | Cyclone Max Bot |
| Fall Town Zone | 7 | Sonic Bot |
| Rollercoaster Rush Zone | 8 | Roller Blaster |
| Egg Elevator Zone | 1 | No Boss |
Tails Stages[]
| Stage Name | Acts (including boss) | Boss |
| Emerald Green Zone | 4 | Emerald Blaster |
| Underground Town Zone | 4 | Town Destroyer |
| Star Mine Zone | 4 | Star Bomb |
| Candy Town Zone | 4 | Candy Bomb |
| Air Wave Zone | 4 | Cyclone Max Bot |
| Winter Town Zone | 7 | Tails Bot |
| Casino Rush Zone | 8 | Casino Blaster |
| Egg Elevator Zone | 1 | No Boss |
Knuckles Stages[]
| Stage Name | Acts (including boss) | Boss |
| Angel Green Zone | 8 | Emerald Heaven |
| Underground Sky Zone | 8 | Sky Blaster |
| Mine Zone | 8 | Bomb |
| Fruit Town Zone | 8 | Fruit Bomb |
| Air Wave Zone | 4 | Cyclone Max Bot |
| Summer Town Zone | 7 | Tails Bot |
| Ocean Rush Zone | 8 | Ocean Blaster |
| Egg Elevator Zone | 1 | No Boss |
Final Level[]
After the player beats all three character's storylines, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles arrive at the New Death Egg Zone to battle Team Metal Sonic and beat them.
Robotnik readies a distraction so the World Roboticizer, but all three use their Super forms and they manage to stop the World Roboticizer and save the world, along with retrieving the Master Emerald.
Reception[]
| Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode III | |
| Aggregate Scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | 94/100 |
| Gamerankings | 84.08% |
| Review Scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Eurogamer | 8/10 |
| Game Trailers | 8.8/10 |
| Gamespot | 8.0/10 |
| IGN | 10/10 |
| Nintendo Power | 10/10 |
| X-Visual | 8.5/10 |
| Destructoid | 7.5/10 |
| 1Up.com | A+ |
Sonic 4 Episode III topped all the other Sonic 4 games in positive remarks. Nintendo Power said the game is amazing even without the 3D on, they said 3D just added to the beauty of the game. IGN said it has so much replay value, with Ranks, secret paths, Red Star Rings and playing as all three characters, along with getting all the Chaos Emeralds.
Destructoid said they game's good, but the Special Stages got annoying real quick and Knuckles' Stages were rather hard.