E3 2010: Hands on with Sonic The Hedgehog 4, Episode 1 on iPhone

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Following underwhelming ports of the first two games in the franchise, Sonic The Hedgehog 4, Episode 1 intends to rocket the spiky platform hero back to notoriety with a new bite-sized episodic setup and back-to-basics gameplay.

While there are some prickly points to this iPhone version, Sonic 4 generally has the potential be on the right path.

The green pastures and loops of Splash Hill Zone starts Sonic's adventure through four completely new zones, each told in four acts apiece for a total 16 levels. Of these levels, two will be exclusive to iPhone and iPod touch.

While I wasn't able to play these unique levels, Sega says that they will take advantage of the accelerometer in some way.

The accelerometer can be used outside these stages, though, since the game offers a set of distinct control schemes: touch or tilt. The former involves manipulating a virtual D-pad to move Sonic and tapping an action button to jump. The tilt control method also has you tap the screen to leap, although movement is obviously dictated by the angle at which you tip your handset.

Neither accelerometer nor D-pad felt great, sadly. Sega insists that the D-pad in its current form isn't final, which is good news considering it's modelled after the previous Sonic The Hedgehog iPhone ports. A more defined D-pad to replace the chunky grey would be welcome. Until the revised D-pad is implemented, though, it's difficult to discern how well Sonic 4 will control.

To be fair, the accelerometer scheme was decent, though it's an inherently imprecise method of control for a platformer that requires a measure of precision. Flight and driving games work well with the accelerometer, but I'm not sure that Sonic is built for it.

Personal preference for controls aside, the other aspects of Sonic 4 look in order. The graphics are surprisingly on-par with the console downloadable versions, possessing a characteristic rounded look so as to give the impression of 3D.

Topsy-turvy camera effects whenever you zip through a loop are slightly disorienting, but contribute to the game's sense of speed.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4, Episode 1 has promise, though a second look at the game once the revised interface and controls have been implemented is needed. Right now, it's hard to get excited when the gameplay falls much in line with the underwhelming Genesis ports.

At least the old blue hedgehog looks good - here's hoping the controls get a makeover too.