Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2- Where Are You?

It's been more than a year since Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 across a variety of platforms (including iOS), and we've yet to see any sign of Episode 2.

While flawed, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 was a fine effort from Sega.

Strange? Yes, considering company reps enthusiastically stood by the publisher's decision to make this game episodic while mentioning Sega's commitment to releasing chapters at a rapid clip. No specific time frame was given, but it was safe to assume Episode 2 would debut six months to a year after its predecessor.

Instead, console and 3DS owners received Sonic Generations (the portable version hits shelves November 22), while iPhone users (and Xbox 360, PS3 fans) will have to make due with Sonic CD, which is, arguably, the greatest Sonic game ever made. In other words, there could be worse situations.

At the same time, we'd hate to see Sonic 4 lose momentum. It is, after all, the fourth installment in a series that was for some reason halted on Genesis with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994. From there, Sega instead chose to tinker with the franchise by shoehorning its mascot into a variety of gimmicky adventures, including the werehog filled Sonic Unleashed and the Arabian Nights inspired Sonic and the Secret Rings, both of which were critically panned; at least the hedgehog's portable adventures remained consistently entertaining.

On the positive side, Sonic's diehard fans will stick by the blue blur no matter what, even if it results in Episode 2 coming out a year and a half to two years after its prequel; the likeliest scenario.

We'd also like to think that Sega took criticism from the first game to heart, and has taken steps to improve the shoddy physics while designing it for even more platforms, such as iPad and Android powered smart phones.

Taking all of this into account, we need more quality Sonic games. We just hope the Episode 2 arrives sooner than later.