Sega's Sonic the Hedghog 4: Episode II is building some decent buzz as screenshots and trailers reveal a game that might actually get the old school Sonic feeling right this time.  Adding to that excitement is a feature at GamesRadar that lists fifteen things that you probably don't know about the new installment including two-player cooperative multiplayer action, Sonic's new animation for gulping down underwater air bubbles, fun nods to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and much more.

We've long-since given up on the idea that Sonic's old physics can return in modern games. The movement in Sonic 4: Episode 2 does have slightly more inertia than its predecessor, but it still feels similar. As a result, as you're running down a slope, your best bet for acceleration is not to go into a ball as you would on Mega Drive, but instead to stay on your feet and let Sonic's legs bring the power. Disappointing, yes, especially as the recently re-released Sonic CD's slightly tweaked physics are an absolute joy. Still, that team-up move as seen here moves VERY quickly.

This is the best part of the Sonic Cycle: the time when the game is nearly finished yet not yet available in which we can all bask in the renewed hope that the new Sonic game will actually be as much fun as Sonic the Hedgehog 3.  Who knows?  Maybe Episode II can finally crack the cycle.  I'm certainly optimistic about this one, anyway.  It just looks so polished, and I seem to have a blind spot when it comes to Sonic the Hedgehog titles.  Either way, enjoy what you can from this next episode.  According to Sega, there are no plans at this time for Episode III and beyond (unless Episode II blows away sales expectations, I'd imagine).