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Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i|75}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i|75}}
 
|taxonomy    =
 
|taxonomy    =
−
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | }}
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|official site= https://www.sega.com/games/sonic-hedgehog-4-episode-i
 
|official site= https://www.sega.com/games/sonic-hedgehog-4-episode-i
 
|hltb        = 8791
 
|hltb        = 8791
−
|strategywiki =
+
|lutris      = sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i
−
|mobygames    = sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i
+
|mobygames    = 48575
 +
|strategywiki = Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
 
|wikipedia    = Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
 
|wikipedia    = Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
 
|winehq      = 14050
 
|winehq      = 14050
Line 107: Line 108:
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
−
|antialiasing notes        = Use {{code|0x000012C1}} compatibility flag with [[Nvidia Profile Inspector]].<ref>http://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.php?p=4641593&postcount=1248</ref>
+
|antialiasing notes        = Use {{code|0x000012C1}} compatibility flag with [[Nvidia Profile Inspector]].<ref>https://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.php?p=4641593&postcount=1248</ref>
 +
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = always on
 
|vsync                      = always on
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
−
|120 fps                    = false
+
|120 fps                    = limited
−
|120 fps notes              = Uncapped frame rate, gameplay is capped at ~60 FPS.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Marioysikax|date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><br>Manually [[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|cap the frame rate]] at 60 FPS if the game appears to stutter.
+
|120 fps notes              = Uncapped frame rate, gameplay is capped at ~60 FPS.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Marioysikax|date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><br>Manually [[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|cap the frame rate]] at 60 FPS if the game appears to stutter. It is possible that on certain devices the gameplay can run at more than 120 in Windowed Mode.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Epicgames4|date=December 31, 2023|comment=Verified on a laptop with a 144.15 Hz monitor using Windows 11 Insider Preview 22635.2915 (ni_release).}}</ref><br>
 
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
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{{Fixbox|description=Replace files|ref=<ref>[https://www.forum-3dcenter.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=9937333&postcount=4998 3DCenter Forum - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - Antialiasing - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread]</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Replace files|ref=<ref>[https://www.forum-3dcenter.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=9937333&postcount=4998 3DCenter Forum - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - Antialiasing - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread]</ref>|fix=
 
# Download this [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/584-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i-1080p-fix/ patched executable].
 
# Download this [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/584-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-i-1080p-fix/ patched executable].
−
# Extract to {{code|{{p|game}}}}.
+
# Extract to {{Folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 
{{--}} Leaderboards can't be accessed and achievements can't be unlocked.<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=210551911</ref>
 
{{--}} Leaderboards can't be accessed and achievements can't be unlocked.<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=210551911</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
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|mute on focus lost notes = See [[#Mute on focus lost|Mute on focus lost]].
 
|mute on focus lost notes = See [[#Mute on focus lost|Mute on focus lost]].
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
−
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = true
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
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}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = Spanish
+
  |language  = French
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = French
+
  |language  = German
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = German
+
  |language  = Italian
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = Italian
+
  |language  = Japanese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = Japanese
+
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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{{Fixbox|description=Change "SonicLauncher" Properties|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Change "SonicLauncher" Properties|fix=
−
# Right click on "SonicLauncher" and go to properties
+
# Right click on {{File|{{p|game}}\SonicLauncher.exe}} and go to properties.
−
# Go to compatibility and click on "Change High DPI Settings"
+
# Go to compatibility and click on '''Change High DPI Settings'''.
−
# Check "Program DPI" box
+
# Check '''Program DPI''' box.
−
# Check "High DPI Scaling Override" box
+
# Check '''High DPI Scaling Override''' box.
−
# Choose "Scaling Performed by: Application"
+
# Choose '''Scaling Performed by: Application'''.
 
# Apply and its done.
 
# Apply and its done.
 
{{ii}} Now the launcher should open normally and you will be able to change the resolution (up to 3840x2160 confirmed).
 
{{ii}} Now the launcher should open normally and you will be able to change the resolution (up to 3840x2160 confirmed).
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# Install Special K by following the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide]. Manual local installation may work better.
 
# Install Special K by following the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide]. Manual local installation may work better.
 
# Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
 
# Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
−
# Open <code>{{p|game}}\d3d9.ini</code> or <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\My Mods\SpecialK\Profiles\Sonic_vis.exe\SpecialK.ini</code> depending on the installation method you used.
+
# Open {{File|{{p|game}}\d3d9.ini}} or {{File|{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\My Mods\SpecialK\Profiles\Sonic_vis.exe\SpecialK.ini}} depending on the installation method you used.
 
# Change <code>TargetFPS=0.0</code> to <code>TargetFPS=60.0</code>.
 
# Change <code>TargetFPS=0.0</code> to <code>TargetFPS=60.0</code>.
 
# Change <code>RefreshRate=-1</code> to <code>RefreshRate=0</code>.
 
# Change <code>RefreshRate=-1</code> to <code>RefreshRate=0</code>.
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===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
−
|direct3d versions      = 9
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
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|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}

Latest revision as of 00:38, 1 January 2024

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I cover
Developers
Dimps
Sonic Team
Publishers
Sega
Engines
Sega NN Graphics Library[1]
Release dates
Windows January 19, 2012
Reception
IGDB 75
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Icon overlay.png
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I on HowLongToBeat
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I guide on StrategyWiki
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I on MobyGames
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
⤏ Go to series page
Sonic the Hedgehog fangames (series)
Sonic CD 1995
Sonic's Schoolhouse 1996
Sonic 3D Blast (series)
Sonic & Knuckles Collection 1997
Sonic R (series)
Sonic Adventure (series)
Sonic Heroes 2004
Sonic Mega Collection Plus 2006
Sonic Riders 2006
Sonic Racing (series)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2010
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 2010
Sonic Spinball 2010
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 2011
Sonic 3 & Knuckles 2011
Sonic Generations 2011
Sonic CD (2012) 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II 2012
Sonic Dash 2014
Sonic Lost World 2015
Sonic Mania 2017
Sonic Forces 2017
Sonic the Hedgehog (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic Colors: Ultimate 2021
Sonic Origins 2022
Sonic Frontiers 2022
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog 2023
Sonic Superstars 2023
Sonic Dream Team 2023
Sonic X Shadow Generations 2024

Key points

Configuration tool requires installed Java runtime libraries in order to run despite not being stated in the game's system requirements. You can use Sonic 4 Rewritten Launcher as a non-Java alternative to configure the game.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
DRM-free after installation through Steam client (notes may include more details)
Windows

Essential improvements

Sonic 4 Rewritten Launcher

A C++ rewrite of the configuration tool for Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 that removes the dependency to have Java runtime libraries installed despite the actual game not using Java.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\main.conf[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/202530/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Sonic_vis_save.dat[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\data.txt[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/202530/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud

Video

Configuration utility general settings.
Configuration utility general settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 Game renders internally at 1280x720. See Widescreen resolution for rendering internally at 1080p.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
 See the WSGF entry.
4K Ultra HD
 
 See 4K Ultra HD Launcher Fixes for fixing issues opening the configuration tool on a 4K monitor.
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Use 0x000012C1 compatibility flag with Nvidia Profile Inspector.[2]
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS
120+ FPS
Uncapped frame rate, gameplay is capped at ~60 FPS.[3]
Manually cap the frame rate at 60 FPS if the game appears to stutter. It is possible that on certain devices the gameplay can run at more than 120 in Windowed Mode.[4]
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

By default, game renders internally at 1280x720 and then upscales the content to match selected resolution. It's possible to raise the internal resolution to 1920x1080, however most 2D assets are done for 1280x720 and thus are upscaled regardless.
Replace files[5]
  1. Download this patched executable.
  2. Extract to <path-to-game>.
Leaderboards can't be accessed and achievements can't be unlocked.[6]

Input

Configuration utility keyboard remapping.
Configuration utility keyboard remapping.
Configuration utility controller settings.
Configuration utility controller settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse not used outside the launcher.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
XInput only.
Full controller support
Controller has to be selected from the launcher.
Controller remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Controller sensitivity
Digital movement.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Generic/other controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, SFX
Surround sound
Subtitles
No speech.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
See Mute on focus lost.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Spanish

Mute on focus lost

Set mute in background[7]
  1. Install Special K by following the Special K Unofficial Guide. Manual local installation may work better.
  2. Start the game and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+← Backspace to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
  3. Expand Window Management and Input/Output Behavior.
  4. Enable Mute Game under Background Behavior.

Issues fixed

4K Ultra HD Launcher Fixes

Use Sonic 4 Rewritten Launcher
See Sonic 4 Rewritten Launcher for running the launcher without compatibility fixes and without Java runtime dependencies.
Change "SonicLauncher" Properties
  1. Right click on <path-to-game>\SonicLauncher.exe and go to properties.
  2. Go to compatibility and click on Change High DPI Settings.
  3. Check Program DPI box.
  4. Check High DPI Scaling Override box.
  5. Choose Scaling Performed by: Application.
  6. Apply and its done.
Now the launcher should open normally and you will be able to change the resolution (up to 3840x2160 confirmed).

Run the game at screen refresh rate

Fullscreen mode defaults to 60 Hz, even if the screen refresh rate is set higher than that.
Set screen refresh rate[7]
  1. Install Special K by following the Special K Unofficial Guide. Manual local installation may work better.
  2. Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
  3. Open <path-to-game>\d3d9.ini or %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Mods\SpecialK\Profiles\Sonic_vis.exe\SpecialK.ini depending on the installation method you used.
  4. Change TargetFPS=0.0 to TargetFPS=60.0.
  5. Change RefreshRate=-1 to RefreshRate=0.

Mouse cursor visible during gameplay

Auto-hide mouse cursor[7]
  1. Install Special K by following the Special K Unofficial Guide. Manual local installation may work better.
  2. Start the game and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+← Backspace to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
  3. Expand Input Management and Mouse Cursor.
  4. Enable Hide When Not Moved and adjust Seconds Before Hiding to your liking.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Mods

Sonic 4 Mod Loader

Mod manager for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II.

iPad HD Textures

Contains higher quality textures from an official HD mobile port.
Highly recommended to use alongside with Smoother Cel Shader mod shown below.

Smoother Cel Shader

Smooths out the cel-shaded textures to give them a nicer look based on the color edges of the original textures.

Splash Hill Zone Re-Imagined

Replaces the music of Splash Hill Zone with re-imagined versions by composers Tee Lopes & Jun Senoue.

No HUD

Removes the HUD from all gameplay stages and special stages.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 3000+		 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
2 GB (Vista)		 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 500 MB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 7600
ATI Radeon X1300
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9 compatible 		Nvidia GeForce 8800
ATI Radeon HD 3800
512 MB of VRAM
Sound (audio device) DirectX compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. ↑ Verified by User:Icup321 on 2020-06-28
    Confirmed via checking file formats and embedded strings in executable: nn Ver 1.01.05 Build:Apr 24 2009 08:18:37, SEGA NN Library for DirectX G2.0
  2. ↑ https://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.php?p=4641593&postcount=1248
  3. ↑ Verified by User:Marioysikax on April 12, 2016
  4. ↑ Verified by User:Epicgames4 on December 31, 2023
    Verified on a laptop with a 144.15 Hz monitor using Windows 11 Insider Preview 22635.2915 (ni_release).
  5. ↑ 3DCenter Forum - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - Antialiasing - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread
  6. ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=210551911
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Verified by User:Keith on 2017-09-18