Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II — Windows (PC) Complete Campaign Walkthrough

Configure and test the PC controls

Use a gamepad if one is available, preferably an XInput-compatible controller. The Steam listing identifies Xbox controller support and labels general controller support as partial, so do not assume every pad will behave correctly. At the title screen, move through the menus, confirm that the action buttons select and cancel, and open the controls screen before entering an Act.

The Windows release allows button and key assignments to be changed from its controls settings. If you use the keyboard, inspect the displayed bindings instead of relying on a layout remembered from another Sonic game. Assign movement, jump, tag action and pause to keys that can be pressed without releasing your movement hand. Test the new layout in the menu, then enter Sylvania Castle Zone Act 1 and test it again on the opening safe ground.

The basic control routine is straightforward: left and right move Sonic, the jump button performs a Spin Jump, crouch plus jump performs a Spin Dash, and pressing jump again during a jump performs a Homing Attack when a target is available. The separate tag-action command activates the appropriate Sonic-and-Tails combination for the situation. Do not confuse the tag-action button with the jump button or with the ordinary Spin Dash.

• Navigate the title screen with the intended controller or keyboard.
• Test jump, crouch, Spin Dash, pause and tag action in Sylvania Castle Zone Act 1.
• Confirm that a mid-air jump can perform a Homing Attack against a nearby target.
• Confirm that the tag-action command responds on open ground.

Build safe movement habits

Hold a direction to run and use the jump button to clear gaps, attack enemies and reach springs. During a jump, Sonic can lock onto a nearby enemy or usable device; press jump again once the target is visibly aligned to perform the Homing Attack. A Homing Attack is not an unrestricted air dash. If no target is available, pressing jump again will not carry Sonic across an empty gap.

Use Homing Attacks to chain through an obvious line of enemies or devices, but slow down when the next landing is not visible. Crouching and rolling are useful for low passages and suitable enemies. A Spin Dash is effective when the route ahead is clear, but charging one beside a pit or blind drop makes a mistake harder to correct.

Star Posts are checkpoints. Touch one before attempting a dangerous section so a life loss returns Sonic to a later position rather than the start of the Act. A hit while carrying Rings scatters those Rings; a hit with no Rings, a fall into a pit or drowning costs a life. After taking a hit, immediately collect the safest nearby Rings instead of continuing at full speed through the next hazard.

• Pass the first Star Post before practicing risky jumps.
• Perform a Homing Attack only after a target is visibly available.
• Use a short, controlled approach when the landing area is hidden.
• Keep at least one Ring before entering a hazard section whenever possible.

Use Tails and the tag actions correctly

In single-player, Tails is computer-controlled and follows Sonic. He cannot be selected as a separate playable character, but Sonic can call on him through the tag-action command. The result depends on Sonic's situation: on the ground, Sonic and Tails perform the Rolling Combo; in the air, they perform the Copter Combo, with Tails carrying Sonic upward; underwater, they perform the Submarine Combo.

Use the Copter Combo when a platform or opening is visibly above Sonic's ordinary jump reach. Jump from solid ground, activate the tag action while airborne and steer toward the intended landing. Begin the move early enough to see the destination. Starting it over a bottomless pit or activating it at the last possible moment leaves little time to correct Sonic's position.

The Rolling Combo is useful for breaking through appropriate barriers and moving quickly along a clear horizontal route. It is not a substitute for checking the landing area: cancel or finish the move before an unseen drop. If the game displays a tag-action prompt or icon, line Sonic up with the intended route before pressing the command.

In cooperative play, the second player controls Tails and can make the timing more dependable, but the two players must coordinate their positions. The human Tails player should wait until Sonic is centered beneath the intended lift and should avoid initiating a flight combo at the edge of a pit. Some routes and collectibles are easier with a human partner, but the campaign can be completed in single-player.

• Activate the Rolling Combo on safe ground.
• Activate the Copter Combo over a solid platform, not over a pit.
• Test the Submarine Combo if an early underwater section is available.
• In co-op, coordinate the lift before the Tails player presses the tag-action button.

Prepare for Special Stage access

To enter a Special Stage, finish one of a Zone's first three Acts while carrying at least 50 Rings. A Giant Ring appears at the end of the Act; jump into it immediately to enter the Special Stage. Boss Acts are not the normal route for Special Stage access, so plan the attempt around Act 1, Act 2 or Act 3.

Treat 50 Rings as an end-of-Act target, not merely a number reached halfway through the level. After a hit, collect safe scattered Rings if possible, and avoid unnecessary enemies near the goal. A final mistake before the finish can reduce the total below 50 and remove the Giant Ring opportunity.

The Episode II Special Stages use a Sonic 2-style half-pipe. Steer Sonic and Tails left or right to collect Rings, jump over hazards and use the boost/tag-action command when a burst of speed or a nearby group of Rings makes it worthwhile. Each stage shows the required Ring total for its upcoming gate. Reach each gate with enough Rings and finish with the final requirement met to earn the Chaos Emerald; falling short ends that attempt without an Emerald.

If an attempt fails, replay an eligible Act and rebuild the 50-Ring total. Do not assume a checkpoint automatically preserves Special Stage access. The act-end Ring condition must be met again for another Giant Ring attempt.

• Finish Act 1, Act 2 or Act 3 with 50 or more Rings.
• Jump into the Giant Ring at the Act finish.
• Read each Special Stage Ring target before choosing a lane.
• Replay the Act if the Special Stage attempt fails.

Save and retry without risking progress

The PC game saves progress automatically at important points such as clearing stages. Allow the game to finish its save operation before closing it, especially after clearing an Act or unlocking new menu content. If Steam displays a Cloud save option for the installed build, check Steam's game properties and keep it enabled only if you want the local save synchronized between computers. Do not treat Cloud synchronization as a replacement for a local backup or as proof that every unlock has uploaded.

Episode Metal is a bonus for owners of both Episode I and Episode II on the same system. If it does not appear, first confirm that both games are owned by the same Steam account and that Steam has completed any pending synchronization. Then restart Steam and check the Episode II menus. This chapter's immediate objective is only to establish the controls and complete an eligible Special Stage entry; Episode Metal is optional.

Replay cleared Acts from the zone selection screen to practice movement, rebuild a 50-Ring finish or retry a Special Stage. Red Star Rings, high scores and Chaos Emeralds are optional for the main campaign. Learn the safe route first, then return for collectibles once the control setup is reliable.

• Let the game save after clearing an Act before quitting.
• Verify the Steam account and ownership status if Episode Metal is missing.
• Replay an eligible Act for another 50-Ring and Giant Ring attempt.
• Prioritize campaign progress before optional Red Star Rings or score goals.

Act 1: A New Frontier

After the Tornado lands, run right and jump to the raised ledge. Use the spring to reach the upper-right platform, cross the gap and Spin Dash beside the rotating wheel. The wheel raises the route, allowing you to continue through the upper section rather than dropping into the lower water area. When the boost sequence begins, stay aligned with the route and let Sonic run across the water surface.

At the first automatic launch, use the Flight Combo if you need additional height to reach the upper hill. During the next water-running section, jump before the wall. This keeps Sonic from being forced into the lower underwater route and gives you a safer approach to the next platform. A Red Star Ring can be reached from the raised ledge, but it is optional and should not cost a life.

Use the following boosts and loops while watching the landing areas. Do not hold forward blindly after a launch if the next platform is off-screen. The retracting crate platforms disappear if Sonic waits on them, so move across them immediately. Continue right, using the next wheel to raise the passage and taking the upper route whenever the landing is visible. Near the goal, reduce speed if necessary: the final section places hazards and item boxes close together, and a controlled jump is safer than a blind Spin Dash into the finish area.

• Take the raised upper route after the opening landing.
• Spin Dash beside the wheel to raise the passage.
• Jump before the wall in the second water-running section.
• Leave the retracting crates without waiting.
• Treat the Red Star Ring as optional.

Act 2: Sunken Ruins

Run down the opening slope and break through the destructible walls. When the launch sends Sonic toward the flooded section, activate the Submarine Combo and move toward the far-right wall before descending. This is the first sustained underwater route. Collect an air bubble as soon as one is available instead of waiting for the drowning warning.

At the bottom, take the 10-ring box if the approach is safe, then climb toward the upper ledge on the right. Use the Submarine Combo to reach the higher platform and continue through the boost route. A Red Star Ring is visible in the rightward section, but it is optional. If reaching it requires dropping into a dangerous underwater pocket, stay on the main route and preserve the life.

The water level changes as the act continues. Favor the highest usable ground and use air bubbles to reset the breathing timer. Chop Chop and other underwater enemies can knock Sonic into a pit or away from an air source, so use homing attacks only when the target leads to a platform, spring or other visible landing. Castle statues fire spears across parts of the route. When a flip platform changes position after being struck, wait for its new angle and use it only when the next landing is clear. Continue right while favoring upper platforms; this is the dependable route to the goal.

• Activate the Submarine Combo before entering the deep water.
• Collect air bubbles early.
• Use the upper-right ledge after the 10-ring box as the main route.
• Skip the Red Star Ring if its detour threatens the run.
• Use homing attacks on flip platforms only when the next landing is visible.

Act 3: Moonlit Realm

Sonic begins underwater, so move immediately toward dry land and take the first safe air opportunity. Climb through the opening platforms, use a homing attack to knock over the column and take the boost toward the wall. The Rolling Combo is introduced in this act. Activate it with Tails and remain in the combined rolling form through the first tilted-platform section; it carries Sonic across platforms that are unreliable when approached normally.

When the spring launches Sonic upward, release the Rolling Combo over a stable landing. Use homing attacks on the tilting platforms to rotate them into usable positions and gain height. Target one platform at a time, wait for it to settle and jump to the next. Do not homing-attack simply to maintain speed when the target is moving away or when there is no visible landing.

A later column can be knocked down to expose a lower route. The upper area above the loop contains an optional Red Star Ring; use Tails’ flight to reach it only if the approach is safe. For the required route, stay lower and continue right. Near the end, one tilting-platform sequence does not respond like the earlier platforms. Swim upward, reach the boost and use the Rolling Combo to break through the hard wall. The final spinner-platform row has a high fall risk, so use the Rolling Combo when available and prioritize the next secure platform over recovering missed rings.

• Reach dry land quickly at the start.
• Use the Rolling Combo across the first tilted-platform sequence.
• Rotate tilting platforms with deliberate homing attacks.
• Use Tails’ flight for the optional upper route or recovery.
• Use the Rolling Combo across the final spinner-platform row.

Boss Act: Dueling Eggman’s New Creation

Run right at the start and collect the available rings before Eggman’s machine becomes active. Eggman is protected inside the flower of Egg Serpentleaf. Attack only when the flower opens. During the early part of the fight, the Flight Combo lets Sonic hover above the machine; position Sonic over Eggman and drop onto the exposed cockpit rather than relying on a side-on homing attack.

As the battle progresses, additional tentacles appear and the flower closes more often. When a tentacle pulls back, read its angle before moving: the rearing motion signals an incoming ground slam. Move away from the threatened area, then return to the center only after the attack has passed. Keep at least one ring whenever possible. If a hit scatters your rings, collect nearby safe rings before attempting another attack instead of forcing an immediate opening.

The late phase is marked by the tentacles becoming spiked and feeding power into the machine. Eggman then prepares a sweeping laser that can cover the arena. Watch the flower rather than attacking during the laser preparation. When the flower opens, use the Flight Combo to hover over the cockpit and drop onto Eggman. A successful hit interrupts the attack. Repeat the cycle of avoiding the tentacles, waiting for the flower opening, striking the exposed cockpit and retreating to a safe position until the boss is defeated.

After the machine is destroyed, move to the capsule and open it. Opening the capsule is what completes the boss act and returns you to the world map.

• Enter the boss act with a useful ring buffer.
• Attack Eggman only while the flower is open.
• Use the Flight Combo and drop onto Eggman during the vulnerable opening.
• Read each tentacle’s rear-back angle before moving.
• Interrupt the sweeping laser by striking during a later flower opening.
• Open the capsule after the fight to complete the boss act.

Act 1: Snow-Blind Wonderland

After the opening boost, an avalanche follows Sonic down the slope. Keep running and do not stop to fight the enemies in this opening chase. The slope eventually launches Sonic clear of the avalanche. Continue right until the next uphill launch gives you enough airtime to use the Flying Combo. Activate it near the top of the jump and steer Tails toward the upper-right ledge. This route leads to the optional Act 1 Red Star Ring. If you miss the ledge, continue along the lower route instead of trying to reverse into the avalanche path.

In the snowball section, push the first snowball across the spikes and use it as moving cover. The second snowball does not cover the entire spike strip, so check the exposed floor before following it. Cross the gap, use the springs to climb and continue toward the next avalanche. The floating Bubbles can be homing-attack targets during airborne sections, but only commit to a homing attack when the next landing is visible.

When you reach the Snowy, either attack it while avoiding its claw or pass it if the route is open. The fight is optional. Soon afterward, activate the Rolling Combo and burrow through the snow. Keep moving through the tunnel; the snow closes behind Sonic, and lingering in the dug passage can cost a life. After emerging, stay on the upper route whenever possible. Dropping to the lower path forces another burrowing section and gives you less time to react.

During the final avalanche sequence, roll only across safe ground and uncurl before uncertain landings. Use the spring after the first gap to reach the higher route. From there, chain homing attacks through the Bubbles, spring over the large pit and continue right to the goal.

• Outrun both avalanche chases instead of stopping to fight.
• Use the Flying Combo near the apex of the early launch to reach the upper ledge and optional Red Star Ring.
• Keep moving during the Rolling Combo snow tunnel.
• Use the upper route after the later avalanche launch and spring over the final large pit.

Act 2: Sonic Coaster Rails

The act shifts Sonic between foreground and background roller-coaster tracks. At the beginning, let the route carry Sonic into the background, then move quickly to the far-right alcove and use its spring to return to the foreground. Continue through the boosts and land on the expanding and retracting platform. Jump from it and use the Bubbles only when they provide a safe target. Cross the rotating platforms when their surfaces are horizontal, then enter the next alcove before the moving track blocks it.

Later, a track moves from side to side. Wait for it to move right, then drop through the center and deal with or bypass the Fullboar. If the rising and falling track is badly aligned, duck into the nearby gap instead of forcing the passage. When the track rises, take the spring to the upper-left route and continue through the springs.

The optional Act 2 Red Star Ring is reached by ignoring the boosts that normally send Sonic between the two screen layers. Jump over the spring that redirects Sonic. The jump carries Sonic across the gap to the ring’s lane. Collect the nearby ring bonus, then use the following spring to return to the main track.

The final section contains more layer-changing boosts and a crushing hazard between tracks. Watch the destination rail whenever Sonic changes depth. A homing attack does not correct a landing that is aimed at the wrong track, so use the rails and springs as positioning cues rather than jumping blindly.

• Use the opening right-side alcove to change tracks safely.
• Cross rotating platforms only when they are horizontal.
• Jump over the redirecting spring to reach the optional Red Star Ring.
• Use the lower gap as a waiting position if the moving tracks are not aligned.

Act 3: Labyrinth at Absolute Zero

The opening coaster launch sends Sonic into deep water. Collect the rings during the descent, then prioritize air bubbles over enemies. Use the Swim Combo to move through the underwater passages. Steelions can freeze into ice obstacles that block the route. Attack a Steelion only when it is directly obstructing progress; otherwise take the open lane and reach the next air source quickly.

When Sonic first reaches dry ground, stay on the upper route. The crushing platforms have different danger positions: one is unsafe to stand on, while another can crush Sonic from below. Use the spring to reach the upper ledge, pass or defeat the Snowy, then use Tails to cross above the ledge. Continue until the route drops back toward the water.

In the next underwater section, use the Swim Combo to rise from the lower route toward the upper ledge containing the optional Act 3 Red Star Ring. After collecting it, remain high until the route ends. Drop only when necessary, then activate the Flying Combo as the water rises; it changes into the Swim Combo once Sonic becomes submerged again.

For the final underwater passage, follow the visible ring lines through the spike corridors and Steelions. The ring trails indicate the safer direction, but collect an air bubble before committing to a long swim. Once Sonic reaches dry ground, take the available recovery item if needed and continue right to the goal.

• Collect air bubbles before long underwater stretches.
• Use the upper route after the first water exit.
• Swim upward from the lower water route to reach the optional Act 3 Red Star Ring.
• Follow the ring trails through the final spike and Steelion section.

White Park Boss: Metal Sonic Strikes

Collect the rings while moving right. Metal Sonic enters on a rocket and begins attacking from the track. His opening attack is a ground-level roll; jump over it, then approach and use a homing attack only while he is in his normal state. Do not attack while he is flashing purple, because contact during that state damages Sonic. Springs can move Sonic between the foreground and background tracks, so confirm which track you will land on before attempting another attack.

After successful attacks, Metal Sonic can roll and jump from the middle of the track, create columns of electricity or rise and crash down repeatedly. Jump over a low electrical column or pass through a visible gap in its arrangement. When the crash attack destroys sections of track, reaching the next intact section is more important than attacking. A missing section is an instant-death fall, so use the available spring or jump early enough to clear it.

The later phase leaves less room for error. Metal Sonic can make a short roll, jump high and land hard before rolling back along the remaining track. Avoid the landing and wait for the recovery or charging opening before attacking. Do not chase him across a destroyed section or commit to a homing attack from an uncertain position. Continue repeating the safe pattern until the boss act ends.

If Sonic loses his rings, stop chasing Metal Sonic until the current attack finishes. Recover control on the next intact section, collect any available rings and wait for a clear normal-state opening. The boss is safer when treated as a sequence of movement checks followed by brief attacks rather than as a continuous pursuit.

• Collect rings before attempting the first attack.
• Never homing-attack Metal Sonic while he is flashing purple.
• Jump or pass through the electrical columns and survive every destroyed-track section.
• Avoid the late high jump and hard landing, then attack during the following safe opening.
• Allow the post-battle transition to finish before leaving the boss act.

1. Clear Act 1: Through the Sandstorm

Move right after the opening and let the first boost carry Sonic onto the upper route. Watch the Scarabesques: their rolling explosive rocks can hit Sonic even when the robot itself is not directly in front of him. Let a rock pass before attacking or crossing the gap. After the spring, use the boost to roll over the wall, then follow the slope toward the quicksand.

Cross every quicksand stretch without stopping. Sonic sinks if he remains in the sand too long, so do not turn around for scattered Rings after taking damage. Ring groups beside the slopes and immediately beyond weak floors are safer recovery points. In the second Scarabesque section, stay low until the first rock passes, then use the Flight Combo to pass the remaining enemies and projectiles.

When the storm begins pushing Sonic across gaps, jump and activate the Flight Combo. Do not repeatedly press Jump from the beginning of the flight. Let the wind carry Sonic horizontally, then press Jump when the visible Ring line rises toward the next ledge. Repeat this timing for each ledge, keeping Sonic away from the spikes below.

The final wind sequence includes the optional Red Star Ring route. If you are only trying to clear the act, follow the safe Ring line into the opening on the right. If you want the Red Star Ring, press Jump as the Ring trail climbs, but do not chase it if Sonic is drifting toward the spikes. The upper route contains enough useful Ring groups to support a 50-Ring attempt, provided you avoid risky corrections.

• Use the upper route after the opening boost when the landing is visible.
• Let Scarabesque rocks pass before attacking or crossing beneath them.
• Use the Flight Combo in the wind and press Jump when the Ring line rises.
• Reach the goal with at least 50 Rings if you want the post-goal Special Stage entrance.

2. Clear Act 2: Beneath the Sands

At the start, the optional Red Star Ring is above the first oil slide. For the normal route, descend the slide, jump across the quicksand and use the spring at the far side. Sandworms can emerge with little warning, so rolling through a clear lane or using the Flight Combo is safer than attempting a frontal homing attack.

Continue across the oil surfaces and collect the Shield if you want extra protection for the next hazards. When a Scarabesque appears, avoid its rolling boulder and keep moving right. The central section contains a Tag Action icon for the Pinball Crash. Activate the Flight Combo there and press Jump repeatedly while Sonic and Tails are linked. The crash defeats nearby enemies and creates Rings, making this the most dependable recovery point in the act.

After the Pinball Crash, stay on the rightward route and let the boost carry Sonic past the next Sandworms. The later quicksand section has low spikes above it. Remain low and use the intended boost path instead of making unnecessary jumps. The oil slides lead safely toward the exit when you maintain forward momentum.

For a 50-Ring attempt, collect the Ring lines before the oil slides and use the Pinball Crash to recover after the central enemy section. If a hit scatters Rings near Sandworms or low spikes, do not reverse into danger. Continue to the next visible Ring group and finish the act safely.

• Use the spring after the first quicksand crossing.
• Avoid Sandworms with a roll or Flight Combo when their timing is uncertain.
• Activate the Pinball Crash to clear enemies and create a Ring-recovery opportunity.
• Stay low beneath the final spikes and avoid blind shortcuts at full speed.

3. Clear Act 3: A Crude Trap

Act 3 has three rising-sand traps. In the first, run ahead of the sand, use the springs promptly and ignore optional Rings if stopping would let the sand catch you. Once outside, cross the oily platforms with short, controlled jumps. Early Flamers are manageable if Sonic keeps moving; later Flamers ignite the oil, so do not wait on a platform for a perfect opening.

The second sand trap adds hard walls and weak green surfaces. A hard wall requires three homing attacks, so begin the chain as soon as Sonic is aligned with it. Break the weak surfaces while the sand is still below Sonic, then use the springs to reach the upper route. Delaying at a wall is more dangerous than accepting a lower route that keeps moving.

After this trap, use the Flight Combo to reach the upper boxes, then drop toward the lower-right area containing an optional Invincibility item. This route is useful when learning the act because the item makes the burning-oil section safer. When a spring launches Sonic, use the Flight Combo to reach the upper ledge, continue right and descend when necessary. Use the Pinball Crash near the Flamers to clear enemies and break the hard barriers.

The final sand trap combines Scarabesques and spikes. Use the Flight Combo to pass the Scarabesques and land on the upper-left ledge. The Red Star Ring there is optional. After landing, charge a Spin Dash and wait until the rising sand covers the lower spikes. Release the Spin Dash to cross the hazard and escape to the right. If the sand is already high, prioritize the exit rather than forcing the collectible.

• Treat the three sand traps as separate sequences and regain solid footing between them.
• Use three homing attacks for hard walls and break weak green surfaces before the sand rises.
• Take the Invincibility route when you want the safest burning-oil attempt.
• Charge the final Spin Dash and release it after the lower spikes are covered.

4. Defeat the Oil Desert boss: A Giant Born of Scrap Metal

The boss is the Egg Scrap Mech. After the opening setup, Eggman assembles the machine while blocks fall into the confined arena. Arrow indicators show the landing positions. The strongly marked red warning identifies the next dangerous drop, so move away from that position before the block arrives. Use the safe blocks as platforms to climb upward.

Eggman is vulnerable only when the dome on top of the machine opens and exposes him. Climb to the appropriate height, activate the Flight Combo and strike the exposed target with Tails. Do not spend a homing attack against the closed dome. After each hit, immediately watch the indicators again and reposition before the next block falls or the machine swipes at Sonic.

Later phases add spike blocks and countdown bomb blocks. Do not treat a spike block as a safe landing merely because it is the nearest platform. A bomb block explodes at zero and can destroy nearby blocks, so move to another part of the structure rather than waiting beside it. Keep climbing steadily and preserve Rings instead of attacking during an unsafe cycle.

When Eggman retreats to the top and the falling blocks stop, follow him with the Flight Combo. In the final phase he moves between the foreground and background. After the required foreground movements, run to the left and prepare the Rolling Combo. Strike the machine’s foot when it lands. This ends the fight; do not continue jumping at the head or wait for another dome opening.

• Read the red arrow warnings and move away from the next falling-block position.
• Climb the assembled blocks instead of standing beneath the machine.
• Attack only when the top dome opens, using the Flight Combo.
• Avoid spike blocks and countdown bombs during the climbing phase.
• Use the Rolling Combo on the foot during the final phase.

Prepare for Sky Fortress and preserve recovery options

Use a controller if possible and test jump, Homing Attack, Spin Dash and the available Tag Actions before entering the zone. In single-player, Tails follows Sonic and assists with prompted actions. The relevant moves in this zone include Copter Combo, Rolling Combo and Tornado Boost. In co-op, the Tails player must actively position the flight or combo movement, so agree before using a Tag Action near a pit or moving hazard.

Collect rings whenever the route offers a safe line, especially before the Metal Carrier stages. One ring prevents an ordinary hit from being immediately fatal, but it does not protect against a bottomless fall or another instant-death hazard. If you lose a life, use the checkpoint to relearn the nearest obstacle instead of repeating it at full speed. Optional Red Star Rings are never worth sacrificing the checkpoint route.

• Test controller input and Tag Action prompts.
• Enter both Metal Sonic encounters with rings whenever possible.
• Prioritize safe landings and checkpoints over optional Red Star Rings.

Sky Fortress Act 1: The Tornado Takes Off!

Act 1 is a guided Tornado flight stage. Tails pilots the Tornado while Sonic moves around the aircraft and attacks enemies or obstacles. Follow the visible ring trails through the opening while dealing with Bubbles, Balkiries and Turtloids. Use Homing Attacks only when the target is clearly aligned, and do not steer toward a ring if doing so places Sonic or the Tornado near the edge of the flight path.

During the missile section, watch how projectiles push the Tornado and avoid being forced into the screen edge. Follow the safer ring line through the dip, then climb back toward the centre before the next obstacle cluster. Use Tornado Boost through hard-box formations when the aircraft is already aligned; activating it while correcting position can send Sonic into the wrong side of the hazard.

When Sonic leaves the Tornado, defeat the vertically stacked Turtloids from the bottom upward. Their shells provide the platforms needed to reach higher enemies and return to the aircraft. Homing Attack the Bubbles only after the Turtloid route is stable. If you fall, re-centre the Tornado and follow the next visible ring line rather than overcorrecting toward the upper or lower edge.

The Metal Sonic encounter is the Act 1 achievement opportunity. Metal Carrier fires cannonballs at Sonic during the flight. When a cannonball approaches, jump into it with a Spin Jump or use Tornado Boost to knock it back toward Metal Sonic. Continue returning the cannonballs until Metal Sonic is defeated; the achievement condition is associated with defeating him in Sky Fortress Act 1. The encounter requires repeated successful returns, commonly described as eight hits.

Do not assume that Act 1 always ends with a Metal Sonic defeat. If the required returns are not completed during the encounter, Metal Sonic can crash or retreat after the sequence, allowing the act to finish without the Metal Sonic Falls achievement. Either outcome leads into the rest of the zone, but only the successful defeat registers that optional achievement. After the flight sequence ends, proceed to Act 2.

• Use Tornado Boost on hard boxes and dense obstacle lines.
• Avoid being pushed into the screen edge during the missile section.
• Climb the stacked Turtloids from the bottom upward.
• Return Metal Carrier’s cannonballs with Spin Jump or Tornado Boost if pursuing Metal Sonic Falls.
• Do not confuse ordinary Act 1 completion with defeating Metal Sonic for the achievement.
• Continue to Act 2 after the flight sequence ends.

Sky Fortress Act 2: Infiltrating the Sky Fortress

Drop to the lower route at the start, activate the spring and let the propellers carry Sonic upward. At the top, move right across the springs and defeat the Cluckers and Fullboars blocking the next climb. Propeller platforms form the intended route, so wait until the next landing is visible before jumping away.

The first zero-gravity fence runs sideways. Keep moving so Sonic does not fall, adjusting up or down only to collect rings or line up with the next ledge. Take the upper road when it is available. Continue across the propellers and moving platforms, collect the shield on the route and descend toward the lower section.

At the bottom, move right through the springs and climb the next zero-gravity fence. Use the boost pads to zigzag upward. An invincibility item makes the following Cluckers, Fullboars and jet-engine fire safer, but do not treat it as permission to ignore the route. At the ramp, wait for the fire to retract before Spin Dashing upward.

The pinball-style crash clears nearby Cluckers. Let the moving path carry Sonic forward, spring upward and use the Bubbles as Homing Attack targets to reach the next platform. Avoid the red Bubble or vault over it instead of homing into it without checking its position. When the jet fire switches off, use Copter Combo to cross the three-enemy gap and land on the far side.

The final zero-gravity fence rises toward the exit. Climb it and descend slightly after passing the wall. A Red Star Ring is positioned away from the safest footing; leave it if the fence recovery is uncertain. For required progress, stay on the fence, wait for the jet fire to retract and continue to the exit.

• Begin with the lower spring and propeller climb.
• Keep moving on zero-gravity fences.
• Wait for jet fire to retract before Spin Dashing from ramps.
• Use Copter Combo across the enemy gap when the normal jump is unsafe.
• Continue to Act 3 after reaching the exit.

Sky Fortress Act 3: Mile-High Mayhem

Begin by crossing the gaps while watching the rocket fire. At the first Ring Shooter, use Homing Attack on the cannon cap to open it, then enter the cannon. Cannon launches can send Sonic in several directions, so prepare for the landing rather than holding jump continuously.

When jet fuel begins firing in waves from above, allow the first flames to pass. Drop toward the platforms marked by the orange falling indicators, then use Copter Combo to fly beneath the remaining flames and land safely. The next flame group fires in alternating sets; use Copter Combo when the flames overlap the normal jump path. The final group leaves a brief opening that can be crossed with a timed jump if the flames have just withdrawn.

Defeat the Cluckers before entering the next cannon. After the launch, avoid the closing platforms and reach the spring and upper ledge. The Red Star Ring near the jet-fire section is optional and requires waiting for the flames to stop, Spin Dashing off the edge and recovering before the next cycle. For campaign progress, wait for a clear cycle, use Copter Combo beneath the flames and take the springs to the next platform.

Ride the final cannon and use Rolling Combo through the last barrier and hazard stretch. Release it only if Sonic is about to collide with a hazard. Reaching the goal opens Showdown in the Skies, the separate Act 4 Metal Carrier boss stage.

• Use Homing Attack to remove Ring Shooter cannon caps.
• Use Copter Combo beneath the major flame groups.
• Do not attempt the optional Red Star Ring during an active flame cycle.
• Use Rolling Combo through the final approach.
• Enter Act 4 after reaching the goal.

Sky Fortress Act 4 boss: Showdown in the Skies

This is the dedicated Metal Carrier boss act. Metal Sonic rides the carrier, and the cockpit is the vulnerable target. During the opening phase, vertical laser lanes cover parts of the screen. Watch for the open lane and move through it rather than chasing the cockpit across an active beam. When the laser volley ends and the carrier presents a safe approach, use a Spin Jump or the available attack opportunity against the cockpit.

After the first successful attack, the carrier moves in front of the Tornado and fires horizontal lasers while releasing Balkiries. A warning line indicates where a laser is about to fire. Give priority to the warning line and the Tornado’s safe position. Attack Balkiries only when doing so does not carry Sonic into the laser path; destroying every enemy is unnecessary.

In the final phase, the carrier launches spiraling missiles at either a high or low level. Read the on-screen indicator and move to the opposite level before the missile reaches the Tornado. Survive the missile pass, then approach only when the attack opening appears. Use Tornado Boost or the prompted Plane Charge during that opening to strike the carrier. Attacking during the warning phase will not finish the battle.

After the final successful charge, Metal Carrier is destroyed and Metal Sonic escapes toward the damaged fortress. Complete the capsule sequence and following transition. Death Egg mk.II becomes available only after this Act 4 boss sequence is cleared.

• Attack the cockpit during an open approach.
• Use the laser warning line to choose the safe lane.
• Read the high-or-low missile indicator before moving.
• Save Tornado Boost or Plane Charge for the final opening.
• Confirm the carrier destruction and capsule sequence before leaving Sky Fortress.

Boss pattern reference across the campaign

Egg Serpentleaf in Sylvania Castle exposes its vulnerable area when the flower petals open. Avoid the sweeping tentacles and leave the floor when the full-area attack begins. In later phases, additional tentacles and stronger shielding make patience more important than attacking every opening.

White Park’s boss is a separate Metal Sonic encounter. Re-centre after camera movement, wait through active hazards and use Homing Attack only when the target is clearly available. Do not pursue Metal Sonic through an active attack lane.

Egg Scrap Mech in Oil Desert uses falling blocks as the route to its exposed cockpit. Follow the impact indicators, move to safe blocks and attack when the dome opens. Later spike and explosive blocks alter the safe platforms. When Eggman moves to the upper position, use the required Flight or Copter Combo route, then attack the exposed foot with Rolling Combo when the machine reaches the arena.

Death Egg mk.II follows Sky Fortress. Its Act 1 contains the Eggman and Metal Sonic confrontation and then a Metal Sonic race. Clearing only the first confrontation is not enough. In the race, use Rolling Combo to maintain speed and break barriers, but release it when reacting to a sudden hazard. Reach the electrified barrier before Metal Sonic.

Egg Heart is the final boss in Death Egg mk.II’s second act. Use Homing Attack during the upper opening around the rotating electrified rings. Later phases electrify panels, introduce lasers and remove portions of the route. When the force field appears, Rolling Combo is required to break through it. Return to the upper opening for the remaining Homing Attacks. Super Sonic does not bypass these required mechanics.

• Learn each boss’s vulnerable animation before attacking.
• Preserve rings through movement phases instead of forcing damage.
• Use the required Homing Attack, Flight, Copter or Rolling Combo action when the boss changes phase.
• Treat Death Egg mk.II Act 1 as both an encounter and a subsequent race.

Super Sonic and A Golden Wave

Super Sonic requires all seven Chaos Emeralds and at least 50 rings. Rings drain continuously while the form is active, so transform near the section where its protection or speed is useful. Super Sonic is optional and is not required for the ordinary ending or credits.

Using a Tag Action cancels the transformation. Copter Combo, Rolling Combo and other partner actions therefore require a choice: remain transformed for protection, or cancel the form to perform the movement required by the route. Egg Heart still requires Homing Attack and Rolling Combo mechanics even when Super Sonic is available.

The A Golden Wave achievement requires defeating all bosses as Super Sonic. If pursuing it, do not limit the attempt to the four regular zone bosses. The relevant fights include Egg Serpentleaf, White Park Metal Sonic, Egg Scrap Mech, the dedicated Metal Carrier fight in Showdown in the Skies, the Death Egg mk.II Act 1 encounters and Egg Heart. Begin each relevant fight with at least 50 rings, transform where the act allows it and ensure the encounter registers while Super Sonic is active. If a Tag Action cancels the form, collect another safe ring supply and transform again when possible.

• Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds first.
• Start a Super Sonic attempt with at least 50 rings.
• Expect Tag Actions to cancel Super Sonic.
• Include the Death Egg mk.II Act 1 encounters and Egg Heart in the A Golden Wave objective.
• Do not treat Super Sonic as a replacement for Egg Heart’s required attacks.

Completion and continuity check

Sky Fortress is complete only after The Tornado Takes Off!, Infiltrating the Sky Fortress, Mile-High Mayhem and Showdown in the Skies have been cleared. Act 1 contains the separate Metal Sonic encounter. Defeating Metal Sonic by returning the cannonballs is optional for the campaign but required for Metal Sonic Falls. If Metal Sonic crashes or retreats before the required returns are completed, Act 1 can still be completed and the player should replay it later for the achievement.

Showdown in the Skies is Act 4 and is the dedicated Metal Carrier battle. Clear its laser, Balkiry, missile and final Tornado Boost or Plane Charge phases to destroy the carrier. After the capsule and transition, select Death Egg mk.II.

The main campaign ends after the Death Egg mk.II Act 1 confrontation and race, followed by the Egg Heart final boss. The escape presentation, ending scenes and credits confirm ordinary campaign completion. Chaos Emeralds, Super Sonic victories, Red Star Rings and achievements beyond the campaign are optional.

• The Tornado Takes Off! is cleared.
• Metal Sonic was defeated in Act 1 if pursuing Metal Sonic Falls; otherwise confirm the act ended after his crash or retreat.
• Infiltrating the Sky Fortress is cleared.
• Mile-High Mayhem is cleared.
• Showdown in the Skies is cleared and Metal Carrier is destroyed.
• The capsule sequence and transition to Death Egg mk.II occurred.
• Death Egg mk.II Act 1’s Eggman and Metal Sonic confrontation and subsequent race are complete.
• Egg Heart is defeated and the ending and credits play.
• For A Golden Wave, all relevant bosses were defeated while Super Sonic was active.

1. Prepare for the two-act final zone

Death Egg mk.II uses tight platforms, springs, spikes, gravity changes, barriers and sudden changes in direction. Before entering, confirm that jump, homing attack, Spin Dash, Rolling Combo and the Tails-assisted flight action respond correctly on your Windows or Steam control setup. The zone is short, but a missed input near a spike, gap or race barrier can cost a life.

Collect rings whenever they are safely on the route. A ring protects against an ordinary hit, but it does not prevent death from a bottomless pit, a crushing hazard, running out of time in the race, or colliding with the electrified finish barrier. On a first clear, prioritize a stable route over optional Red Star Rings.

• Test jump, homing attack, Spin Dash and Rolling Combo before starting.
• Collect safe rings before the boss encounters.
• Remember that pits, crushing hazards and the race barrier ignore ring protection.

2. Clear Act 1’s machinery route

Move right through the opening machinery and use the springs and launch points to climb through the station. The zone changes the direction or surface on which Sonic is running, so check the next landing platform before committing to a jump. When a prompted Tails flight action appears, activate it rather than forcing a normal jump across the gap. These actions are used to cross wide spaces and reach higher sections safely.

If a launch goes wrong, steer toward the nearest solid lower platform. Do not keep correcting from an unstable edge when a recovery platform is available. Let the route carry Sonic through the gravity sections, and approach spike arrangements with enough control to see where the next landing will be. The regular route has relatively few conventional enemies; failed tag actions, spikes and falls are the main threats.

• Watch the landing surface during gravity changes and spring launches.
• Use prompted Tails-assisted actions across wide gaps.
• Recover on a lower platform instead of making a desperate correction from an edge.

3. Defeat Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic

The first confrontation in Act 1 pairs Dr. Eggman with Metal Sonic. Eggman is protected by a shield and is not the damage target. Metal Sonic throws a large energy ball, and its landing position varies, so watch the projectile instead of standing in one memorized location.

When Eggman rises, prepare to run or jump over Metal Sonic. Wait for the energy ball to pass, then use a homing attack on Metal Sonic while he is not emitting the purple spark. The purple effect signals that contact is unsafe. Eggman may also rush across the arena; the Rolling Combo helps protect Sonic during that pass.

Do not force an attack while Metal Sonic is still sparking. If Sonic loses his rings, concentrate on surviving until the next opening instead of immediately trying to trade damage. Repeat the energy-ball and vulnerability pattern until Metal Sonic is knocked down and the encounter ends.

• Ignore shielded Eggman as a damage target.
• Wait for the energy-ball opening and the end of Metal Sonic’s purple spark.
• Use a homing attack during the safe opening, then move away before the next attack.

4. Finish Act 1 and win the Metal Sonic race

After the Eggman and Metal Sonic encounter, continue through the remaining machinery route. Use the prompted flight actions carefully around spike sections. A useful optional route contains a Red Star Ring near a rising platform and a spring on the left wall: jump over the spring toward the upper-left area and use the flight action to reach it. Skip this detour if you are only trying to finish the campaign.

The route then leads into a race against Metal Sonic. Keep moving forward. Doors and barriers block the path; the homing attack can break them with repeated hits, while the Rolling Combo breaks them more efficiently and increases Sonic’s speed. Activate the Rolling Combo early, maintain it through clear sections, and restart it when it begins to slow down.

Use the prompted Tails actions at gaps, but do not stop to inspect optional routes. If Sonic and Tails lose the race, they collide with the electrified finish barrier and lose a life automatically rather than merely losing rings. Retry from the race restart and focus on a clean line through the doors and landings.

• Treat the Red Star Ring detour as optional.
• Use Rolling Combo to gain speed and break barriers efficiently.
• Restart Rolling Combo when it loses momentum.
• Pass the electrified finish barrier before Metal Sonic.

5. Enter Act 2 and reach Egg Heart

Act 2 begins after the Metal Sonic race. Move through the opening section and collect the available rings. You are eventually launched into a chamber containing Eggman’s heart-shaped machine surrounded by three rotating ring layers.

The objective is to move inward through the rotating rings and reach the upper portion of the heart. Wait for platforms to align before jumping. Avoid blind leaps through gaps, and use the Tails flight action when the next safe platform is not conveniently aligned. The attack target is the upper heart area; strike it with a homing attack when the route is open, then prepare for Sonic and Tails to be spun back toward the outer ring.

• Collect the opening rings before the climb.
• Move inward only after checking the rotating platform alignment.
• Aim for the upper heart area rather than jumping randomly through the ring layers.

6. Survive Egg Heart’s changing patterns

After the first successful hit, Eggman spins Sonic and Tails back toward the first ring, and panels begin to electrify. Make another controlled approach through the rings, avoiding charged panels even when they appear to be the shortest route. Staying too long on the innermost ring also exposes Sonic to the boss’s damaging spin, so keep moving toward the target once the opening appears.

After the next hit, lasers are added to the rotation sequence. The lasers are avoidable, but they make repeated blind jumps dangerous. Watch the laser lanes, identify the platform where you intend to land, and move through an opening rather than jumping continuously. Continue striking the upper heart area whenever it becomes exposed.

Later, sections of the middle ring fall away. The route becomes less forgiving, so use the remaining intact platforms and the flight action to cross awkward gaps. During the final approach, reach the outer side of the route and use Rolling Combo to break the barrier before attempting the last homing attack. Do not try to attack through an electrified panel, a missing ring segment or the barrier. Preserve rings during each return to the outside because another approach is required if the hit is missed.

• Avoid electrified panels and laser lanes.
• Do not remain on the innermost ring longer than necessary.
• Use intact platforms after sections of the middle ring disappear.
• Break the final barrier with Rolling Combo before the last homing attack.
• Prioritize survival over a premature attack when the route is unsafe.

7. Let the ending presentation complete

Defeating Egg Heart completes Act 2 and triggers the Death Egg mk.II escape presentation automatically. This is not a separate playable collapsing-station act. Do not expect to control Sonic through another level after the final hit, and do not restart the boss while the sequence is running.

Allow the escape-pod sequence to continue into the ending scenes and credits. Sonic and Tails escape while the damaged Death Egg mk.II is shown shutting down. The station’s appearance during the closing scenes does not indicate a failed boss fight. The ending and credits are the confirmation that the main Windows and Steam campaign is complete.

• Act 1 is cleared, including the machinery route, Eggman and Metal Sonic encounter, and Metal Sonic race.
• Act 2 is cleared by defeating Egg Heart.
• The automatic escape-pod presentation plays.
• The ending scenes continue into the credits.
• Do not treat the escape presentation as a selectable playable act.

1. Qualify a regular act for entry

Replay any regular Act 1, Act 2 or Act 3 that you can finish reliably. Collect Rings throughout the level and make sure at least 50 remain when Sonic crosses the goal. A Giant Ring then appears beyond the goal. Jump into it promptly to enter the next available Special Stage.

Do not treat 50 Rings as a safe reserve. A late hit can remove enough Rings to prevent the Giant Ring from appearing, so collect extra Rings when the route allows it and avoid unnecessary hazards near the finish. Sylvania Castle, White Park, Oil Desert and Sky Fortress regular acts can all be replayed for attempts; choose the act whose Ring route and ending section you know best.

The Emeralds are earned in sequence. Once the Emerald associated with an eligible act has already been collected, replaying that act will not provide another completed Emerald. Use another eligible act when you need to qualify the next attempt. The game’s stage and status displays are the reliable way to check what has already been obtained.

• Finish a regular Act 1, Act 2 or Act 3 with at least 50 Rings.
• Jump into the Giant Ring beyond the goal.
• Use a different eligible act if the attempted Emerald is already registered.

2. Learn the half-pipe controls before pursuing an Emerald

Special Stages switch to a forward-facing half-pipe course. Sonic and Tails move automatically while you steer them from side to side. Use the configured left and right controls to move across the track, and use the configured jump or Spin Jump control to avoid obstacles and reach raised sections. PC layouts can vary, so confirm the bindings in the game or Steam controller configuration before beginning a serious attempt.

A separate boost input accelerates Sonic and Tails and attracts nearby Rings. On the original controller layouts this input is associated with the secondary action, but use the button shown by your Windows configuration rather than relying on a remembered keyboard key. Boost across a broad, safe Ring formation, then stop boosting when the next section requires a narrow landing or a quick lane change.

Make small steering corrections instead of holding one direction for long periods. Move toward a Ring line early, collect it, and return toward a safer central position when the next obstacle is unclear. Reaching the far edge can be useful for a target placed there, but staying at the edge leaves less room to correct if the track changes or a hazard appears.

• Test left, right, jump and boost inputs before the attempt.
• Use boost to collect broad Ring groups and regain speed.
• Return toward a safe lane before narrow landings or dense hazards.

3. Pass all three Ring checkpoints

At the start of a Special Stage, the game displays the number of Rings required for the first checkpoint. Collect at least that amount before reaching it. After passing the checkpoint, a new requirement appears for the next section. Continue until you have passed all three checkpoints and reach the finish with the displayed final requirement.

These are separate requirements, not one total that can be banked for the whole course. If you arrive at a checkpoint without enough Rings, the attempt ends there and no Emerald is awarded. Prioritize the required Ring total over optional Rings whenever the safer route and the larger collection route conflict.

Regular Rings count individually, while larger Ring items provide a larger increase. Use Ring trails and wide formations when they are safe, but do not force Sonic into an obstacle merely to complete a line. Begin steering toward the next safe lane before the current formation reaches Sonic because automatic forward movement makes last-second corrections difficult.

• Read the current Ring requirement before each checkpoint.
• Reach all three checkpoints with the displayed amount or more.
• Reach the final goal while still meeting the last requirement.

4. Handle obstacles and use the boost safely

The half-pipe includes Bombs, electrified obstacles, springs, speed or Dash Panels and other track transitions. Bomb contact removes Rings, making bombs particularly dangerous near a checkpoint. Electrified obstacles slow Sonic and Tails, so avoid them when possible even though they do not function like Ring-stealing bombs.

Jump over an obstacle when it blocks the ground route, but check the landing lane before committing. Springs and Dash Panels can redirect Sonic or carry him toward another section of the pipe. Use them as planned transitions rather than hitting them blindly at full speed.

The boost also attracts nearby Rings and can help collect formations spread across the width of the course. It does not make Sonic invulnerable. Stop boosting before a narrow target, a sudden obstacle group or a landing where precise lateral control matters more than speed.

• Avoid red bomb obstacles because they remove Rings.
• Treat electrified obstacles as speed hazards and steer around them.
• Check the destination lane before using a spring, Dash Panel or boost.

5. Retry intelligently after a failure

If you realize that the current checkpoint requirement is no longer reachable, pause and use the available Retry option before allowing the attempt to end, when the game offers it. Restarting early is usually more efficient than continuing into a guaranteed failure. A retry does not award an Emerald by itself; only a full successful run registers the reward.

If the Special Stage ends and returns you to normal play, replay an eligible Act 1, Act 2 or Act 3, collect at least 50 Rings again and enter its Giant Ring. A failed attempt does not permanently consume the Emerald opportunity. Keep track of the next unfilled Emerald indicator so you know whether you are practicing a stage or pursuing a new reward.

For a first attempt, learn the obstacle and lane pattern rather than trying to collect every optional Ring. On the next run, add wider Ring formations only when they do not endanger the checkpoint total.

• Use Retry before a doomed checkpoint when the option is available.
• If returned to the map, qualify another eligible act with 50 Rings.
• Confirm the Emerald indicator before assuming a stage has been completed.

6. Confirm the Emerald collection and Super Sonic status

Complete the third checkpoint and reach the final goal with the required Ring total. The Chaos Emerald is awarded only after the successful completion sequence. Entering a Special Stage, passing one checkpoint or collecting a large number of Rings without finishing does not count as earning the Emerald.

There are seven Chaos Emeralds in Episode II. After all seven are collected, Super Sonic becomes available during regular gameplay when Sonic has at least 50 Rings. Use the configured Super Sonic input shown by the PC version. Super Sonic consumes Rings while active, so the transformation is useful but still requires attention around pits, crushing hazards and other fatal obstacles.

The Emerald hunt is optional. It is separate from completing Sylvania Castle, White Park, Oil Desert, Sky Fortress and Death Egg mk.II, defeating the final boss and watching the normal ending and credits. Do not use the absence of a special Emerald ending as evidence that the collection failed; verify the seven Emerald indicators and Super Sonic availability instead.

• Complete every attempted Special Stage through all three checkpoints and the goal.
• Verify that all seven Chaos Emerald indicators are filled.
• Confirm Super Sonic is available with at least 50 Rings in a regular act.
• Treat the normal campaign ending and credits as separate from Emerald collection.

1. Confirm the Windows Steam ownership requirement

Episode Metal is not sold as a separate add-on and does not appear as its own Steam application. The Windows edition of Episode II lists the bonus as unlocked for owners of both Episode I and Episode II. Make sure both games belong to the same Steam account and that you are running the Windows Steam releases rather than mixing Steam ownership with a console, mobile, or other-platform copy.

Installation alone should not be treated as the completion check. Launch Episode I once and confirm that it can save progress normally. The relevant cross-title progress requirement is an Episode I save with Splash Hill Zone, Act 1 cleared. A save from another platform is not a substitute for the Windows Steam version's local ownership and save check.

• Episode I is in the same Steam library account as Episode II.
• Both titles are the Windows Steam editions.
• Episode I has a recorded completion for Splash Hill Zone, Act 1.

2. Complete the Episode II progress check

Start Episode II and clear Sylvania Castle Zone, Act 1. This is the first Episode II act associated with the unlock check. Finish the act normally and return to the Episode II map or main progression screen rather than closing the game during the transition.

After the act has been completed, continue the main game or return to the map so Episode II can detect the Episode I save. If the bonus is not visible immediately, close Episode II, confirm that Episode I's Splash Hill Act 1 completion is still present, restart Steam, and launch Episode II again. Do not buy another product or search the Steam library for a separate Metal campaign.

• Sylvania Castle Zone, Act 1 is complete in Episode II.
• Episode I's Splash Hill Zone, Act 1 save is present on the same Windows system.
• Episode II has been returned to its world map after the progress check.

3. Select Episode Metal from the world map

Open Episode II's world map and move through the zone selections. When the check succeeds, an Episode Metal entry becomes available on that map. Select the bonus entry from Episode II; do not launch Episode I and do not look for a new executable.

The unlock is confirmed when the map offers a Metal Sonic act and the stage loads with Metal Sonic as the playable character. If the entry remains absent, verify the two ownership requirements first, then replay or confirm Splash Hill Zone, Act 1 in Episode I and Sylvania Castle Zone, Act 1 in Episode II. The saved progress requirement is more useful to check than reinstalling the game.

• Episode Metal is visible on Episode II's world map.
• Selecting it opens a bonus act rather than a main Episode II zone.
• Metal Sonic appears as the playable character when the act begins.

4. Play the four acts in the correct order

Episode Metal contains four acts, not four full zones with separate Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, and boss stages. The order is Mad Gear Zone, Lost Labyrinth Zone, Casino Street Zone, and Splash Hill Zone. Each act is based on the first act of the corresponding Episode I zone but has been rearranged and made more demanding for Metal Sonic.

Mad Gear Zone is the opening act. Treat the factory's pipes, gears, pistons, and Badnik placements as new hazards even if you remember the Episode I route. Lost Labyrinth Zone follows; watch for its ruin sections, moving obstacles, water, and air-bubble opportunities. Casino Street Zone is third and emphasizes neon platforms, cards, cannons, bumpers, and pinball-style movement. Splash Hill Zone is the final act, combining familiar hills, loops, enemies, and traps with an altered route and denser opposition.

• Mad Gear Zone is cleared first.
• Lost Labyrinth Zone is cleared second.
• Casino Street Zone is cleared third.
• Splash Hill Zone is cleared fourth.

5. Use the correct Metal Sonic approach

Metal Sonic uses the established Sonic-style movement framework rather than a wholly separate control scheme. Use the same basic habits that work in Episode II: keep rings before dangerous sections, jump rather than blindly running into a new obstacle, use spin attacks against ordinary enemies, and use homing attacks only when a target is clearly available.

Do not rely on memorized Episode I paths. The bonus acts are altered versions of the earlier Zone 1 layouts, with additional enemies, changed obstacles, and harder transitions. At a repeated failure point, stop before the hazard, identify the next platform or safe landing, then cross with a controlled jump. A faster approach is useful only after the landing is confirmed.

The four acts are bonus stages, not a second main campaign. They do not add new Episode II boss acts, and their completion is tracked separately from clearing Sylvania Castle, White Park, Oil Desert, Sky Fortress, and Death Egg mk.II.

• You are using Episode II's normal movement logic rather than searching for a separate Metal control scheme.
• You have learned each altered route instead of following Episode I's path from memory.
• All four acts have been cleared without treating them as full multi-act zones.

6. Verify completion

After Splash Hill Zone is cleared, return to the Episode II world map. The practical completion check is that the Episode Metal entry remains available and all four bonus acts show as completed or can no longer be selected as unfinished stages.

The Steam achievement associated with defeating Metal Sonic in the main Episode II campaign is separate from Episode Metal's unlock. Do not use that achievement as proof that the bonus content has appeared. Likewise, owning both games without seeing the map entry is not enough: confirm Episode I's Splash Hill Act 1 save, clear Episode II's Sylvania Castle Act 1, and restart the title if necessary.

• Episode Metal is selectable from Episode II's world map.
• Mad Gear, Lost Labyrinth, Casino Street, and Splash Hill bonus acts are complete.
• Episode II returns to the map after the final act.

Start the correct multiplayer mode

From the Episode II main menu, open the multiplayer option and choose the available local or online mode. The Steam edition advertises both forms of collaborative play, with one player assigned to Sonic and the other to Tails. For local play, connect and test both controllers before selecting a Zone. For online play, use the game’s multiplayer setup and confirm that both players have joined before entering an Act.

The game uses a shared camera rather than giving each character an independent screen. Sonic and Tails can move separately for short periods, but the camera will eventually force the pair back together. The Sonic player should lead through ordinary platforming, while the Tails player watches for the correct position to begin a lift, rolling attack, or underwater combination. If either character is near the edge of the screen, stop at the next safe platform instead of continuing at full speed.

• Verify that one input device controls Sonic and the other controls Tails.
• Test movement, jump, and the assigned tag-action input before starting a serious attempt.
• Keep both characters within the shared camera whenever a platforming sequence becomes narrow.

Understand single-player Tails

In single-player mode, Sonic remains the directly controlled character. Tails follows as a computer-controlled partner and is controlled by the player only when Sonic initiates a combination move. You cannot freely switch to Tails and explore an Act as an independent character in the solo adventure. The official description of the feature specifically distinguishes single-player, where the player controls Sonic and uses Tails during combination moves, from two-player mode, where each character has a player.

This difference matters when practicing. A solo player should position Sonic carefully and activate the tag action at the intended point. A multiplayer Tails player can make the small alignment corrections required during a lift or underwater passage, but still cannot ignore the shared camera or leave Sonic permanently behind. Do not wait for a character-switch command during a solo Act; it is not part of the Windows edition’s normal single-player design.

• Treat solo Tails as a support partner, not as a freely switchable second character.
• In multiplayer, communicate before starting a tag action so both players are ready.
• If one character falls behind, regroup at a stable platform before proceeding.

Use the Copter Combo in the air

Jump and activate the tag action while Sonic is airborne to use the Copter Combo. Tails grabs Sonic and flies with him, allowing the pair to cross gaps or reach platforms that Sonic cannot reach with a normal jump. In multiplayer, the Tails player takes responsibility for steering the flight after the action begins. The official description presents this move as the method for lifting Sonic over obstacles and onto otherwise unobtainable platforms.

Begin the Copter Combo from a predictable position. Before pressing the action button, identify the platform or ledge where Sonic must land and check the space above it for spikes, enemies, or moving objects. During the flight, use controlled movement rather than immediately holding toward the highest visible point. Release or end the action only when the landing is safe. In a solo run, do not assume Tails will automatically choose the best route; Sonic’s position and the timing of the tag action determine whether the flight begins correctly.

Some vertical routes are much easier with a human Tails player because Tails can adjust his position while carrying Sonic. This is an advantage in multiplayer, not a separate unlock or alternate character mode. If the pair misses a ledge, prioritize a safe recovery platform over trying to redirect toward a collectible.

• Start the Copter Combo while Sonic is airborne, not while standing on the ground.
• Check the ceiling and intended landing before beginning the flight.
• Use short corrections during the lift instead of steering blindly toward the top of the screen.

Use the Rolling Combo on the ground

On the ground, activate the tag action to combine Sonic and Tails into the Rolling Combo. The pair travels as a stronger, faster spinning attack that is useful against sturdy enemies, breakable barriers, and other large obstacles. The ground context is important: pressing the tag action in the air produces the Copter Combo instead, while using it underwater produces the Submarine Combo.

Line up the Rolling Combo before starting it. Check what lies beyond the target because destroying an obstacle does not make the landing area safe. A pit, rotating hazard, or second enemy may be immediately beyond the first object. Use the move when the route is level and visible; use a normal jump or homing attack when the approach is too short or the exit is hidden.

In multiplayer, the Sonic player should call the intended direction and the Tails player should avoid activating the move before both characters are aligned. If the roll carries the pair toward a dangerous edge, release control early enough to recover rather than trying to maintain maximum speed.

• Use the Rolling Combo while grounded.
• Confirm that the space after the target is safe before committing.
• Do not use the move at full speed when the next platform cannot be seen.

Use the Submarine Combo underwater

In water, activate the tag action to use the Submarine Combo. Tails carries Sonic through the underwater section, addressing Sonic’s inability to swim normally and allowing the pair to move through submerged routes together. The official feature description identifies this as a dedicated underwater combination rather than ordinary swimming.

Before entering a long underwater stretch, identify the next air source and the safest open lane. The combination helps Sonic move through the water, but it does not remove underwater hazards or make careless positioning harmless. The Tails player should steer around walls, enemies, and narrow corners while the Sonic player watches the route ahead and calls out upcoming openings.

Do not chase rings into a dead end if the next air bubble or exit is uncertain. If the combination ends or the pair separates, recover air and a solid platform first. A safe route with fewer rings is preferable to losing the attempt while trying to collect an item in a cramped underwater passage.

• Activate the tag action while underwater to begin the Submarine Combo.
• Locate the next air source before entering a long passage.
• Prioritize the exit and air supply over optional rings when the route branches.

Coordinate boss fights and Super Sonic

Two-player boss fights require both players to read the same attack pattern. Keep Sonic and Tails close unless the arena clearly rewards separation, and decide who is moving before a platform disappears or a projectile crosses the arena. Sonic should focus on reaching the boss’s vulnerable position; Tails should avoid taking unnecessary contact damage and be ready to assist with the next combination move.

Collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds allows Sonic to use Super Sonic, but this does not make the co-op Tails player invulnerable. Treat Tails as a separate character who can still be hit during multiplayer play. Also remember that a combination action can affect Sonic’s transformation state; the Copter Combo, for example, causes Super Sonic to revert to normal according to the documented move behavior. Do not activate a lift casually when preserving Super Sonic is more valuable than reaching a higher platform.

When a boss attempt fails, identify the specific cause before retrying: poor spacing, a mistimed tag action, an unprotected Tails position, or entering a contact phase with too few rings. Resume from the next safe opening instead of immediately repeating the same attack.

• Call out boss telegraphs and choose which player moves first.
• Keep Tails clear of hazards even while Sonic is Super Sonic.
• Avoid using a combination move that will cancel Super Sonic unless the action is necessary.
• After a failure, change the positioning or timing that caused it.

Build speed only when the route is visible

Use normal running on open ground and through clearly marked speed sections. Episode II contains slopes, loops, springs, boost pads, and other set pieces intended to carry Sonic forward, so stopping at every obstacle is usually unnecessary when the landing area is already visible.

Use a Spin Dash when Sonic is standing still or moving only slightly and you need a strong burst to climb a slope, activate a Spin Dash-sensitive mechanism, or clear a known gap. Hold down and use the jump input to charge it, then release toward the safe route. Do not charge beside an unseen pit, low ceiling, or crusher. The burst is useful because it restores momentum, but it also reduces the time available to react.

When Sonic is already moving downhill, remain upright if you need predictable control. Rolling can preserve or increase speed, but do not stay curled through an area whose next landing has not appeared on screen. Release the movement before an uncertain edge and approach the jump with a visible target.

• Run through visible open sections.
• Charge Spin Dash only from a safe position.
• Uncurl or slow down before an unseen landing.

Use short, deliberate jumps around precision hazards

For a narrow platform or moving platform, jump from stable ground rather than from the extreme edge. A controlled jump gives more time to steer Sonic toward the destination than a rushed leap taken while already sliding toward a drop.

Springs and boost pads are committed launches. Before touching one, check where the route appears to lead and identify the first platform or object you must reach afterward. If the camera is hiding the landing, keep the movement input ready and be prepared to correct immediately after Sonic leaves the spring or pad.

Keep rings before a difficult crossing whenever possible. Rings can absorb one ordinary hit, including contact with many enemies and hazards, but they cannot save Sonic from a bottomless pit or from being crushed. Treat ring collection as damage insurance, not as permission to make blind jumps.

• Jump from stable ground when the destination is narrow.
• Expect limited control after springs and boost pads.
• Never rely on rings to survive pits or crushing.

Enter loops and slopes with controlled momentum

Approach a loop with enough forward speed to stay on its track. A normal run or an already-established roll is more predictable than stopping at the base and attempting to improvise. Keep moving through the loop and watch for an enemy, spring, gap, or elevation change at the exit.

Do not assume that clearing the loop completes the dangerous part. The exit may place Sonic directly beside a badnik or on a slope leading toward a pit. Release a held jump if it would carry Sonic into an unseen object, and use a normal jump or a confirmed homing attack only after the next target is visible.

On a downward slope, staying on the ground can build speed naturally. On an uphill slope, a Spin Dash may provide the extra momentum needed to reach the crest. If the crest ends in a gap, stop rolling before the edge and make a measured jump rather than allowing uncontrolled speed to decide the launch.

• Enter loops with established momentum.
• Inspect the loop exit before committing to the next jump.
• Use Spin Dash for known uphill momentum problems.

Treat homing attack as a confirmed option

Press the jump input again in mid-air only when a nearby enemy or interactive object is clearly available as a target. A successful homing attack can cross gaps, strike enemies, or reach springs while preserving forward movement.

Do not repeatedly press jump simply because Sonic is airborne. If no target is available, the attack will not create a safe route by itself. Enemy groups placed beside spikes, saws, or a narrow landing may be safer to clear with a normal jump or a ground roll.

After one homing attack, reassess the next target. Chaining is useful when the targets are visibly arranged across the route, but it is dangerous when the next object is partly hidden or positioned close to a fatal hazard. Tails' tag actions can extend Sonic's reach, but begin them from a stable position and wait for the action to finish before steering toward the next platform.

• Confirm a target before homing.
• Use ordinary jumps when the target chain is unclear.
• Do not steer into the next obstacle before a tag action ends.

Recover correctly after taking damage

When Sonic is hit by an enemy or non-crushing hazard, his rings scatter. Move first toward the safest nearby ground, then collect only the rings that can be reached without crossing the hazard again. A small ring recovery is better than taking a second hit while chasing the entire lost group.

If the hit leaves Sonic on a stable ledge, pause briefly and identify the next threat before moving. If he lands on a temporary or moving platform, keep the camera and platform motion in view; do not stop so long that the platform carries him into a gap.

A bottomless-pit fall or crushing impact is not recoverable through rings. After losing a life, repeat the section with a specific change: approach the edge more slowly, wait for the crusher cycle, avoid the unsafe homing target, or use the visible alternate platform. Do not simply repeat the same high-speed attempt.

• Move to safe ground before collecting scattered rings.
• Collect reachable rings instead of chasing every ring.
• Change the failed maneuver after a life loss.

Cross crushers, saws, pits, and boost sections by observation

Rotating saws and crushers are timing hazards. If the route allows it, watch one movement cycle before crossing, then move during the opening. Do not try to outrun a crusher while ringless; crushing is fatal even when Sonic would otherwise be protected by rings.

For bottomless pits, identify both the takeoff point and the landing before jumping. Start from the center of the platform when possible, and avoid last-second Spin Dashes unless the section clearly requires one. If the landing is off-screen, wait for the camera to reveal more of the route rather than committing blindly.

During fast boost-pad or set-piece sequences, avoid large steering corrections unless the next surface is visible. Keep Sonic aligned with the intended track, prepare to jump when the route visibly ends, and do not assume that a boost automatically solves the next landing. Reach the next Star Post or other stable section before attempting a faster line.

• Watch a hazard cycle when the layout permits.
• Plan both sides of every pit crossing.
• Keep corrections small during fast set pieces.

1. Confirm the correct Windows installation

Open Steam and launch Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II from its Library entry, App ID 203650. The Steam listing identifies the Windows release as a May 15, 2012 PC version with partial controller support, so do not assume that every modern controller will be detected with a correct layout automatically.

Connect the controller before launching the game, then restart Steam if the game opens without recognizing it. Avoid beginning a full run from an old desktop shortcut until the Steam Library launch, controller detection, and display settings have all been tested.

• Episode II appears installed in the same Steam account that owns it.
• The game launches from the Steam Library.
• The controller is connected before the game starts.

2. Configure an XInput controller first

An XInput-compatible pad is the most dependable starting point for this PC release. Xbox-style controllers are the usual example. If the game does not respond, open the game's Steam Properties and inspect the Controller section. Test Steam Input enabled, then test it disabled if the first setting produces duplicate or missing commands. Relaunch the game after changing the setting.

At the launcher or title screen, test directional movement, menu confirmation, cancellation, jump, and the command assigned to the second action or tag move. Enter Act 1 and test running, jumping, rolling, homing attacks, and any Tails interaction the level presents. A pad that moves Sonic but cannot confirm menus or perform the required action is not fully configured.

Do not combine Steam Input with JoyToKey, reWASD, or another mapper until the native Steam configuration has been tested. Two active input layers can send duplicate commands or hide the controller from the game.

• Menus can be navigated and confirmed with the controller.
• Sonic can jump and perform a homing attack in Act 1.
• The controller can perform the game's required Tails or tag input.

3. Make keyboard controls usable before relying on them

The PC launcher provides a control-configuration screen, but community reports show that some installations expose only partial keyboard input or fail to identify the intended controller. Open the launcher configuration and assign separate, reachable keys for left, right, jump, and the second action. Test menu confirmation before entering an act.

If the launcher does not accept the desired keyboard layout, use Steam Input to present a virtual gamepad layout, then test that layout in the title screen and in Act 1. Change one binding at a time so that a failed adjustment can be reversed. Do not assume that arrow keys alone are sufficient; the game also needs reliable confirmation, jumping, and action inputs.

A keyboard setup is ready only when it can select and confirm menus, move Sonic, jump, perform a homing attack, and activate the relevant Tails or tag action.

• The keyboard can select and confirm a menu item.
• Jump and the second action are separate, reliable inputs.
• The complete layout works in an act, not only in the launcher.

4. Correct gameplay that runs too fast

This older PC release can run at abnormal speed on some high-refresh-rate systems. Symptoms include accelerated menus, act timers, character movement, and hazards. If the game appears to be running at roughly double speed, stop the campaign and correct the frame-pacing problem first.

Begin by enabling vertical synchronization in the game or in the graphics driver's per-game profile. If the speed remains wrong, test the display at 60 Hz or apply a per-game frame-rate limit of approximately 60 frames per second. Test a short section of Act 1 after each change. Normal menu animation, normal act timing, and ordinary movement indicate that the fix is working.

If variable-refresh features such as FreeSync or G-SYNC interfere with the cap, temporarily disable them for this game and test again. Multi-monitor and ultrawide setups may require selecting a normal 16:9 display or temporarily disconnecting a conflicting monitor. These are troubleshooting steps, not requirements for every computer.

• The title-screen animation runs at a normal speed.
• Act timers do not accelerate.
• Act 1 movement is consistent at the beginning and end of a short test.

5. Handle launch failures and crashes safely

For a crash, black screen, or failure at Preparing to Launch, restart Steam and Windows before changing files. Close overlays and nonessential background programs, update the graphics driver, and test windowed mode if fullscreen is unstable.

To repair a potentially incomplete installation, right-click the game in the Steam Library, choose Properties, open Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. Steam recommends file verification for missing content and crashes. Wait for the process to finish before launching again.

After verification, test a standard 16:9 resolution and windowed mode before trying ultrawide or multi-monitor arrangements. Do not download replacement executables or manually overwrite configuration files as a first response. If an antivirus program quarantines a game file, confirm the file and restore process through the security software rather than obtaining an unknown copy.

• Steam file verification has completed.
• The game has been tested with overlays closed.
• Windowed mode or a standard display mode has been tried if fullscreen fails.

6. Restore Episode Metal and protect local progress

Episode Metal is a cross-title bonus, but installing Episode I and Episode II under the same Steam account is not the complete check. Episode I must have a recognized save with at least Splash Hill Zone Act 1 completed. After that, start Episode II, complete its opening progression far enough for the game to check the Episode I data, and return to the Episode II world map or menu to look for the bonus content.

If Episode Metal does not appear, launch Episode I and confirm that Splash Hill Zone Act 1 is recorded as cleared. Then exit normally, start Episode II, and restart Steam if necessary. Verify both games' files if either title behaves as though its save or installation is missing.

Do not assume Steam Cloud protects this game's local progress. Check the Episode II Properties page to see whether Cloud is actually listed for the installation. If it is absent, back up the game's local save or configuration data before reinstalling, replacing files, or moving the installation. Never delete local data while Steam may still be synchronizing another machine.

• Both episodes are owned on the same Steam account.
• Episode I has a completed Splash Hill Zone Act 1 save.
• Episode II has been restarted after Episode I's save was created or confirmed.
• Episode Metal appears in the Episode II world map or menu if the cross-save check succeeds.
• Any available Steam Cloud status has been checked rather than assumed.

Complete the required campaign route

Clear Sylvania Castle Acts 1, 2, and 3, then complete Sylvania Castle Act 4, the boss stage. Clear White Park Acts 1–3 and Act 4, then do the same for Oil Desert. The first three zones can be selected from the world map in the available order, but all of their acts must be cleared before the route advances to Sky Fortress.

Clear Sky Fortress Act 1, The Tornado Takes Off!, Act 2, Infiltrating the Sky Fortress, and Act 3, Mile-High Mayhem. Then select Sky Fortress Act 4, Showdown in the Skies. This is the Metal Carrier boss act and is required for ordinary campaign completion.

Do not use the Metal Sonic Falls achievement as proof that Sky Fortress is finished. Metal Sonic Falls is earned during the Metal Carrier encounter in Sky Fortress Act 1, when Metal Sonic attacks from the Metal Carrier. Showdown in the Skies is a separate Act 4 boss stage and must still be cleared.

After Sky Fortress Act 4, complete Death Egg mk.II Act 1, A Duel with Metal Sonic. Continue through its later Metal Sonic race section rather than treating the race as a separate world-map stage. Then complete the final Death Egg mk.II boss act, The Beginning of the End, by defeating Egg Heart.

• Sylvania Castle Acts 1–3 completed.
• Sylvania Castle Act 4 completed.
• White Park Acts 1–3 completed.
• White Park Act 4 completed.
• Oil Desert Acts 1–3 completed.
• Oil Desert Act 4 completed.
• Sky Fortress Acts 1–3 completed.
• Sky Fortress Act 4, Showdown in the Skies, completed.
• Death Egg mk.II Act 1 completed, including its Metal Sonic race.
• Egg Heart defeated in the final Death Egg mk.II boss act.

Watch the ending and confirm the main clear

After Egg Heart is defeated, remain in the post-boss presentation. The Death Egg escape is shown as part of the ending presentation rather than as an additional playable escape act that must be selected from the world map.

Let the presentation continue until the credits begin. The Steam achievement All Stages Cleared! specifically requires defeating the final foe and watching the ending, so reaching the credits is the clearest confirmation that the campaign has been completed.

If Steam is offline when the final fight ends, use the completed stage markers and the viewed ending as the immediate check. Reconnect Steam and allow the achievement state to update. Return to the title screen or world map only after the presentation has finished, and check that the completed stages remain marked as cleared.

• Egg Heart defeated.
• Automatic ending presentation viewed.
• Credits reached.
• All Stages Cleared! registered, or pending until Steam reconnects.
• Completed progress remains visible after returning to the title screen or world map.

Separate optional Steam achievements from campaign completion

Metal Sonic Falls is an optional achievement tied to the Metal Carrier encounter inside Sky Fortress Act 1. Defeat Metal Sonic there to earn it; clearing Sky Fortress Act 1 without defeating him does not replace the separate Act 4 boss-stage requirement.

Showdown in the Skies is the Sky Fortress Act 4 boss act. Clear it for the main campaign regardless of whether Metal Sonic Falls has already registered. This separation matters because Act 1 contains the achievement encounter while Act 4 is the zone's required concluding boss stage.

Other Steam achievements are also separate from the ordinary campaign route. The Adventure Begins requires clearing Sylvania Castle Act 1. Rolling Combo! requires activating the Sonic-and-Tails Rolling Combo. Tag Partner requires uploading a multiplayer score or time, and I Love Tails requires playing as Tails 50 times.

Endurance Race requires clearing all stages without returning to the World Map. Treat it as a dedicated uninterrupted run rather than something to combine with ordinary cleanup. Proof of Speed requires clearing Sylvania Castle Act 1 in one minute or less, so attempt it after learning the act instead of risking the initial campaign clear.

• Metal Sonic defeated during the Sky Fortress Act 1 Metal Carrier encounter if pursuing Metal Sonic Falls.
• Sky Fortress Act 4, Showdown in the Skies, cleared for campaign progress.
• The Adventure Begins registered if pursuing all achievements.
• Rolling Combo! registered if pursuing it.
• Tag Partner completed through a qualifying multiplayer upload.
• I Love Tails registered after 50 qualifying Tails plays.
• Endurance Race attempted without returning to the World Map.
• Proof of Speed attempted in Sylvania Castle Act 1 if needed.

Collect Chaos Emeralds and complete Special Stage goals

To enter an Episode II Special Stage, finish a regular Act 1, Act 2, or Act 3 with at least 50 Rings, then enter the large ring at the goal. Episode II uses the half-pipe format. Steer across the pipe, collect the required rings, avoid hazards, and use jumps or boosts when they improve your line through the next section.

A failed Special Stage attempt does not permanently remove the opportunity. Replay an eligible regular act, rebuild the required ring total, and enter the goal ring again. Chaos Emeralds are optional for the normal ending and are not required for All Stages Cleared!.

Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds to unlock Super Sonic and earn All Chaos Emeralds Found!. A Golden Wave is a separate objective requiring all bosses to be defeated as Super Sonic; collecting the Emeralds alone is not enough.

For Ring Collector, replay Special Stage 1 and collect every ring before clearing it. Earning the first Emerald or merely finishing the stage does not satisfy the achievement if a ring was missed.

• All seven Chaos Emeralds collected if pursuing the optional goal.
• All Chaos Emeralds Found! registered.
• Super Sonic available after the Emerald requirement is met.
• Special Stage 1 cleared after collecting every ring.
• A Golden Wave completed by defeating all required bosses as Super Sonic.

Check Red Star Rings and unlock Episode Metal

Red Star Rings are optional collectibles. They do not open a required campaign route and do not change the ordinary ending. Replay individual acts, collect missing rings, and finish the act so the progress can be saved. Keep an act-by-act list rather than repeatedly searching the full campaign.

All Red Star Rings Found! is a separate Steam achievement. If it does not update immediately, return to the title or world-map screen, reconnect Steam, and check the achievement list before replaying unrelated stages.

Episode Metal is bonus content inside Episode II, not a sixth main campaign zone. On Steam, verify that Episode I and Episode II are owned and recognized on the same system and Steam account. The relevant early progress checks are Splash Hill Act 1 cleared in Episode I and Sylvania Castle Act 1 cleared in Episode II.

After both progress conditions are met, continue or restart Episode II and check the world-map or episode-selection interface for Episode Metal. Its bonus stages are reworked Episode I acts played as Metal Sonic: Mad Gear, Lost Labyrinth, Casino Street, and Splash Hill. Launching one of those stages is the practical confirmation that the bonus content is available; ownership alone is not sufficient.

• Every regular act checked for missing Red Star Rings.
• All Red Star Rings Found! registered if pursuing the collection.
• Episode I and Episode II recognized on the same Steam account and system.
• Splash Hill Act 1 cleared in Episode I.
• Sylvania Castle Act 1 cleared in Episode II.
• Episode Metal appears in the Episode II interface.
• At least one Episode Metal stage launches successfully.

Perform efficient post-game cleanup

After the ending and credits are confirmed, replay only the stages connected to missing objectives. Use Sylvania Castle Act 1 for Proof of Speed, eligible regular acts for Special Stage access, Special Stage 1 for Ring Collector, and individual acts for Red Star Ring searches.

Keep ordinary cleanup separate from the Endurance Race attempt. For Endurance Race, begin before the first required stage and continue through the full stage sequence without returning to the World Map. Do not use the map to change order, select a missed collectible, or restart through a different zone during that attempt.

Before changing computers or troubleshooting the installation, allow Steam Cloud to finish synchronizing. If the world map, local progress, and Steam achievement list appear inconsistent, check the in-game progress first, reconnect Steam, and replay the smallest relevant objective. A delayed achievement notification is not a reason to delete local progress.

• Ending and credits confirmed before cleanup begins.
• Missing achievements identified individually.
• Relevant acts replayed instead of restarting the whole campaign unnecessarily.
• Endurance Race attempted as a separate uninterrupted run.
• Steam Cloud synchronization completed before changing systems or files.