SEGA has announced that Sonic 4: Episode Two will be released in 2012. There is still no firm release date, just the vague description of 2012. That said we are happy to see the blue hedgehog return to his former 2D glory again, especially as Episode One was pretty amazing.

Sonic 4: Episode Two is set to work on what the first did with a new physics engine and character animations. New levels and tweaks will ensure this is the best 2D Sonic revival to date (we hope).

“After twenty years in action, it’s clear that Sonic hasn’t slowed down one bit,” said Sega of America executive Haruki Satomi.

“The first entry in the Sonic 4 saga was a major success. We’ve listened to the fans and been hard at work making sure we recapture that same spirit of fun in Episode II. We hope the fans will enjoy it.”

Sonic 4: Episode One came out almost two years ago now, so this announcement from SEGA has been a long time coming!