Sega does the big sequel and the Sega Genesis finally becomes number 1!
Written: Mar 23 '03 (Updated Sep 24 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Improves on the original on almost every way.
Cons: Too easy at times.
The Bottom Line: A smart buy for kids and action fans a like.
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| StarSoldier1's Full Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Sega Genesis |
SONIC The Hedgehog 2 (Sega/Sonic Team, November 24, 1992)
"Millions of fans can't be wrong!" Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has to be one of Sega's best all time sellers and thanks to this game and their aggressive ad campaign, Sega finally got ahead of Nintendo during the early 90's. A very impressive feet after they got their butt's kicked in the 80's! Here is the historic game that helped to turn the tables on Nintendo and made the Sega Genesis number 1:
Mario who?
After Sonic made his grand entrance in 1991 with the monster hit Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega didn't slow down (no pun intended) their latest franchise character just yet, they were already prepared to release a big sequel the next year (Nintendo didn't even answer back since there was no sequel to Super Mario World in 1992). Here we have Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog 2, a 8 mega bit game (twice the size of the original) packed with new features like added moves, all new levels, and Sonic even has a new sidekick. The blue speed demon is back but is this action game better than the first or it is just another simple rehash?
Sonic's arch nemesis, the evil Dr. Robotnik is up to his old tricks again and the egg shaped doctor is capturing more innocent animals and turning them into vicious machines that do his bidding. Dr. Robotnik is also planning to create a super weapon called the Death Egg. This Death Egg could be powerful enough to destroy the world, all he needs to do now is to get his hands on the seven Chaos Emeralds. The super quick Sonic the Hedgehog is ready to stop the demented scientist all over again but this time the hedgehog doesn't have to do it alone. Sonic 2 introduces Miles 'Tails' Prower, a 4 year old fox with two tails who want to be just like his hero Sonic. Sonic, with or without his buddy Tails, must go through 11 levels if they hope to stop Dr. Robotnik this time but the evil doctor is prepared to do what ever it takes to stop them too.
Blast Processing?
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 plays a lot like the first Sonic game, you can still survive almost anything has long as you have at least one magic Ring in your collection. What has changed is that you no longer need to run all over the place to build up some speed. With the new Spin Dash move, you can charge up your character right in place so you can shoot across the screen instantly. This technique is also a shining example of the Genesis's famous 'Blast Processing', something that the rival 16-bit Super Nintendo could not do. Sega also changed the rules of the bonus worlds so they can now be accessed through the half way markers and you only need 20 Rings instead of 50 now too. The bonus stages themselves have been given a complete makeover as well. Gone is the enclosed rotating world and now we have an impressive all new 3D turnpike where you need a certain amount of Rings to advance. If your good enough, you can earn one of seven Chaos Emeralds in these worlds. The Chaos Emeralds are not needed to finish the game but if you do manage to find them all, not only to you get a alternate ending for your troubles, but Sonic can also change into the invincible gold Super Sonic. This is very cool looking and Dragon BallZ fans have to notice some similarities, eh?
I'm faster than you!
The new additions don't end there, Sega even included a new two player versus game. This game works on a split screen view and it's simply a race to the finish between Sonic and Miles. This two player option is not very complex but it's still a fun side game that adds to the Sonic 2's replay value, especially if you did everything there is to do in the one player game.
Other than the new 3D bonus worlds, this game looks very familiar to the first Sonic. Sonic himself looks exactly the same other than a few new animations. It wasn't till Sonic 3 where things started looking different for the series. Sonic 2 does feature some great looking stages like the futurist Chemical Plant zone which has tons of crazy hills and excellent backgrounds plus who could forget the colourful Casino zones, uh? This Sonic game also has some creative looking opponents here and that includes a huge end boss that has to be seen to believe.
The sounds in Sonic 2 are good enough but I can't help feel a little disappointed. Why? All the sound effects and even some sound bits have been lifted from the original Sonic game. You can look at it this way; if it ain't broke why fix it, but some more variety would have been nice. I also didn't think the sound tracks were as good the ones found in Sonic 1 but that's just my opinion. The Sky Chase zone track was especially terrible for example.
Can you handle the speed?
Although Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the biggest 16-bit games of all time, I wasn't too crazy about this sequel because the action was just too straightforward. Sometimes the game seemed too easy as you could easily run to the end of the level and not meet too much resistance. Only the last few levels provided any real challenge. I think the game lacked many serious puzzles or variety mostly and that holds down the game a bit. You can also forget about saving your top scores or process here, like the first Sonic, there is no Save feature. Despite some minor problems Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is still an outstanding game. The new 3D bonus levels, the spin dash move, and the 2 player battle modes added extra punch to a already fun game. Sonic 2 is a great game for people looking for easy to control arcade action that any one can pick up and play. This big game also proved that Sega was real force in the gaming world and that Nintendo was no longer invincible.
SONIC 2 overall rating: 82/100
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 8/10
sound: 7/10
gameplay: 8/10
StarSoldier1 2003 (Ryan Genno)
http://www.videogames101.com
Recommended:
Yes
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StarSoldier1
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Member: Ryan Genno
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