awoolcott's Full Review: Sonic Adventure 2 for Dreamcast
For most, thinking of Sega means thinking of it's famous mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic was the point man..er hedgehog for the Genesis and its charge against then-unstoppable Nintendo and the Super Nintendo. 10 years later, Sonic celebrates his birthday with Sonic Adventure 2. However, instead of leading Sega's charge against the completion, he's the star attraction in the swan song of arguably Sega's best system, the Dreamcast.
Unfortunately there are a lot of speedbumps along the way that keep SA2 out of classic range, but on the whole it's a fitting way for Sonic, as well as Dreamcast, to go out - in style.
The story of Sonic Adventure 2 is pretty much the same as the old Sonic games: despite all the new added characters, it's still a battle between Sonic and Dr Robotnik (though they call him Dr. Eggman in SA2. Why I don't know). However, SA2 includes, for the first time since Knuckles, an actually worthwhile addition to the Sonic universe - Shadow the Hedgehog. Billed as the "Ultimate Life Form", Shadow is some top-secret government project kept in hiding, until Robotnik releases him. Shadow is the cause of all Sonic's problems throughout. Yes, the story is kinda campy..but it's not all bad.
Having a story like this opens up a really cool plus about Sonic Adventure 2: The choice of playing the role of both good and evil. Choose the Hero side to play as Sonic, Tails or Knuckles (no Big the Cat this time..thankfully)..or choose the Dark side (insert Darth Vader breathing here) and play as Shadow, Robotnik, or the other new addition, Rouge the Bat. Both have the same amount of levels and almost the same sort of progression - except one is saving the world, the other is for conquering it. Obviously this adds greatly to the replay, with 2 separate stories and 2 different endings.
This good vs evil thing also plays a role in the Chao breeding mini-game..you can either breed a good Chao or an evil one. Cool, huh?
The gameplay in SA2 is split into 3 different types - the fast paced, adrenalin pumping Sonic/Shadow levels, the mech-style shooter levels played by Tails and Robotnik, and the Treasure Hunting levels of Knuckles and Rouge. One of them is spectacular, one of them is pretty good, and one of them absolutely sucks.
For SA2, they rid the game of the Adventure map of the first Sonic Adventure - which is a great thing, since that map was really ridiculous and boring. Instead, you play the levels one at a time, shifting focus to each of the 3 different characters per side - unlike SA, which had a separate quest for each character.
The Sonic levels are the strong point - Not only are the levels speedy, with lots of speed boosters and tons of the usual loops and ramps, they're excellently designed with little traps here and there, that you'll need to master your special techniques to get by the levels. In short, your typical, well done platform game.
The mech levels are okay, but nothing really stands out as mindblowing, as compared to the Sonic levels. Basically all you do is move around, jumping platforms and shooting enemies, as well as blowing up TNT or C4 to make a path for you to get through. The only skill you'll need is the ability to hop platforms very carefully, because the rest of the stuff is auto-lock on and pretty simple. Some of the levels are pretty fun, but most are just passable.
Where things get dirty is the hunting levels. In a word or two, they're awful. In more than that, they're boring, annoying, irritating, stupid, and a waste of time. The "hints" given are so incredibly obscure that you'll probably scratch your head forever. Most of the time it comes down to luck when finding the hidden things you're looking for. Please Sonic Team, leave these wastes of space out of any sequels.
The only real plus is how great Sonic Team implemented the special moves each character is equipped with. Some levels force you to learn the homing attack to kill enemies to cross a space, or you'll die yourself. Others require you to learn how to use the light speed dash to use rings to cross a path. In the mech levels, getting the hover attack is the only way to cross long jumps without falling to your demise. As for those awful hunting levels, getting the various skills down is essential for surviving the suicidally boring emerald hunts.
Unlockable during the course of the game is also a cart racing mini-game. I guess instead of making a Sonic Cart game like everyone else (awaiting the Army Men Cart game), they just put it in the game as a hidden feature. It's nothing special, with boring tracks that all look the same, but it's still kinda fun and pretty challenging as well.
As usual, the package is sewn up by tight control..something kinda necessary for a game as fast as this, at least the Sonic levels anyway. Everything is easy to learn and not too difficult to master. The only small problem is the occasional slipping in those mech levels and just missing a platform, or just falling off your own.
Graphically Sonic Adventure 2 is really nice. Running at a full 60 frames a second, with only a tad of slowdown in the fast Sonic levels with a lot of enemies. And that's even pretty rare. The detail of the levels is remarkable with nothing really left to the imagination. The only problem is the occasionally clunky camera, which gets especially annoying on those stupid hunting levels. The Sonic levels are pretty devoid of the problem because of the behind the shoulder view, but when you start the free-roaming stuff it can cause some problems. It's nowhere as bad as the first SA camera, but it's still evident.
As for the sound, it's night vs. day. The voice acting is predictably rather poor, especially Tails. Gag me. The rest is passable, but nothing Metal Gear Solid quality. Sonic still sounds way too dorky to be this hip mascot guy...at least Shadow sounds pretty sinister for the bad guy.
The effects - well really they all are the same as they were even in the 16-bit era. The sounds of collecting rings is exactly the same! They've aged well it seems.
The music is my favorite part though. I personally enjoy the cheesy but fun soundtrack (much like I enjoy the cheesy. 80's hair band rock music), especially the Sonic/Shadow levels (detect a pattern here?). It's got its ups and downs, like Rouge's lame-o tunes during her hunts, but it's overall a pretty fun set of music. I sure love that sound test option.
Sonic Adventure 2 is a rare game: a type that will make you love it to death, yet 5 minutes later you'll hate it with a passion. The hunting levels are pitiful and really drag the game along. If Sonic Adventure 2 had more Sonic levels it would probably get 5 stars for the incredibly fun experience those levels are. After all, this IS his game, right? But overall, SA2 is a pretty darn good game, as well as worthwhile. There's a lot of replay and a good bit of hidden items and secrets, giving it a lot of playtime. Just don't get too annoyed by the hunting levels and you'll be fine. But please don't let them make the next Sonic game!
The gaming world's fastest blue "trailblazer" is back! Sonic The Hedgehog , always known for his attitude and speed, is showing off his 10-year endura...More at eBay
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