HOLiDAY_AETERNUS

User Score
10

Presentation - 10
Gameplay - 10
Value - 10

 Following the success that was Sonic Adventure 1 on the SEGA DREAMCAST and the also amazing Sonic Shuffle on the same console, a sequel was definitely a candidate for success. And so, with many development and trial discs (such as in Phantasy Star Online for the SEGA DREAMCAST, a perfect preview), Sonic Adventure 2 was ready to hit the stores. On June 18th, June 23rd, all in 2001, the prophecy continued. The gods had released another masterpiece to the world.

 Taking place shortly where Sonic Adventure and Sonic Shuffle left off, Sonic Adventure 2 begins when our hero, Sonic The Hedgehog, has been framed. A mystery revolves around the entire game, with the unknown being that makes his debut, Shadow The Hedgehog being reponsible. As Sonic battles this new menace, Earth is at risk against a new threat known as the Space Colony Ark's Eclipse Cannon, a plan orchestrated by the Robotnik family. It'll take Sonic The Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower The Fox, Knuckles The Echdina, and Amy Rose The Rascally Hedgehog to challenge Shadow The Hedgehog, Doctor Julian Ivo "EGGMAN" ROBOTNIK, and newcomer Rouge The Bat. The mystery continues in Sonic Adventure 2.

 As you would expect from the triumphant stories that were present in the Sonic franchise, Sonic Adventure 2 features its own fantastic story. As mentioned by a cool boxart. Adding to its presentation are fully functional and amazing menu screens. You can playthrough the game in many ways and you can also go through the game's homepage using the SEGA DREAMCAST's awesome online abilities.

 The graphics were incredible, especially for the game's time, and they still are today. The character models are certainly amazing as were the environments and the game entirely. The framerate is kept at a consistent 60 frames per second which is worth seeing for believing.

 With the game's looks and presentation captivating enough, the gameplay is just as incredible. Very similar to its predecessor, you control a perfect variety of characters, and this time in a "Hero and Dark" perspective. Half and half of the characters share stories. The levels of Sonic and Shadow focus mainly on highspeed, actionpacked platforming all the way to the Goal Ring. Just as the original Adventure's levels of this genre were, it's incredible. Tails and Robotnik's levels, inspired by the genius that were Gamma's Shooting levels in the original Sonic Adventure, feature them in battle mechs full of Shooting, another awesome genre. Knuckles and Rouge The Bat's levels feature the return of the very fun Searching that was present in Sonic Adventure 1.While these levels were better in the original Sonic Adventue, they are still amazing here.

Pretty much the entire game is at a higher difficulty from Sonic Adventure 1, most notably in the Searching and Shooting Levels. The highspeed levels of Sonic/Shadow may not be as fast as they were in Sonic Adventure 1 (they still are extremely fast), but Sonic Adventure 2 puts alot of focus in style. The Highscore system is expanded on, with characters being rated on how smoothly and styled they do things, which effectively adds to the Highscore. Sonic/Shadow's Spin Dash focus lesser on pulling it off rapidly, but on simply rolling downwards on hills. And since those levels are made even more linear, it works very well. In short, Sonic/Shadow's Speed Levels focus more on a linear pathway and on highscore, most notably on the combat.

The Shooting Levels are made harder with more enemies to destroy and with a completely functional lock-on system, it's awesome. Knuckles/Rouge's focus more on higher difficulty when searching for the treasure, so the levels are made bigger. The stages were ultimately better in Sonic Adventure 1, and it's alot of fun here as well.

 The controls help make this new element more enjoyable. The game focuses alot on pulling off attacks especially in the Speed/Shooting levels. The attack system works very fluidly and highly polished. The stages are evened out for the gameplay to be closer an equal amount of playtime in the many genres in the game.When you complete all Hero & Dark sagas, something special shall happen...

 The game has many features. The Chao Feature that was present in previous Sonic games returns, with some great additions to it, making it just as incredible. The Adventure Fields were something that were underappreciated in the previous game and they, by all means, should have returned. However, the game still keeps alot of polish (and the Chao Gardens can be seen as hubs).

 The game now has a new Multiplayer Mode where you go head to head and the previously mentioned genres. This is alot of fun, especially when you have somebody to play with. The game retains its amazingness in those modes and the game is full of unlockables and unique skills, extending into all modes of the game. With incredible single and multiplayer modes, the game has completely aced in its gameplay.

 The sound, as you would expect from a Sonic game, is just as jamming in Sonic Adventure 2. There are many great tunes in the game; some of best in video gaming. The voice acting is just as awesome as well. There are also stellar and crisp sound effects to be found. You will be jamming as you play this game.

 The game totally dominates in replay value; you will be coming back and back to play this Sonic title with all of its various unlockables and extra content. As with the Sonic franchise, the enjoyment is forever. Sonic Adventure 2 is just as incredible as its predecessor. You will enjoy playing this game. Do not get the inferior GameCube port. GET THE ORIGINAL SEGA DREAMCAST VERSION.

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