Sonic is one the most iconic characters in video games and is possibly SEGA’s greatest creation. Sonic Adventure 2 was originally made back in 2001 on the Dreamcast and it was ported to the GameCube in 2002 with some new features and called Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. It’s been argued that this game is the greatest Sonic title ever made. With that in mind, it’s no wonder it was given an HD update, but does a masterful title back in 2001 still hold up today?
No surprise in the story department: Dr. Eggman is at it again, this time with the military’s ultimate weapon, Shadow the hedgehog. Together they steal Chaos emeralds and plan on using them for their evil plot. As you’d expect, it’s up to Sonic and the gang to stop them. That’s the general plot line, and while it’s not much, it is enough to keep you playing.
There are two single-player story-lines: hero and dark. Following the path of the hero are Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, while being dark lets you play as Dr. Eggman, Rouge, and Shadow. The game is broken up into three types of levels that vary greatly. Sonic and Shadow have incredibly speedy levels that one fully expects in a Sonic game. Dr. Eggman and Tails use Mechs (robots) in more action-oriented levels that have a combination of classic platforming and destroying as many enemies as possible. Knuckles and Rouge have large, open levels where you have to search for objects. After each level, you get a rank based on different factors for each type of level.
The vastly different gameplay styles are a good way to break up the game with varied pacing. However, this also means some levels are more entertaining than others. The levels involving speed are by far the best. You will grind, roll, and sprint your way through the tracks at breakneck speeds as you desperately try to collect as many rings as you possibly can in the time you are given. They are extremely fun and give amazing tribute to the Sonic games fans have come to love. The Mech levels are fun enough and get better as the game goes on, but are still a step down from the speed levels. Knuckles and Rouge undoubtedly have the worst levels in this game. They’re slow, boring, and a downright chore. The only thing to help you search for the desired objects in the massive levels are bad hints and a beeping sound that will speed up the closer you get to the object. However, you need to get close enough to the object for the beeping to even start. This means you will often simply wander around aimlessly trying to get some sort of signal. The phrase “needle in the haystack” has never been more accurate.
An amazing aspect of this game is the ability to raise a Chao. The best way to explain a Chao is by calling them digital pets. They are hidden throughout the game. You are able to raise them in a place called Chao Garden and can do things with them like race other Chaos. This sounds random, (frankly it is) but it’s truly addicting so it’s easily overlooked. You can level up their different skills by collecting items called drives from single-player. You can also collect small animals throughout the game and give them to a Chao which will cause their appearance to change. They can even grow up to be good or evil based on how you raise them. The personalization of the Chao is a magnificent touch to this game. Many times you’ll replay a level just so you can get the right animal for your Chao.
Besides the single-player story, there is also local two-player split screen so you and your friend can battle in any mode from the single-player. There are also some extras like racing in karts and Chao karate (if you have the DLC). The best levels are still the fast-paced racing ones. This works well to add a little more replay value to the game and playing with friends is always fun. Regrettably, there is no online play, which would’ve been a great touch. The only thing online are the leaderboards.
The upgraded visuals look great with good resolution and vibrant colors. This helps greatly since the levels are very creatively done providing great atmosphere and the upgraded graphics really allow you to take everything in. Part of the amazing atmosphere this game incorporates is the wonderful soundtrack. The music is very diverse and most importantly, catchy. The soundtrack works well in presenting the overall game better and don’t be surprised if you find yourself whistling the songs long after you turn the system off.
The biggest problem this game has is the camera. To put it delicately: it is a horrid atrocity of such incredible absurdity it will have you cursing in no time. It’s almost always giving you a bad angle. You can technically control it, but only when you’re standing still, the second you take a step, the camera moves back to its original position. About ninety-percent of the time you die, it will be because of camera issues. In a game like this – a fast-paced platformer – the camera needs to be precise.
Something that you need to keep in mind is that this isn’t some elaborate remake, it’s simply an updated version. That means nothing new was added (excluding leaderboards and trophies). Only the graphics and sound were updated. That gives this game a very dated feel. The voice-work is laughable and the story is tied loosely together. Whenever two characters are speaking, there should be quiet background music. Instead, the opposite happens, the music is playing loudly with the singer belting out lyrics and the characters’ voices fade into the background. When you compare this game to today’s standards, it will fail every time, so it’s necessary that you keep in mind this game is a decade old.
Final Verdict: Is this game perfect? No, far from it. But it is very fun, it just has a few frustrating things embedded within it. Fans of the original game or Sonic in general will undoubtedly love this game. Those that haven’t played the original or any Sonic game may be a little more cautious about this purchase. Going straight through the two story-lines, not caring about the grade at the end of the level, and ignoring the Chaos will cause this game to last only a few hours. However, if you spend time with the Chaos, attempt to get a high rank on each level, and try to accumulate the many collectibles and unlockables this game offers, then the overall playtime will exponentially increase. Add in the split-screen play and you have a fairly deep game for only 10 USD/ 800 MP which is a good deal.
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This review is based off a review copy of the PSN version of Sonic Adventure 2 developed by Sonic Team and distributed by SEGA
