A lot of you made the request and I HAPPILY obliged. I have now played Sonic Heroes and I... I really... **ehem**... enjoyed it. - ua-cam.com/video/H6dTBrrxGzg/v-deo.html
You needed to play it as a kid. Thats why you dont feel the same thing we felt. When games were limited to the ps2, gamecube/gameboy, this game just hit different.
Ehhh. I love these games for this reason but at the same time I really do think the Adventure games and Heroes are really divisive naturally. You either appreciate them for what they are or you can't get over their glaring flaws and that criticism is truly valid. It'll always be that era of sonic I cherish the art style was the perfect sonic art style the gameplay was tight to a near perfect level for 3d sonic and the stories, while corny, were a true attempt was made to tell a connected serious story with the trademark sonic snarkiness and attitude
I kinda agree, It was my childhood and I came back to it now being 28 and let me say I'm having a blast the music, the levels just everything is so good..my only gripe is I actually notice all the bugs and the bad camera now, oh well I still love this game.
Hell yeah, it's the first CD album I ever bought lmao Listening to the songs now, the lyrics are incredibly cringe but that makes it really endearing! Sega was pretty great with their soundtracks around this time and I wish more games went through the trouble of giving all their characters theme songs with lyrics lol
@@yoso378 Not all lyrics are cringe. City Escape, Live&Learn, fit perfectly. The weird lyrics can be the hip hop songs but still fits the story and places perfectly too. In fact, that Hip Hop is such a breath of fresh air, not only back then but still is SO GOOD now.
I just started playing this again yesterday. It takes me back and brings back memories i didn't know i still had. The dialogue is so cheesy, the text is all in comic sans, the dubbing is horrendous, the soundtrack slaps harder than will smith at the oscars and the gameplay still totally holds up. I named my first chao after my recently deceased cat and I'm making it evil just like she was.
The dubbing is fine its the voice direction that's to blame not the actors. I feel the glitches that cause you to fall off the stages are the main problem with SA-2. This game needs a remake due to being outdated.
@@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon Since when you have glitches of falling through the stage in SA2? Never in my 18+ years of playing that game experienced something like Sonic 06's thing of falling through the stage.
Sonic Adventure 2 is my number one favorite Sonic game and the two main reasons is the story and the voice actors. The actors really set the right tone with the story. This is also the game that gave Knuckles the GREATEST voice actor EVER, Scott Dreir. This story also was the last game that Eggman had his threatening persona and made me hate and love Eggman. Also Lani really gave Rouge that sexy voice that matched Rouge's design.
Id argue eggman was even more threatening and villainous in unleashed than he even was in sa2, especially at the end of unleashed during the egg dragoon fight
Man this game is pretty poopoo tho. It's a chore playing tails and knuckles,sonic and shadow are the only fun units and a few Eggman levels.the best thing about the gsmd is the music
The reason Tails is in a mech is interesting; as far as we know Tails wasn't initally even playable in the game. When gameplay was first shown off it was just Sonic, Knuckles and Eggman. It was only after fan outcry that Tails was added, alongside newcomers Rouge and Shadow. This is likely why there's only three gameplay styles, and why certain levels reuse assets or themes (like Prison Lane and Iron Gate). Further evidence to this is that initial gameplay footage had Sky Rail as a Sonic stage, indicating that Shadow was added later in development and thus the level was given to him
13:42 there’s actually a mod for sa2 which puts all the characters levels and cutscenes in chronological order and the story makes more sense that way if it helps
Should also recommend the retranslated mod, that replaces the subtitles in the Japanese dub for an accurate translation. The adaptation screwed up some lines. The story is even more coherent that way.
I always hated the dark/hero thing. It hurts the pacing for me, hopefully that mod will fix this issue that i have with SA2, i want either full nonlinearity like SA1 or linearity like the chronological order you described, obviously correcting the small bugs or dreamcast restoration and the proper cutscenes/dialogue too. I'm still thankfull for SA2 Battle being lightyears better than SADX (one of the worst ports/remasters of all time lol)
To answer your question about The Knuckles/Rouge missions the reason of the design is because of Mastery. SA1 didn't have a ranking system that encouraged mastery and replayability while in SA2 the playtime is pushed because of it. Over multiple playthroughs players learn all of the locations of the emerald shards and can find them without relying on the radar. So the occasion of coming across pieces out of order are much more frequent when checking the obvious places.
Dude thank you for giving it an honest shot and being open minded. This is a really fair review of a twenty year old game that I personally cherish. It's refreshing because it's the popular thing to bandwagon against Sonic games in general. Thanks for the nice video
@@litjman21 lol what? I love this game because its awesome, I grew up with both SA2 and SM64, and to this day I like 64 still but nowhere near this one
@@litjman21 I played it for the first time at 23, and I enjoyed it. Same with Mario 64, which I also played for the first time in my early 20s. I appreciate old media.
One thing i love about this game's story it's Sonic characterization and pushing it to unexplored territory. To me Sonic's whole thing is that he never looks back, he always lives in the present and doesn't have regrets for it, that's why it's never explained where he comes or why is he fast. But in brief moments in this game, the existence of Shadow makes Sonic wonder for a bit. In the final battle Shadow even states that Sonic might be the ultimate life form and not him, perhaps Shadow was just another prototype. Sonic nearly dying is a big moment for him, he's barely saved by mimicking Shadow, that makes him wonder even more on his origins and on why of all people he's the one resembling him, until Amy aks him if he's okay, and he comes back to Earth, literally and figuratively. Great stuff, that would've been a nice send off for these characters to me, in an anternate timeline where Sonic ended in 2001
One of the greatest game soundtracks of all time. Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 were the first games I really got hooked on as a kid and I still go back to them all the time. Still waiting for a proper SA3!
Yes, I'm very late to the Sonic Adventure party! I only played the first one in November of 2021. If you missed that, then check it out. - ua-cam.com/video/1qrS5JXz16c/v-deo.html
I feel like the reason people loved the Chao Garden so much is because when we were kids it was just so much cooler. Once you were able to unlock the different Chao Worlds it made the Chao Garden area just felt so awesome haha
Tails is in a mech because he wasn't meant to be playable to begin with. In fact, the whole hero-dark dynamic came relatively late in developement, at the beginning there were 3 stories with sonic, knuckles and eggman as the only playable characters. They changed their mind later on to please fans that wanted tails and shadow to be playable (shadow was shown in the trailers but not as one of the playable characters and tails wasn't present at all, so it seems that this pissed off some fans and sega listened), this is in the end why tails is essentially a skin of eggman
The real part of the game is going for the A Ranks, and when you're doing those, you'll be grateful for the different gameplay styles. You can change styles to keep from getting bored in a task that'll take dozens of hours or less depending on how good you get at it. You'll also learn to appreciate the non speed stages better when you're trying to get A ranks on them, with a few exceptions of the space treasure hunting levels, all of them can mostly be done in under 2 minutes, once you learn the level layouts better and develop an intuition for where the treasure items are hiding. The mech stages you'll learn all the enemy spawns, and such and try to maximize your combos.
SA2 on Dreamcast is one of my favorite games ever. Something that people who have played it for years dont understand is an issue with the game is you are stuck switching gameplay styles while you are playing the story. The Tails and Knuckles stages are great when you can go back to them at your own pace, but bog down the experience when you are forced to play them back to back. I feel SA2 gets better with repeat gameplay, while 1 is best just playing through once.
Sonic Adventure 2 is one of my favorite games, but I would say Sonic Adventure DX: Directors Cut is probably better. The ability to play all these character's different storylines and that "open world" feel blew my mind as a kid.
Pretty refreshing to see a new player so keen (comparatively to the internet, lol) on SA2! The Adventure games get so much hate nowadays and it's really nice to see someone coming into it fresh who is able to enjoy themselves and even really get a kick out of the story! (I love the SA2 story, but man does it get a lot of crap. Which I don't think it deserves at all.)
It may come as a surprise to you but way more people watch the adventure era games than the classics on twitch. so I dont think they are that unpopular. Just easy to meme on I think
@@spitefulcrow5026 The genesis games are unplayable without the 16:9 aspect ratio , meanwhile the Sonic Adventure duology games still hold up to this day.
The Sonic series was never supposed to end after SA2. In actuality this was supposed to be Shadow’s first and only appearance in the franchise. But due to how popular he was with fans they decided to bring him back and he’s basically a series regular at this point. Depending on who you ask the decision to bring him back after SA2 was for better or for worse.
Completely agree about shadow, I always thought they did him a disservice by bringing him back. Precisely because I liked him so much, they should have let him die in SA2.
I completely understand what you say, if his character would have died in SA2 it would have been an amazing ending to a great character, but i'm happy we still can see Shadow in new games (even though they ruined his character, we got a great Shadow character development in 06) of course though, the game STH sucks ass.
I always liked the idea of Eggman rescuing Shadow (though it would have been nice to have a logistical explanation of how Eggman did it because Shadow’s fall was not anticipated) and I’m somewhat glad SEGA decided to take that route. However, the cost of this decision was heavy on Shadow as a whole. Shadow the Hedgehog (the game) was a product of its time when being edgy/emo was cool. I think the game was inspired by one of the SEGA producers playing some kind of shooter game. It was the catalyst for the descent. I wish SEGA would have pushed Shadow working alongside Rouge and GUN harder. The game could have involved Team Dark figuring out who this Shadow was (original or android) as opposed to him playing alongside some random Sonic character. The character placements were sometimes so random that believing them was a stretch. At least Sonic 06 embraced the Team Dark/GUN operation dynamic. If only the game had been successful. Shadow had excellent character development. His bond with both Rouge and Omega was solid and strong. But the game’s failure forced SEGA to abandon this deep character and replace it with what could ultimately be described as a generic enemy character. We went from an antihero to an absolute enemy. He doesn’t care at all about Rouge and Omega. He calls Sonic’s ideals of friendship “pathetic” despite previously admiring them. The slight cockiness he had before the change has since been replaced with outright arrogance. It’s truly a shame. It forces us fans to question whether or not his return in Sonic Heroes was a good thing. While Heroes’ story is weak, Shadow’s integrity wasn’t damaged. Sonic Battle deepens his lore in underrated ways. He was a good character until “the dark age of Sonic.” The character we have now is truly a “shadow” of his former self. Was it worth having those few good games just to end up with a character we no longer recognize? It’s a hard call. I’m thankful for the games that strengthened him, but disappointed in the games that ruined him as a result.
@@vixenrevitup Completely agreed, they really had a great fucking character but decided to ruin all of his development, now he isn't Shadow, he is just an edgy asshole who hates everything for no reason.
@@vixenrevitup I actually enjoyed the Shadow the Hedgehog game in terms of gameplay, it reminded me of the adventure series gameplay. I don't remember too much of the story other than having alternate endings with the true ending being he found out he was the real shadow. I still think story-wise shadow would be the best if he had remained dead after SA2, however I do think that perhaps Shadow the Hedgehog's true ending should have had him discovering he was a clone, and the current shadow's personality could be him trying to live up to his predecessor, the true shadow that died in SA2. I think that would have made a much more interesting modern shadow character.
What hinders your experience is discovering the game in modern times. Back on the 2000s, this game was just crazy good, with some flaws, but at the time, better in some ways than most games around this time
I agree 100% this game felt jammed pack even compared to modern games. The fact there was even a new chao garden, minigames, 3 main storys and a great 2P mode makes this game so replayable
I really appreciate your thoughts on SA2 (I also went back to watch your SA1 video before this and I enjoyed that one too)! I've been playing the game since 2002 so it's always nice to hear the thoughts of someone who doesn't have the childhood/emotional baggage that a lot of people who talk about this game tend to have. Sonic Adventure 2 is absolutely a divisive game. Some people call it one of the franchise's high points, and other people call it the point where Sonic started going downhill (you wouldn't have Sonic 06 without this game. It was almost certainly intended to be Sonic Adventure 3). In any case, I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I would recommend having another look with some mods (same easy setup as SA1). You can get mods like restoring the radar to tell you about all three emerald pieces at once, restoring some of the Dreamcast graphical/lighting effects (although it's not nearly as dramatic as SA1), making all of the custcenes widescreen, fixing the super loud sound effects, and even placing all of the Hero/Dark states in chronological order of the story.
I think the Chao Garden was a product of its time. The VMU support was awesome, and Pokemon was at it's absolute height so there was a better feeling of immersion with the creatures.
I think the reason people get so defensive when the Sonic Adventure games get criticized, is because they think we're singling them out as the sole offenders of these issues. Most 3D platformers & action games from the late 90's & early 2000's aged badly with: janky cameras, lack of true analog controls, unrefined gameplay, and the list goes on.
It's lovely seeing you learning why so many of us love this franchise ❤️ It might even help you appreciate some of the stuff in 06 (mainly Shadow's story). Also, since you're doing that one, I highly recommend checking out Project 06. A fan made remaster of 06 that fixes just about every issue with the game, and introduces a lot of great stuff. It's got all of Sonic's and Shadow's levels, minus the bosses.
I loved this game, seeing this video fills me with nostalgia. I was rebuying it 5 years ago on gamecube to give it another run and i still had fun. The chao system and the gameplay is just a solid experience.
So this video is interesting as I actually prefer SA2 to SA1. I definitely understand your perspective, I just want to briefly explain one aspect that makes a big difference for me: The Ranking System I feel like the ranking system better incentivizes to play the game in a way that I find most fun. Doing tricks, locking onto enemies, knowing where the emerald pieces are etc... To elaborate on an example, trying to maximize how many enemies I lock on with tails before firing for more points I find makes playing as him more interesting. His gameplay ends up involving more planning, dodging, aiming, and timing. Without that, you would just blindly moving forward and shooting. That being said, if you don't care for the ranking system, I can see why a lot of the game can feel either boring or otherwise not beginner friendly
While i prefer SA1 over SA2, i agree with you on that, the ranking system is great in this game, my only complain is that sometimes you would just get a B even if you have an amazing time, of course I know i have to gain a lot of points with tricks, enemies, rings to get an A, but sometimes i wish we got more points for getting very fast to the goal. I'm actually getting all emblems of the game, i think I got like 120 so far
I agree with this take from a perspective as a chao garden player, I have so much playtime on the game in every version I have played (GCN, PS3, Steam) due to the chao garden and I'm just now trying to master the gameplay LOL
It was a chore? I had a blast Dash-Jumping to places I didn't think I could land. Lots of trial and error but it's great. Dash-Jump the Rotating Gravity barrels and you'll know some absurd goodness.
Played the hell out of Sonic Adventure 2 as a teen, both on my uncles Dreamcast and then finally had it for my own on GameCube. And I can’t say the hive mind negativity regarding the games quality hasn’t tarnished my opinion on the game, based on nothing else but that opinion being regurgitated throughout gaming discussion on the whole these past 20 years. Recently, I’ve been playing it again for the first time since my teens, and I genuinely mean this, Sonic Adventure 2 is one of the greatest 3D platformers every made. The level design is SO replayable, like I couldn’t believe, by design. I remember as a teen just replaying levels over and over not even always for higher ranks or to get better, just Kuz they were so fun. And I quickly found myself back in that feedback loop once I completed the story modes. I wasn’t expecting Knuckles’ gameplay to be a highlight, I’ve A ranked all his levels before even getting to all of the characters extra missions. Rouge too, and they both are such a blast to control in their wide open levels, compared to how Knux controls in SA1 (100% SA1 just before this recent SA2 playthrough btw) so snappy in SA2. I would honestly love to have the treasure hunting gameplay style return in some form, would be perfect in an open world, but I’m sure Frontiers will be just Sonic playable again 😢. The speed stages feel so good to learn well, and execute. The chao garden feels so deliberately designed to be played in conjunction with the platforming stages, replayability means more resources for your chao, means more reasons to get better at the levels, means more resources for your chao, etc. they’re not two game modes in one package. They’re a single game. The mech stages are a blast, ya the jump kinda blows for precise platforming, ya the treasure hunting radar is not perfect, yes it had things they could’ve improved on in an Adventure 3. As if SM64 and Sunshine don’t have their issues too, and Sunshine still manages to be my favourite 3D Mario, despite it being the one with the most issues, Kuz probably not until Odyssey had Mario felt so responsive and expressive to control, etc (another topic I won’t get into here lol 🤩). Every work of art has imperfections. There’s just too much good in SA2 for me really care, tbh lol. Honestly, it’s up there with S3&K and Mania for me, thanks to replaying it and realizing all the shit talking around the game we’ve been hearing all these years is just that, shit talking. SA2 FOREVER 🖤🖤🖤 (Oh, and the story fucking RULES!)
I really appreciate this video. As someone who grew up in the 2000s all I ever saw was hate towards theses games, so it really warms my heart to see someone give and honest effort to try and play theses old games and see what others saw in it. The way you focus on the positives, but still mention the negatives is really good too. It makes it feel genuine. This is the first video of yours I've seen and it was a really good first impression. Keep it up and I hope you enjoy more sonic games in the future.
I prefer SA1 too, mostly because the gameplay (or maybe the levels themselves?) feel more "free" to me. Being able to spindash like crazy might have something to do with that lol. SA2 felt a lot tougher for me, but I love the general vibe of it. The ost bangs, the animation (even if a little awkward at times) looks way better, the VAs are great and deliver some cheesy but iconic lines... and the story was like the coolest thing ever to me as a kid. And I still absolutely love Shadow. I'm glad he "survived" this game because he's such a fun character. I may not like his portrayal in the recent media but this, Heroes, 06 and some of the Archie stuff is just so good.
@@saricubra2867 The emerald hunting levels in SA1 are piss easy and go by way too quick. I actually prefer SA2’s treasure hunting stages as they’re more interesting and challenging.
@@Still-Struggling In SA1 they are fun, Meteor Herd alone wouldn't last half an hour by that terrible tracker. Pacing ruined those levels, if the tracker is the same as in SA1, i would agree for those levels being better than SA1s. They dropped the ball really hard, because the Knuckles and Rouge emerald hunting stages and power ups are a massive upgrade over SA1... Man, SA2 is such a hit&miss sometimes.
@@saricubra2867 I thought the tracker was fine and made the gameplay more engaging. Even if it’s annoying in certain stages. I prefer that over being bored retreading Sonic’s stages in what’s supposed to be a Knuckles level. SA2 has so much more personality put into the levels.
Sonic: You can't catch me I'm the fastest thing alive! Shadow: Hmph, I was thinking about why so many in the radical left participate in "speedrunning". Sonic: Huh? Shadow: The reason is the left's lack of work ethic. Sonic: Wh-what? Shadow: "Go fast rather than do it right" And, in a Pertsonian sense-- Sonic: Petersonian? Shadow: To elevate alternative sexual archetypes in the marketplace, fastest hedgehog-- Sonic: Shadow, what the fuck are you talking about? Shadow: You're a beta male, Sonic.
My guy is insane, I LOVE sonic adventure battle 2. For the record, I've never played the first one or know anything about it really, but I have quite I story of my own to this game. basically I've had it on the old game cube for a long time, and shamefully, like many other of my game cube games, I damaged them as a child, and I could never get passed the part where sonic fights the egg gollem. Eventually, after praying for days like a crazy person, it for some reason let me finish it, and I beat the game. After that I just kinda left the game for a while. Then when I got into my teenage years (as I am now) I realized that I had beaten the last level, but never really finished it. So, I did when any hardcore gamer would do, and gathered all 180 emblems and got A rank on EVERY level. I was getting close with only about 20 emblems left, and...... the game broke- now I have and unfilled destiny to finish what I started and I'm too poor to fork out 50 dollars to buy it on ebay. Thanks to anyone who has bothered to read all of this! and feel free to reply to have a chat P.s I'm new to this channel
Chao garden takes alot of time done proper, for example to have every color and type of chao and to make the most of your generations of different types of chao. I'm not sure how PC saves work, if you can have 4 memory cards worth of 12+ gardens
8:06 "[The treasure hunting levels] were the killers of this gameplay, outside of its age which I can accept" 11:40 "It was a lot of fun, even if I had some gripes with its age." 21:30 "I wouldn't say it's bad. It just FEELS old." You guys are OLD.
Well since most people don't know this, Eggman says "yosh" because it's part of a Japanese phrase generally used for pets or the like. It's fairly close to "good boy/girl". I have no idea why they didn't give him an English line though, maybe he wasn't originally going to be in the Chao garden.
I think it's just because they kept most of the Japanese expressions into the game, even in the English dubs (Eggman says "yosh" in both the Japanese and English voices, and it's not just because they're using the same line, they had the English voice actor record that line iirc). I can't think of many examples right now, but I do remember other characters having these Japanese phrases and common sounds even in their English dub, such as Sonic screaming "teriaaaa" when he's done with the Egg Golem, or Knuckles screaming "oraoraora" when he digs up. It's an odd directing choice, but it seems intentional.
I do have to say i can do those knuckle/rouge missions in 5 min max and thats if i really really mess up. They just require a but of intuition to find fast
The only time it seemed like a skill issue in this video was when you said pumpkin hill took you 15 minutes... but besides that I agree with most of what you said great vid!
Most of his complaints about the game feeling janky can also be explained by skill issues. The mechanics of the game are unforgiving of error at times and while frustrating, is not game breaking by any means.
The craziest part about the emerald radar is that the functionality that allows it to be SA1-style is actually within the game code, and that mod is just toggling that functionality on. Also, I will say that a lot of the game design for the mech and treasure hunting stages really opens up when you're engaging with the game's ranking system and trying to go for emblems. Getting an A Rank is really satisfying and while getting 180 emblems was quite the commitment, I don't really regret doing it at least once.
It just occurred to me that for Eggman and Tails we could've had dual flying sections instead of mech stuff, since Eggman's tiny hovercraft is known for flying
SA2 Battle has a lot of bug fixes and some extra content, at the expense of poorer cutscene lighting quality. If you wanna give a shot to a version of SA2 that doesn't feel as janky That said: This was a great review and I'm glad you enjoyed the game! Completely understand preferring SA1 even if I personally like SA2 more. As for branching paths, I think the Adventure games do it well (and especially excell at _shortcuts_ ) but Unleashed and Generations are no slackers when it comes to multiple paths that reward replaying the stage. SA2 was also the birth of the ranking system, which was an amazing addition to the series and gave a real reason for the score counter to exists, as well as to try and get through the level quickly and without taking damage. Overall, like I said, great review. This is the first video of yours I've seen, but I'll definitely check out your other stuff cause you seem pretty fair in both your criticism and praise
Good video, but I must say I don't know why your friends (or anyone else for that matter) would have ever assumed that this was supposed to have been the last game in franchise, despite the ending. Sonic wasn't really dwindling in popularity at the time this game released, and a cool and dramatic ending doesn't really spell out "yeah this is definitely the last game". Can't really assume any game is the last one actually since a lot of times it's easy for developers to just go back and decide to add in another entry. At least that's what I thought when I finished the game, I'm curious to see if anyone else thought the same thing
@@kingboobs20 lol sorry your life is so miserable & you’re bitter because of that. Funny how one quick UA-cam video or even google search can easily debunk what you just said. It’s old news.
Honestly, my favorite review of my all-time favorite game. One thing I'd kinda disagree with is the emerald hunting stages. A big difference between Sa1 and Sa2 is the ranking system. (once you get all A's, you get a really nice reward.) It may feel like a chore at times, but it challenges you to get good at the game, although you can still do it at your own pace. Still overall, I loved your analysis!
really like your take on the story, i also haven't seen the gameplay difference spelled out like that between SA1 and 2, that in SA1 it actually gives less time to the supporting cast whereas SA2 has more time on the supporting cast. Ofc I personally think SA2 speed levels have substantially more replayability and are just more enjoyably designed than SA1.
@sk SA2 has the best Treasure Hunting stages, but the godamned linear radar is such a bad idea on a big stage like Meteor Herd lmao. As for Sonic/Shadow stages, they removed 2nd acts. I like more the pacing on SA1 overall, that's the only reason it's my favorite Adventure game. Pacing in SA2 is very wacky. Still both of these games are lightyears better than 3D Mario games (i hated almost all of them lmao).
@@saricubra2867 You clearly don’t remember how it felt to play SA1 for the first time. The pacing in SA1 nearly ruined the story for me. The plot is fragmented into many parts and you’re forced to put the pieces together yourself. That also means rewatching cutscenes over and over. Not to mention how terribly dated the cutscenes are in SA1. SA2’s story feels much easier to get into and follow. The stakes are higher, there’s more emotional weight and it tackles more mature/darker subject matters. The cutscenes in SA’2 actually succeed at conveying the characters personality and emotions.
The fun of the chao garden was breeding weird looking chao, as there’s hundreds if not thousands of possibilities. You get two different colour eggs and breed them and the chao is born one colour but the other colour comes through, then you breed that chao with a black/white chao and they start adding those colours. There’s loads of different shapes and designs and it’s just really exciting hatching like 5 chao from the same parents and having them all grow up looking completely different.
SA2 is a game where you really need mods to make it really good. I have mods that give Sonic/Shadow the spin dash from SA1, that map the light dash to the Y button, that allows you to beat mech stages as Sonic/Shadow so you don't have to play as Tails/Eggman in mechs and the mod that improves Knuckles/Rouge's radar so it works as it does in SA1. And that's only some of the mods that I have My first playthrough of SA2 was not very good. Once I installed the mods and started playing the levels again without having to deal with these issues is when I really started enjoying this game. SA1 is a better game I'd say, but SA2 with mods is probably at least equal to SA1 with mods
I really disagree, honestly. The Sonic/Shadow stages play really well, the mech stages are good mindless fun, and the treasure hunting, while it can be tedious, isn't too bad once you figure out the map layout. That being said, Aquatic Mine and Mad Space can go do one. Either way, I personally think that while modding the game can help, the game on its own is still really good.
@@crimsonmitsuko I come to Sonic games for Sonic gameplay mostly. If you're going to give non-Sonic gameplay for 2/3 of the missions, you better make sure that gameplay can compare to the gameplay of Sonic/Shadow. The Tails/Eggman are just more enjoyable as Sonic/Shadow so there's no reason for me to play as Tails/Eggman. The Knuckles/Rouge sections were just bad to me on my first playthrough. I played SA2 before SA1 and didn't even realise how the radar worked until after I played SA1 and they really just went backwards. Making the levels larger is one thing, that on its own would be fine but that along with the nerfed hints system and the nerfed radar just artificially lengthens these stages so I just use the mod to improve the radar
@@MysticClaws100 I'm 100% with you on this. Particularly the emerarld hunting sections, they nerfed the radar from 1 and just made it too tedious. I think the Mech levels would have been fine if they were used more sparingly, like if it was only for eggman, and have tails work how he did in SA1.
@@Pepperknight341 Adventure 1 doesn't have a problem with too many actions being mapped on the same button. It feels clunker all around especially the mechs which feel weird in SA2.
@@spartanq7781 Yes, but Adventure 1 has weirder choices with it's button mapping. Charge Spin Dash full for Light Speed Dash, Press Punch and Jump simultaneously to dig. And the only reason same button mapping is less of an issue in Adventure 1, is because moments like those would break the game's pace. I don't think the mechs are that clunky, especially when you get the Jet Booster/Engine.
@@Pepperknight341 I hate the light speed dash charge up and really hate the digging but everything else feels much better. Sonic 06 is the closest we ever got to a sequel to them. It has all the hallmarks I want out of a Sonic game. If only it didn't have its issues.
@@Pepperknight341 Mechas would naturally play more clunky on purpose it's not like the couldn't make better movement cuz they already did and fact that ppl overlook these details are weird to me
Yeah the Knuckles and Rouge levels killed Adventure 2 for me. I still haven't finished it cause those levels are legit the pits. Also, Matty, please talk about Project 06 when you do your Sonic 06 video. That game put 06 in a whole new perspective for many a Sonic fan!
@@Shadow-vd8ss For me they’re just fine because it can kinda drag on when you don’t know where they are. The later levels are really big and take a while for new players. Also the pyramid level exists.
@@Shadow-vd8ss Because they drag on. Especially if it's your first time playing them, they can be incredibly jarring and extremely overwhelming if you don't have a good idea of the stage's patterns or shard placements. It takes a few retries to really get into them as well as a ton of patience, which most gamers, especially its target audience, clearly would not have.
Shadow, Rouge, and Tails actually weren't playable when the game was first announced and they were added later due to fan questions about their missing gameplay in the trailer. That's why it was strange that Tails was in a mech, its cause he was never supposed to be playable. These characters were added to gameplay as parallels to the original playable characters (Sonic, Knuckles, and Eggman).
I love how i enjoyed everything about the game you didnt enjoy that much! I love the searching stages, but at this point i already know almost all locations they can be in by heart ): great video overall!
There's an insane amount of possibilities with the random selection and the only way is to memorize every single hint from the machines. They do that for the speedrun though
its not the same experience of playing this game as a kid as playing it as on old man also playing it alone and playing it with friends specially playing this game on 2022 and comparing it with the games that are out today remember these were the days where the internet wasn’t a thing like it is today no multiplayer or nothing similar like that the only way you could play this game and really enjoy it was with real friend im so sorry that you couldn’t grasp the true magic of this game it’s just an experience that even the true fans cant recreate its just a masterpiece and full of nostalgia
Did you ever get to the hero or dark garden? From my understanding that's a big reason why people like SA2B's chao garden more. Also I'm pretty sure SADX's chao garden had been revamped based on SA2B's but was fairly archaic in the dreamcast version. But don't quote me on that! :)
I agree with your take. SA1 was always better than SA2 overall. But the highs in SA2 was what made it more memorable for people. I could replay City Escape and Metal Harbor level on repeat and never grow board because they are so freaking fun.
For real, this game's secret is it's gameplay loop. People have fond memories of it due to the synergy between everyone's favorite levels and the chao garden. Why? The chao garden gives you a reason to replay certain levels, mostly the ones that are fastest and the ones you enjoy. This pushed you into replaying the fastest (and best) levels and in return it made you better at those levels. This ALSO made you discover new routes and how you can improve your score for the A emblems. The 2D Sonic formula of _earning_ fast speed by knowing the level and playing well translated really well to those levels. People have a mandela effect of thinking they enjoyed this game when in reality people replayed the Sonic and Shadow levels to death in order to grow their chao. Additionally, this game had the connection with the GBA which a few people had. You could transfer your chao and raise him on your GBA. You could basically transfer your chao from console to portable and back while you played great portable games and some nice levels in 3D on your console. I ALWAYS despised the kart level, all Eggman/Tails levels and especially Knuckles/Rouge levels... urgh, they ruined the pacing (although, truth be told, Knuckles' levels have some outstanding soundtracks), but I remember spending HUNDREDS of hours polishing Sonic/Shadow levels, mostly through the excuse of raising chaos and getting the A rank emblems. You REALLY wanted the A emblems, but some levels were just insufferable. Sonic Adventure 1 is equally uneven, but outside of Big's levels, it's better paced. Sonic Adventure 2 wanted to retain that sense of speed and some of that old Arcade-style nature, but found themselves with an uneven mess. But hey, this isn't a problem with SA2 only... this has been an issue with Sonic in 3D since it's inception. Team Sonic can't decide what the games are trying to do and they're doomed if they do, doomed if they don't. Half of ALL 3D sonic games suck due to some reason, possibly with the exception of Generations which tried to bring what everyone liked of both types of Sonic games. The fanbase is uneven as well, with 40 year old people and 8 year old kids who see Sonic in a COMPLETELY different way. Sonic is best when he does what he does best, problem is, Team Sonic have no idea whatsoever nowadays what's _BEST_ and _WHO_ they're marketing games for.
My Top 3 Sonic games of all time. *1) Sonic Adventure 2* 2) Sonic Heroes 3) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (Never bothered with the Chao gardens, though. Never been an area of interest for me. 🤷🏾♂️)
I remember playing the demo for Sonic Adventure 2, with my copy of Phantasy Star Online. Later buying my copy for the Dreamcast. Crazy I think about it, it has now been 20 years since that day. 9/9/99 was a wild ride for the first game, because I could not find a copy day one of the first game, until Toys R US had a bundle. SA2 was one of those games I had with the 10th anniversary bundle. The box, CD, booklet, and coin. The game itself is wild. The missions take some adjusting to, but it can be intense. It is crazy how big those levels truly were. Both games are similar yet totally different. But the experience of completing the journey, especially unlocking the third part of the story. That level.. jeezus. My favorite part about the Adventure series is the music. From stages, to character themes. Cool part with both games, the more you play, the more music you can unlock. Chao Garden. That is an experience With the VMU, or GBA, you could take them out of the game, and can raise them with mini games+ rewards. When back in the game, their stats increase, plus can evolve, Mature and even mate with another Chao. There is a light and dark theme with them as well which is fascinating. The story..that end is beautiful and heartbreaking. SA2 had so many unique ideas. Yup Adventure 2 was the last. SEGA nearly went out of business. But was able to rebound.
Also there's a "Sonic What If" on UA-cam with what if Shadow Survived instead of Sonic. It goes very in-depth and it's really good! so I think you might be interested in it.
5:31 okay but did you ever get them to evolve?? THAT was the coolest thing. Getting a Sonic Chao, Shadow Chao, Chaos Chao, the time you had to spend doing that was just cool as fuck
As a long term Sonic Fan, I will say that Sonic Adventure 2 is my favorite for the Sonic and Shadow stages, and that's really all the stages I liked. So I only like about 1/3 of the game, and that's not really good in terms of the game. If you want something similar to the Sonic / Shadow stages, I really recommend the indie game Spark the electric Jester 2, he got inspired by the Sonic Adventure Speed Stages in particular and does a pretty good job setting up some of these Sonic-esque stages. I'd actually like to hear your thoughts on that game if you ever have the time to give it a shot! 😁
Honestly I really didn’t like this game, I love SA1 so much but I really didn’t enjoy SA2 in the same way. I enjoyed the Sonic stages, but the controls of Sonic felt so much worse than SA1, the homing attack especially, 50% of the time Sonic wouldn’t home in, he’d just dash forwards to me death, and when he did home in he always uncurled from his ball from JUST BEFORE he hit the enemy, which was infuriating. He also felt more slippery and I didn’t like the level design. I loved knuckles’s stages, especially with the mod for an SA1 radar. I think they’re just better than the SA1 versions and I loved them. But the biggest problem was the mechs, I HATE THEM, they’re the longest stages, each one was 30 minutes of dying over and over again to terrible platforming and bad game design with slow awkward physics with no acceleration or momentum at all and an ATROCIOUS CAMERA. And the worst part was that Gamma was really fun by comparison! I’m sure they were just slowed down and made worse to drag out the gameplay as it was too short. My biggest problem was that in terms of my game time, 1/16th was Sonic & Shadow, 1/4th was Knuckles, and all the other time was terrible mech stages. It’s so imbalanced and I had to trudge through so much to get to anything fun. After beating the game and getting used to the new Sonic controls, which aren’t horrible, but it certainly took some getting used to, (If you wait until the very end of your bounce to home, the uncurling and dashing in a random direction happens way less.) I think I enjoy it a lot more, but I really don’t want to replay it completely because I hate the mechs. But I do sometimes go back and play the Sonic & Knuckles stages again. Also, Shadow is amazing in this game, I wish he was even close to as good in any other game.
The knuckles levels in SA2 are designed around the monitors. Alot of people don’t realize you can pause the game and push L and R to go through your hints and try to figure out where the emerald piece is by putting the clues together and THAT can be alot of fun.
all you got to do is propose that idea of sonic dying and shadow and silver try bring him back to the fans and I’m sure people will get together to work on something like that, honestly that’s one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard for a sonic game I could just imagine they bring back sonic just before egg man takes over and the 3 of them turn super on the life or death battle and come out victorious what a game that would be
The best part of the Shadow sacrifice is that Shadow wasn't supposed to come back. He was supposed to die at the end of Adventure 2. Like, FOR GOOD. He was supposed to be this games' Gamma. But people wanted him back so bad that Iizuka just said fuck it and brought him back in Heroes.
I have to agree with a lot of things you said in this video. It's so refreshing to see a new take on the Adventure games that isn't just bashing them or endlessly praising them. I'm a Sonic fan that got into the series through the portable games (Rush trilogy, and Advance trilogy) but never really played the Adventure games (particularly adventure 1) all the way through until recent years.
15:09 now imagine going through that at like 6 years old I was losing my shiiiiit at the ending. Mom came in had to pause was like lol I’m fine ma. Then going back to let’s fucking GOOOOO, LIVE AN LEAAAAAARN. I was unbelievably hyped lmao. Same with sonic adventure 1 ending tbh an the music just multiples my hype levels. Blew my tiny mind.
You just said exactly the reason Sonic Team stopped adding multiple playable characters in their newer games. Everyone just wanted to play Sonic so here we are lol 10:51
That Sonic '06 theory sounds pretty epic! Don't think the Fandom would appreciate a dead sonic for 5 years but definitely would've been awesome to see what the fanbase reaction
A lot of you made the request and I HAPPILY obliged. I have now played Sonic Heroes and I... I really... **ehem**... enjoyed it. - ua-cam.com/video/H6dTBrrxGzg/v-deo.html
Can you play sonic generations it’s pretty good
I apologize for whoever made you play that mess :/
@@colbyboucher6391 you mean play the goat
You needed to play it as a kid. Thats why you dont feel the same thing we felt. When games were limited to the ps2, gamecube/gameboy, this game just hit different.
I played it for the first time a few weeks ago at age 27 and it hit different, i guess its because of how downhill the industry has gone
Way to rub it in Yume😅
Yeah this retro rebound is an idiot just trying to make easy money irrelevant topics lmao.
Ehhh. I love these games for this reason but at the same time I really do think the Adventure games and Heroes are really divisive naturally. You either appreciate them for what they are or you can't get over their glaring flaws and that criticism is truly valid. It'll always be that era of sonic I cherish the art style was the perfect sonic art style the gameplay was tight to a near perfect level for 3d sonic and the stories, while corny, were a true attempt was made to tell a connected serious story with the trademark sonic snarkiness and attitude
I kinda agree, It was my childhood and I came back to it now being 28 and let me say I'm having a blast the music, the levels just everything is so good..my only gripe is I actually notice all the bugs and the bad camera now, oh well I still love this game.
This game was BIG in my childhood. The soundtrack absolutely fucking bangs.
Hell yeah, it's the first CD album I ever bought lmao
Listening to the songs now, the lyrics are incredibly cringe but that makes it really endearing! Sega was pretty great with their soundtracks around this time and I wish more games went through the trouble of giving all their characters theme songs with lyrics lol
@@yoso378 Not all lyrics are cringe. City Escape, Live&Learn, fit perfectly.
The weird lyrics can be the hip hop songs but still fits the story and places perfectly too. In fact, that Hip Hop is such a breath of fresh air, not only back then but still is SO GOOD now.
"BIG" no pun intended...
@@saricubra2867 knuckles music slaps wtf
@@darknid158Yeah, lightyears better than Kanye West and modern BS.
I just started playing this again yesterday. It takes me back and brings back memories i didn't know i still had. The dialogue is so cheesy, the text is all in comic sans, the dubbing is horrendous, the soundtrack slaps harder than will smith at the oscars and the gameplay still totally holds up. I named my first chao after my recently deceased cat and I'm making it evil just like she was.
You mean it slaps harder than Davie504 "Bass" guy.
“making it evil just like she was” as you should, as you should~
*proceeds to slam chao against wall as Sonic so it can turn dark side*
The dubbing is fine its the voice direction that's to blame not the actors. I feel the glitches that cause you to fall off the stages are the main problem with SA-2. This game needs a remake due to being outdated.
@@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon Since when you have glitches of falling through the stage in SA2?
Never in my 18+ years of playing that game experienced something like Sonic 06's thing of falling through the stage.
Sonic Adventure 2 is my number one favorite Sonic game and the two main reasons is the story and the voice actors. The actors really set the right tone with the story. This is also the game that gave Knuckles the GREATEST voice actor EVER, Scott Dreir.
This story also was the last game that Eggman had his threatening persona and made me hate and love Eggman. Also Lani really gave Rouge that sexy voice that matched Rouge's design.
Id argue eggman was even more threatening and villainous in unleashed than he even was in sa2, especially at the end of unleashed during the egg dragoon fight
Matty! What have you been doing for the past 20+ years?! What a classic!
I was a sonic fan as a kid ive only played 1,2,3 heros and generations and the advance series
Man this game is pretty poopoo tho. It's a chore playing tails and knuckles,sonic and shadow are the only fun units and a few Eggman levels.the best thing about the gsmd is the music
@@marceladex9529 ikr, your just trying to play the game as sonic and then you have to spend 20 minutes just to look for 3 emeralds.
@@datboi_yennie fr this game is trash lol except the ost
@sk sa 2 was on game cube a year later
The reason Tails is in a mech is interesting; as far as we know Tails wasn't initally even playable in the game. When gameplay was first shown off it was just Sonic, Knuckles and Eggman. It was only after fan outcry that Tails was added, alongside newcomers Rouge and Shadow. This is likely why there's only three gameplay styles, and why certain levels reuse assets or themes (like Prison Lane and Iron Gate). Further evidence to this is that initial gameplay footage had Sky Rail as a Sonic stage, indicating that Shadow was added later in development and thus the level was given to him
your videos are so good at binge watching, just watched like 5 in a row without pausing lmao - keep up the brilliant work mate
13:42 there’s actually a mod for sa2 which puts all the characters levels and cutscenes in chronological order and the story makes more sense that way if it helps
Should also recommend the retranslated mod, that replaces the subtitles in the Japanese dub for an accurate translation. The adaptation screwed up some lines. The story is even more coherent that way.
I always hated the dark/hero thing. It hurts the pacing for me, hopefully that mod will fix this issue that i have with SA2, i want either full nonlinearity like SA1 or linearity like the chronological order you described, obviously correcting the small bugs or dreamcast restoration and the proper cutscenes/dialogue too.
I'm still thankfull for SA2 Battle being lightyears better than SADX (one of the worst ports/remasters of all time lol)
Give us the link.
It breaks the ending if you run out of lives or quit, I lost my lives in the Sonic part and had to watch the last 2 sections on UA-cam
To answer your question about The Knuckles/Rouge missions the reason of the design is because of Mastery. SA1 didn't have a ranking system that encouraged mastery and replayability while in SA2 the playtime is pushed because of it. Over multiple playthroughs players learn all of the locations of the emerald shards and can find them without relying on the radar. So the occasion of coming across pieces out of order are much more frequent when checking the obvious places.
still dumb
I think people get the logic behind it, but it’s still not fun. Those levels are the biggest wet blankets on an otherwise enjoyable experience, imo
Dude thank you for giving it an honest shot and being open minded. This is a really fair review of a twenty year old game that I personally cherish. It's refreshing because it's the popular thing to bandwagon against Sonic games in general. Thanks for the nice video
Yea the only reason ppl like this game is because of nostalgia like super mario 64
@@litjman21 lol what? I love this game because its awesome, I grew up with both SA2 and SM64, and to this day I like 64 still but nowhere near this one
@@litjman21 I played it for the first time at 23, and I enjoyed it. Same with Mario 64, which I also played for the first time in my early 20s. I appreciate old media.
One thing i love about this game's story it's Sonic characterization and pushing it to unexplored territory. To me Sonic's whole thing is that he never looks back, he always lives in the present and doesn't have regrets for it, that's why it's never explained where he comes or why is he fast. But in brief moments in this game, the existence of Shadow makes Sonic wonder for a bit. In the final battle Shadow even states that Sonic might be the ultimate life form and not him, perhaps Shadow was just another prototype.
Sonic nearly dying is a big moment for him, he's barely saved by mimicking Shadow, that makes him wonder even more on his origins and on why of all people he's the one resembling him, until Amy aks him if he's okay, and he comes back to Earth, literally and figuratively. Great stuff, that would've been a nice send off for these characters to me, in an anternate timeline where Sonic ended in 2001
Then you should like Sonic's characterisation in the Storybook games too.
@@mobilechikane8574 yup, i love those game's take on Sonic, although i never really liked Jason Griffith's delivery
One of the greatest game soundtracks of all time. Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 were the first games I really got hooked on as a kid and I still go back to them all the time. Still waiting for a proper SA3!
Yes, I'm very late to the Sonic Adventure party! I only played the first one in November of 2021. If you missed that, then check it out. - ua-cam.com/video/1qrS5JXz16c/v-deo.html
I feel like you would've had a even bettrr experience if you use the full game mod which combines all three stores into one cohesive story
Btw SA DX cut was released after SA2 and SA2 battle
@@Sly9192 which one
Watch sonic x it covers adventure 1 and 2
@@janitoalevic Full story Mod
I feel like the reason people loved the Chao Garden so much is because when we were kids it was just so much cooler. Once you were able to unlock the different Chao Worlds it made the Chao Garden area just felt so awesome haha
Tails is in a mech because he wasn't meant to be playable to begin with. In fact, the whole hero-dark dynamic came relatively late in developement, at the beginning there were 3 stories with sonic, knuckles and eggman as the only playable characters. They changed their mind later on to please fans that wanted tails and shadow to be playable (shadow was shown in the trailers but not as one of the playable characters and tails wasn't present at all, so it seems that this pissed off some fans and sega listened), this is in the end why tails is essentially a skin of eggman
The real part of the game is going for the A Ranks, and when you're doing those, you'll be grateful for the different gameplay styles. You can change styles to keep from getting bored in a task that'll take dozens of hours or less depending on how good you get at it. You'll also learn to appreciate the non speed stages better when you're trying to get A ranks on them, with a few exceptions of the space treasure hunting levels, all of them can mostly be done in under 2 minutes, once you learn the level layouts better and develop an intuition for where the treasure items are hiding. The mech stages you'll learn all the enemy spawns, and such and try to maximize your combos.
SA2 on Dreamcast is one of my favorite games ever. Something that people who have played it for years dont understand is an issue with the game is you are stuck switching gameplay styles while you are playing the story. The Tails and Knuckles stages are great when you can go back to them at your own pace, but bog down the experience when you are forced to play them back to back. I feel SA2 gets better with repeat gameplay, while 1 is best just playing through once.
Sonic Adventure 2 is one of my favorite games, but I would say Sonic Adventure DX: Directors Cut is probably better. The ability to play all these character's different storylines and that "open world" feel blew my mind as a kid.
Same
Weird since the DX director cut is considered worst the original version
@@painvillegaming4119 I liked the Dreamcast version more
@@Velocity_YT I mean yeah
That the original game made by the original director
@@painvillegaming4119 Completely fair - could just be my own personal nostalgia!
Pretty refreshing to see a new player so keen (comparatively to the internet, lol) on SA2! The Adventure games get so much hate nowadays and it's really nice to see someone coming into it fresh who is able to enjoy themselves and even really get a kick out of the story! (I love the SA2 story, but man does it get a lot of crap. Which I don't think it deserves at all.)
It may come as a surprise to you but way more people watch the adventure era games than the classics on twitch. so I dont think they are that unpopular. Just easy to meme on I think
Hi Nezumi. Yeah, it's always nice to see new people giving these games a chance.
@@spitefulcrow5026 The genesis games are unplayable without the 16:9 aspect ratio , meanwhile the Sonic Adventure duology games still hold up to this day.
I couldn't agree more
There was already discourse on SA2 on 2002 when it came to the gamecube.
The Sonic series was never supposed to end after SA2. In actuality this was supposed to be Shadow’s first and only appearance in the franchise. But due to how popular he was with fans they decided to bring him back and he’s basically a series regular at this point. Depending on who you ask the decision to bring him back after SA2 was for better or for worse.
Well I’m glad they did because otherwise I would not know who he is😅
Women bring out the best in men. You're slowly being saved!
Completely agree about shadow, I always thought they did him a disservice by bringing him back. Precisely because I liked him so much, they should have let him die in SA2.
I completely understand what you say, if his character would have died in SA2 it would have been an amazing ending to a great character, but i'm happy we still can see Shadow in new games (even though they ruined his character, we got a great Shadow character development in 06) of course though, the game STH sucks ass.
I always liked the idea of Eggman rescuing Shadow (though it would have been nice to have a logistical explanation of how Eggman did it because Shadow’s fall was not anticipated) and I’m somewhat glad SEGA decided to take that route. However, the cost of this decision was heavy on Shadow as a whole. Shadow the Hedgehog (the game) was a product of its time when being edgy/emo was cool. I think the game was inspired by one of the SEGA producers playing some kind of shooter game. It was the catalyst for the descent. I wish SEGA would have pushed Shadow working alongside Rouge and GUN harder. The game could have involved Team Dark figuring out who this Shadow was (original or android) as opposed to him playing alongside some random Sonic character. The character placements were sometimes so random that believing them was a stretch. At least Sonic 06 embraced the Team Dark/GUN operation dynamic. If only the game had been successful. Shadow had excellent character development. His bond with both Rouge and Omega was solid and strong. But the game’s failure forced SEGA to abandon this deep character and replace it with what could ultimately be described as a generic enemy character. We went from an antihero to an absolute enemy. He doesn’t care at all about Rouge and Omega. He calls Sonic’s ideals of friendship “pathetic” despite previously admiring them. The slight cockiness he had before the change has since been replaced with outright arrogance. It’s truly a shame. It forces us fans to question whether or not his return in Sonic Heroes was a good thing. While Heroes’ story is weak, Shadow’s integrity wasn’t damaged. Sonic Battle deepens his lore in underrated ways. He was a good character until “the dark age of Sonic.” The character we have now is truly a “shadow” of his former self. Was it worth having those few good games just to end up with a character we no longer recognize? It’s a hard call. I’m thankful for the games that strengthened him, but disappointed in the games that ruined him as a result.
@@vixenrevitup Completely agreed, they really had a great fucking character but decided to ruin all of his development, now he isn't Shadow, he is just an edgy asshole who hates everything for no reason.
@@vixenrevitup I actually enjoyed the Shadow the Hedgehog game in terms of gameplay, it reminded me of the adventure series gameplay. I don't remember too much of the story other than having alternate endings with the true ending being he found out he was the real shadow. I still think story-wise shadow would be the best if he had remained dead after SA2, however I do think that perhaps Shadow the Hedgehog's true ending should have had him discovering he was a clone, and the current shadow's personality could be him trying to live up to his predecessor, the true shadow that died in SA2. I think that would have made a much more interesting modern shadow character.
What hinders your experience is discovering the game in modern times. Back on the 2000s, this game was just crazy good, with some flaws, but at the time, better in some ways than most games around this time
I agree 100% this game felt jammed pack even compared to modern games. The fact there was even a new chao garden, minigames, 3 main storys and a great 2P mode makes this game so replayable
Yeah chao garden was addictive. He didn’t get to experience turning a chao into shadow lol
I really appreciate your thoughts on SA2 (I also went back to watch your SA1 video before this and I enjoyed that one too)! I've been playing the game since 2002 so it's always nice to hear the thoughts of someone who doesn't have the childhood/emotional baggage that a lot of people who talk about this game tend to have. Sonic Adventure 2 is absolutely a divisive game. Some people call it one of the franchise's high points, and other people call it the point where Sonic started going downhill (you wouldn't have Sonic 06 without this game. It was almost certainly intended to be Sonic Adventure 3).
In any case, I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I would recommend having another look with some mods (same easy setup as SA1). You can get mods like restoring the radar to tell you about all three emerald pieces at once, restoring some of the Dreamcast graphical/lighting effects (although it's not nearly as dramatic as SA1), making all of the custcenes widescreen, fixing the super loud sound effects, and even placing all of the Hero/Dark states in chronological order of the story.
I think the Chao Garden was a product of its time. The VMU support was awesome, and Pokemon was at it's absolute height so there was a better feeling of immersion with the creatures.
I think the reason people get so defensive when the Sonic Adventure games get criticized, is because they think we're singling them out as the sole offenders of these issues. Most 3D platformers & action games from the late 90's & early 2000's aged badly with: janky cameras, lack of true analog controls, unrefined gameplay, and the list goes on.
It's lovely seeing you learning why so many of us love this franchise ❤️
It might even help you appreciate some of the stuff in 06 (mainly Shadow's story). Also, since you're doing that one, I highly recommend checking out Project 06. A fan made remaster of 06 that fixes just about every issue with the game, and introduces a lot of great stuff. It's got all of Sonic's and Shadow's levels, minus the bosses.
I loved this game, seeing this video fills me with nostalgia. I was rebuying it 5 years ago on gamecube to give it another run and i still had fun. The chao system and the gameplay is just a solid experience.
My GameCube days were summed up by this game. Love the soundtrack as well.
Dude this skies of arcadia and that first Naruto fighting game oooooh and fire emblem yes!
This and paper Mario the thousands years doors was the two games I played the most on the GameCube
I love the gameplay and story just as much as the Chao Garden tyvm. The Chao Garden is just an amazing tool for replayability.
This was my favorite sonic, dream cast was a underrated console.
So this video is interesting as I actually prefer SA2 to SA1. I definitely understand your perspective, I just want to briefly explain one aspect that makes a big difference for me: The Ranking System
I feel like the ranking system better incentivizes to play the game in a way that I find most fun. Doing tricks, locking onto enemies, knowing where the emerald pieces are etc...
To elaborate on an example, trying to maximize how many enemies I lock on with tails before firing for more points I find makes playing as him more interesting. His gameplay ends up involving more planning, dodging, aiming, and timing. Without that, you would just blindly moving forward and shooting.
That being said, if you don't care for the ranking system, I can see why a lot of the game can feel either boring or otherwise not beginner friendly
I wish there was a more definitive leaderboard function, because I love comparing my top scores with friends.
While i prefer SA1 over SA2, i agree with you on that, the ranking system is great in this game, my only complain is that sometimes you would just get a B even if you have an amazing time, of course I know i have to gain a lot of points with tricks, enemies, rings to get an A, but sometimes i wish we got more points for getting very fast to the goal. I'm actually getting all emblems of the game, i think I got like 120 so far
@Blake N lol true
I agree with this take from a perspective as a chao garden player, I have so much playtime on the game in every version I have played (GCN, PS3, Steam) due to the chao garden and I'm just now trying to master the gameplay LOL
@Blake N Is that so? i've seen more love for SA1 over the years, most people say they downgraded the gameplay of each character and i agree
Final Rush: Fantastic
Final Chase: An absolute chore to play
It was a chore? I had a blast Dash-Jumping to places I didn't think I could land. Lots of trial and error but it's great. Dash-Jump the Rotating Gravity barrels and you'll know some absurd goodness.
Very interesting perspective! Sonic games are always a crazy ride and I kinda miss the "dark age" for that craziness.
Played the hell out of Sonic Adventure 2 as a teen, both on my uncles Dreamcast and then finally had it for my own on GameCube. And I can’t say the hive mind negativity regarding the games quality hasn’t tarnished my opinion on the game, based on nothing else but that opinion being regurgitated throughout gaming discussion on the whole these past 20 years. Recently, I’ve been playing it again for the first time since my teens, and I genuinely mean this, Sonic Adventure 2 is one of the greatest 3D platformers every made. The level design is SO replayable, like I couldn’t believe, by design. I remember as a teen just replaying levels over and over not even always for higher ranks or to get better, just Kuz they were so fun. And I quickly found myself back in that feedback loop once I completed the story modes. I wasn’t expecting Knuckles’ gameplay to be a highlight, I’ve A ranked all his levels before even getting to all of the characters extra missions. Rouge too, and they both are such a blast to control in their wide open levels, compared to how Knux controls in SA1 (100% SA1 just before this recent SA2 playthrough btw) so snappy in SA2. I would honestly love to have the treasure hunting gameplay style return in some form, would be perfect in an open world, but I’m sure Frontiers will be just Sonic playable again 😢. The speed stages feel so good to learn well, and execute. The chao garden feels so deliberately designed to be played in conjunction with the platforming stages, replayability means more resources for your chao, means more reasons to get better at the levels, means more resources for your chao, etc. they’re not two game modes in one package. They’re a single game. The mech stages are a blast, ya the jump kinda blows for precise platforming, ya the treasure hunting radar is not perfect, yes it had things they could’ve improved on in an Adventure 3. As if SM64 and Sunshine don’t have their issues too, and Sunshine still manages to be my favourite 3D Mario, despite it being the one with the most issues, Kuz probably not until Odyssey had Mario felt so responsive and expressive to control, etc (another topic I won’t get into here lol 🤩). Every work of art has imperfections. There’s just too much good in SA2 for me really care, tbh lol. Honestly, it’s up there with S3&K and Mania for me, thanks to replaying it and realizing all the shit talking around the game we’ve been hearing all these years is just that, shit talking. SA2 FOREVER 🖤🖤🖤
(Oh, and the story fucking RULES!)
I really appreciate this video. As someone who grew up in the 2000s all I ever saw was hate towards theses games, so it really warms my heart to see someone give and honest effort to try and play theses old games and see what others saw in it. The way you focus on the positives, but still mention the negatives is really good too. It makes it feel genuine.
This is the first video of yours I've seen and it was a really good first impression.
Keep it up and I hope you enjoy more sonic games in the future.
I prefer SA1 too, mostly because the gameplay (or maybe the levels themselves?) feel more "free" to me. Being able to spindash like crazy might have something to do with that lol. SA2 felt a lot tougher for me, but I love the general vibe of it. The ost bangs, the animation (even if a little awkward at times) looks way better, the VAs are great and deliver some cheesy but iconic lines... and the story was like the coolest thing ever to me as a kid. And I still absolutely love Shadow. I'm glad he "survived" this game because he's such a fun character. I may not like his portrayal in the recent media but this, Heroes, 06 and some of the Archie stuff is just so good.
It's the pacing. It's way better on SA1 than SA2, just compare the emerald radar between the two games lmao...
@@saricubra2867 The emerald hunting levels in SA1 are piss easy and go by way too quick. I actually prefer SA2’s treasure hunting stages as they’re more interesting and challenging.
@@Still-Struggling In SA1 they are fun, Meteor Herd alone wouldn't last half an hour by that terrible tracker.
Pacing ruined those levels, if the tracker is the same as in SA1, i would agree for those levels being better than SA1s.
They dropped the ball really hard, because the Knuckles and Rouge emerald hunting stages and power ups are a massive upgrade over SA1...
Man, SA2 is such a hit&miss sometimes.
@@saricubra2867 I thought the tracker was fine and made the gameplay more engaging. Even if it’s annoying in certain stages. I prefer that over being bored retreading Sonic’s stages in what’s supposed to be a Knuckles level. SA2 has so much more personality put into the levels.
@@saricubra2867 SA2 kinda sucks
Sonic: You can't catch me I'm the fastest thing alive!
Shadow: Hmph, I was thinking about why so many in the radical left participate in "speedrunning".
Sonic: Huh?
Shadow: The reason is the left's lack of work ethic.
Sonic: Wh-what?
Shadow: "Go fast rather than do it right" And, in a Pertsonian sense--
Sonic: Petersonian?
Shadow: To elevate alternative sexual archetypes in the marketplace, fastest hedgehog--
Sonic: Shadow, what the fuck are you talking about?
Shadow: You're a beta male, Sonic.
I can see it replaying in a GIF format now in my mind
My guy is insane, I LOVE sonic adventure battle 2. For the record, I've never played the first one or know anything about it really, but I have quite I story of my own to this game. basically I've had it on the old game cube for a long time, and shamefully, like many other of my game cube games, I damaged them as a child, and I could never get passed the part where sonic fights the egg gollem.
Eventually, after praying for days like a crazy person, it for some reason let me finish it, and I beat the game. After that I just kinda left the game for a while. Then when I got into my teenage years (as I am now) I realized that I had beaten the last level, but never really finished it. So, I did when any hardcore gamer would do, and gathered all 180 emblems and got A rank on EVERY level. I was getting close with only about 20 emblems left, and...... the game broke- now I have and unfilled destiny to finish what I started and I'm too poor to fork out 50 dollars to buy it on ebay.
Thanks to anyone who has bothered to read all of this! and feel free to reply to have a chat
P.s I'm new to this channel
Chao garden takes alot of time done proper, for example to have every color and type of chao and to make the most of your generations of different types of chao. I'm not sure how PC saves work, if you can have 4 memory cards worth of 12+ gardens
8:06 "[The treasure hunting levels] were the killers of this gameplay, outside of its age which I can accept"
11:40 "It was a lot of fun, even if I had some gripes with its age."
21:30 "I wouldn't say it's bad. It just FEELS old."
You guys are OLD.
This game looked amazing on the dreamcast. To me its a true classic.
Well since most people don't know this, Eggman says "yosh" because it's part of a Japanese phrase generally used for pets or the like. It's fairly close to "good boy/girl".
I have no idea why they didn't give him an English line though, maybe he wasn't originally going to be in the Chao garden.
I think it's just because they kept most of the Japanese expressions into the game, even in the English dubs (Eggman says "yosh" in both the Japanese and English voices, and it's not just because they're using the same line, they had the English voice actor record that line iirc).
I can't think of many examples right now, but I do remember other characters having these Japanese phrases and common sounds even in their English dub, such as Sonic screaming "teriaaaa" when he's done with the Egg Golem, or Knuckles screaming "oraoraora" when he digs up.
It's an odd directing choice, but it seems intentional.
I do have to say i can do those knuckle/rouge missions in 5 min max and thats if i really really mess up. They just require a but of intuition to find fast
I wouldn't hate Sega if they just released these two games again. I wouldn't hate them at all.
I poured so many hours into SA2 but it never hit the same high of SA1. That will always be my favourite 3d sonic.
I hope that Sonic 3 is an SA2 film adaptation. I mean they have G.U.N and Shadow as well as the OG 3
The only time it seemed like a skill issue in this video was when you said pumpkin hill took you 15 minutes... but besides that I agree with most of what you said great vid!
Most of his complaints about the game feeling janky can also be explained by skill issues. The mechanics of the game are unforgiving of error at times and while frustrating, is not game breaking by any means.
The craziest part about the emerald radar is that the functionality that allows it to be SA1-style is actually within the game code, and that mod is just toggling that functionality on. Also, I will say that a lot of the game design for the mech and treasure hunting stages really opens up when you're engaging with the game's ranking system and trying to go for emblems. Getting an A Rank is really satisfying and while getting 180 emblems was quite the commitment, I don't really regret doing it at least once.
Great review! Not flashy, unbiased, and very clear! New sub!
It just occurred to me that for Eggman and Tails we could've had dual flying sections instead of mech stuff, since Eggman's tiny hovercraft is known for flying
SA2 Battle has a lot of bug fixes and some extra content, at the expense of poorer cutscene lighting quality. If you wanna give a shot to a version of SA2 that doesn't feel as janky
That said:
This was a great review and I'm glad you enjoyed the game! Completely understand preferring SA1 even if I personally like SA2 more. As for branching paths, I think the Adventure games do it well (and especially excell at _shortcuts_ ) but Unleashed and Generations are no slackers when it comes to multiple paths that reward replaying the stage.
SA2 was also the birth of the ranking system, which was an amazing addition to the series and gave a real reason for the score counter to exists, as well as to try and get through the level quickly and without taking damage.
Overall, like I said, great review. This is the first video of yours I've seen, but I'll definitely check out your other stuff cause you seem pretty fair in both your criticism and praise
Good video, but I must say I don't know why your friends (or anyone else for that matter) would have ever assumed that this was supposed to have been the last game in franchise, despite the ending. Sonic wasn't really dwindling in popularity at the time this game released, and a cool and dramatic ending doesn't really spell out "yeah this is definitely the last game". Can't really assume any game is the last one actually since a lot of times it's easy for developers to just go back and decide to add in another entry. At least that's what I thought when I finished the game, I'm curious to see if anyone else thought the same thing
You talk about the frame rate but this was one of the many games that could run at 60fps at the time
Someone tell ProJared that this is how you do a balanced/critical review
Someone tell ProJared to stop grooming teenage girls.
@@kingboobs20 That's a cute opinion. Did a 'tard on twitter give it to you?
@@kingboobs20 lol sorry your life is so miserable & you’re bitter because of that. Funny how one quick UA-cam video or even google search can easily debunk what you just said. It’s old news.
@@kingboobs20 Someone tell Brie Russell what Jared has the receipts.
@@kingboobs20 What?
I remember my first time playing.. seeing someone playing for the first time in 2022 is rare I don't see it very often at least.. so nostalgic!
Honestly, my favorite review of my all-time favorite game. One thing I'd kinda disagree with is the emerald hunting stages. A big difference between Sa1 and Sa2 is the ranking system. (once you get all A's, you get a really nice reward.) It may feel like a chore at times, but it challenges you to get good at the game, although you can still do it at your own pace. Still overall, I loved your analysis!
really like your take on the story, i also haven't seen the gameplay difference spelled out like that between SA1 and 2, that in SA1 it actually gives less time to the supporting cast whereas SA2 has more time on the supporting cast. Ofc I personally think SA2 speed levels have substantially more replayability and are just more enjoyably designed than SA1.
@sk SA2 has the best Treasure Hunting stages, but the godamned linear radar is such a bad idea on a big stage like Meteor Herd lmao.
As for Sonic/Shadow stages, they removed 2nd acts.
I like more the pacing on SA1 overall, that's the only reason it's my favorite Adventure game. Pacing in SA2 is very wacky. Still both of these games are lightyears better than 3D Mario games (i hated almost all of them lmao).
@@saricubra2867 You clearly don’t remember how it felt to play SA1 for the first time. The pacing in SA1 nearly ruined the story for me. The plot is fragmented into many parts and you’re forced to put the pieces together yourself. That also means rewatching cutscenes over and over. Not to mention how terribly dated the cutscenes are in SA1. SA2’s story feels much easier to get into and follow. The stakes are higher, there’s more emotional weight and it tackles more mature/darker subject matters. The cutscenes in SA’2 actually succeed at conveying the characters personality and emotions.
The fun of the chao garden was breeding weird looking chao, as there’s hundreds if not thousands of possibilities. You get two different colour eggs and breed them and the chao is born one colour but the other colour comes through, then you breed that chao with a black/white chao and they start adding those colours. There’s loads of different shapes and designs and it’s just really exciting hatching like 5 chao from the same parents and having them all grow up looking completely different.
SA2 is a game where you really need mods to make it really good. I have mods that give Sonic/Shadow the spin dash from SA1, that map the light dash to the Y button, that allows you to beat mech stages as Sonic/Shadow so you don't have to play as Tails/Eggman in mechs and the mod that improves Knuckles/Rouge's radar so it works as it does in SA1. And that's only some of the mods that I have
My first playthrough of SA2 was not very good. Once I installed the mods and started playing the levels again without having to deal with these issues is when I really started enjoying this game. SA1 is a better game I'd say, but SA2 with mods is probably at least equal to SA1 with mods
I really disagree, honestly. The Sonic/Shadow stages play really well, the mech stages are good mindless fun, and the treasure hunting, while it can be tedious, isn't too bad once you figure out the map layout. That being said, Aquatic Mine and Mad Space can go do one. Either way, I personally think that while modding the game can help, the game on its own is still really good.
@@crimsonmitsuko I come to Sonic games for Sonic gameplay mostly. If you're going to give non-Sonic gameplay for 2/3 of the missions, you better make sure that gameplay can compare to the gameplay of Sonic/Shadow. The Tails/Eggman are just more enjoyable as Sonic/Shadow so there's no reason for me to play as Tails/Eggman. The Knuckles/Rouge sections were just bad to me on my first playthrough. I played SA2 before SA1 and didn't even realise how the radar worked until after I played SA1 and they really just went backwards. Making the levels larger is one thing, that on its own would be fine but that along with the nerfed hints system and the nerfed radar just artificially lengthens these stages so I just use the mod to improve the radar
@@MysticClaws100 I'm 100% with you on this. Particularly the emerarld hunting sections, they nerfed the radar from 1 and just made it too tedious. I think the Mech levels would have been fine if they were used more sparingly, like if it was only for eggman, and have tails work how he did in SA1.
Where is the mech swap mods?
I prefer Adventure 1 for basically the same reasons. It still has the best controls of the 3d games and it was the first one.
I disagree. I think the controls in Adventure 1 are worse.
@@Pepperknight341 Adventure 1 doesn't have a problem with too many actions being mapped on the same button. It feels clunker all around especially the mechs which feel weird in SA2.
@@spartanq7781 Yes, but Adventure 1 has weirder choices with it's button mapping.
Charge Spin Dash full for Light Speed Dash, Press Punch and Jump simultaneously to dig. And the only reason same button mapping is less of an issue in Adventure 1, is because moments like those would break the game's pace. I don't think the mechs are that clunky, especially when you get the Jet Booster/Engine.
@@Pepperknight341 I hate the light speed dash charge up and really hate the digging but everything else feels much better. Sonic 06 is the closest we ever got to a sequel to them. It has all the hallmarks I want out of a Sonic game. If only it didn't have its issues.
@@Pepperknight341 Mechas would naturally play more clunky on purpose it's not like the couldn't make better movement cuz they already did and fact that ppl overlook these details are weird to me
Yeah the Knuckles and Rouge levels killed Adventure 2 for me. I still haven't finished it cause those levels are legit the pits. Also, Matty, please talk about Project 06 when you do your Sonic 06 video. That game put 06 in a whole new perspective for many a Sonic fan!
Likewise. I enjoy the game still, but the treasure hunting stages are what keep it below my top 5 or at times completely out of my Top 10 Sonic games
The Mech Stages lessen the experience for me, the treasure hunt stages are fine. I like the music and atmosphere, fun to explore the levels
Can you explain to me why? I never understood why people didn’t like the hunting levels. I almost think they are better than the speed stages.
@@Shadow-vd8ss For me they’re just fine because it can kinda drag on when you don’t know where they are. The later levels are really big and take a while for new players. Also the pyramid level exists.
@@Shadow-vd8ss Because they drag on. Especially if it's your first time playing them, they can be incredibly jarring and extremely overwhelming if you don't have a good idea of the stage's patterns or shard placements. It takes a few retries to really get into them as well as a ton of patience, which most gamers, especially its target audience, clearly would not have.
The Chao garden is just like the perfect post-game content. It gives you a reason to replay different levels
This game has so many good tracks in it man!
Also the hero and dark story entertwining was fun
Shadow, Rouge, and Tails actually weren't playable when the game was first announced and they were added later due to fan questions about their missing gameplay in the trailer. That's why it was strange that Tails was in a mech, its cause he was never supposed to be playable. These characters were added to gameplay as parallels to the original playable characters (Sonic, Knuckles, and Eggman).
I love how i enjoyed everything about the game you didnt enjoy that much! I love the searching stages, but at this point i already know almost all locations they can be in by heart ):
great video overall!
There's an insane amount of possibilities with the random selection and the only way is to memorize every single hint from the machines. They do that for the speedrun though
What the... a ghost..?
The Adventure games were classics in my childhood. Sonic Heroes for next Sonic game before 06?
Oh shit, this is one of my favorite games of all time. Looking forward to watching this. Chao Garden 100% made this game for me.
Born in 95 I played both sonic adventures religiously but the chao garden was something I never thought was “fun”….
Chao garden is a 10/10 game within a 7/10 game
its not the same experience of playing this game as a kid as playing it as on old man
also playing it alone and playing it with friends
specially playing this game on 2022 and comparing it with the games that are out today
remember these were the days where the internet wasn’t a thing like it is today
no multiplayer or nothing similar like that
the only way you could play this game and really enjoy it was with real friend
im so sorry that you couldn’t grasp the true magic of this game
it’s just an experience that even the true fans cant recreate
its just a masterpiece and full of nostalgia
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is HANDS DOWN the BEST Sonic game EVER MADE. They need to make a comeback of Sonic Adventure 3 or a remake of Adventure 2.
yesss
Did you ever get to the hero or dark garden? From my understanding that's a big reason why people like SA2B's chao garden more. Also I'm pretty sure SADX's chao garden had been revamped based on SA2B's but was fairly archaic in the dreamcast version. But don't quote me on that! :)
As someone who has played them all, they definitely made changes to the DX Chao garden based on the improvements they made in SA2.
I agree with your take. SA1 was always better than SA2 overall. But the highs in SA2 was what made it more memorable for people. I could replay City Escape and Metal Harbor level on repeat and never grow board because they are so freaking fun.
Ironicly the best game to play before watching the movie
For real, this game's secret is it's gameplay loop. People have fond memories of it due to the synergy between everyone's favorite levels and the chao garden. Why? The chao garden gives you a reason to replay certain levels, mostly the ones that are fastest and the ones you enjoy. This pushed you into replaying the fastest (and best) levels and in return it made you better at those levels. This ALSO made you discover new routes and how you can improve your score for the A emblems. The 2D Sonic formula of _earning_ fast speed by knowing the level and playing well translated really well to those levels.
People have a mandela effect of thinking they enjoyed this game when in reality people replayed the Sonic and Shadow levels to death in order to grow their chao. Additionally, this game had the connection with the GBA which a few people had. You could transfer your chao and raise him on your GBA. You could basically transfer your chao from console to portable and back while you played great portable games and some nice levels in 3D on your console.
I ALWAYS despised the kart level, all Eggman/Tails levels and especially Knuckles/Rouge levels... urgh, they ruined the pacing (although, truth be told, Knuckles' levels have some outstanding soundtracks), but I remember spending HUNDREDS of hours polishing Sonic/Shadow levels, mostly through the excuse of raising chaos and getting the A rank emblems. You REALLY wanted the A emblems, but some levels were just insufferable. Sonic Adventure 1 is equally uneven, but outside of Big's levels, it's better paced. Sonic Adventure 2 wanted to retain that sense of speed and some of that old Arcade-style nature, but found themselves with an uneven mess.
But hey, this isn't a problem with SA2 only... this has been an issue with Sonic in 3D since it's inception. Team Sonic can't decide what the games are trying to do and they're doomed if they do, doomed if they don't. Half of ALL 3D sonic games suck due to some reason, possibly with the exception of Generations which tried to bring what everyone liked of both types of Sonic games. The fanbase is uneven as well, with 40 year old people and 8 year old kids who see Sonic in a COMPLETELY different way. Sonic is best when he does what he does best, problem is, Team Sonic have no idea whatsoever nowadays what's _BEST_ and _WHO_ they're marketing games for.
My Top 3 Sonic games of all time.
*1) Sonic Adventure 2*
2) Sonic Heroes
3) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
(Never bothered with the Chao gardens, though. Never been an area of interest for me. 🤷🏾♂️)
I remember playing the demo for Sonic Adventure 2, with my copy of Phantasy Star Online. Later buying my copy for the Dreamcast. Crazy I think about it, it has now been 20 years since that day.
9/9/99 was a wild ride for the first game, because I could not find a copy day one of the first game, until Toys R US had a bundle.
SA2 was one of those games I had with the 10th anniversary bundle. The box, CD, booklet, and coin.
The game itself is wild. The missions take some adjusting to, but it can be intense. It is crazy how big those levels truly were. Both games are similar yet totally different. But the experience of completing the journey, especially unlocking the third part of the story. That level.. jeezus.
My favorite part about the Adventure series is the music. From stages, to character themes. Cool part with both games, the more you play, the more music you can unlock.
Chao Garden. That is an experience
With the VMU, or GBA, you could take them out of the game, and can raise them with mini games+ rewards. When back in the game, their stats increase, plus can evolve, Mature and even mate with another Chao. There is a light and dark theme with them as well which is fascinating.
The story..that end is beautiful and heartbreaking. SA2 had so many unique ideas. Yup Adventure 2 was the last.
SEGA nearly went out of business. But was able to rebound.
I absolutely love this channel!
Loved the review Matty, really want to hear your thoughts on Sonic Heroes and Shadows stand-alone game now
Also there's a "Sonic What If" on UA-cam with what if Shadow Survived instead of Sonic. It goes very in-depth and it's really good! so I think you might be interested in it.
Great review, would love to hear your thoughts on the shadow the hedgehog game, I played that a ton as a kid
5:31 okay but did you ever get them to evolve?? THAT was the coolest thing. Getting a Sonic Chao, Shadow Chao, Chaos Chao, the time you had to spend doing that was just cool as fuck
I didn't like the chao garden on my first playthrough but I really got into it on my 100% run
Definitely in my top 3 favorite games list. Not top 3 Sonic games, top 3 games.
As a long term Sonic Fan, I will say that Sonic Adventure 2 is my favorite for the Sonic and Shadow stages, and that's really all the stages I liked. So I only like about 1/3 of the game, and that's not really good in terms of the game.
If you want something similar to the Sonic / Shadow stages, I really recommend the indie game Spark the electric Jester 2, he got inspired by the Sonic Adventure Speed Stages in particular and does a pretty good job setting up some of these Sonic-esque stages. I'd actually like to hear your thoughts on that game if you ever have the time to give it a shot! 😁
Yup, that's right. I'd rather not be so harsh, but anything that wasn't Sonic and Shadow was fucking garbage dude, like jesus, I hated that stuff.
Honestly I really didn’t like this game, I love SA1 so much but I really didn’t enjoy SA2 in the same way. I enjoyed the Sonic stages, but the controls of Sonic felt so much worse than SA1, the homing attack especially, 50% of the time Sonic wouldn’t home in, he’d just dash forwards to me death, and when he did home in he always uncurled from his ball from JUST BEFORE he hit the enemy, which was infuriating. He also felt more slippery and I didn’t like the level design. I loved knuckles’s stages, especially with the mod for an SA1 radar. I think they’re just better than the SA1 versions and I loved them. But the biggest problem was the mechs, I HATE THEM, they’re the longest stages, each one was 30 minutes of dying over and over again to terrible platforming and bad game design with slow awkward physics with no acceleration or momentum at all and an ATROCIOUS CAMERA. And the worst part was that Gamma was really fun by comparison! I’m sure they were just slowed down and made worse to drag out the gameplay as it was too short. My biggest problem was that in terms of my game time, 1/16th was Sonic & Shadow, 1/4th was Knuckles, and all the other time was terrible mech stages. It’s so imbalanced and I had to trudge through so much to get to anything fun.
After beating the game and getting used to the new Sonic controls, which aren’t horrible, but it certainly took some getting used to, (If you wait until the very end of your bounce to home, the uncurling and dashing in a random direction happens way less.) I think I enjoy it a lot more, but I really don’t want to replay it completely because I hate the mechs. But I do sometimes go back and play the Sonic & Knuckles stages again.
Also, Shadow is amazing in this game, I wish he was even close to as good in any other game.
I love that we have to give spoiler warnings for a game that is over 21 years old.
And has cartoon/anime retelling of the story
The knuckles levels in SA2 are designed around the monitors. Alot of people don’t realize you can pause the game and push L and R to go through your hints and try to figure out where the emerald piece is by putting the clues together and THAT can be alot of fun.
all you got to do is propose that idea of sonic dying and shadow and silver try bring him back to the fans and I’m sure people will get together to work on something like that, honestly that’s one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard for a sonic game I could just imagine they bring back sonic just before egg man takes over and the 3 of them turn super on the life or death battle and come out victorious what a game that would be
The best part of the Shadow sacrifice is that Shadow wasn't supposed to come back. He was supposed to die at the end of Adventure 2. Like, FOR GOOD. He was supposed to be this games' Gamma. But people wanted him back so bad that Iizuka just said fuck it and brought him back in Heroes.
I have to agree with a lot of things you said in this video.
It's so refreshing to see a new take on the Adventure games that isn't just bashing them or endlessly praising them. I'm a Sonic fan that got into the series through the portable games (Rush trilogy, and Advance trilogy) but never really played the Adventure games (particularly adventure 1) all the way through until recent years.
So fucking hyped for Sonic Movie 3, finally everyone will witness the story of Shadow
15:09 now imagine going through that at like 6 years old I was losing my shiiiiit at the ending. Mom came in had to pause was like lol I’m fine ma. Then going back to let’s fucking GOOOOO, LIVE AN LEAAAAAARN. I was unbelievably hyped lmao. Same with sonic adventure 1 ending tbh an the music just multiples my hype levels. Blew my tiny mind.
Man I was a junior or senior in high school losing my shit at the ending lol
Just bought it the other day on my Xbox. The Sonic movie really gotta the nostalgia pumping.
You just said exactly the reason Sonic Team stopped adding multiple playable characters in their newer games. Everyone just wanted to play Sonic so here we are lol 10:51
God I love your content mate Keep it up 🙂
That Sonic '06 theory sounds pretty epic!
Don't think the Fandom would appreciate a dead sonic for 5 years but definitely would've been awesome to see what the fanbase reaction
Sonic Adventure 2 is what got me into Sonic.
Reminds me of when Fallout 3 got me into Fallout. 2 of my favorite games from my favorites franchises.