Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review - Quickies Don't Cut It
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- An in-depth analysis video for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Is the game as amazing as often said? And how does it compare to the original?
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Writing, narrating & editing: Michael Hardeman
Logo designs: ''Redberd36'', Specter Salmon & ''Ollie''
Game creation: Sonic Team
Sonic the Hedgehog © Sega
All music & imagery © to their respective owners - Ігри
"Dick heads showing up out of nowhere in the middle of the road to ambush you"
That sounds scary when translated to real life.
My grandfather went to the video store and rented this game for me when i was 6 or 7. I remember on my first play through I got a game over on the last boss. Immediately started it up again and beat it 2nd time through. Rip Gramps, thank you for introducing me to the Sonic series.
I love reading personal stories like this. Bless your grandfather. :)
iDub42 the last boss is indeed hard
Sonic Ace 24 it's not hard
it's pretty easy tbh
waaait wat? you got through the entire game without a game over your first time and you were 6 or 7, It took me weeks to get through some parts
John Doe Yeah man I just got into a zone my first play through. only time I struggled was the 2nd level and the Last boss lol
The mobile ports of Sonic 1 and 2 really need a console release
Console re-releases of the Taxman and Stealth remakes would be great. As of now, though, the best method to play them from my experience is via the Android emulator BlueStacks. It's not ideal, but it's at least a way of getting them on the big screen and without touch controls. :)
Retropolis Zone Good to know. Would you still say that this is your favorite sonic game? Or perhaps those opinions may change in the next couple videos.
bickuribox12 its on steam tho
they have it, just use a pc with bluestacks
Thanks to Apple Airplay or Samsung Screen Mirroring and the control access in all Sonic Taxman ports, I often play the mobile ports on my tv via screen mirror with my PS4 control. Too bad it’s not actually on console’s though.
I just love this review. It mirrors my thoughts exactly. And I got into the classic Sonic games as soon as I finished Sonic Generations, so I have no nostalgia attachment to them.
Sonic 2 improves on many things over Sonic 1... most of the times. But some of the cheap nature of the enemy and hazard placement, especially after Mystic Cave Zone, leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. And that final boss, ugh. For a while I actually preferred Sonic 1 over Sonic 2, lack of spindash included, simply for the former being a more fair game than the latter. Now I actually like Sonic 2 quite a bit more than Sonic 1, especially the mobile version. But my first playthrough, was literal hell towards the end.
Still I appreciate the effort put into improving the sequel, some shortcomings aside. I also appreciate the amount of work and passion that went into this review. Totally worth the wait. :)
Thanks for the comment, man. Glad you enjoyed the video. :)
+Retropolis Zone I just love your content. You actually go into detail when it comes to the games you review.
I love games and I love gaming, but I also love gaming reviews, discussions and analysis that get into the technical details that makes those games click. I could put your channel right up there with Mathewmatosis, GameMaker's Toolkit, TheGamingBritShow, and TurboButton (recommend checking up his videos about action games, especially his DMC 4 video :D).
And your channel deserves more attention and subscribers based off of the quality of your videos alone.
Damn, it's kind of hard to accept and believe I'm ranked amongst Matthewmatosis and GameMaker's Toolkit by some people. Thanks a lot, man! That's really encouraging. :)
This comment literally described my exerience with the first 2 games in the most accurate way possible. Could we be the same person? 0_0
9:16 Such a lust for laziness. TUBES!!!!!
SCMJ reference? I HATE SLICERS!
10:10 On the mobile version of Sonic 2 you even get an achievement for skipping the water section. :)
I just love the mobile version of Sonic 2 for multiple reasons. Improved physics (no speed caps), widescreen, better special stages, multiple playable characters and even an extra stage with some of the best level design I've seen in a Sonic game. Hidden Palace is just awesome.
So I have to ask... SEGA, why didn't you port the Sonic 2 remaster to console and/or PC. Why? Also, where's my Sonic 3&K remaster SEGA?
I know, those Christian Whitehead ports of Sonic 1 and 2 would sell so well on consoles.
There isn't a Sonic 3 and Knuckles port yet because they legally can't, I believe. The game has been re-released as a one-to-one port before, and so has been allowed, but because Christian Whitehead has altered the game significantly, they aren't allowed to sell it as-is.
This is because of the 3 songs composed/worked on by Michael Jackson - Carnival Night, Ice Cap, and Launch Base. Christian Whitehead wants to retain these songs for his remaster, but it would cost SEGA a lot of money to obtain the rights.
You can see evidence of this in the PC port of Sonic 3, back in the 90's. The game was programmed for PCs, and wasn't a direct port of the Megadrive version, and so the 3 songs had to be replaced with new ones.
So don't hold out for a Sonic 3 and Knuckles remaster on iOS/Android anytime soon.
Marius Urucu I'm guessing Sega doesn't want to port Christian's Sonic 3 mobile port to mobile devices due to how complex the level design is in that game.
However I personally don't find that an excuse.
With that being said, I believe Sonic Mania will become a huge succes in quality and money so Sega will likely continue take more advantage from Whitehead.
If Sega makes Classic modern and Boom Sonic their own seperated series we could have one series that is simple 2D fun, the other with a serious tone and finally a lighthearted silly game (Boom Sonic). That would serve greater meaning to the term "Don't like this vision? Go elsewhere".
You made that excuse up yourself then said you didn't buy it 😂
I've explained why they haven't done it in this thread.
LiveHedgehog Oh xD Guess I didn't see it, kind of made myself look silly there :9
Btw I didn't know I made up an excuse to not buy the port, where did I say that? :O
This is the kind of video that you give a like even before you watch it.
Fábio Goto same
I think they decided to take away all of your rings after leaving the special stage so you couldn't just inmediately run into another post and try again without getting any rings.
Though, when you play as Knuckles in Sonic 2 with the lock-on feature, you leave the stages with as many rings as you had before entering (i may be wrong though). Perhaps they realized it was an unfair feature
i kinda liked that actually, taking the rings as a sort of price to enter stages
granted if the rings didn't respawn it'd probably be pretty annoying
Probably is related with the code of tha game. Too information for small memory system.
@@felipetartas5434 yet they have lots of unused things on the memory.
Classic Sonic Team™.
welcome back
Thanks!
Great way to start off the day. You know, seeing those 16:9 gameplay pieces in action, I really hope they port those versions to the PS4/X1/Switch platforms because it really does help visibility. And it makes me super excited for the upcoming game.
Same. I'll agree that those ports are certainly the definitive way of playing Sonic 1 & 2. I'm hoping one day they are on Steam cause I like to own them one day.
Super Gamer61499 they are on steam already in case you dont know
THANK YOU for plugging the android remake at the end Michael! So excited to play it
I love Sonic 1 and 2's main levels but I hate, hate, hate the bonus stages. I much prefer Sonic 3 in that regard.
Personally, I actually really like the way Sonic on the Master System handled the bonus stages and Chaos Emeralds. Finding the Emeralds hidden in the main stages while having the bonus stages for (shock!) bonuses such as continues and extra lives was a much more elegant approach.
Good video as always. Looking forward to the Android/iOS ports video. :)
I haven't played much of the 8-bit Sonic games, but acquiring the Chaos Emeralds does seem quite improved.
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice to see you back in my feed. It feels like it's been forever! Great video.
It also felt like forever for myself! I was so glad to finally get a new video up.
Thanks for your continued support, man!
You fucked up, the robot in Death Egg Zone is called Silver Sonic, not Mecha Sonic...0/10!
All in seriousness, I really enjoyed the analysis and I personally agree with you with Sonic 2 being overall an inprovement over the first game. You know how hyped I was for this video on Twitter and it was worth the wait. And maaaan, you need to work on your KingK impression!
Don't make me try the KingK impression...
Also, the comment and support is much appreciated, man. Glad the review lived up to the expectations. :)
Retropolis Zone You're welcome! A shame that your content is so underrated. It definitely deserves more recognition.
Daxtery Toon Actually, the Death Egg sonic robot, in lego dimensions, is confirmed to be named "Robo Sonic".
Liam That's a translation of its Japanese name
Surprisingly high quality video. Nice to stumble upon someone else who goes in depth.
Ahh the Sonic games, the franchise that wayy too many ppl ignorantly/obnoxiously think is *the only great* franchise and/or game on the excellent Sega Genesis...makes me cringe and lose my freakin shi* lol. Excellent video though as usual, the examples via footage are stellar and I love how you have an intimate understanding of the games you play, mechanics, physics, etc. Fantastic.
The Genesis does have many great games, but sadly most of them are more obscure, whereas on the Super Nintendo most of the known titles are the better ones.
Thanks for the comment, man! A lot of time goes into getting all these details in the script and editing just right, so I'm glad somebody notices it. :D
Great work Retro, I have been hungry for a new QDCI for a while! Also DAT BLAST PROCESSING
Get your ass working on another Profile episode!
Your videos just keep getting better, another great review.
I'm always so happy to see a vid from you
New to the channel, I was expecting a run-in-the-mill average review, instead I find a pretty darn good in-depth analysis on the game, which made me want to give you a sub. Awesome stuff! :D
Glad I could pleasantly surprise you! Thanks for the comment and subscribing. :)
No problem! Keep up the great work, good sir! :)
This channel is awesome, subscribed! Found so many new routes on levels ive played 1000 times since watching this ❤️
Just last night I was wondering when you'd be posting another episode of this. Glad to see the answer was soon :)
Damn this was a good review I gotta say. Surprised you don't have many subscribers because you obviously put a lot of effeort into the cotent you put out, making for great, entertaining videos with good insight into the games you review. I really enjoyed this one and I can't wait for more content in the future.
19:57
I didn't know Tails could fly with his legs.
maybe we should re-name him xd
legles, the little leg flying fox
Just subscribed. Your reviews are FANTASTIC!
Thank you so much. :D
This channel is so cool, you gave me something to binge watch all day
Thanks man, hope you enjoy. :D
That was a pretty good lesson about how certain game elements affect other gameplay with the lives system and special stages.
And you showed off some cool shortcuts I never knew at all, very eye opening..
The wait for Mania is killing me. Luckily, I just found your channel, watched this LONG review and subscribed!
Hey man, I'm looking forward to Mania, as well! I hope you enjoy the channel in the meantime, and afterwards too, of course. Hehe. Thanks for the sub!
I especially like watching your videos of games I've already played. Nice hearing your excellent critiquing of them. Sometimes I'll even learn something new that I didn't even know or thought possible.
I'm In love with your channel, please continue making videos
Working on videos for Mega Man X7 and Sonic CD. :)
I'm so excited for your eventual Sonic 3 & Knuckles review. Once it's uploaded, the Internet will be perfected. Nothing else should be ever made again, 'cause that video will the pinnacle of videos.
3:54 Kirby's Super Star comes to mind with the sidekick mechanic (Statement: [Co-Op is helpful] and I cannot think of any other game that does anything like it.)
Hey, you're back, and with another great video!
Seriously, man, keep up the great work with these videos. Can't wait for the Sonic CD one!
Thanks man! Hopefully Sonic CD will also be a great video when I get to reviewing that game!
Your classic Sonic reviews give some fantastic insight on the games. You make some great stuff, Michael. Have a subscription, hoping you upload more stuff soon.
Thank you very much! A lot of effort did go into these Classic Sonic reviews. :)
Right now I am working on episodes for Mega Man X7 and Sonic CD. Give me some time and I will be back with more videos. :)
Great video as always, Michael :)
Thanks, Sarah!
Awesome Return Dude!
Much appreciated, man. :)
Wow, what a robust review! Deserves much more views!
41:00 another issue with this strategy which I've experienced more than a few times: sometimes the game will glitch up and rather than bouncing off Robotnik you'll instead pass through him. Once his invulnerability phase is over, you die from this. Very annoying when it happens.
EDIT: Yep, exactly that glitch right after. Never knew it'd happen for that part of the boss cycle though.
This is the best review I've seen of a Sonic game so far
Excellent job dude, you earned a subscriber!!!
Thanks for the big compliment, man! Hope you enjoy the channel. :D
This review was absolutely spot on. Well done!!
great video as always man
Much appreciated!
19:57
When you forgot how to use your 2 tails but you need to fly back to sonic
Ha! Turns out I *_don't_* have to set your newer videos to x1.25 speed.
Really cool to see when a UA-camr improves in such a clearly palpable fashion!
And really, after a couple videos, you definitely earned my subscription; your analyses are great, there's some quite unique angles you look at games from that are a really welcome addition to more conventional opinions on certain design elements.
Your comment about voice-over speed is funny and so true, because the voice-overs were probably the single worst aspect about my older videos. I cannot bear to go back to them, at all. I've gotten a lot better at sounding controlled and not so "loud", and ever since Sonic 3D Blast (which was the video right before this), I speed up my voice-overs by about 10%. This way I don't have to talk too fast during the recording itself, which is helpful since I am not a native English speaker. It's cool to see somebody noticing the improvements, and the audio has only gotten better in recent videos. :)
And thanks! Glad you find the channel worth subscribing to. There may be some things we disagree with, like the panning screen in Sonic 2, but really, that's fine. We all have different perspectives on these things and it's nice to see somebody accepting that and enjoying my videos instead of throwing a hissyfit in the comments. I get those a lot, too, lol.
Anyway, thanks again!
I mean, I know a lot of people just really enjoy having their own opinion confirmed because it makes them feel good (let's be honest, it's the main reason casual audiences watch reviews)... but I enjoy analyses and opinion pieces purely because I like to hear what others think about certain things, and I find them the most interesting when they _don't_ precisely align with my own views, as long as there's actual arguments behind the statements (as _is_ the case with your videos).
Hm...? - O-Oh, uh sorry. I, uh, I of course meant you deserve death for not utterly hating Shadow the Hedgehog, and I advise the liberal consumption of bleach. There. Fixed.
The death egg robot can be damaged as he walks towards you you just have to time your jumps correctly.
o rly
hell yeah I've been actually wondering when he leave when were you going to make another video I can't wait to watch this man good s***
Man, I've watched some of your videos, and I'm really starting to dig your analysis stuff. It would be super-cool if you could someday do an analysis of Freedom Planet, a criminally underrated Sonic-like indie game.
I never knew you could skip that water segment in chemical plant. learning new things every time I'm playing this game
Great video. A thumbs up for not bitching about that one pit on the first zone.
I'm so curious about what you'll have to say say about Sonic 3&K! Can't wait for that one. Great analysis. I will always love you.
Wouldn't expect a review for Sonic 3&K for a while, unfortunately. But I will definitely get to it at some point or another. Thanks for the comment, man. :D
So, has anyone explained to him that, for the Metropolis boss, you're supposed to jump over him, then hide in the corner until the spheres circle around his side, leaving the bottom completely exposed? Yes, it's still not a great boss, but it's not a case where brute forcing is the only option.
Mark my words, you will grow someday. Btw, found your channel and subbed.
These types of comments are so bitter sweet to read. Thanks for the encouraging words and for some subscribing, man!
Hey, people start out small. Don't worry about that. Once people who are subbed starts liking and sharing your videos, many more will come to watch these and I am sure that when people who actually love in depths reviews come and watch these, they will have great pleasure in sticking with you till the end. Binge watching through all of these and so far I am definitely enjoying these.
on the way to 10k subs
DUDE!! I really love your work.
Thank you very much, my dude. :D
Awesome job dude.Loved it
Thank you, and glad to read you enjoyed the video!
finally another video!!
after freaking 3 months
these videos must take forever to create
GoiabaMX wonder how long the next video will uploaded.....
I just found out about this channel three days ago, wondering if you'd make a new video because I really liked your previous ones, I'm glad you made a new one!
Also, I got a Sonic Ad before this video, which I find funny
Hey! Glad you found the channel and thanks for the positivity! Looks like I timed this video well, then. :)
Polar-Star i found this video from my recomendation after watching billiam video
Really, really well done review!
You sir is one of my favorite channels on UA-cam. Can't wait for Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
16:14 - Ah yes, I remember my first playthrough of Hill Top Zone...
i like how review the games men. you deserve more subs.
Happy to read you enjoyed the video! Thanks. :)
Damn son where you been? Had a feeling Sonic 2 was next before X7.
It was a mixture of my job sucking up a lot of time and me getting a bit burnt out from making videos.
You and ExoParadigmGamer to me have best reviews of the classics.
I used to glitch through the Death Egg robot too. GAH!!!!
Aw shiet, you're here too!
Of course. xD
FireBomberBassist Been seeing you in many videos in the comments section for like 3 years now. *cough Mega Man 7 OST cough*
FireBomberBassist is Haedox 2.0
If it's a Megaman video I'm probably there.
when are you going to do a Sonic 3, Sonic and knuckles review?
great work my dude keep it up!!!
Thanks, and hopefully will do!
Actually, both as a gamer and game dev, I'm a fan of wobbly difficulty curves. This way, after a particularly hard segment you can relax with easier one and then get challenged again.
y'know? considering your love for the Metroplis Zone, I figured i'd tell that, in the mobile remake, there's an achievement called "Metropolis Master" which you get by beating one act of the Metropolis without being hit
EDIT.- oh yeah, I forgot, there's also an achievement for Collecting all Chaos Emeralds before Chemical Plant called "Early Collection"
I watched this review (and others of yours) a month ago when this particular ones were uploaded, and absolutely loved it (and them). This is my third re-watch, and I've replayed Sonic 2 since watching it last; so now I have the question, at 41:45, how did you get stuck?
Playing the game with the Mega Collection version, (and emulating the MD version on a pc as well since I did that) I was able to directionally influence myself while on the bumpers enough to escape any place where I wasn't thrown onto a platform.
You're another EPG! I love it.
another good vid. cheers from Brazil. You got an international fan.
Thanks, Lucas!
The red spring visible at 5:28 is a much easier way to get that secret you're explaining.
buddy your Reviews are exceptional. I know you are a big fan of Johnny but I gotta say you have surpassed him in a serious way, these reviews are just so well scripted and thought out that I can't reasonably compare them to ANYONE else. The love you have for these games is palpable when watching and you articulate yourself so well that it's impossible to fault you really. Great work, I hope to see many more videos, especially for S3&K and CD. Sonic is my all time fave franchise and it'a just delightful watching these videos. To see such in depth pieces about these old classics is just bliss. Thank You
:)
P.S I was shocked to realize that the criticisms you put forth with this game in particular never in my Life applied to me :o I suppose maybe I have a higher reaction time or maybe just played a little safer than was intended, but I never noticed the gripes with Oil Ocean or Mystic cave that you showed here, although I acknowledge that now I see what you mean and am delightfully surprised that one of my fave games isn't perfect like my Nostalgia goggles convinced me it was. I was almost angry with you until I realized that the Android port alleviates alot of these issues, and since I'd been playing that version for the past few years I probably further blinded myself from the original games problems. I suppose that's a testiment to TaxStealths work on the game. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the android ports, I personally think they are far and away the best things you can buy in the Play store. It'a a shame Sega snapped them up to make Mania before they had gotten the chance to port S3&K. I'm Sure it would have been excellent and would have Given Android owners a fantastic trilogy of games
Excellent review :) See you in 3 months, my friendo.
Thanks, friendo. I hope you're incorrect about that last part, though. Haha.
I hope so, too. Your videos are a daily view/listen for me. Helps me get through a work day :p
23:33 "You can bop on top of Robotnik's cockpit"
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
38:15
That's Silver Sonic. Mecha Sonic appears in Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
nice to see you returned, can't wait for the megaman x7 review
I feel your pain in that death egg robot glitch.I used to get annoyed when I'd have a perfect playthrough just to get a glitch death at the end.
14:26 - 15:21/16:05
You don't know where to go in a 2D Sonic game?
Go right.
That's the only direction you need to worry about. That's the only thing that matters. You don't know where you are? Who cares, how does that information help you on your first time casual run, how is that relevant? Just go right. There's definitely a way forward to the right. If you go right, everything will work out.
If you want to explore, really, deeply explore, just forget everything else and snuff for trouts, then yeah, it's gonna be a headache keeping everything in your head, but you don't need to deeply, maticulously explore, it's inconsequential. It's not needed, the secrets and side paths are meant for a more casual, "Hey I stumbled upon this/What's that thing over there?" exploration. This ain't Metroid.
I did say it wasn't a big issue, though. It's just that at times the level design goes a bit overboard and it's rather difficult to understand how everything connects together. You can't really get lost in a sense, but it just feels a bit chaotic at times, especially when you're lurking around for checkpoints for Special Stages. The hunting for Checkpoints is the primary reason I ever brought up this complaint.
Metroid is shit.
This game has power! Whenever you hear the name Sonic 2 you're just like "oh yeah!"
"BLAST PROCESSING BITCH!"- RZ (2017)
What kind of space time continuum do you live in?
Retropolis Zone A time where Shaq Fu, Knack, and Bubsy are getting a sequel.
Off deployment and come home to "shit hundred and fuck" Good words to come home too XD
Nice Review. But, S3&K when? I liked your style of review (saw the megaman X series first) and now I want to watch you reviewing s3&K. Good job, buddy
Wait..."I hope you have some well deserved fun today". King K says that at the end of his videos too. I've never heard that phrase outside of these two channels. So the question is who's copying who!? >_> Amazing review/analysis as always and I'm looking forward to your review of Sonic CD
youngcreamMakeEmScream Lol KingK is a good friend of mine. I copied him for fun. Also, Im glad you enjoyed the review! Thanks for the comment. :)
Gotcha!
30:55 I actually never had trouble with the Slicers and the star ones as a kid, only with those crabs with huge spike hitboxes
I hate those crabs like SERIOUSLY dude how am i supposed to know they're there?!
Good review, man! I learnt a thing or two about a game, I've played a billion times. Cheers!
Thanks! There are so many details in the Sonic games. :)
is it just me or does anyone else hear the similarities in his voice and the voice actor for Bartok from Anastasia? Definitely not a bad thing. Great videos, my dude. Can't wait to see more.
Great review. You derseve a lot more views and lot more subs.
I just finished Sonic 2 blind a few weeks ago and can I just say you nailed down my opinion 100%
Although the video is very good overall, the part near the end with running out the time because of the yellow springs in Metropolis Zone could be easily moved around simply by pressing left or right, and you'll change where you go, thus not ending the stage by the time limit.
I tried fiddling with the D-pad and mashing the action button in all kinds of combinations over and over, for minutes on end, but I was absolutely stuck on there.
Retropolis Zone That's odd. I played the 3ds version and I had no issue with it.
It was just an unpredictable glitch. It's not supposed to happen in the original, either. Who knows, though, maybe the 3DS version fixed the issue? I believe those 3DS Genesis ports are more than just emulated ROMs.
Retropolis Zone Maybe. I also tried holding the jump button and that seemed to help move it, but I never tried the physical version.
41:20 - Is exactly what Exo Paradigm said when HE died to Wing Fortress Zone in HIS Sonic 2 review.
Yeah, it was a reference.
Ah, Sonic 2. As nostalgic as it is to me, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't somewhat of a mixed bag. It's got loads of pros and cons alike, but at the end of the day, I still enjoy it, despite its sequel surpassing the hell out of it in every way IMO.
And nice video as always!
Thanks for your continued support!
@Death Egg Robot, also has the problem that sometimes you bounce off of him, other times you just go through him during his i-frames, and instantly die when his hitbox returns.
Great video overall, but I thought it was weird how you used KingK's signoff saying at the end.
KingK is one of my earliest UA-cam friends. :D
Hey man you probably get this often, but it sucks that you don't get more of the attention you deserve. It's obvious how passionate you are about this and one can only hope you stick it out long enough to get noticed for your hard work. I've been binge watching your work all day and I want you to know that I appreciate your efforts. Keep up the good work and have a good day.
PornIsAWayOfLife why must you tease me with that profile pic
you just won a subscriber :)
Sweet! Hope you enjoy the channel. :)
Ahh, good old Sonic 2. I can never look at this game in a negative light. Even Metropolis Zone is a zone I enjoy playing through despite the surprise attacks but if you've got Super Sonic it's a level you can have some good old fashioned revenge on. Yeah I wish the loop was longer than 20 seconds but somehow, someway I don't get tired of hearing it in the zones. Good review all around.
I wonder if people know that Tails hitting bombs was their fault. He follows *the player*. If *the player* avoids bombs at the last second, Tails will end up hitting them. Forcing him to get in front of you and well... you know the rest. But even if he's in front of you, just let him get hit again. That's if you're not relying on him to collect rings as you don't even need Tails for 6 out of 7 special stages. The only Special Stage where you actually *NEED* Tails to get some rings is the 5th one.
Of course, everything I said is in response of if one is a veteran of the Special Stages and know their layout.
My problem is simply Sonic+Tails being the default setting. There's no way a new player of Sonic 2 attempting the Special Stages would want Tails dragging along in the Special Stages. I'm also aware that you don't absolutely need Tails to collect extra Rings if you're experienced enough, but these Special Stages are already a big trial-and-error fiasco in their design, so the last thing you'd want for a new player is to have an even higher Ring requirement to meet.
The "shallow and automated" argument against Chemical Plant is not a very good one; the automation bits are transitions, and there's plenty different paths with plenty varied running and/or platforming - not to mention all the shit you can pull off with the proper tricks.
Yeah, I'd argue that Oil Ocean is a better example in this regard due to how slow they are and the fact that you need to use so many of them. Chemical Plant's are fast, visually stimulating and most of them aren't even necessary to beat the level.
If you think some of enemies are cheap after 15 years, think how those who still get caught after 25 feel. Sometimes you manage to avoid them, other times they still get you.
Enemy and trap placement is there to reward very experienced players who know the layout of the level. It works because of the forgiving nature of damage so even a novice can make it through the level but someone with say a great deal of experience can breeze through it like a badass.
There are ways they could have made the level design rewarding for experienced players without relying on cheap enemy placement. The Ring system helps, sure, but the unforeseeable instant-kill scenarios in combination with limited continues are pretty bad.
That Death Egg Robot glitch happens to me sometimes as well (I've only seen it as Sonic since I never play as Tails). I think it has to do with when you attack it; from my experience, at least, it seems that attacking the boss too soon after it lands is what causes the glitch. I guess maybe the boss' hit box hasn't fully registered since it just landed, but I don't know if that's the exact reason or not.
I think you're right about the later zones of the game. Emerald Hill through Mystic Cave is always something I have fun with and look forward to, but every time I reach Oil Ocean, the game kind of starts to feel like a chore. Sky Chase is fun at least, and Metropolis has its moments, but Oil Ocean feels rather blegh, Wing Fortress can bang me in the rear end, and that accursed Death Egg Robot... well, you already know.