One of the Best in the Series (Welcome, New Fans)

[mdesaleah]

By far this is still the game with the most content with replay value, best story, and best ranking system thats actually difficult and requires mastering. There's a reason this was the best selling third party game on Gamecube and still has a fan following today.

If its not the favorite for you, then its most likely in top 5 for sure.

One of those, hard to learn and fun to master games.

Edit: http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_Adventure_2_-_The_Truth_of_50_Years_Ago...

Some backstory the main game leaves vague and translated from a Japanese only guide.

Already knew about this, but since it never got officially translated it might be new information you haven’t seen.

How To Make Your Own Levels: Feel free to check out this tutorial for how to make your own SA2 level: https://gamebanana.com/tuts/15179 (not my guide)

Making a basic level only takes about 20 minutes, and you won't need to know how to code. However, for more advanced features such as rails or automated loops, you will need to know how to code to add those in, until new tools come out.

All you'll need is blender, a sonic adventure 2 add-on for blender, and a program called 'SATools,' and all of the links you need are included in the tutorial. You can either follow the steps or watch the indepth video.

Edit: Official Shadow Generations Shorts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZK8bse3Quo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2fwSuA7nbI

Edit: https://i.imgur.com/JA8vP5Z.png heres an obscure Japanese only one page comic that ends up adding some nice added context

Edit: really good explanation of how the ranking positively influenced the level design

https://m.youtube.com/watch?index=2238&list=LLqCNit03-7g5g4vJbdKZnCA&v=mlz-K3tRVxQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MLrvh4Fgi4&ab_channel=Eldarin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqB9tZrR6DQ&ab_channel=Acruxicon

[mdesaleah]

We so won with that animation tease.

[mdesaleah]

Sonic Battle fans rise up

[mdesaleah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8S09UAA-ds

Lower quality than the other version out there, but this one doesn't spoil anything on the thumbnail. And thats not worth spoiling on a thumbnail.

[mdesaleah]

Context for after seeing the preview only: Unlockable Journal entry in Battle "My worst fears have come true. The Gizoid has absorbed enough weaponry and technology that it has started to go out of control. The resulting rampage resulted in the destruction of most of the "Ark." ... I have deciphered the rest of the stone tablet. It says, "When the Gizoid had learned all that it could, it became a god of wrath, and all was destroyed." The researchers somehow managed to subdue the Gizoid and sealed it away. Luckily, it only had one "Chaos Emerald" installed. If it were to have all 7 Emeralds installed, it might destroy the whole planet. The Gizoid is too much of a liability. I tried destroying its core, but nothing I did worked. I understand too little of the technology that built him. My best hope is to try and reprogram its AI into a free-willed, emotions-based AI..."

[Sixtyfivekills]

Първоначално публикувано от mdesaleah:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8S09UAA-ds

Lower quality than the other version out there, but this one doesn't spoil anything on the thumbnail. And thats not worth spoiling on a thumbnail.

One thing that upsets me is that this thing is Playstation exclusive, and from what I understood its not free either? That's some major BS.



As for the animation itself, OH MY GOD YES! It looks damn good but I need more, what was that glitch effect when Maria grabbed his arm, why was there an evil smile doodle on top of the solider to the right, there's Rouge and Omega in the poster so their chemistry better be good, Emerl, what is happening!?!? Kirk still kinda sucks, his acting doesn't seem to match an animation all that much when he gets upset at being unable to cure Maria, but oh well. Also is it just me or does the animation seem.... zoomed in quite a bunch?

[mdesaleah]

^Yes and no. One of them with deleted scenes is Playstation exclusive. Although I've heard its only temporary as well.

The 3 Episodes themselves are not all exclusive, just the "deleted" scenes one. This one, one based on Heroes (probably), and then something else.

I assume this is a vision Black Doom is showing (like he does in Shadow's game), so this is a Shadow that is already is aware of later events, which is why he flashes to the soldier that kills Maria and has that kind of reaction when she suddenly reaches for him. It also explains why everything is so abstract with him running, lights shutting off, and then suddenly being in a different room. I could be wrong, but it explains the flash to a future event too.

The "evil smile" is cause they said this was going to be "inspired by Evangelion and Blame". Haven't seen Blame, but Evangelion loves going into its characters minds and what they think in more abstract ways. So let them cook, they clearly know what theyre doing and theyve hit all the right notes during the panel as well

The fact they reached THIS deep for a scene that was previously only presented as text in a game most havent played, AND that the text itself is hidden behind a second-run shows how much theyre actually taking this seriously, and its amazing.

Kirk isnt the perfect shadow or anything. But I'm fine with his approach now since its clear he had actual direction this time. Could he sound more sad at the start? Sure, but I think what he was going for was more anger that everything him and Gerald tried hasn't worked. This is the best he's done so far, and now he has an actual direction to take going forward.

[Sixtyfivekills]

Първоначално публикувано от mdesaleah:

^Yes and no. One of them with deleted scenes is Playstation exclusive. Although I've heard its only temporary as well.

The 3 Episodes themselves are not all exclusive, just the "deleted" scenes one. This one, one based on Heroes (probably), and then something else.

I assume this is a vision Black Doom is showing (like he does in Shadow's game), so this is a Shadow that is already is aware of later events, which is why he flashes to the soldier that kills Maria and has that kind of reaction when she suddenly reaches for him. It also explains why everything is so abstract with him running, lights shutting off, and then suddenly being in a different room. I could be wrong, but it explains the flash to a future event too.

The "evil smile" is cause they said this was going to be "inspired by Evangelion and Blame". Haven't seen Blame, but Evangelion loves going into its characters minds and what they think in more abstract ways. So let them cook, they clearly know what theyre doing and theyve hit all the right notes during the panel as well

The fact they reached THIS deep for a scene that was previously only presented as text in a game most havent played, AND that the text itself is hidden behind a second-run shows how much theyre actually taking this seriously, and its amazing.

Kirk isnt the perfect shadow or anything. But I'm fine with his approach now since its clear he had actual direction this time. Could he sound more sad at the start? Sure, but I think what he was going for was more anger that everything him and Gerald tried hasn't worked. This is the best he's done so far, and now he has an actual direction to take going forward.

To say I'm beyond hyped is not enough, I am so ready for this.


I got so hyped I even went for JP Collector's Edition because I couldn't control myself. Original Generations to me is just a bonus that I may or may not play here, as a Shadow fan I needed something like this.

[mdesaleah]

I found it interesting how they’re combining two games that I previously viewed as very disconnected.

Not because that was the intention originally, but because Shadow’s game just never mentioned Battle at all.

This is a really good way to just lay it all on the table and connect it well.

(also seeing Battle get adapted like that was so satisfying. That game always deserved a lot more attention, but being a GBA game that never got ported left it in an awkward position. And then after the entire Chronicles lawsuit happened, chances were at an extreme low)

If they really want to flex even more, I’d like to see a True Route for Shadow’s game finally shown. Cause that’s my biggest problem with that story. Shadow being out of character to compensate for the “what if” paths that can change at any point. Him in the True Ending is the most in-character he is for that entire game, so it would be nice to see the lead up to that ending instead of leaving it so completely open

[GrimAtrament]

Първоначално публикувано от mdesaleah:

I found it interesting how they’re combining two games that I previously viewed as very disconnected.

Not because that was the intention originally, but because Shadow’s game just never mentioned Battle at all.

This is a really good way to just lay it all on the table and connect it well.

(also seeing Battle get adapted like that was so satisfying. That game always deserved a lot more attention, but being a GBA game that never got ported left it in an awkward position. And then after the entire Chronicles lawsuit happened, chances were at an extreme low)

If they really want to flex even more, I’d like to see a True Route for Shadow’s game finally shown. Cause that’s my biggest problem with that story. Shadow being out of character to compensate for the “what if” paths that can change at any point. Him in the True Ending is the most in-character he is for that entire game, so it would be nice to see the lead up to that ending instead of leaving it so completely open

It's strongly implied that sonic battle takes place after shadow the hedgehog. since shadow has his memories mostly back in that game

[mdesaleah]

Първоначално публикувано от GrimAtrament:

Първоначално публикувано от mdesaleah:

I found it interesting how they’re combining two games that I previously viewed as very disconnected.

Not because that was the intention originally, but because Shadow’s game just never mentioned Battle at all.

This is a really good way to just lay it all on the table and connect it well.

(also seeing Battle get adapted like that was so satisfying. That game always deserved a lot more attention, but being a GBA game that never got ported left it in an awkward position. And then after the entire Chronicles lawsuit happened, chances were at an extreme low)

If they really want to flex even more, I’d like to see a True Route for Shadow’s game finally shown. Cause that’s my biggest problem with that story. Shadow being out of character to compensate for the “what if” paths that can change at any point. Him in the True Ending is the most in-character he is for that entire game, so it would be nice to see the lead up to that ending instead of leaving it so completely open

It's strongly implied that sonic battle takes place after shadow the hedgehog. since shadow has his memories mostly back in that game

Considering Battle was being made at the same time as Heroes, I'd actually place it right before Shadow's game.

Placing it after Shadow probably makes more sense in clearing up the inconsistency in character between games. But Battle also ends with a more vague "I will figure out more", while Shadow's game is meant to be "the resolution" to the amnesia plot and they are pretty good at making it a definite end to that story. So putting Battle after Shadow's game kind of messes up Shadow's ending. So its kind of a lose-lose no matter which you put first.

Shadow's game kind of messed things up by making him so oblivious. Cause other than that, it works fine with it coming after Battle.

But animations like these are a chance to show and clarify more things that havent been shown before.

[mdesaleah]

You can’t really tell from just watching the preview.

But for the concept art for the short, the interviewer did make a comparison of Maria to Aerith before realizing the full implications of that.

Funny how he wasn’t even wrong, she really does look like Aerith in those

[mdesaleah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH5BDbhXx9Q

Someone compiled all possible Emerl custom color options. I wonder if someone has done the math to see how many total possible Emerl versions there are with each possible custom option including attacks.

For those getting into Battle after the short preview, its a weird fighting game but knowing how it works can make it much easier. The AI isn't balanced around all mechanics, so its possible to loop them very easily (a human player would be able to avoid these, but not the ai).

[Sixtyfivekills]

Първоначално публикувано от Sixtyfivekills:

Also is it just me or does the animation seem.... zoomed in quite a bunch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5p-QRxhrI

As I suspected, it was zoomed in quite a bit for some reason.


But yeah the excitement goes on!

[mdesaleah]

How strange. The livestream really was zoomed in. I really assumed it was sneaky way to lower the budget slightly. But thats not true now.

It looks even better now. The GUN soldiers in the flash are even more clear now and you can tell its more than one. Its also the visor specifically from Shadow's game with the glowing dots. You can also see that Emerl was flying right in front of Shadow and Maria's room, that got blocked out in the original version.

[Sixtyfivekills]

Първоначално публикувано от mdesaleah:

How strange. The livestream really was zoomed in.

I really assumed it was sneaky way to lower the budget slightly.

It looks even better now. The GUN soldiers in the flash are even more clear now and you can tell its more than one. Its also the visor specifically from Shadow's game with the glowing dots. You can also see that Emerl was flying right in front of Shadow and Maria's room, that got blocked out in the original version.

Also more subtle movements, the way Shadow lightly squeezes Maria's hand before heading off is cute and I hope the full thing will emotionally devastate me. And I swear I thought Gerald was beaten unconscious in the zoomed in version lmao, here he looks at Shadow before Emerl goes for attack.