overrated af

[PotOfSteak]

can someone who likes this game explain to me why?

[NBOX21]

You'll appreciate this game (and a lot of other Sonic games) a lot more through their replay value. These games are usually designed to be played multiple times to better understand how they work so you can achieve the high scores and best ranks - this game is probably the best example of this in the whole series, with only Heroes and Shadow Generations coming close IMO.

Although it can be frustrating to play through as a first time player, there's a lot of mechanical depth for those looking to master it, complimented perfectly with the level design that encourages you to get the most out of the game's mechanics.

[PotOfSteak]

no i understand that, i’ve played almost every sonic game including sa1 (my favorite) but i feel that almost every other game does replay ability way better. The sonic levels in this game are so linear along with worse physics and control. To me it feels like sa2 is almost like a beta test for the boost formula with its hallway like designs. And these are the best stages in the game. The mech stages are complete downgrades compared to gamma’s. And with knuckle’s stages i played with a mod to make every emerald detectable on the radar, and i still disliked most of the stages.

[Mushu]

bc chao garden

[MetoolMan]

Because speeeeen

In all seriousness, I'd play this game a lot less if Sonic reintroduced the Spindash

I'm not talking about the Spinboost. I'm talking SpinDASH. Press B to WAAAAAAAH and release to PSHWWWWW off.

Anyways it's just an all-around great game imo!



...mostly the speed stages. And with mods. The game didn't age amazingly, okay?

[WtrHzrd]

it's got a more polished physics model, base gameplay models for sonic/knux (shadow/rouge) and amazing storytelling (even with infamous engdub), but failed in level design and bad camera mechanics. i understand why people love this one, but personally i pick up first adventure game for it's fell of freedom vibe and it's aesthetic look as a dreamcast game and sonic game. you're not alone man

[mdesaleah]

Its a Sonic game.

Can't really say its "bad" if you cant at least consistently do well in at least some stages. Playing it once and reaching the credits isn't "the end", its the tutorial

Its like going to an arcade, playing Crazy Taxi once, then complaining that you lost in 50 seconds.

[PotOfSteak]

i can consistently do well in almost every stage besides knuckles. And the thing is, even if i wasn’t, i wouldn’t want to get better like i would with sonic adventure 1. The speed stages are amazingly linear to the point where it feels like a budget boost game. Tails stages are really slow and have cheap enemy placements. Knuckles has some good stages but also very gimmicky, linear stages as well that really hinder the fun i have with him. Overall it’s just a worse sa1 besides the aesthetics and story

[mdesaleah]

Originally posted by PotOfSteak:

i can consistently do well in almost every stage besides knuckles. And the thing is, even if i wasn’t, i wouldn’t want to get better like i would with sonic adventure 1. The speed stages are amazingly linear to the point where it feels like a budget boost game. Tails stages are really slow and have cheap enemy placements. Knuckles has some good stages but also very gimmicky, linear stages as well that really hinder the fun i have with him. Overall it’s just a worse sa1 besides the aesthetics and story

SA2 is deceptively unlinear.

But you also have to be looking out for it. While SA1 has more open areas, but its linearity is similar.

There's also a bigger point to 2s alternate paths compared to 1s due to the ranking. Usually the alternate paths are faster or have more parts in them to give you a higher score. 1s also work that way, but the ranking being in a very early stage at that point in the series means it doesnt really match the stage design.

Metal Harbor is the most linear it gets with Sonic and Shadow, and even then it still has the second rocket path part. Every other stage follows a "ignore every shortcut" basic route, and then multiple optional routes depending on if you notice them or choose to not just go the basic way. Even Sky Rail ends up having way more options than you'd think (looking at the bigger stages like City Escape, Green Forest, Final Rush, Pyramid Cave, Radical Highway.......and you can find a ton of different ways)

[PotOfSteak]

Originally posted by mdesaleah:

Originally posted by PotOfSteak:

i can consistently do well in almost every stage besides knuckles. And the thing is, even if i wasn’t, i wouldn’t want to get better like i would with sonic adventure 1. The speed stages are amazingly linear to the point where it feels like a budget boost game. Tails stages are really slow and have cheap enemy placements. Knuckles has some good stages but also very gimmicky, linear stages as well that really hinder the fun i have with him. Overall it’s just a worse sa1 besides the aesthetics and story

SA2 is deceptively unlinear.

But you also have to be looking out for it. While SA1 has more open areas, but its linearity is similar.

There's also a bigger point to 2s alternate paths compared to 1s due to the ranking. Usually the alternate paths are faster or have more parts in them to give you a higher score. 1s also work that way, but the ranking being in a very early stage at that point in the series means it doesnt really match the stage design.

Metal Harbor is the most linear it gets with Sonic and Shadow, and even then it still has the second rocket path part. Every other stage follows a "ignore every shortcut" basic route, and then multiple optional routes depending on if you notice them or choose to not just go the basic way. Even Sky Rail ends up having way more options than you'd think (looking at the bigger stages like City Escape, Green Forest, Final Rush, Pyramid Cave, Radical Highway.......and you can find a ton of different ways)

fair enough i can’t really argue against this yet as i haven’t really played every stage to death yet. However, what about the other 2/3rds of the game?

[mdesaleah]

Originally posted by PotOfSteak:

Originally posted by mdesaleah:

SA2 is deceptively unlinear.

But you also have to be looking out for it. While SA1 has more open areas, but its linearity is similar.

There's also a bigger point to 2s alternate paths compared to 1s due to the ranking. Usually the alternate paths are faster or have more parts in them to give you a higher score. 1s also work that way, but the ranking being in a very early stage at that point in the series means it doesnt really match the stage design.

Metal Harbor is the most linear it gets with Sonic and Shadow, and even then it still has the second rocket path part. Every other stage follows a "ignore every shortcut" basic route, and then multiple optional routes depending on if you notice them or choose to not just go the basic way. Even Sky Rail ends up having way more options than you'd think (looking at the bigger stages like City Escape, Green Forest, Final Rush, Pyramid Cave, Radical Highway.......and you can find a ton of different ways)

fair enough i can’t really argue against this yet as i haven’t really played every stage to death yet. However, what about the other 2/3rds of the game?

The other parts depends on which character.

Knuckles and Rouge follow different rules. Their stages are completely open. But also not as large as they look, so the "nerfed" radar still works well with them. Unless its Mad Space. Generally SA2 avoids the problem 1 Knuckles had of his levels being over way too quickly and being way too easy. But Mad Space feels like a stage perfect for the SA1 radar instead. Every other stage feels more like a box, and running through them quickly and checking areas for beeping is easy once you know their design.

Tails/Eggman are more of a mix of Sonic/Shadow. They follow the same level design idea, but more focused on lock-on combos. I do agree that Tails has an issue with enemies falling from the ceiling, something Eggman avoids. But Tails was also made playable later into development. Alternate paths are still there, but its more about keeping the lock-on going by being able to move forward and aim well. The better pace you have, the more score you usually get.

So SA2 is an arcade game. Most Sonic games follow arcade logic of replaying to improve and start doing well, makes sense since its Sega.

[MIFAKEADOR]

?

[76561198983861241]

tiny bit overrated but mostly lives up to it expectations

[S-Gamer]

Simple. It a Sonic game with decent story, multiple playstyles, actual challenge, and Chao garden.

I totally get it when people say this game is overrated, or unplayable mess. Its their opinion. As for me: I've seen games way worse than that. And i can actually handle it if does things right.

My personal issue comes with 100%. Its not worth it. I rather replay treassure hunter stages 100 times than struggle with almost every extra mission and get a A rank on it.

[worbefyerffej]

Look, when i first played this game about a year ago, i hated it too. I had the same problems you had, why is it like this, why does this happen, but in the year i took off from this game i realized something, i'm a sonic fan. A lot of games, and i mean a lot, are not very good in the sonic series, but that's nothing to stop playing an amazing game over. Play through it again and while you do, do these things. 1. Laugh at corny and un-timed conversations between the characters. 2. Gush at how cool and edgy Shadow the Hedgehog is in every cutscene he's in. and 3. and most importantly, have fun. Don't worry about how broken and unpolished this game is, laugh about it. And get chills running down your spine while the playing the final boss, and if you follow these 5 steps, I, personally, can guarantee, you'll have a change of heart, just like I did.

[PotOfSteak]

Originally posted by worbefyerffej:

Look, when i first played this game about a year ago, i hated it too. I had the same problems you had, why is it like this, why does this happen, but in the year i took off from this game i realized something, i'm a sonic fan. A lot of games, and i mean a lot, are not very good in the sonic series, but that's nothing to stop playing an amazing game over. Play through it again and while you do, do these things. 1. Laugh at corny and un-timed conversations between the characters. 2. Gush at how cool and edgy Shadow the Hedgehog is in every cutscene he's in. and 3. and most importantly, have fun. Don't worry about how broken and unpolished this game is, laugh about it. And get chills running down your spine while the playing the final boss, and if you follow these 5 steps, I, personally, can guarantee, you'll have a change of heart, just like I did.

the thing is, i think the story, dialogue, characterization is the best in the series. I think the game looks amazing as well. But i cannot look past the bad gameplay that just isn’t fun. How can i enjoy the final boss when it’s carried by style and not substance?