Sonic Adventure 2
" Engaging action game with varied gameplay and memorable characters but clunky controls and camera issues "
Sonic Adventure 2 Review
Sonic Adventure 2 remains a beloved classic, praised for its engaging story, diverse gameplay styles, and iconic soundtrack. Players enjoy the fast-paced platforming with Sonic and Shadow, the exploration and treasure hunting with Knuckles and Rouge, and the mech combat with Tails and Eggman. The game features two intertwined story campaigns (Hero and Dark) and a rich Chao Garden pet simulator that adds depth and replayability.
However, the game shows its age with clunky controls, fixed camera angles, and frustrating treasure hunt stages that can hinder newcomers. The PC port suffers from technical issues and bugs, though mods significantly improve the experience. Despite some tedious levels and occasional difficulty spikes, the story and music continue to captivate fans, making it a must-play for Sonic enthusiasts and those interested in classic 3D platformers.
Overall, Sonic Adventure 2 offers a nostalgic yet challenging experience, combining memorable characters and gameplay variety with a few rough edges mostly related to controls and level design.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the engaging story and well-developed characters, especially Shadow's arc.
The gameplay variety across three distinct styles—speed platforming, treasure hunting, and mech combat—adds depth and keeps the experience fresh.
The soundtrack is widely acclaimed, featuring iconic tracks like "City Escape" and "Live & Learn," enhancing the game's atmosphere.
Graphically, the game is appreciated for its improved fidelity and expressive level design compared to its predecessor.
The Chao Garden mode is a beloved feature that provides a relaxing break and adds significant replay value.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the clunky and sometimes frustrating controls, especially on PC and keyboard setups.
The fixed camera angles cause visibility issues and contribute to player deaths in tight corridors.
The treasure hunting levels are often seen as tedious and poorly paced, with some stages like "Mad Space" and "Meteor Herd" frequently mentioned as frustrating.
Boss fights are considered inconsistent, with some being too easy and others overly spammy or unfair.
Technical issues in the PC port, including crashes and glitches, detract from the experience unless mods are applied.
Some players find the ranking system and button mapping unintuitive, leading to accidental inputs and difficulty mastering moves.
Pros
- • Engaging story with memorable characters and well-written arcs.
- • Varied gameplay styles keep the experience fresh and interesting.
- • Iconic and energetic soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere.
- • Chao Garden mode adds depth and relaxing gameplay variety.
- • Improved graphics and expressive level design over predecessor.
- • Fast-paced platforming stages with Sonic and Shadow are thrilling.
- • Mech combat stages offer satisfying destruction combos.
Cons
- • Clunky and frustrating controls, especially on PC and keyboard.
- • Fixed camera angles cause visibility problems and player deaths.
- • Treasure hunting levels are tedious and poorly paced.
- • Inconsistent boss difficulty with some fights feeling unfair.
- • Technical issues and crashes in the PC port without mods.
- • Button mapping leads to accidental inputs and confusion.
- • Certain character stages feel like filler and less enjoyable.
Rating Criteria
Experience two unique adventures featuring both long-time heroes and new and returning villains as they battle for the fate of the world!