How Sonic 3 Tells a Story

[@ALtheBoi]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone, I hope I was able to make your Christmas _just a little bit_ better with my videos. If I've made you laugh, feel good, learn something, or even made you crack a lil smile, then I’ve done my job 💜 - ✖✖

[@littleguystar]

Something I noticed you missed that follows the current way the video was heading: In ALL of Sonic 3&K, Knuckles has been blocking your path, or removing it. Like him removing the Bridge in Angel Island Zone, so you go to Hydrocity Zone. In Sky Sanctuary, you know what he does? Extends the Bridge. It's technically useless, Sonic could of made the jump, but it shows the shift in his character. He's a good guy now. He's your friend.

[@PortugEmpM.A.R.P.]

Fun fact, this was recorded in sonic 3 a.i.r.

[@ALtheBoi]

​@@littleguystar 9:12

[@littleguystar]

@@ALtheBoi You kinda skimmed over it though, didn't really mention the bridge or show a clip and decided to focus on the rest of SSZ so I decided to mention it

[@DemonDethchase]

There's also the subtle thing about Tails in Sonic 3, that while some may call him the "easy mode" of the game, when you look at his animations compared to say Sonic and Knuckles who largely power through stages without breaking a sweat. If Tails pushes too hard we can actually see him getting tired, reminding us he's just a little kid but he's more than prepared to punch above his weight to keep up with the older heroes. Especially when he has to got the extra mile just to get a bite of that cherry to go Super, while Sonic and Knuckles could already be laughing in Super forms, as enemy attacks bounce off their glowing chests like its nothing and tear through stages and bosses with reckless abandon, while Tails has be a lot more careful about how he has to go about things. The Marble Garden and Ice Cap Eggman fights being key examples of this.

[@ALtheBoi]

I actually looked for a place to talk about Tails but couldn't find anything of note or an appropriate place to put it in

[@DemonDethchase]

@@ALtheBoi I also meant to say Big Arms as well, to the list of bosses which are harder as Tails, due to lack of the lack of the Insta Shield to sneak those extra hits in with when he's creeping along the bottom, or give you a bigger hit box when he's coming in from the sides. Along with the lack of Super form at that point if want to make it even easier as Sonic or Knuckles, because again, gotta go that extra mile to bite that cherry.

[@evdestroy4121]

Something I never see people mention is how Tails actually becomes harder as you get better at the game since he can't transform into a super form until the second half, meaning you can't cheese bosses and badniks

[@DemonDethchase]

@@evdestroy4121 when you consider how overpowered the Flickie Army Of Death is, it is truly something that has to be earned.

[@Some_Cat_]

@@DemonDethchase Big arms is a strange one because it gets left out of S3&K, suggesting it was non-cannon like the super emeralds turned out to be. On the other hand it was included as a boss fight in Generations 3DS. Wtf? So Sonic went back in time to fight big arms when it shouldn't have been possible... Did... Did Sega low key suggest that S3&K was ALL non cannon considering the lack of super emeralds as well or what? 🤣 OR it might be that Generations 3DS was non cannon, which is probably it but still bizarre to make a game with a story that doesn't happen lmao 🙃

[@Triangly]

BRO THIS EDITING. Watched several of your vids and it just keeps getting better and better. You're not just the CEO of Angel Island, you're the CEO of video editing

[@tecklepheonix6344]

He's brilliant. I hope one day he gets the confidence to go to Sega themselves because he understands transitions and musicality in editing more than anyone will probably give this man credit for.

[@niffuM4205]

EXACTLY, personally I would have liked the video more if the whole video was like the beginning but iirc theres not THAT much cutscenes in sonic 3.

[@razorionxvii638]

His edits are the best. They’re so minimal, yet so affective

[@StickySirFace]

i want him to team up with ned aka the ceo of s#x

[@jesskasb]

completely agreed- so well placed and satisfying!! i usually have videos as background noise but for these im always wanting to look at the amazing visuals

[@COZMICETERNITY]

I want to add that not only are the Death Egg and Angel island opposites design wise, but our goals with each are opposites as well. With Angel island we want to get it back into the air, while with the Death egg, we want to keep it from getting off the ground.

[@SloansDroneZone]

d u a l i t y

[@E123OmegaShow]

Seeing Knuckles betrayed by Eggman and then helping Sonic and Tails was such an iconic moment. I loved to replay that part just to see the 3 characters together. Lava Reef is an epic level, specially when the Death Egg destroys the floor just before the boss fight

[@paperluigi6132]

I’m very looking forward to seeing how the Sonic 2 movie handles it. If it doesn’t happen, maybe it’ll happen in the third one.

[@sonsonthegoddessofconfusio3183]

The new movie will do that with a mix of sonic 2 game and 3&k

[@ZobirisMage]

Finally, someone appreciating this game's immaculate story

[@lightgivemepower6425]

Game apologist

[@ZobirisMage]

@@lightgivemepower6425 Ik ik, I'm just trying to run up the engagements on the vid LMAO

[@lightgivemepower6425]

@@ZobirisMage oh

[@dmann2116]

So, everyone, right?

[@sezunemizuhana3870]

"Sonic shouldn't have story" My ass!

[@castform7]

Sonic 3's story isn't complex, it's not this nuanced tale but it doesn't need to be. They told a simple but engaging story with heart in a 1994 game with no dialouge and I think that's beautiful. I could literally sit here for an hour talking about how every single piece of this game (except maybe Carnival Night) work together to make this amazing experience but that would literally be an hour's worth of reading. I'll just leave it at this. Sonic 3's a magical game that shows you don't need anything fancy to be compellinh.

[@TornaitSuperBird]

Carnival Night exists as a distraction, in a diagetic and non-diagetic sense. It's decidedly more modern-looking than any place *on* Angel Island, save for Launch Base, and it does the job of throwing a wrench into the overall pacing. To me, it's a literal manifestation of the saying "bread and circuses"- keeping the populace occupied enough to hopefully distract them from the atrocities being commited in other places. Might just be me explaining away those stupid barrels, though.

[@cay7809]

you accidentally said compellinh

[@castform7]

@@cay7809 You'd be surprised how easy it is for me to mispell words in the stupidest ways. Hell, this reply might even have a spelling mistake in it.

[@cay7809]

@@castform7 yeah I feel you too bro

[@Arcad3n]

I love the detail that because Knuckles’ playthrough takes place after Sonic’s, the island is no longer in the sea and has returned to the sky, as seen by the background of the stage.

[@DamienZshadow]

"Running away from the cops, running through Eggman land, running out of ideas..." LOL I DIED

[@ALtheBoi]

lmao, enviorment I did quintuple uploads gimmie a break it was like 5 with my dyslexic ass🤡

[@RosheenQuynh]

Didn't even notice it haha

[@Castersvarog]

There’s one thing I will always love is how this game explains why Knuckles helps Eggman. And that’s because of the mural in his boss fight. That mural tells two stories, a defender of the Master emerald, protecting it from a thief. Or a hero reclaiming back what was stolen. Knuckles merely interpreted that Muriel wrong leading to his conflict until the end where he realized his mistake.

[@RealAGuy]

The editing in this video is immaculate

[@theholygamer969]

The finale really is awesome. A moment of desperation from the good guys AND the bad. If you don't catch this blasted egg and return the gem he stole, the whole thing starts all over again. All or nothing.

[@gjtrue]

What I love in video games or any media in general: Environmental Storytelling. Sonic 3 did a great job with that and something future games really need to do and learn from. I personally think the setting of the mysterious Little Planet from *Sonic CD* would be ripe for a future game (like, where did it come from? Who/What created it and/or lived on it? Where are they? Why does the planetoid appear in Sonic's world annually? Does the Time Stones give Sonic any kind of "Super Form" and etc...) if the series' creators gave 2 shits about character development, lore, and story consistency within the mainline games.

[@tomdrawsstuffs6092]

see, usually I would say there’s close to no chance of a return to Little Planet because of Pontac and Graff, but now that Ian Flynn is in charge we might have a better shot at it.

[@razorionxvii638]

The unpublished Archie version is really cool. It shows Knuckles’ line of thought, Sonic and Tails grabbing the chaos emeralds from their pedestals in hidden palace, and how they fall into the pit, because of Eggman firing missiles at the ground, and Knuckles showing his knowledge of the island by punching through a wall, not meant to be broken, so The Dynamic Duo can get to the Death Egg. Even the placement of the Mecha Sonic fight is detailed!

[@ctsphang]

i literally couldn't stop re-watching the sky sanctuary part, your content is so addicting

[@Drayiss]

I think this expresses so well just how great this simple kind of storytelling is! It’s so interesting analyze the antagonists’ actions outside the context of being just for progression. It also helps so much that Eggman and Knuckles are persistent threats throughout the game. Not only though boss fights and cutscenes, but how their actions CONSTANTLY have an effect on the environment: Eggman burning Angel Island, drilling down Marble Garden, Knuckles shutting off the Carnival Night lights. And in the second half, they seem to be going more on defence, as Eggman tries everything he can to get the Death Egg to get back up, even ruining Flying Battery and his machine in Lava Reef as a desperate attempt to keep you away.

[@PhilBo-fp9mz]

I actually started tearing up at the end. I swear, the way you put these videos together feels like a full on movie In 10 minutes

[@MrE_Gaming1]

I’m in love with these QUALITY daily uploads! I wish it would go on forever

[@redlink8734]

The ending part with Sky Sanctuary is godly dude.

[@ALtheBoi]

I was deadass on the verge of tears editing that shit

[@redlink8734]

@@ALtheBoi I subsequently now want a scene with that same impact in the movie now. Just straight up do Sonic 3's plot, thank you good sir.

[@numberonebuzzfan4964]

everything about the video is just so perfect: the editing, the music choices, the commentary... except the take at the end, sonic 2 has metropolis zone and sky chase so sonic 3 automatically has better level design and is the better game

[@DarkHeroAkutare]

wait, do you mean Wing Fortress? Sky Chase is just like a fun little bonus level, I don't think it brings Sonic 2 down.

[@numberonebuzzfan4964]

@@DarkHeroAkutare both really

[@catcraze8673]

Something about Sonic games endings always gives me goosebumps like they always really nail the stakes.

[@ElGeekSinNombre]

Outstanding!

[@fnaf2isthegoat75]

This is one of my favorite Sonic games of all time and the storytelling is one of the best only barely surpassed by Sonic Adventure 2. Personally I really wish Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 had more details for their story instead of it just being in a manual exclusive for Japan. Just small details you know like a sign in Green hills on saying welcome to south Island and some more hints to the Chaos Emeralds And Sonic 2 having more pints and looks at the Death Egg maybe it's in the background of oil ocean And in Metropolis. But it still stands this game is Amazing Story wise.

[@jeanlsmrio]

This man’s editing is one of the most cleanest shit i done ever seen i love you man you legend.

[@calebholmes5590]

This was absolutely wonderful, your editing skills are also very good, very much wow lol.

[@goldenlightning8842]

I always have to watch these videos more than once because of how well these are edited

[@Terrafissa]

Gods I love your style, I just keep coming back and watching this again and again. Your jokes are so on point. Also, this is the absolute best use of Pigstep I've ever heard.

[@TravTravRA]

I JUST got introduced to you, your editing style is criminally overlooked I can actually see which techniques you're using and HOW you made them, that's so fucking impressive

[@FDA_2003]

Awesome video as always, and the editing might be one of your best. You mede me realize something's I didn't see until now. Merry Christmas

[@FigureToyz]

Oh my lord can I just say the editing on this video is phenomenal. All the music and transitions to different topics plus the inflection of your voice all work really well together to drive your point forward. Great work man

[@ros9764]

I especially love that you used the "Project Chaos" versions of the original themes because i think the main point of the arrangement was to do a more live and epic retelling of the story that was connected to these themes. That's especially prominent in something like "Knuckleduster" where Knuckles sings in there (i think) about how his homeland is getting destroyed since in the level Robotnik is using a bunch of drills only for materials to launch the Death Egg again. Also musically it just kicks ass

[@tecklepheonix6344]

I've watched two videos of yours, and I'm now your newest fan subscriber. Sir, your seamless transitions, taste for musicality and it's understanding, and the story you tell while pitching it in the most casual, homestyle but flawless voice of passionate narration has captured my heart. I'll be looking through the rest of your videos now and I can't wait to see what else you release.

[@lightpriv3425]

Your videos are always a blast to watch. Merry Christmas! Hope you and your family stay warm, safe and happy this holiday season!

[@orangehat1924]

Another excellent upload! Going a bit crazy with the animations but I wholeheartedly welcome this change!

[@azurerandomness]

Oh man This is the more familiar Eggman, knew him as Dr Robotnik when I was introduced to him in Sonic Underground. Dictator, heartless and a horrendous threat. Didn’t recognize him at all in Boom when I was shown more Sonic stuff on CN in the past. Im so glad I found your videos in my search of what I’ve missed in the Sonic franchise

[@SApurojekutu]

Wow. Loved the whole video, now I remember even more why I love these games so much.

[@registeel142]

The editing in this is really good! I've haven't played much of sonic 3 but this makes me appreciate it way more. Great video!

[@miwhitty8316]

Dude you're popping out videos like every other day and they look amazing! They ARE amazing! And you keep reminding me that SONIC is amazing and that SONIC GAMES (when done right) ARE AMAZING! Keep up the amazing work bro 👏🏽👍🏾💕

[@Temzy]

Banger video as always. Merry Christmas everyone!

[@VeryShyGuy]

These videos are masterpieces, I think that what you make is amazing and that you should make more of them, keep at it king! Don't let anybody stop you!

[@ctsphang]

this is the most underrated editing i have ever seen

[@anonymone453]

Back when game devs actually stuck to 'show, don't tell' because the technology for telling wasn't there.

[@b3ll426]

youre underrated thia editing is so good and like omg RAA u need more love bro

[@gabrielzegarra2880]

This vid is really awesome, i didn't think that a video analysis of the Sonic 3 storytelling would be so good edited. Nice job man

[@XxDreamy_LeaxX]

Imma be honest: Angel Island is my favorite place in the Sonic universe. It's a beautiful paradise and I love the way it looks in this game. I was never able to play this game myself (for shame honestly, since I'd love to explore the levels), but seeing it in this video made me very happy. I love everything about Angel Island and his inhabitant, Knux!

[@ALtheBoi]

You can download Sonic 3 AIR here: sonic3air.org/ It's the definite version of the game, super customizable + mod support absolutely give it a try!

[@XxDreamy_LeaxX]

@@ALtheBoi Thank you!! I'd very love to play it, but sadly I don't have a computer/laptop to run it on, which I assume is needed. But still, I really appreaciate your afford of giving me a link!!

[@SSL_2004]

I just want to say that the amount of effort you wouldn't these videos does not go unnoticed. This is some of the highest quality content on this platform. Every topic of discussion is absolutely wonderfully paced, saying exactly what needs to be said and no more. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@SSL_2004]

Wish I caught that typo... 💀

[@ALtheBoi]

Seeeeee man it’s not even noticeable everyone’s dyslexic

[@Legionary219]

That fucking barrel, I played Sonic 3 a ton when I was little and NEVER made it past that goddamn barrel, it was probably TWENTY YEARS later when I found out what you were supposed to do

[@mario-gn6it]

Something I just wanna point out: at 3:27, "environment" is misspelled as "Enviorment"

[@pepperjack9514]

The editing,the music,the pacing,the storytelling with clips of the game and everything. This video is such a good synopsis and video in general and I wish it was longer. I am definitely subscribing because this was an incredible first impression to your channel!

[@robofistsrevenge3288]

Hey man, um...what the hell? This is one of the best video game related video essays I've ever seen, and not just because it's about one of my favorite games of all time. You already know your editing is top-notch, but it's also so nice to hear the unapologetic passion in your voice throughout. A lot of video essayists just read from their script, others painfully try to manufacture passion, but you sound like the real deal. That's just as refreshing as seeing a video praising the storytelling of Sonic 3 and Knuckles in the year 2022.

[@thedarkest9]

How do you only have 6K subs? This stuff is incredible! The editing is outstanding! This is more cinematic than some of the movies I’ve seen!

[@yohhh6715]

Now he's really close to 10k, les go bois

[@thedarkest9]

@@yohhh6715 Yeah!

[@yohhh6715]

@@thedarkest9 and now he's even closer to 11k, this ain't stopping anytime soon

[@thedarkest9]

@@yohhh6715 let’s go!

[@SapphireLibra3]

I really love your delivery and how you go about explaining things. It's so engaging.

[@arceuslv11]

This was SO well made!! You captured exactly what I felt when I played this as I kid!! I honestly got goosebumps watching this

[@ShonenTrash]

You've been hinting at this video for a little longer than a year now on your Discord server, and I won't lie, its definitely been the one I've been looking forward to the most out of all the videos you've dropped over the last four days and it didn't disappoint in any way.

[@magostadepaodequeijo6325]

The graphical/aesthetic elements in your videos are fantastic, I can’t believe I just found out about it now. Great job sir! M

[@mzov_1724]

Good video. Sonic 3 is objectively the better game aside from Sonic's sprite imo. The level design in Sonic 2 always felt incomplete, the difficulty spike midway through never felt natural, likely because of genocide city and wood zone missing from the final game, and the final boss feels more like a chore than a good end point. Meanwhile S3K has very nice and consistent level design, and the slow increase on its difficulty feels natural, aside from the CNZ barrels. Mix that with its storytelling, and this is generally my favourite game to replay.

[@ToniLeys]

Ok that's it, I found the best video on youtube

[@goop952]

4:54 ok but this singular scene hyped me UP for the rest of the whole video PLEASE IT'S SO GOOD!!!!!

[@NominalDingus]

I feel like, if Sonic 3 were to be turned into a movie or series, it had to be done by people who really really REAAAALLLYY cared about this game and the story it wants to tell. There are little details that can't afford to be missed, and if any of the dialogue (if there is any added) is even a bit off, it might ruin a lot of things. even with that said, this video makes me want a Sonic Series that basically retells the entire story of the genesis games, from start to finish. I want to hear these characters talk and how they react in certain situations. The game alone managed to seal a place in my heart and in my childhood as a whole. I want to feel the way I did when I first found this game again.

[@Rodanguirus]

The animated Sonic Mania Adventures feels as close to this as we'll ever (or maybe ever should) get.

[@NikkiLayne]

Pure poetry. Fantastic video editing. 10/10, my dude.

[@ЭшлиОзвучивает]

I'm so fucking glad I stuck around your channel and waited for all the new videos. You've set a new high for video essays for me and I'm sure of many others. Great job, really thankful I could watch it.

[@foot2d478]

Wow, this is so feel done and yet it currently still has 11k views, this is underrated.

[@fishflop_]

Damn, great writing and editing. Love this game.

[@averyshepherd5902]

I'm so glad I found this channel The amount of effort shown and the quality each of your videos is outstanding!

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Hm, interesting, fair and valid points and opinions, it’s pretty impressive how they tackled the Story telling in this Game, i wonder if they could do something like it again? What do you think?

[@lincolnclay116]

This is some top tier editing

[@aimee9478]

I know that dozens of people already sang praises to your editing, but dude, your editing and your articulation are absolutely SUPERB. Your content is just such a joy to watch and to listen to, not to mention the ideas discussed. I'm practically falling in love with these games all over again after seeing them analysed like that!

[@motorik6]

Mate, this is fantastic. Thank you for recognising the subtle depth of this game. It goes even deeper when combined with Sonic & Knuckles.

[@MavieElder37]

This dude writes better stories than sonic team themselves

[@leonlegend]

I think it would have worked better if Eggman remained hidden until he steals the master emerald. Just have Knuckle's boss battles be used for Sonic's as well. Because when this game came out, there were only 3 previous games. We wouldn't know if he was going to be in this one. & the hints in the levels could make the player think that maybe he's somehow involved & when he finally comes out, the player would have a "I knew it!" Moment.

[@fnaf2isthegoat75]

I Actually agree it would lead players to question whether or not if this is Eggman doing or not. it'll be great mystery tho flying battery should probably just eggrobs so it doesn't spoil him. This will also make the player and Knuckles have a bigger relationship as not only the knuckles stole your ability to go super but he's constantly in your way in each boss battle.

[@ALtheBoi]

That’s actually really interesting, cause the player sees the death egg right before so they already have their suspicion

[@littlekitten2395]

no bc this is one of the best sonic videos ever. i am in love with your channel dude, you have such good story telling and emphasis and editing. your videos are works of art. you some how manage to get me more exited about this franchise. keep up the amazing work.

[@jlozano2014]

Exactly my thoughts as a kid seeing the death egg again. Like woah, it didn't blow up! I must stop him lol

[@GanonGhidorah]

The irony is...it _was_ my first Sonic Game.

[@najadamu2724]

The editing in these recent videos have been orgasmic. 10/10 across the board, man.

[@djchambliss6561]

I can't even tell you how proud that KZbin recommend me this video because I love sonic. In addition, the research that you did to tell the overall synopsis of sonic 3 was literally perfect. It was like you were telling a story within a story. Very impressive.

[@Kanyeleaks911]

this is such a well made video. props!

[@bubrux226]

I've litteraly started watching your channel, like a few minutes ago, and I already fell in love with your editing style, scripiting style, your everything style, and I am so excited to keep on watching your content, and a few years from now look back at these vídeos and just see how much you evolved

[@thatquietasianguy9582]

Ohhh shiiit gives me chills and goosebumps I’m about to piss

[@YinyoYX]

I cannot put into words on how much I love this editing style

[@CharlesUrban]

This is some of the best editing that I've ever seen. Keep it up, sir.

[@KotBox]

The pacing, the edits, the transitions... This is some of the cleanest editing I've ever seen. Love it dude

[@cactuswithapewpew4623]

the editing in the video is truly somthing I've never seen. it's so good I can watch so money times and still be amazed with the editing. keep it up

[@marleytarver9759]

Your editing on top of your voice make my eyes and ears overload with happy feelies

[@nickstrife8312]

AL my boi! You're spoiling me, man! Amazing as always, nothing else I can say. Happy Christmas and may 2022 be an incredible year for all of us!

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

The editing skills in this video are top-notch.

[@Rhyscele]

Another amazing video I’m proud to have watched this

[@bongoboi6196]

Why does your editing keep giving me chills, Good Video Dude Keep Up The Good Work! :)

[@keroppiew]

bro the way you narrate the video and the editing is so awesome, it makes the whole video even better than it already is!

[@FractaLad]

Dat Transition to Stage Transition, no lie, brought me to tears! Dude! Your vids move me. Great goddamn work!@!

[@JohnJonesy]

Love your storytelling and visual effects you used in this video. Sonic3 & Knuckles is one of my favs and I always loved how they conveyed things changing and plots back then without extended animation or voice acting.

[@cilothaghostrolls20]

This is well put!! Literally just described the reasons to why i fell in love with sonic and why I think sonic 3 & knuckles is my number one favorite OG game of Sonic!! Gotta love ice cap and launch base zones bgm 😂 lol

[@AuroraVeil_]

your editing is so top tier, its literally a crime you don't have more subscribers. here's to 2022 i just know youre blowing up this year

[@jimjam9057]

the editing is so insane!! i adore this kind of editing so badly i really love it nice video!

[@TheLazySage7]

Dude the editing is super good dude! Also got me with some laughs and I found myself smirking. Good stuff. Subbed for sure! Keep it up!

[@kristianrosenqvist8594]

Honestly, such a good and well-structured video. Awesome job!

[@Acechao111]

The end of the video with the wind blowing gave me chills

[@WAR3600]

The mural on the background in the Knuckles bossfight being a prophecy for the final and true battle if you got all the emeralds is simply brilliant and never fails to blow my mind. We don't know shit about those ancient civilizations responsible for the Master Emerald protection but we know they saw a vision of that confrontation maybe thousands of years before, it's amazing

[@JamesR624]

6:37 Never realized how well Pigstep feels at home in the Sonic universe.

[@samchatsc]

that sky sanctuary part straight up gave me chills honestly