Sonic Adventure 2 - Insufferable - IMPLANTgames

[@radicallaruby]

About Chaos, it was implied that he was not sealed in the Master Emerald again, since it wouldn't solve his anger and sadness, according to Sonic. Tikal and Chaos just vanish in the sky. Chaos does show up again in Battle, but it doesn't seem Master Emerald related despite him being on the island again.

[@radicallaruby]

@@Deeznutsjoemama1 s'all good. Sometimes I forget my Sonic stuff, especially getting older, it sucks lol

[@implantgames]

In Sonic Adventure 1, Angel Island rises at the end of Knuckles’ campaign. It falls again in the Super Sonic campaign. I included the clip of Tails telling Sonic “Angel Island is falling again” for this reason. Chaos then goes on his rampage. Sonic Adventure 1 concludes with Tikal and Chaos chilling with the Master Emerald, which I also included in this video. It is implied Chaos is needed for Angel Island to float. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@undergalaxy775]

@@implantgames maybe you need his peace, but not his literal presence

[@rynobehnke8289]

@@implantgames Yes Angle Island only flouts because of Chaos in side of master emeralds because as the Japan exclusive Sonic Adventure Navigation guide reveals is Angle Island flying because the ancient Echidnas that survived Chaos Rampage use the master emeralds power to lift angle Island into the sky to prevent Chaos to ever be released. How ever Post SA1 does Angle Island no longer fly in fact can you see it still in the ocean in Sonic Battle because the Holy Summit map is on angle Island and in fact does Sonic even take the Master emeralds into space with out anything happen to it during the games finally. Another good example would be Sonic Rivals 1 in which we learn that Angle Island in the future was renamed into Onix Island and even houses a Theme park honoring the heroes of Sonic Time. Why do you thing Knuckles reason for protecting the Master Emerald against rouge isn't the state of Angle Island but its role in keeping the chaos emeralds in balance? Its because Angle Island isn't flying and so removing the Master emerald from it means nothing.

[@implantgames]

Citing sources outside of the video games would lead me to conclude the stories presented in the games were convoluted and needed clarification. Additionally, none of the explanations provided explain why Angel Island floats again at the end of Knuckles' campaign. Which again... leads me to conclude the stories are not well thought and and packed with inconsistencies.

[@UgandanPrinc3]

8:06 in the ending of SA1 Tikal & Chaos go to the afterlife(?). The whole reason sonic went super tl fight him was because he did not want Tikal to seal him in the Master Emerald a second time, as that wouldn’t fix the issue with Chaos’ anger

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

The funny thing is, the game makes this quite obvious.

[@bonhambros4066]

@@ChiefMedicPururu ik

[@Jsters]

shadow finished gerald’s programming-his algorithms were left on the cell walls he was detained in on prison island, as shown in the cutscene where amy breaks sonic out. the physical differences between prototype shadow and the actual shadow could likely he explained by gerald referencing ancient inscriptions of perfect chaos before realizing the greatest channeler of chaos energy would be a hedgehog like sonic (hence sonic’s ability to use a fake emerald to chaos control)

[@Jsters]

this isn’t to justify how contrived the plot can feel at times, it’s absolutely not perfect, but there’s more sense to it if you really read into it (something that sounds extremely silly to say about a sonic game)

[@papersonic9941]

Shadow was supposed to be locked up. Not to mention he doesn't seem like the programming type.

[@Squishito]

Holy shit... This is a really good theory! Shadow _is_ programmed with fake memories, and Gerald specifically stated in his journal that you should wake up Shadow if you want to destroy the world, and that he left everything to Shadow. He said he had complete control over his memories, that he would be pure and perfect. Shadow, after waking up and destroying the GUN robot, leaves Eggman and goes and does his own thing for a while and we don't know the explicit details of what he does. He steals a Chaos Emerald and goes through Radical Highway... Then we next see him chilling on the Ark, we don't even know how he got there. He could have easily had the info installed into his brain on how to get to the Ark, reprogram it and activate the doomsday thing by Gerald. Shadow seemingly had ample time to do it, I mean he already had the mission of activating the Ark to ram into the earth put in his mind anyway as it was his goal the whole time. It actually makes heaps of sense actually. Hell, you could go further, Shadow also could have even stolen the video of Gerald's execution while he was at Prison Island, and then uploaded it to the Ark as per Gerald's programmed instructions before he was scheduled to be executed, to show the whole world the true circumstances of his death.

[@Balefactor]

Good review. Mostly good points, but I want to address a couple things: I don't hate Modern Sonic because he jokes, I hate Modern Sonic because before a certain point, Sonic was charismatic and his attempts at humor were earnest. Whenever Sonic jokes in the newer games post-Sonic Colors, they treat it as if Sonic's some washed-up loser with background characters regularly returning annoyed expressions. It gets really old and it's as if the series is ironically tolerating it's own existence with this cringey cynicism. When it comes to final bosses, I think we all can all agree that the Time Eater is the absolute worst when it comes to being more about luck than anything else: Hold boost and hope to God he doesn't sneeze.

[@user-fy1nq3nf1q]

@@boonanaman7 Never switch to classic? Man wth

[@raziyatheseeker]

Actually, I agree on modern Sonic. I think there was a video series by a Sonic fan on the 'net who also agrees: modern Sonic got flanderized to high hell and Sega seems like it stopped trying even after its experimental phase (Secret Rings, Black Knight, Unleashed, etc).

[@mr.thumbsup8335]

Ik this is an old comment, but genuinely interested in what your thoughts are now on Modern Sonic writing, now that Frontiers and Shadow Gens exist

[@Balefactor]

@mr.thumbsup8335 It's a good question. Frontiers is a step in a right direction, but I wasn't that impressed by its story. It's too on-the-nose with fan service and a lot of the plot points aren't properly developed, but I guess it's okay. I haven't played Sonic X Shadow yet. My standards have changed since then. As far as I'm concerned, Sonic 3&K and the storybook games are the only times a Sonic game has had a plot that's actually good with no caveats. Despite this, I still prefer the stories of 2000s games over even the stories we get today because, while incomplete, they stood on their own and were presented with far better production values. We don't even get epic, pre-rendered CG intros anymore. When it comes to Sonic Adventure 2, I can enjoy the story for it's massive scope and dark implications, but if I'm being honest with myself, it is a mess and I think the issues people have with it are mostly fair.

[@MajoraZ]

The "fake hedgehog" stuff and Gerald somehow finishing Shadow after Maria rocketed him off aren't bad writing, but are intentional plot elements hinting at something which is further expanded on in supplementary material such as Rouge's report in the Japanese guide and the Original Japanese script (which the english version mangles). The bottom line is that there's intentional ambiguity if the Shadow we see in game is ACTUALLY the final result of Project Shadow or not, or an earlier prototype with altered memories, and that Sonic himself is actually implied to be the real final result of the project, with Shadow's "I think the Ultimate Life Form is you" line during the Final Hazard fight, Sonic being able to use Chaos Control, Shadow unlike sonic not being able to mantain his Super Form (again, per dialog during that fight) those Fake Hedgeog lines, Shadow's questioning who Sonic is prior to their final fight, etc being hints at that among other things. I'm not gonna explain the full thing here (there s a longer one made by a friend in in reddit DOT com/r/TwoBestFriendsPlay/comments/enabrg/matt_liam_play_sonic_adventure_2_hanging_on_the/fdx5wzq) but to be clear this is more then just headcanon and the lead writer for the game noted that this was an intentional ambiguous thing he was hinting at. It should be obvious, but I disagree that all of these elements take away from the plot. While there's some truly silly things (Rouge needing to be saved by Knuckles when she can fly), with the full context of the supplamentary materials and the correctly translated Japanese script, a lot of the apparent plot errors are not actually errors and I enjoy the wrtiters having tried to tell a deeper more complex plot, but obviously this is subjective to a degree and I can see why somebody might see it as overly convoluted and clunky. Less subjectively, I think you totally glossed over the score system and how it adds to the gameplay. It's not simply window dressing, it's an intergral part of SA2's design philsophy and how it tries to encourage replability, which can also be seen with the Chao garden encouraging replaying stages to get animals, rings, and chaos drives, and each stage having 5 missions: The score system, unlike later games in the series where it's barebones, is actually chanllenging to get A ranks in and in speed stages, is almost a full style system a la DMC whetre prefmrong stylish actions and chaining them leads to bonuses, with Sonic's animations even changing based on tricks preformed at times: This is also why the levels are more linear, it's meant to be more ablout how spectacularly and stylishly you can blitz through a level as a "perfect run". And while you point out that the mech stages removing the timer makes them duill and a step down from Gamma's, the reality is that that score system provides the replacement for the time limit, with multipliers from comboing your shots contribvuting to score instead of added time in the timer. You also claim you wish that the progression gates in the mech stages forced you to blow them up in specific orders or otherwise take unique advantage of the mechanic, but then critizie Eternal Engine's level design when it does just that with the airlocks (to be clear, I think the airlocks suck, but it's what you wanted) in any case, By extension, this focus on reliability due to the score system, chao garden, missions, etc is also why, while many of the flaws you point out in the treasure stages are valid and really should be fixed for first time players, I feel aren't as damning as they would be when the whole game's philsophy is to encourage replaying and mastery, much like the classic sonic games. Also, in regards to treasure stages: I personally at least do not have an issue with the stages taking longer due to the nerfed radar and hint system: To me, the fun of these stages is a slower, more chill exploratory expierence, which is why I think they have rap and jazz stage themes. Clearly other people do have issues so this is a subjective thing, but I can't help but wonder if the problem is partially that people go into these stages with incorrect assumptions about what they are supposed to be enjoyed as. Also, the one emerald shard in Mad Space you were approaching the wrong way, which is why you had such trouble: you are supposed to land on the planet itself and get the gravity mechanic to have you standing on it, then use the springs to bounce you high and then glide into it while still tethered to the planet's gravity, wheras you attempted to do it while untethered to the gravity of that planet. Maybe the game could communicate this clearer, but I really think your expierence there is an outlier. Anyways, lastly, I don't quite get why you are so negative in the game at the end of the video and in the title, when on a whole you had a lot of postive things to say about the game throughout the video, moreso then negative things and certainly a much better balance of postives and negatives then in your Adventure 1 video from a few weeks ago. That being said, To be clear, I totally agree that SA2 is a flawed, janky game: Personally I love it, and I find the elements I like (the Speed gameplay and level design combined with it's score system, the larger treasure stages, the general; aesethic, sound design, and music, the chao garden, etc) vastly outweigh the negatives, but I do get why people dislike it... though I really think there are plenty of other games with equally severe and in many case similar issues which get a pass and are classic titles to many people.

[@DeskoDev]

I don't think Sonic is related to Project Shadow at all. Sure, the Japanese may make things more ambiguous, but Sonic's origins have already been established in the canon, albeit vaguely, with him being born on Christmas Island. Anyway, if Sonic being the final result of Project Shadow was what they were going for at the time, it was certainly retconned by ShTH.

[@TechBlade9000]

@@DeskoDev A lot of Sonic lore was retconned and made confusing post SA2

[@yes.6892]

It sounds interesting, but I feel like too many years have gone by to go back for it to be realized, so it’s a little unfortunate.

[@zacharyblack8623]

MajoraZ love this comment. It articulated every issue I had almost perfectly.

[@realestAG]

Fantastic comment man

[@DuoStuff]

Alright, took me a bit to get to this one. Sorry about that. While I can agree on some points, I still greatly enjoy Sonic Adventure 2. Whenever I get around to my own video, I'll discuss some points made in the video that I have a different perspective on. For now though, I did enjoy the different perspective on a game I enjoy.

[@implantgames]

I'm glad you watched and if it inspired you, even better! Can't wait to watch your vids, hopefully sooner than later!

[@MatthewCampbell765]

On a sidenote with Shadow being mistaken for Sonic, I think there's actually a few ways they could have justified it: #1: The easiest is that GUN is aware that Shadow is not Sonic. However, they also don't want the public to know about Shadow, so they frame Sonic for Shadow's actions and arrest him. #2: GUN does believe Shadow is Sonic, but more based on his abilities than his appearance. The number of Hedgehogs with super-speed and combat skills allowing them to take on a robot army is relatively low. #3: This is best combined with #2, but: GUN might also believe Shadow is Sonic in disguise. While they look distinctly quite different, they do look similar enough that Sonic could disguise himself as Shadow pretty easily. In fact, it would actually be a pretty bad disguise that wouldn't fool anyone.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@trmispingus2018 Actually, it's a renmant of a beta concept, an "artifact", to speak of.

[@somethingsomething9008]

Establish it in the f*fucking plot then

[@rodrigonogueira9375]

Also, if sonic can transform into a yellow super sayan using the power of 7 mystical rocks, it isnt that big of a stretch to assume he can turn black too

[@GamingTopTen]

12:18 Not quite, my dude. See, Eggman knew there was a fake emerald, but he didn't know whether the one Sonic had in his hand was the real or fake, he could maybe deduce that Sonic didn't know Eggman knew about the fake emerald, but Tails saying "how did you know the one sonic had in his hand was fake?" turned it from 85% chance of being fake to 100%. Oh good review btw.

[@implantgames]

Don't ruin the one moment I enjoyed 😭 That's my job 😜

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@implantgames "Don't ruin me saying it makes no sense", rather.

[@hiiambarney4489]

Well he is 300 IQ after all

[@PhayzinOut]

Sonic: Tails!!!!! 😵

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Cool strawman, buddy.

[@dannykazari]

Your reviews are nice to chill out to after a long day of work

[@implantgames]

Thanks Danny :)

[@Someguyhere111]

Gerald was the world's greatest mind at that time and he was held on Prison Island to put the finishing touches on Project Shadow, WITHOUT his research team. Logical conclusion is that with only GUN soldiers watching over him, he could do whatever the fuck he wanted and just claim he was working on Project Shadow, nobody will know he's lying. So it's not a stretch he could simply hack the recording equipment that would film his final moments and have that footage uploaded to the ARK. How'd it get broadcast around the world you ask? Shadow: "Hey, remember me?" Yeah, Shadow exists. He went to the ARK ahead of Eggman, specifically to set up Gerald's trap.

[@shellblade]

I've been seeing a large swathe of people only a few years younger than me calling this game an underrated gem unjustly hated. They seem to think the negative views on the Adventure games are a more recent affair brought on by KZbinrs in the mid 2010's, when the discourse on these games has always had the exact same talking points brought up ever since they were released. I think some praise should be given to what these games did right, and I still don't see them as bad overall, but the negative side of discussion is not at all a new thing.

[@Obscure_man31]

Its been happening since the dreamcast days

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

Brah, I was a kid when SA2 released and most people were praising it at that time. Nowadays, since Sonic is the Internet's whipping boy, it's easy to shit on those while ignoring anything the game got right.

[@jumpsharkman3882]

@@ChiefMedicPururu If you were a kid when it released and only remember the excitement around it, then you're only proving his point.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@jumpsharkman3882 Even in 2010, I didn't recall the game being as hated as now.

[@jumpsharkman3882]

@@ChiefMedicPururu imgur.com/a/HPKo6zg Providing just a quick rundown, and that's not even getting into many forum posts lost to time. The Geek Critique offered a similar reflection on his time discussing the game online when it was new

[@Metrooiid]

Great review as always.. but i personally dont have a problem on many points you made about this game. (just an opinion of course). I still play this game to this day and it's actually one of my favorite games.

[@implantgames]

I am glad you enjoyed the video even if you didn't agree!!

[@elibonham4388]

@@implantgames while the stage courses might repeat themselves the enemy lay our and patterns are completely different I'd rather have 30 unique stages that borrow stage design from other stages and repeat themselves sometimes than 11 stages that makes u play them again and again. Treasure hunting. Meteor heard in particular there's a rocket that shoots u up further in the stage than if u were to just platform and climb up it which takes a long time, taking 30 mins tho is inexcusable. Camera control exists too use the r buttons and you should try playing the modded version of the game on PC it irons out so many issues by doing that Despite that though this game has aged well and the hint system is useful there are hints scattered all over the stages and the 3rd one practically tells you where it is. The presentation was good for its time and I have to viamitley disagree with you on the story. The story justifies plot elements with good writing. Playing the sa2 full story mod plays the cutscenes in chronological order. It realises the many set ups and pay offs this story holds with thr story being told like this. Sa2 is far better than sa1

[@Victor1139]

Your video perfectly summarizes how I feel about SA2. I never played the adventure games during my childhood, I played them both for the first time as an adult one after the other, and I found SA2 to be so incredibly frustrating sometimes. It was sort of baffling to me because I always heard from everyone that SA2 is the superior of the two games.

[@persoonophetweb2891]

Victor1139 nice yu narukami pic

[@jaxxxx1984]

Victor1139 dated games play very dated- i get you. Imo i think its the fans fault for basically over hyping the games for many years, saying its the best when its not. Its like saying mario 64 is the best over...Galaxy...or...Odyssey... :\

[@Victor1139]

@@jaxxxx1984 This is coming from someone who doesn't really play that many current games. Most people would say SA1 is very dated but I actually enjoyed it a lot

[@jaxxxx1984]

Victor1139 im not saying you cant enjoy it. Its just thag dated games usually have the most flaws and imo its understandable. They're testinf stuff out trying to get a grasp something good. Like how mario 64 was well received in its time because of what it tried to do and later games built off of that- like Galaxy and Odyssey. 64 is a very flawed game when you compare it to todays standards but I'm ok with it because it was a stepping stone to good mario games we got today. You get me?

[@Victor1139]

@@jaxxxx1984 Yeah, I just wanna make it clear that when I said I didn't enjoy SA2 during my original playthrough, that it wasn't because I was comparing it to current games. Most people nowadays like to bring the argument that those who think the SA games are bad it's because they're holding them to today's standards, but as someone who mostly plays games from the PS2/gamecube era, I still had a lot of complains about it and I even found SA1 to be more enjoyable, even though some people would say that game is even more dated than SA2

[@wistful3631]

I don’t care that the adventure games aged poorly I still will forever love them

[@deadstockparadise5898]

You wouldn't love them if they aged as poorly as people claim. The truth is, there are no games you could argue significantly improved upon what the Adventure games did, with the arguable exception of Spark the Electric Jester 2 - a game that came out last year, which no one played (definitely not the people who say Sonic Adventure is horrible).

[@edwardrobinson919]

I find the adventure games aged fine. Been playing them if i can and don't find them no were as bad as critics say.

[@zacharyblack8623]

No that is not the problem with Sonic. His other characters add variety. He should absolutely not be like Mario, he was made to counter Mario. Not to mention most of the newer games are all sonic and they’re not great because of it. The games just need to be fun that’s it. And the majority of them are. The characters add to the sonic story. They add depth and tails is the only real sidekick. If you want gameplay with no substance then fine, stick with Mario but even in Mario you have fans wishing Luigi was playable all the time. This fascination with sticking with a title character is nonsensical at best

[@edwardrobinson919]

I don't find any problem with the extra characters. That's what i think is great about the older sonic games.I rather play as multiple charcters then an over repetitive gameplay as playing as one character. Luig's mansion,wario world or some of the mario spinoffs focus on not just mario and i think they're great games. It add better replay value and fun gameplay style imo.

[@zacharyblack8623]

Wistful I didn’t mean to imply that Mario’s gameplay has no substance. What I meant was that there is no substance beyond the gameplay. Nintendo likes to focus on games as games only which is great but it leaves things wanting. The best we got was galaxy and shigeru was vehemently against those story additions. You don’t have to like the sonic characters but to pretend that they’re childish just because they are anthropomorphic is a childish assertion on of itself. They’re designs are wonderful and appeal to a wide range of people and not exclusively to the small net you’re casting. Poor writing as hurt them a lot lately but their characterizations were brilliant in earlier games. Also in truth I’m not defending modern sonic. I hate the direction it’s going. It’s self deprecating humor and all. Sonic lost world was a well made game but it didn’t sit well with people. Multiple characters can be done well anyway even in the examples you listed. Sonic Mania has five playable characters each with their own abilities. If you really want to hide behind the argument that the characters are cringe because they’re furry then go ahead, but don’t pretend games with just Sonic and Eggman is what’s going to save the franchise. Sonic 4 would love to disagree with you @AnEn

[@Pennaz]

30:48 - This. My exact thoughts. I remember restarting these stages a lot, until I had 3 spawns which weren't absolute crap. At first I did it to avoid wandering around the level for 30 minutes, then again to get a chance at A ranking them. Definitely the worst part of SA2 for me.

[@TheDistorted]

Yeah the treasure hunting levels are why I stopped playing & never picked up the game again. They're sado-masochistic. The polar opposite of fun.

[@wtfsamusidk7574]

The music in this game was amazing

[@Ronald_Ruck]

That's totally right! Some lyrics are strange, though. Especially in Knuckles' levels.

[@Chronobus]

4:16 What? That is totally like Sonic. That's his whole character personality! Whoever says this obviously has no idea who Sonic even is.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

I don't get that stupid argument. Him making ONE joke in one cutscene doesn't equal whatever the fuck he was trying to be in Forces.

[@SM-th7pw]

Sonic CAN and SHOULD make corny jokes, it definitely isn’t out of character for him, however in the more recent games, Sonic is portrayed more like an obnoxious loser trying to hard to be cool without any charisma or charm, which is why his jokes come off as annoying and fall flat.

[@lucianoliberati6119]

It felt very out of character back then... before Sonic Adventure we only knew “Classic Sonic” who (at least in the games) wasnt a corny pun heavy cool bro lets go awesome joke telling sociopath.

[@SM-th7pw]

@@lucianoliberati6119 I understand what you mean, however, in the classic games, Sonic couldn’t really.......talk, because the games didn’t have voice acting back then so they stuck to expressing his personality through body language, which worked incredibly well. And heck, you said yourself, this was only limited to the games, in other media like the cartoons (SATAM, OFSTH, OVA etc) and such they did make him more “corny and joke telling” because they actually had the ability to give Sonic a voice in that form of media (via Jaleel White), and this was all before Sonic Adventure, so I wouldn’t say it was out of character for him.

[@lucianoliberati6119]

@@SM-th7pw yeah that’s right but I don’t know... those Sonic cartoon were also “out of character” even between each other haha what I me anti seguro that they were giving form to what “speaking Sonic” may sound like in the canonical main series so it was something that cought many of us off guard.

[@Biostar96]

It's another e-celeb completely misses the point of why the games get defended and why fans want more episode. Everyone knows the Adventure games are flawed. That still doesn't change the fact they feature ideas and gameplay that are much more interesting than anything this series has put out in years. In a perfect world Sonic Team doesn't scrap everything following SA2 and instead we get a much more polished version of the Adventure formula for the next game. Instead we got Heroes, Shadow, and an incredibly rushed 06. Was Sonic 1 perfect? Hell it took until 3&K before the Classic formula truly hit it's stride. The Adventure formula never got a chance to actually refine itself and thats why people want another chance.

[@mbdg6810]

yeah , everything has flaws

[@thiefamongu3857]

Damn your comment explains exactly why adventure fans can look past the flaws. We know the flaws are there but it doesnt matter, because sonics gameplay is amazing and needs to be further expanded on

He didn't miss the point, he just don't care, which is the right thing to do

[@realestAG]

@ What?

[@hiiambarney4489]

@ Well if not caring for anything you do for a living (it's his job at this point to review stuff) is the right thing, then good luck getting a cure for corona, since nobody cares.

[@dudujencarelli]

I agree that the idea that platformers from that era were equally flawed as SA2 doesn't hold water. Super Mario Sunshine came around the same time. It had its own issues, but it was still miles and leaps ahead to SA2 in quality.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

The Blue Coins quest, and the even more amateur voice acting say hello.

[@thatonemanbehindthegarbage7126]

You could’ve used all the games but sunshine and I would’ve mind...get that garbage ass game outta here.

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Your onion, m8z

[@snakey888]

Mario sunshine is one of the few comparable in quality, or lack thereof, games of that gen.

[@alfiehicks1]

I'd say that they almost completely borked the Treasure Hunting and Mech Shooting stages, but the Speed Gameplay is the best 3D analogue of the 2D gameplay seen so far. I think if Sonic Heroes' level design philosphy was applied to SA2's Speed gameplay, we'd have the perfect recreation of a 2D Sonic game in 3D. However, I think the story is perfectly fine. For an action-oriented, linear 3D platformer, that is, but far as Sonic stories go, I honestly think it's one of the best in the main series. The plot manages to stick to the main narrative of "stop Eggman because he's evil" but also pushes beyond that, with each character playing a role (however small) in fleshing out another character's actions. Many of the characters' motives or acts that initially seem unexplained or nonsensical can be deciphered by doing a little more reading between the lines and a little less assuming that the story is just dumb. I understand what you mean about 'Sonic cracking one-liners', but I think it's misrepresentititve of just how often he does so in more recent titles compared to this one. Providing one example of such is insufficient evidence that the complaint that 'Sonic isn't able to be serious' applies to this game as much as other titles. Sonic has always had a cocky and sarcastic attitude, yes, but here he is at least capable of saving it for situations where he already believes he has the upper hand. In Sonic Forces, for example, the only time Sonic shows dispair is when he is literally being knocked unconscious while Tails just lets it happen. This parallels the scene in which Sonic attempts to hand over the fake emerald. Here, we see the narrative actively punishing Sonic for his attitude and sarcasm which legitimately causes him to learn from his actions: from then until the game's ending, his mood is apt for whichever scene he is in. When racing Shadow he adopts a confident, yet respectful tone that shows that the two have a mutual understanding of each other, and in the Last Story cutscene, Sonic reminds his peers that, while he understands they are in an extremely dire situation, they are also joined by the one being most suited to getting the job done, the 'world's fastest hedgehog!' Another example of how this game's story is actually quite a good one comes in how Sonic and Shadow interact with one another. In Forces, Sonic and Infinite have a very similar rivalry, however, it is nowhere near as good as this game's equivalent. In both of the initial meetings, the rivals seem stronger than Sonic in almost every way. When they next meet, Sonic and Shadow are both convinced that the other hedgehog is imitating them, but Shadow now sees that Sonic is stronger than he thought and attempts to fight him. He could have easily left Sonic to blow up on Prison Island, but after knowing that he escaped military capture beforehand, Shadow decides to weaken him first to stop him from leaving the island. When Shadow loses, he receives a reality check - perhaps he might not be the 'Ultimate Lifeform' that he supposedly is. This type of development is not seen in Forces, in which the next time Sonic is seen on camera after beng defeated, he is belittling his captor for no discernible reason other than comedic value. This does not simply add nothing to the narrative, it actually takes away from it by showing that Sonic is not capable of learning from his mistakes or growing as a character. This is why SA2 does it so well, because in a very similar situation, Infinite loses to Sonic, but only proceeds to get angry and flee, so neither of the two grow as characters. Sonic does not treat Infinite any differently throughout the game, and neither does Infinite interact with Sonic as anything more. In Sonic 3 (& Knuckles), Knuckles is presented as Sonic's rival and working with Eggman. Despite this, no interaction between Eggman and Knuckles are ever shown or described, other than the fact that Eggman fooled him into thinking Sonic was after the Master Emerald. Much like in this game, in Sonic 3, it is never explained why Eggman needs the Master Emerald at all. To build the Death Egg? No, because he built one just fine without it in Sonic 2. To neutralise the power of the Chaos Emeralds and prevent Sonic from going super? Perhaps, but we never see Eggman actually even attempt to do so, even when he is literally being chased by Super Sonic with the M.E. in his possession. In Sonic Adventure 2, however, it is almost trivial to infer why Eggman attempts to steal it: it's the only known object that could possibly disable the Eclipse Cannon and thwart his plan. If he is in possession of the Master Emerald, he only needs to gather the Chaos Emeralds and then Earth's destruction would be inevitable. He doesn't know about the possibility of a fake chaos emerald being created until he picks up the double reading and - for once - actually uses is intellect to deduce that one must be fake. As for why Chaos isn't inside it, at the end of Sonic Adventure, Chaos is clearly seen ascending to the afterlife with Tikal and not re-entering the emerald. It's not an easy detail to remember, though, and nobody's perfect, I suppose. Rouge and Knuckles also have a far more complex relationship than is initially apparent. Knuckles is clearly somewhat attracted to Rouge, but his tough and isolated demeanor tries to hide it. His inner struggle against an opponent he despises but is also enamored by is even hidden in the lyrics to _Kick the Rock_ (theme of Wild Canyon): _Wild Canyon, fun, I gotta chase a bat, huh?_ _Yeah Rouge, she's sexy and smooth,_ _A double-cross spy theif that's out for my jewels, uh!_ _I'm feeling her in mysterious ways,_ _That's why I stay on point like, every single day,_ Rouge is also clearly aware of this lust. She puts on a damsel-in-distress persona whenever she's around Knuckles to take advantage of him. Her fall at their battle in Meteor Herd was just a test to see how far Knuckles would go for her. She could have easily glided to safety, but she wanted to toy with Knuckles' loyalty to his cause. I don't think that trying to liken the story to a film is really very fair. The narrative is the entire backbone of a movie, so it can afford to have a lot of time and money spent making it easily digestible, but this is a video game. The main framework of this piece of media is the player controlling a hedgehog running around, the story is just there to justify it all, so the fact that the storyline even comes close to anything seen in cinemas speaks volumes about its quality. There are many other elements that I'd like to mention too, like how Gerald was kept alive, working for G.U.N. on Earth for a long time after the military raided the Space Colony, so he was able to record and program the messages for transmisson, or how Shadow was most likely based on the mosaic prophecy of Super Sonic found in Hidden Palace Zone, which Gerald saw was idolised by the Echidna Tribe as somewhat of a godlike figure while he visited it to make a replica Master Emerald shrine on the colony, but I think I'll stop here.

[@alfiehicks1]

@@NintendoDude888 I can't tell if that's sarcasm or your opinion, and I don't want to offend you, so I'll just say, _"ok."_

[@justcallmekai1554]

Nice analysis here mate. When I was younger I didn't really think much of the story besides the major moments. I've been doing some research on the game it's is pretty interesting what I missed. On the mural part it's implied that Gerald had been to Angel Island for research and inspiration. Examples like The Artifical Chaos and Some stage design choices in Cannons Core with the Water Slide section from the SA1 stage Lost World and the Master Emerald Shrine deep in the ARK The Biolizard was likely derivative of Perfect Chaos mural as that also was on Angel Island. I believe in one of the cutscenes Rouge has a document about the Biolizard. Apparently it grew out of control growing several meters in height and length. Due to this it needed to have a life support system to keep it somewhat alive. This was a failure for him so gets another project ready which is to create Shadow. Maria, also on the ark had N.I.D.S which is some contagious neuro disease. He wanted to make something that will cure her of it which was to market her live forever or at least for a while longer. This could be the reason why Shadow is immune to most diseases. I don't know the more I look in to it the more interesting things I find. I respect the main writers for this lore. It's a shame it gets thrown under the bus sometimes not because of actual story issues like in 06 but because "it shouldn't need to" Imo I think the game would be far less interesting.

[@alfiehicks1]

@@justcallmekai1554 This game probably has the most lore and worldbuilding in its story and surrounding bits of flavour text of any Sonic game, which makes it such a shame when people who aren't willing to put some thought into it just disregard it as silly or nonsensical, bundling it in with '06 and saying that 'Sonic games shouldn't have complex stories'. Maybe if the English translation and dub was done better, the animations and cutscenes were properly optimised for the new language and the sound mixing issues were fixed, people would be more willing to invest in it, but I don't know.

[@adriann9919]

Quick note on Sonic 3: Eggman not only wanted the Master Emerald to relaunch the Death Egg, but he also wanted it to make the new Death Egg Robot even more destructive. You can see the Master Emerald clearly inserted in the Final Boss of Sonic & Knuckles.

[@alfiehicks1]

@@adriann9919 I forgot about that. Still, his theft of the gem is not any more apparent than in SA2 - I'd imagine if he failed to steal it in S3&K, then people would question why he attempted to do so too.

[@gameboyjsa]

Dude you just spent 38 minutes without talking about the chao garden. WTF

[@yourehereforthatarentyou]

dislike

RIGHT??

[@zacharyblack8623]

“The homing attack is inaccurate” I’m sorry but are you sure your treating this like a self contained game? The homing attack isn’t supposed to be a press b to kill button. It require some precision on your part. In your footage you used a disappearing gold beetle as an example which was totally your fault for missing. Those disappear after a few moments and are only there to help your score if you care about that sort of thing. Also it makes the biolozard fight hard? Are we playing the same game? Just time your homing attacks. Why is there this blind hatred for Sonic. As if the game isn’t a massive dopamine factory throughout. I love this game, and I believe it is being treated unfairly especially the knuckles stages. You can’t go into a game expecting it to be something it’s not based on nothing. Everyone thinks they know what sonic should be but all that matters is that the games are good and the treasure hunting is good. Use the hints that’s what they are there for. If you are spending thirty minutes in these stages you are simply bad at the game and thats hardly the games fault. Besides it’s one of the most cathartic things to be able to figure out ax’s toy where a piece is based on the minimum amount of hints.

[@virgilstormblade3339]

The guy's right though. Implant is being bad at the game. None of the footage he shows about the Homing Attack missing is something that'll happen to most players. The part where he missed the gold beetle in Metal Harbor is just a matter of him not being quick enough. The gold beetle disappeared as soon as the Homing Attack tried to connect. Quicker players will easily get this gold beetle. And the part with the Artificial Chaos is just said enemies being a bitch and a half to fight. He missed the first Artificial Chaos then hit the second one before getting hit by the lasers. And then he tried hitting the first Artificial Chaos again but got hit by its lasers instead. By all accounts, the Homing Attack works as intended. I can't explain the Biolizard part though. I'll give him that. Maybe it's a matter of how high or low Sonic or Shadow is from the intended target. Either way, for the most part, this is just him being bad at the game. Also, most people don't take more than 10 minutes to beat most treasure hunting stages. Especially with a stage like Security Hall. Which is nowhere near as hard as Mad Space, the one stage even SA2 vets have trouble with. Before you go "Well you've played the game for several hours of course you'd be good at it". 1. I got an A rank on my first try with the level and 2. I haven't even memorized the locations of the emeralds in the level after playing it since I was 10. And 3. Most people can confidently beat it in 3-4 minutes. It's not a matter of RNG, it's a matter of skill. I don't know how many Omochaos he had to go through to tell him about the switch but most people would know about it just by talking to the one that's actually near the locked safe. I'll admit, some of the hints are needlessly cryptic but even still, if you're taking more than 10 minutes to beat the treasure hunting levels, git gud. It's literally the best way to improve your skills playing the game. Also, this person tried to do a score attack run of Security Hall. So on top of the time limit, he has to gather the most points as he can. And he still beat the level in less than 2 minutes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZO9eml6jK6Upqc And if you think it's unfair to use this video, here's a regular person doing the level. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn-4iJ-cfKx4r5I Still finished the level in under 2 minutes with an A rank. If this guy can do it, anybody can.

[@drasconboy6349]

Brandon Clark Except his evidence isn’t infallible as people have been shown to poke holes in his arguments

[@andrewoliver1330]

You have some good points but are ignoring some flaws in game design. I still have fun despite the game being wonky as hell and the story being mostly awful

[@zacharyblack8623]

Andrew Oliver The story really isn’t awful though. That seems mostly a matter of opinion rather than objective fact. The original script in the Japanese version is particular great to me.

[@realestAG]

@@andrewoliver1330 The story isn’t awful at all

[@electricagent0074]

6:34 "I'm gonna make an announcement - Shadow the Hedgehog is a bitchass motherfucker..." - Dr. Eggman

[@djphildeez6357]

Smooth and well spoken, even back then So happy to see another upload. I know this is a strange request and may take a while, but could you PLEASE review Koudelka for ps1?? I have found NO review of quality for this game.

[@AppericateGamer]

That would be cool

[@LucasMBoysOurRoy]

Bought a Dreamcast in January 2017 just for this game. Yeah, this game is only 1/3 good. Chao Garden is still cool. Edit: Going back to play SA2, I can’t even call this game 1/3 good because even the speed stages are horrible.

[@MajoraZ]

I really disagree with the idea the game is only 1/3 good. Most of the Mech stages are, in my opinion, inoffensive at worst even if they are not particularly great, and the Treasure stages to me at least are a mix of both fun exploratory stages where you chill out and explore to smooth rap/jazz; and stages which are admittedly poorly designed and can get a bit tedious. I'd actually say that arpound 20% of the stages are excellent to great, 20% are good, 40% are servicable if not particularly great, and 20% are tedious or bad. Clearly, a lot of people disagree, and that's fine, but I also really don't get why the game is so utterly polarizing: This may sound crazy, but I unironically have more fun in many of the treasure stages in SA2 then I do in even Super Mario 64's best stages: Both are set in sandbox style platforming levels, but I find knuckles and rouge way more responsive and fun to control and move around with then Mario is, and I find SA2's visuals and music as I do so far more appealing.

[@sausage5488]

Not even 1/3, Speed stages are inferior to SA1.

[@MajoraZ]

@@sausage5488 Something being inferior to something else doesn't make it bad, just not as good, and I don't really get the people saying SA2's speed stages were worse either: People claim they are moe linear, but Emerald Coast, Lost World, Windy Valley, etc are way more overtly linear then most speed stages in SA2.

[@DonnyKirkMusic]

Kinda a good choice I guess; there isn't really much of a difference (outside of glitches/issues) with the new ports of SA2 and the game runs at 60fps normally on Dreamcast so... Just kinda an expensive way to play this game.

[@edwardrobinson919]

ok. I still enjoy 2/3 of the game. Still like playing the gamecube version of this game espically the multiplayer. Imo i think sa2b multiplayer is fun and i like playing as amy. She's my favorite other than metal sonic. I disagree with that whole 1/3 is good.

[@DeskoDev]

Watching the review so far. I don't have much to say other than how the hedgehogs call each other "imposters" in the Japanese. EDIT: Near the end of the video. I have to agree with a lot of your sentiments here. The nerfed radar, especially on the DC version, really hurts the treasure hunting stages, but I didn't even notice some of the other flaws you mentioned. Some of those hints are horrible! I rarely ever used them on my playthroughs just because I prefer a hands-free approach, but damn. Going over to the mech stages, you've really pointed out some of the big issues with the stages. Honestly, I prefer Eggman's levels as a whole, not sure why, but neither of them are very good. Overall, I prefer SA1 by far.

[@Obscure_man31]

Agreed plus i feel like both the mech and treasure hunting levels could've been better and i have a few. If you want to haer them out than cool lets talk about it

[@Chica6614]

I agree

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

The title is fitting for the video itself.

[@apathy2454]

😂😂😂😂

[@AdamWright-t7w]

Not really

[@pk_1584]

The mech stages and treasures stages were fun. Also it irritates and annoys me how much people can bash the adventure games, but yet praise the classic games and act as if they don't have any flaws.

[@sizzurpmp3]

I always found this Sonic Adventure game to be the better of the 2, but that’s just me. I loved this game back then, the story and it’s levels, and I continue to go back and play it to this day. Good review nonetheless.

[@implantgames]

Thanks mate!

[@wschippr1]

“Objectively good moments”... what? That’s... that’s not how objectivity works. Value judgements are inherently subjective.

[@Balefactor]

I have a much higher opinion of this game and I can tell you that that isn't true at all. Judgments of value with any sort of meaning come from standards and exactly how well something adheres to a set of standards is something that can be can be imperially determined. It's statements of _preference_ that are subjective. These are two completely different things.

[@wschippr1]

Balefactor No, those standard are still... subjective. All that can be determined empirically is what most people subjectively prefer. Which by the way, would mean you’ve turned games into a paint-by-numbers art form. So have fun with call of duty. Basically what you are saying is X is objectively popular therefore X is objectively good (which is false).

[@wschippr1]

Balefactor Not to mention that what your are proposing would require an exhaustive amount of research to be conducted. That research would also need to be constantly updated as societies preference in art is in constant flux. Different societies would also have different preferences in said art, so does that mean it could be objectively true in Japan, but not Norway?

[@Balefactor]

@@wschippr1 No. Games aren't this special industry that should be treated differently than other forms of media. If it can be consumed there are standards. It's that simple. The one concession I’ll make is that value statements are statements of opinion HOWEVER value statements are inherently objective. You're trying to muddy the waters with this insipid, long-winded form of "But that's YOUR opinion!" Yeah. No shit. It's also an OPINION that video games should be functional and not have predatory micro transactions. Go figure. Also I think games are a by-the-books art form because standards are objective? Science and math are objective, so I guess they’re a by-the-books art form to? Do me a favor and think about the things you type before you post them. People who think like you are the epitome of wanting to have your cake and eat it too. There are certain laws you think everyone should follow, forms of conduct you think are completely reprehensible, and just, in general, bottom lines and non-negotiables you have, and THOSE are all “popular opinions”, yet for some weirdass reason, you treat them like their objective facts of the universe. You think that certain value judgments actually matter while at the same time hand waving them away as "opinions" when you disagree with them. And then you have the nerve to intellectually grandstand to ME about objectivity. Also you're trying to say that I'm making bold claims and this bullshit about having to constantly update whatever. Been there. Done that. Don’t pretend like I need a doctorate to know there are statues the human race has unilaterally revered for thousands of years. Gimme a break. I can see that you're one of those people that doesn't differentiate between games they personally like and games they don’t think other people should play. In your world, Call of Duty is bad not because it's the same game every year or because the financial model is predatory, but because of a puerile ipse dixit: "I don't like it". Well in the real world, it’s possible to say, hey I like that movie/game but it’s not good and here are the reasons why. That is of course unless you think that you’re some paragon of taste and that people should just take what you have to say as gospel.

[@wschippr1]

Balefactor Value judgements are almost always subjective dude. Here’s the definition: an estimate, usually subjective, of the worth, quality, goodness, evil, etc., of something or someone. www.dictionary.com/browse/value-judgment

[@expithesocfurry4099]

I feel pretty similarly on Sonic Adventure 2 albeit disagree with you on some things (mostly relating to the story). I remember really wanting to play Sonic Adventure 2 around 2011/2012 or so after consistently hearing that it was "the best 3D Sonic game" or "last good Sonic game," but after doing so when the game released on Steam I kind of found myself somewhat disappointed and underwhelmed. I got around to "beating" it in 2016 and I do enjoy the game but I wouldn't call it "the best 3D Sonic game" let alone the best in the series. The mech stages in particular really felt like a chore to me when playing it for the first time, and I did enjoy the speed stages but honestly preferred the Sonic gameplay in Adventure 1 and Generations (largely due to the level design).

[@onthedre]

I don’t think anybody wants a game written like adventure titles, but we want the suspense, seriousness and stakes of the adventure titles. Sonic in his newest game feels and sounds like a 30 year old instead of a 16 year old, heres a comparison. When Sonic Jumps off the plane, before he goes he says “Talk about low budget flights. No food or movies, I’m outa here!” Here, sonic has ATTITUDE and is more RADICAL. In Sonic Colors, Sonic calling Eggman Baldie Mc. Nosehair sounds like something a 30 year old would say. His character isn’t radical anymore. Plus his new voice actor sounds VERY dad like...

[@implantgames]

"but we want the suspense, seriousness and stakes of the adventure titles." Sonic World Adventure...

[@onthedre]

implantgames Didn’t say unleashed didn’t deliver! It was great! But I would like something a bit more serious, similar to 06 but make it less confusing. Unleashed story was great!

[@implantgames]

Haha, I didn't mean to imply you didn't like Unleashed :P I guess I mean the fanbase at large. When Sonic Team delivered an Adventure game, they rejected it, rather than embrace it.

[@craftygamerones9494]

@@implantgames Hello, one or two jokes at appropriate times isn’t bad, but cracking jokes when you’re sopossedly been tortoured for months, is bad. Aswell these jokes are way better than “ that was cool, pun entirely intended. Every character actually reacts, with emotion when something bad happens, unlike forces sonic who comes off s a sociopath jerk who doesn’t care about anything. The adventure games are not mature gritting their teeth stories with no jokes, unlike what some people would have you believe.🙄

[@luiscorpio8838]

When you say that took you 47 minutes to complete a Knuckles stage, it was clear that you don't know how to play...

[@desmondnomad9844]

Bro it takes me an average of 3 minutes to complete an emerald hunting stage, this guy clearly doesn't know how to play SA2.

[@DeskoDev]

It took 4 minutes for me to beat Mad Space, and nearly half an hour to complete one of the Knuckles stages. I honestly feel the exact same way as him in that regard.

[@ErikaFurudo1986]

The issue is that if you've played this game for a long time, obviously you won't have as much issues as a newcomer. Case in point, my friend, who's never played Sonic 2 ever, seriously struggled with the stages and bosses. More notably, Chemical Plant and Hill Top.

[@EnderElectrics]

This guy's been playing the game since it came out what are y'all on about lmao

[@Squishito]

Sonic is literally all about replaying levels and earning speed, it always has been since Sonic 1, it's what the series was founded on, Yuji Naka made the games based on rewarding feeling he got while replaying levels in the first Mario and mastering them, getting faster each time. SA2 specifically is strictly about the ranking system which contextualizes literally every gameplay mechanic, and this guy in the video barely mentions it. He doesn't play it properly. You haven't beaten an SA2 stage unless you A rank it, it's that simple. They require multiple replays and you need to master them. You get better as you play, but that's not to everyone's taste so they just say it's shit after playing a level once and barely scraping through with an E, never to try again unless to get footage for their internet review where they say it's bad because they can't play it properly and clearly just don't want to give it a real chance. No one seems to get this, I used to 'hate' SA2 as well recently until I really gave it a go. I replayed it and learnt it very quickly, you don't need hundreds of hours you just need to appreciate the ranking system. The whole game is designed around it, it's literally the point. Once you get into it, it all clicks. What you put in you get back in spades, even the Chao Garden is like this, hell even the _story_ is like this. There's a lot of subtle secrets and ambiguous mysteries with the inner workings of the story, like the truth about Shadow's creation and his relation to Sonic, and all the little callbacks to SA1 and the echidna stuff. It's barely noticeable, on the surface it's easily just a story where you stop Eggman or whatever, but there's all this shit behind it you can find out. It's like the gameplay, you get what you put in. If you just scrape the surface and decide you wont like it, you wont like it. You need to actually put time in, you need to actually _play_ it. Once you actually try and learn it and play it, SA2 is really something special. I just wanted to say that.

[@elproto8999]

I guess SA2 is "cool to hate" now. The game's not perfect, but it's a HELL of a lot better than any Sonic game that came after it. I guess if it ain't Mania, it must be shit, right?

[@TheReZisTLust]

in the past 4 months people started randomly making review again lol iv seen 2 so fat & they dislike sonic again comparing him to current Sanic lmao

[@TheAlison1456]

I thought it was always cool to hate. I must be misremembering.

[@apathy2454]

Yup sonic unleashed is the new saving Grace of the sonic series now apparently but when it first came out ppl hated the game ¿¿¿ this fandom is the most confusing fandom I’m involved with

[@orlandofurioso7329]

@@apathy2454 Just enjoy what you enjoy and stop caring about the fandom, i enjoyed a lot of games which were considered bad, like Shadow the hedgehog and Sonic 4. The fandom tends to amplify flaws as well as ignoring them whenever it looks convenient.

[@e-tean-son4146]

People were to ignore a lot of problems from old games and then go and bash games like Sonic Lost World and Sonic Forces even tho they have similar flaws

[@raziyatheseeker]

Oh dang Kris, you've been roasting sacred cows since 2001. I don't recall much of Sonic Adventure 2 (played the GameCube port back when) but thinking back, your assessment seems legit. ;-; Even if everyone has biases, sometimes it seems one's biases are right.

[@beta511ee4]

Speaking of roasting sacred cows, I hope to do the same with Avatar the Last Airbender someday.

[@fruitlion8]

So I'm actually more than happy with the mech shooting stages. Let me explain. - First, the contrast between Tails and Eggman is very well done. Tails' stages encourage you to keep moving with lots of moments than can be rushed through, and downhill areas to pick up speed, while Eggman focuses more about large areas and huge destruction - Eggman can get huge combo points much easier than Tails thanks to how much more there is to destroy. - The stages reuse assets, but the level design is otherwise always unrecognisable from other stages. It gives you the sense of Tails and Eggman exploring a different part of the world, giving depth to the world building. - The mech stages still have a focus on speed, but in a different way to Sonic's stages. They focus on observation, multitasking and still reaching the goal quickly while destroying as much as possible. They offer a satisfaction the speed and treasure stages cannot, by making the enemies less of minor obstacles and more satisfying targets, with each one being a reward towards an A rank. - Perhaps the best thing about the mech stages is they encompass an important aspect of classic Sonic design - faster pace and higher scores with repeated plays. Whereas the speed stages are a constant linear cinematic nature, you can improve at the mech stages every time you play, resulting in bigger combos, some alternative routes with the new powers, and lower times. EDIT: As a more personal point, I think the soundtrack is at its best during the mech stages. Mission Street and Cosmic Wall are particularly good pieces.

[@DonnyKirkMusic]

Its also hard to tell how to even go fast as a mech: to go fast, you need to be going in a straight line. If you turn at all you will loose a lot of speed.

[@Entiss]

@@DonnyKirkMusic In speedruns, you jump when going around corners to preserve momentum, and for wide turns you need to tilt the analog stick slightly. A notable stage for the jumping is prison lane, watch anyone play it and you'll see a jump for pretty much every corner. As for the slight turns, the end of mission street is the largest place to use it that comes to mind.

[@bbumbs747]

Not to mention hover is by far one of the most important abilities to get,because it can make platforming easier and even allows you to do some minor to major skips

[@dstar482]

Always love it when you upload :)

[@implantgames]

Glad to hear it :)

[@user-fy1nq3nf1q]

0:25 Huh. I can't imagine you saying ass 6:46 nevermind xd Dont forget that sonic used chaos control despite only seeing it used once, and with a fake emerald no less.

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

He does swear on occasion. Like, he uses the word "damn" for emphasis like at least once every video lol

[@user-fy1nq3nf1q]

@@therealseanw.stewart2071 I find it hard to take "damn" as a swear tbh. He at the least does it wayyy less than someone like Retropolis zone or some call me johnny

[@elproto8999]

Sonic has used the power of the Chaos Emeralds before (with his Super and Hyper forms). It makes sense that he'd be able to pick up Chaos Control fairly easily. Also, as stated in the story, the fake Emerald has the same wavelengths and properties of the real thing, so it adds up. Context, my friend. It works wonders. EDIT: On top of that, the Emeralds are meant to make miracles happen, so once again, it makes sense.

[@hylianbran7273]

Damn, that name is quite a statement. I haven't even watched yet.

[@alexos9011]

I recommend you watch Ruby of Blue's analysis of SA2's plot. It's two hours long but he goes over every detail of the story, including the way the levels themselves convey elements of the plot. Things like Shadow thinking Maria wanted revenge is actually the product of Gerald Robotnik's manipulation of Shadow's memory (it's also the reason why Shadow knew what to do in order to trigger Gerald's plan of revenge on humanity which means he was manipulating Eggman all along). It's a detail that is unfortunately absent from the English dub. Personally I truly think the story is great

[@beta511ee4]

It wasn’t removed in the dub, but it was made far less explicit.

[@_thejuicebox]

While I enjoy your videos, I think you’ve said a few things wrong here. Firstly, Chaos was not sealed in the master emerald as shown at the end of Sonic Adventure. Second, I highly recommend playing the game with the Japanese script. There’s a patch, and while no that doesn’t excuse the fact that the English translation’s version of the story is bad....I just think you should play it with the original writer’s intent. The story does make much more sense, you have to look at the details. I do agree with you on the treasure hunting stages and it’s hard to step away from bias as I do speedrun this game, but keep it mind all these stages and gameplay styles are about perfection through repetition and momentum. Not gonna say they’re perfect, mad space makes me want to scream but you get my point. There are a lot of little things about the story I could point out to you but there are great videos on it. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your day!

[@beta511ee4]

The game was originally developed in the US, though. Also, unless I’m wrong, the original script was written in English and then translated to Japanese.

[@Squishito]

​@@beta511ee4 It's obviously translated poorly from Japanese... Like shockingly obvious... Sometimes they even still speak Japanese even though it's the English actor... It's shocking, anyone who's played the game would know that literally instantly. It's notorious. Mental...

[@TheReZisTLust]

@@Squishito teriyaaa intensifies

[@Squishito]

@@TheReZisTLust _YOSH_

[@TheReZisTLust]

@@Squishito once upon a time I thought he was making fun of yoshi

[@artey6671]

Welcome back, ChiefMedicPururu.

[@sunsetappleton6080]

"lush tubes"

[@AMJGameTime]

This is legit the 1st video I've seen of yours in like 2 years. I forgot this channel existed until KZbin put it in front of me. Glad to see you're still going even if it seems you've slowed down a bit.

[@gabrielrodeffer2519]

I respect your opinions, but I have to disagree with your view.

[@edwardrobinson919]

yep

[@deslardesslok]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A VIDEO AFTER 4 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@onepac9978]

Excellent video as usual! Now I have to point out you mentioning sly cooper in the video so I can say how much I’d love it if you’d cover the series at some point. I’m aware you made a video on the first game 4 years ago but you never did the rest. If you haven’t played them yet I highly recommend them, videos on them or not because they are fantastic games that mean a lot to me. Keep up the great work!

[@implantgames]

Thank you! No promises on Sly Cooper but you guys are pushing me in that direction ;)

[@TerrorOfTalos]

I hope you review the sly trilogy in the future, now those are some great story focused platformers.

[@PumpkinSwag]

TerrorOfTalos You took the words out of my mouth.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

Sonic is calling him a faker as an intentional insult; especially since he is not happy GUN is after him due to Shadow's recent actions. Chaos was not locked back inside the Master Emerald. Sonic even said Chaos would feel trapped and his turmoil would remain. What actually happened is that Chaos disappeared along with Tikal (who is already a spirit) into the sky. It is kinda implied in the English version Shadow's memories were tampered with. Rouge: "Even your memories might not be real, you know." Shadow: "Even if my memories are not real, it's still me, Shadow." There seems to be a heavier implication of that in the Japanese script and is practically confirmed in Sonic X. Shadow was created to help deal with Maria's medical condition. As for the ARK's cannon, it was originally designed to destroy the black comet. However, Gerald reprogrammed the space colony after going mad. Eggman suspected that the emerald was fake. He just needed to trick Tails into giving full confirmation the emerald they had with them was indeed fake. The damage made to the cannon was not what activated the program. The final emerald was required for the ARK to start falling towards the planet. The reason for the video being broadcast globally is that perhaps GUN wasn't surveying him closely enough once he was in jail. GUN probably thought the writing in the jail cell only related to the ultimate life form or that he was writing nonsense due to him going mad. As in, Gerald created a system before he died that would allow for his message to be broadcast worldwide. As for the messages that show up in the core of the ARK,they are likely being projected by the power of the emeralds. Amy in the Japanese version said that while people are capable of doing bad things, human beings never the less should be allowed to be given a chance of making up for their past mistakes. That people can change for the better. Regardless; in both versions, she found the right words that finally allowed Shadow to break past Gerald's programming. Admittedly there are things they would have maybe been explained more had the Dreamcast lasted longer. However, I would still say Adventure 2 has a better story than you give credit to. Heck, what is my favorite thing about Sonic Adventure 2's story is the general emotion; especially in regards to Shadow's past.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

As for gameplay stuff; While the stages aren't as open as in SA1, they are still plenty fun in SA2. While they resemble the classic era stages even less so, I think that they are more interesting than the SA1 stages structurally. Not to mention they also feel more challenging than in the SA1 stages. As for why Shadow's stages feel rather similar, it is because he was made playable late into development. Same thing occurred with Tails and Rouge. The homing attack is not perfect, but it feels buffed compared to the Sonic Adventure 1 version. I will say this though...that example of you missing the Gold Beetle (35:34) with your homing attack was technically your fault. You took too long that attack the thing; considering it will disappear after a certain amount of time. I will also admit that while the light speed dash is thankfully an instant button press this time, it should have not been tied to the same button as the bounce bracelet. In regards to the mech stages, most people seem fine with the time limit removed. While Gamma's stages were fun enough, they could have been even better without the time limit and his controls were a tad bit tighter. The mech stages in SA2 do both of those things. I also like that the aim controls are not fully locked to the direction the characters are facing this time around. Also, there is still strategy required if you plan on getting A ranks for their missions; ESPECIALLY with Cosmic Wall hard mode in the GCN and HD version. If they ever brought back the mech play style with characters like Omega and Eggman, they mostly just need to make the characters a tad bit faster, somewhat lighter, and get rid of the health bar in favor of just going back to using rings. Maybe also make it so that the aiming controls can be used with the second analogue stick (something the Dreamcast controller never had). As for treasure hunting stages, they were never my favorite in SA1 and are even more tedious in SA2; mostly no thanks to the increased stage size and the gimped radar. Although I will praise the controls given to Knuckles and Rouge; they are some of the best controls I have seen in a Sonic game. Also, the hard mode version of the stages thankfully have fixed positions for the master emerald shards and keys. Also, admittedly the draw distance issue more so affects the Dreamcast version than with the updated versions. In regards to the character vs character battles, they do at least deserve credit for requiring more effort than the ones in SA2. Even if it unfortunately means Tails vs Eggman 2 is one of the most infuriating fights ever in the series. NOT a single time was there ever a character vs character battle in SA1 as unfun at that. Although I do like the second fight between Shadow and Sonic. Even if Generations has a version of the fight that surpasses the one in SA2 by making it faster and a tad more complex. I personally think most of the non-character boss fights are fine. Although it is kinda funny the Big Foot machine became a standard enemy in Shadow the Hedgehog; meaning Shadow himself likely sees them as no big deal. Generally, the game deserves credit for having some of the best multiplayer in the series. Especially the much expanded multiplayer in Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. All versions of Sonic Adventure 2 also are what arguably made the Chao Garden so popular in the first place thanks to the much needed improvements. If there is one thing that holds up well for nearly everyone, it is the soundtrack. It has one of the best soundtracks alongside Sonic 3&Knuckles, Sonic Adventure, and Generations.

[@beta511ee4]

@@tidepoolclipper8657 Doesn’t Amy kinda still say that in the English version? Also, why does defend the story by saying “watch the Japanese one?” Not only does not everybody understand Japanese, but the subtitles coincide with the English dialogue. They still wouldn’t be able to get those other details unless they were playing a mod that used English-translated subtitles for the JPN version. Not to mention, from their point of view, it would seem that you’re simply excusing specific imperfections of the game’s story.

[@beta511ee4]

@@tidepoolclipper8657 Another thing: where is it said in the game that Maria suffers from a terminal illness? That’s only in Sonic X.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

@@beta511ee4 Official material was released around the time of SA2 that stated that Maria had a condition called NIDS. It was never stated in SA2, but her medical condition is the reason for her being on the ARK.

[@beta511ee4]

@@tidepoolclipper8657 Are you going to respond to my first question?

[@lpfan4491]

Pretty sure sonic calling shadow a fake hedgehog is a mistranslation and he actually means "imposter" as in like how he says "there is only one real sonic" in their first fight. And shadow calling sonic a fake is just getting back at him, because he obviously is not being confused for the guy on purpose.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

That's actually the case. But people think only 1 language exists.

[@beta511ee4]

ChiefMedicPururu Why should we have to understand details in another language to get clarity, though?

[@lpfan4491]

@@beta511ee4 We shouldn't. But why is it the games fault when the translationteam just sucked?

[@ligmawashere]

Yes thank you for another sonic review🤗

[@implantgames]

You are welcome!

[@ligmawashere]

implantgames thanks

[@bonhambros4066]

I really did not like this review your conclusion was summarized as "why do people love this game and think of it as good? Idk. Probably nostalgia or some shit the game is bad." When there are plenty of great things about it. I should stress that each emerald have 3 hints a pop the 3rd one pretty much telling you where it is. It's extremely helpful to find where they are. Quick question did u grab a hint or two per stage that might be why the stages took so long. The mech stages are filled with stage specific gimmicks that repeat throughout the stage because of course stage specific gimmicks do that and Sega did a great job of putting a spin on the gimmicks and making the stage harder when you go on. Repeated assets are used to great affect because each area still are set with different set prices and feel distinct just like sa1s repeated setpeices. It's not like sonic heroes or sonic 3k where they blatantly use the exact same level designs. The platforms in final rush actually allow you to take MANY shortcuts if you jump off of them at the right time which adds short cuts and don't make them as boring obstacles there are so many times in this review where I thought you just made terrible decisions in the heat of the moment or made false claims and it really erked me sa1 and sa2 are both bad and good in their own ways lots of the problems with the game are infact because of age. Think about it sa2 was being developed on a dying consoles with a total of 12 developers while the company was burning around them. Sly Cooper isn't a speedy playformer so it has a lot less to accommodate. Weird how you glossed over upgrades extra missions the ranking system the Chao garden and how that affects level design and how many ways this game is so brilliantly designed

[@stxro_gangster4715]

Bruh it's his opinion and he's entitled to it

[@Hyp3rSonic]

​@@stxro_gangster4715LITERALLY

[@samuelfrick3475]

As someone that’s a die hard Sonic fan I’ll take this approach. While I didn’t love these treasure hunting stages, it was nice to play them in a multiplayer platform. Controls were sometimes sloppy much like with Sonic Adventure, but I love this game more than the first because the storyline and the dialogue in this game got me interested and it got me to play deeper into the game, there was a sense of value of playing this game more because the storyline was interesting. Today’s Sonic video games unless it’s Mania or a throwback video game lacks this notion terribly. I give it an 8 since it’s one of my all time favorites.

[@Jaymez2012]

I wish Sonic Team wasn't so afraid of their games being too short all the damn time. It's the biggest reason why the 3D games can feel so bloated or be padded out to hell. It's an issue they still haven't fixed even to this day. I think the biggest issue with 3D sonic games is that Sonic Team can't seem to pinpoint the best gameplay loop and actually stick with it for an entire game with no fluff. They have to just keep adding in some half-baked gimmick because they aren't confident that people will think that the content is good enough to stand on its own. Seriously, there's a reason Project Unleashed was made. Take ONE gameplay loop and fucking stick to it for an entire game. Fans are going to buy the game regardless for the simple fact that it's Sonic, so why can't Sonic Team just trust the fans to accept a well-made and meticulously crafted Sonic game regardless of how long or short it is? If they have to cut the price in half because of it so be it, but at least it'll be a GOOD game that people won't have to continuously bring up caveats or put asterisks next to because of all of the extra gimmicks and padding in the game, not to mention the glitches and bugs, ugh... You're literally defending mediocrity at that point, regardless of how much you like the game. The reason people like the 2D games is because they have a clear focus and it sticks to it for the majority of the game. The 3D games always eventually sacrifice the focus for other inferior gameplay elements for the sake of length or shallow amounts of "depth". And I'm not saying Sonic HAS to be this or it HAS to be that. I'm saying I think it'd be beneficial if Sonic Team took ONE gameplay loop and refined it to its maximum potential and stuck to it for an entire game and leave out all of the fluff. If it wants to be a treasure hunting platformer, fine. A speed based platformer, sure. A beat-em-up, I'm down. But cut all of the fat out of it and focus on the gameplay and the story, if you want one. If you have an addictive gameplay loop, which I think Sonic games in general do have, then the length of your game only matters to people who just want a one-and-done experience, which I don't think is the goal of a focused single-player game anyway. It's the reason people still play games like Vanquish. It has a focused gameplay loop and even if the loop doesn't change much during the entire game, it's addicting and it doesn't overstay its welcome in a single playthrough. I can get through Sonic 3 in maybe a few hours now? I don't see why the 3D games can't do the same thing.

[@implantgames]

While I don't think Sonic Colors is a masterpiece of 2D or 3D platforming, it felt like the first Sonic game that wasn't afraid to be short. When the designers ran out of ideas, the game stops. It is wonderful!!

[@Serpheid]

Awesome review as always .

[@implantgames]

Thank you!

[@Euro.Patriot]

People talk shit about Shadow while admiring Adventure 2, wtf?

[@e-tean-son4146]

I mean i hate Shadow the hedgehog but I like SA2, but I dislike Shadow more tho to the awful missions and annoying level desing for the most part, id rather play a bland level over and annoying level

[@Euro.Patriot]

@@e-tean-son4146 Adventure 2's level design is terrible, big ass levels filled with cheap death traps.

[@artey6671]

Well, are those people the same? It's normal that people have different opinions on the same subject. If you mean people that hate Shadow and love SA2, then I can't understand that either. But maybe that's better than loving both, I'm not sure.

[@TheJadeFist]

I played this before Adventure 1, so maybe that biased me, but I actually liked the way these levels are more linear and instead focused more on mini side paths vs massively different paths, and optimizing tricks and stuff to get the A Ranks. It made you get good at the game more than Adventure 1 did, and in different ways. Adventure 1, you weren't being ranked so really time was the only important thing (aside collect X rings), and it made it more satisfying to finally get an A rank on a hard mission vs Adventure 1, awkward spin jumps that the camera fights you on and feels like you're bugging through the level but are still basically required to reach the goal in the time limit.

[@blackblitz2011]

Good review, I do disagree with certain points and for one enjoy the game (especially the chao garden and multiplayer parts). You get a like for the effort put in making this video

[@greeneye2037]

You disagreeing aren't flaws with the review.

[@thetitanictaco5740]

Just bought this game, and it's pretty freaking glitchy. I can definetely appreciate all the effort that went into it, but it could use some polish here and there.

[@tearlach47]

Which version did you get?

[@MajoraZ]

It's one of my favorite games of all time, but yes, it's undeniable pretty jank and unpolished. I'd argue it's a great game in spite of that jank, but I can see why people who really enjoy polished experiences might have a hard time with it.

[@sausage5488]

@@tearlach47 every version is equally bad

[@DeskoDev]

@@sausage5488 eh, the Dreamcast version's a bit worse, especially the early copies with the broken anti-piracy check. Still, those aren't as bad as the PC port with the broken controller support.

[@thetitanictaco5740]

@@tearlach47 I got the PC one

[@WolforNuva]

Sorry to take a bit away from the fake emerald scene, but Eggman wasn't entirely bluffing and pinning the guilt on Tails - or at least that's not how I read it. Instead it looks more like Eggman is confirming that it is indeed the fake one, so he could kill off Sonic without hindering his plans. There was the chance the good guys would do the honest thing and give him the real emerald, and he would be screwed if he blasted that into space.

[@sausage5488]

You probably are going to get a lot of hate from fanboys for this review, but in my opinion this is the best and most accurate review of Sonic Adventure 2. I always was wondering why people like this at all, or even say that it's better than SA1. Or make a video while saying it's the best Sonic game. Bs nostalgia talk.

[@implantgames]

Thank you for the kind words Sausage!

[@sausage5488]

@@implantgames PS. I have no idea why you are so underrated, hundreds of quality videos on channel and yet to become minestream.

[@entertainer_ev2747]

I'm sorry but pause: just cuz someone likes the game doesnt mean that its nostalgia getting to their heads.

[@apathy2454]

@@entertainer_ev2747 thank you

[@entertainer_ev2747]

@@apathy2454 like honestly people like SA2 cuz its a good game not just cuz we played it when we were younger

[@edgelord8337]

Sonic adventure 2 is flawed. But for what it is it is one of the best sonic games of all time being on par with 3 and knuckles. This was going to be the end of sonic but Sega saw that everyone still cared and continued making sonic games. For what it's worth this game is s master piece.

[@apathy2454]

edge lord Hell yeah 💯

[@Tirgo69]

"This was going to be the end of sonic but Sega saw that everyone still cared and continued making sonic games." Citation needed

[@tearlach47]

Man, I've been seeing you everywhere in these comment sections recently lol

[@sausage5488]

Sa2 on par with S3 right right person with Shadow on pfp

[@edwardrobinson919]

yes. Like how ocariina of time is to other zelda games. I'm comparing to oot because I'm a zelda and sonic fan.

[@JinWBO]

I like this game to an extent, but it has a ton of flaws. For me though, the biggest sin for this and Adventure 1 is the horrible camera. I honestly think the cameras in SA1 & 2 are the worst in any 3D Sonic game, no others get stuck on the floors like they do. Also, great review and I really like your honest takes in these games. I hope you return someday.

[@ultrairrelevantnobody1862]

Speaking personally, I've only encountered stuck to floor camera issues in the first adventure game and even then it was rare. Having said that, what were you expecting from 3D platformers that came out during the late 90s and early 2000s?

[@JinWBO]

@@ultrairrelevantnobody1862 well, good for you, but for me personally, the camera was absolute garbage. If you're wondering which versions I've played, it's the digital releases for the PS3. And yeah, I know it's an old game, but if it hinders my experience quite a bit, I can only look past so much. It just means the games haven't aged well IMO. Also, you'd expect the rereleases of both SA1 & SA2 would fix the camera issues, SA1's being universally panned, but they didn't.

[@orlandofurioso7329]

@@ChiefMedicPururu i played the DC version and mechanically is more frustrating, no map or exclamation point on hunting stages. Get your nostalgia out of here

[@orlandofurioso7329]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Oops sorry, didn't notice i was talking to the amazing Chief, only Chris Chan knows more Sonic than you

[@Hyp3rSonic]

​@@ChiefMedicPururuthe game is still very flawed(at least, in my opinion)

[@normbreakingclown676]

When it comes to SA2... yes the game is rough on the edges but the reason why people still talk about this game and love it is just the fact that its the most insane and interesting Sonic game to boot Like the story is very dumb but its the game that gives the characters most humanity(Heck dare i say it that Sonic was actually cool in this game ,example,) Or that this game has the most memorable stages moments I never hated the mech stages or the emerald stages(except maybe meteor herd) i like them almost as much as the running stages (I always judge things on there own merit rather what it is not) And lastly the people that claim that you play the twice over ummm.... last time a checked City Escape is totally differente than Radical Highway or all the other stages as well....

[@mattevolto]

I loved your comparison to jason bourne, those films are great and you made a really good point. solid review as always, unfortunately i also hold some grudges towards sa2 and it was nice to see you go through it and its predecessor with a different perspective.

[@adamphillip5305]

The game might as well be a demo to me. Fire it up, play city escape then turn it off.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

???

[@elproto8999]

Lol, I don't see where this SA2 hate is coming from. I guess SA2's the new "cool to hate" Sonic game, huh?

[@bigfanofsb653]

Obviously choas disappearing into the sky without the master emerald near meant his back in the emerald.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

Lol.

[@BlueTyphoon7]

personally I appreciate and understand most of your complaints and criticisms. and accept them equally. However I do feel like something can be said about the fans (like myself) who want this kind of feeling back in the games. it doesn't make us lesser fans, or man children who don't want to grow up, or anything anyone might claim we are. We just want to see an icon of our childhoods return to the style where they seemed to be more matured to the point of taking it's own silliness seriously. but was still lighthearted fun. Is it Edgy? Yes. is that a bad thing? No. it shouldn't be. and people who like it shouldn't be looked down on for liking it. And yeah, I get it. looking at my channel icon and name, "I don't have room to say anything" but does that really mean I'm not allowed to like something fun? there's enough negativity in the world as it is.

[@implantgames]

I think Sonic World Adventure recaptures what fans loved about the Adventure story telling perfectly, while being far more cohesive. Chip's backstory is told with far more attention to detail than Shadow the Hedgehog. The disconnect between the gameplay and the story is mostly vanished. Yet people hated the game.

[@undergalaxy775]

@@implantgames don't worry, everyone loves it nowadays

[@rynobehnke8289]

​@@implantgames ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Unleashed story is an utter dumpster fire. So lets rip your points apart Its story tells is noting like the adventure games the adventure games always tried to keep things progressing while Unleashed sends you on a ever so repetitiv fetch quest with no changes to its structure from temple 1 to 6 which is the entire middle of the game or roughly 2/3 of the games total run time if not more. Compare that to even just Sonic's story in SA1 were after the start of the hunt for the chaos emeralds we get interrupted by Eggman after the second one was found leading to him stealing one, leading to our heroes searching for the next one which leads to a fight wtih Knuckles who mistook the green Chaos emerald for a Master Emerald sharp which leads to Eggman getting now both chaos emeralds our heroes still had which leads to a fight with a stronger Chaos which leads to Eggman escaping on the just revealed Egg Carrier which leads to Sonic and Tails chasing after it with the Tornado which leads to them getting shot down which leads to Sonic worrying about Tails, Which leads into meeting Amy which leads to Sonic learning Amy needs protection form an Robots that is after her which leads to him losing track of Amy in Twinkle park which leads to Sonic searing the entire City for her, which leads to Sonic seeing Zero carrying her into the direction of the mystic ruins which leads to Sonic chasing them only to arrive to late and the reappeared Egg Carrier transports Amy and Zero onto it which leads to Sonic chasing after it on foot hoping he can get on it at the peak of a mountain which leads to failing to reach the Egg Carrier only for Tails to appear with an all new plain and giving chase after the Egg Carrier ones more but this time succeeding which leads to Saving Amy and damaging the egg carrier enough so that its about to fall out of the sky but to late to prevent that Eggman gets another Emeralds which leads into the Chaos 6 fight. All of this was just the Middle of Sonic's story in SA1 Do you begin to realize how much more happens in SA1 compared to Unleashed? And do you realize who incredibly different the experience is between a Story that constantly changes and keeps you on your toes and one that is just a mind numbing fetch quest that has nothing to shack it self up through the entire middle of its run time? And how can you call it more cohesive? There literally happen so little that it would be quite the achievement to make it not cohesive except that it does it anyway Eggman is a serious and threatening antagonist at the start only for the rest of the game to be mocked by Proto-Orbot, not being able to intimidate even so much as a underdeveloped third world like tribe in not Africa. Sonic hinted dislike against his Werehog form when Amy doesn't recognize him is ever mentioned again, and Chip's entire reason to be with sonic (namely regaining his memories) is completely forgotten about until he received them with no build up to it and no explanation why all at ones after completing temple 6. And this is just Unleashed on its own the moment you try to connect it with any game before it breaks Unleashed apart in every conceivable way imaginabel from lacking characters, institutions and even Nations to even the shape of the world map it self which between Sonic the Fighters and Sonic Riders Zero Gravity (with SA2 and Shadow the hedgehog as mention able other games that feature it) depicting the planet as something close to our earth only for Unleashed to look nothing like it at all. And all of this doesn't even mention that Unleashed contains a full on Character assassination for Both Tails and Amy both of which being reduced to cowers which both losing every bit of Character development there got since Adventure and in case of Tails arguably even since Sonic 2 on the Megedrive because only Sonic 2's 8 bit version had such a cowardly tails in it. What are you talking about with Chips and Shadow#s backstory? there aren't even close to be comparable. Shadows is mend to be a mystery that furthers his Character and gives him motivation to do what he does with Rouge even questioning if any of his old memories are even real or if he is just a fake created on Prison island. Chip's backstory meanwhile starts off with no one being surprised at his existence which already makes very little sense given what is revealed about him latter. Its at the start all about him losing his memories but ones we meet Tails is this never talked about anymore until he regains his memories at temple 6 right before the final stretch of the game. The only other 2 hints about him are that he activates the Gaia Temples which is never question by anyone ever by the way which makes Sonic look really dumb and that in Adabat you can buy a pupped that looks like Chip which description says its based on there god which raises a hundred questions why no ones ask about Chip in the city when he looks just like there god. This means 2 blick and you miss it moments that break the believably of the world and other wise nothing for the entire middle of the game wow so much attention. Are you crazy man the disconnect between Gameplay and Story has never been bigger. Just a few examples. -The story tells us Eggman gathers all Dark Gaia energy into his city which would mean that Dark Gaia enemies get weaker because there is less energy leaved for them to form from while in actual Gameplay there getting story the further you progress into the game. -The whole or deal with being able to buy a wooden chip who represents a nations god yet no one ever talks about Chip in story despite resembling a god (which as we learn he is) -The story tells us that Chip prior to his time with Sonic has never seen the world yet people in Adabat know exactly how he looks like to make there wooden figures -The City hubs a literally split into town areas and areas with puzzles and Enemies which no overlap just a clear cut line that drastically hurts the worlds believably. -The story tells us Sonic in his Werehog form looks like a Monster(both Sonic, Chip and Tails Agree on that one) and than not only contradict it in it self with Amy not being shocked but also by the fact that no one has ever anything negative to say about the Werehog (I am talking especially about NPC's) -Eggman had at the start of the game an entire Armada worth of battle ships and we clearly saw that Sonic didn't destroy all of them and yet is in Gameplay a single not only operational air ship the only danger in the skies that he can provide. Meanwhile does Adventure 1 only disconnects happen because of looking certain level to only certain characters (while unleashed ones literally break the story) and SA2 had pretty much non of those unless you want to count Sonic beating Egg Golem far faster in cut-scene than Gameplay and that you will win even the Vs Character fights that you in the next cut-scene obviously lost. So I hope I could hammer home how astronomical the difference between the Adventure games story telling and the Unleashed story telling is.

[@implantgames]

Oh the irony...

[@rynobehnke8289]

@@implantgames What Irony? Forget that you did even address a singe of my points I so don't see the Irony what are you talking about

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

Totally agree with you on this video. Earned a Sub. Also, I think nostalgia plays a part in this games recent reception. If you grew up with it, you are probably more likely to forgive or not be bothered by it's flaws. I admit, I do the same thing; certain games from my childhood I will play happily, knowing how to work around their limits in game design. Those memories from my youth are a powerful drug.

[@auralunaprettycure]

I agree! There are lots of platformers from my childhood that I still play today and absolutely love even though I know that they’re not nearly good as I remember: like Battle for Bikini Bottom, Donkey Kong 64 and this game. But there are also some platformers that I think have aged like wine and are still masterpieces worth going back to today: Mario Galaxy, Klonoa 2. If only my childhood could have been made of the masterpieces haha. In truth, those last 2 games I didn’t even play for the first time until recently

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

You agree to a video where the guy never gave the game a fair chance and went in disliking it the first time around? M'kay.

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu There a problem with that?

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@beta511ee4 Why do you keep following me?

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Just interested.

[@demetri2716]

Also Final Rush is such a dynamic, complexly designed stage that tests your skill and invites you to experiment with the game's physics and your own reflexes at every turn. If the only thing you got out of that level was that it had a lot of vertical pipes... You're just not that perceptive of a gamer man

[@beta511ee4]

Your opinion, m8.

[@123stinko]

@@beta511ee4 not really though, Final Rush is dynamic and complex, doesn’t matter how you look at it

[@SianaGearz]

I feel about the same about SA2. I could stand replaying a few stages once in a while, but never the whole game.

[@lordeilluminati]

One thing to add about the treasure hunt tips is that they are randomised and limited to 3 per life to add salt to the injury. Seeing 3 hint monitors make all of the remaining ones disappear, so you can only see the tips from the monitors you have seen. If you need to see more hints, the easiest method is just to die, so the hint system is reset.

[@implantgames]

I found the monitors disappearing very annoying! But yeah, it is also annoying suiciding to reset an emerald is often the best way to get rid of a bad spawn.

[@anundertalefan3305]

They are not limited to 3 per life, they are limited to 3 per shard.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

It's 3 per shard, not by life.

[@TheMGMfan]

That's not even true; it's three per shard (or key in Death Chamber/Egg Quarters, and Chaos Emerald in Security Hall), and the monitors don't even disappear after you get all three hints, they just can't be interacted with until you get that shard because there aren't any more hints for the monitors to give you for it at that point; when you get it, they go to the hints for the next shard in line, and then the next one when you collect it. Where did you even get the fact that they disappear after three hints from? Did you never find more than 3, because that seems pretty unlikely considering that they're easy to find by design.

[@OtterloopB]

This game has aged like milk.

[@shinypb]

I always look forward to your reviews - thanks for makin' 'em! ✨

[@implantgames]

Thank you for watching them :)

[@someguy1892]

Play time is ovEERRRR!!!! -Shadow the Edgehog

[@craftygamerones9494]

“No camera controls” have you heard of the left and right triggers?

[@alanchavez5962]

“Ah but you’re forgetting one key thing, Cat, that brings this 6.5 to a 10” *chao garden music plays* -RelaxAlax

[@MaximumDong]

Absolutely amazing analysis, actually interesting that you weren't too fond of the game when it first released, you usually hear the opposite about this game. I think this goes very well with the Geek Critique and his assessment about the game was Sonic Team's reliance on spectacle over substance.

[@implantgames]

Thank you for the kind words MD!

[@jaxxxx1984]

Man this is simple. Mainly most of your issues with the story is solved when you listen to the Japanese sub. Its American mistranslation that borks the story making plot holes that didn't exist.

[@implantgames]

None of the issues are fixed with the Japanese sub. The rivalry remains flimsy. Shadow's backstory remains underdeveloped. And the Bat still doesn't fly.

[@jaxxxx1984]

implantgames yea there is. Like its more implied that Gerald after the ark raid went back and re programmed shadows memory's- changing it from helping the world to destroying it. That's why throughout the game in subs they keep mentioning shadows memories possibly being fake or not being real. Thats why at the end he "suddenly" remembers because amys words were the final breaking point to access shadows real memories and motive which was constantly questioned throughout the game. Also the faker comment is sonic mocking shadow for "faking" being him on the news. Because everyone thinks shadow is *sonic.* So he calls him a fake to basically insult him as an impersonator. Shadow insults back saying sonic isnt even good enough to be a faker to shadow because shadow doesn't wanna be mistaken for some low life blue hedgehog thinking sonic isnt good enough for shadow to even be mistaken for. Alot of ppl misunderstand tht Also about Rouge, in the sub its never said shes some government spy, shes just a treasure hunter hired by the government that one time. Thats why shadow didnt know anything about her. In the sub he realized shes working for the government and shes a treasure hunter not a government spy. Theres so much i could go into how the dub messed up story but that would be a novel i knw u wouldn't wanna read. Yea theres hick ups like rouge not flying when being caught by knuckles but the main story in the original sub *ALSO* the original Dreamcast version explains its story waaay better with the actual details in the background which help the player put certain plot points together and amazing foreshadowing. But sadly in the port alot of these details are missing, which sadly aid in messing up the story. Not saying its some Shakespeare- but the real story is far better than what you think. But i can understand- what average player would willingly play a game not in their language. But sucks because ppl will miss the actual great story sa2 has.

[@zacharyblack8623]

“The bat doesn’t fly” why is this a main point against the game exactly? That a worn out and surprised bat can’t fly? Humans can keep their balance too but when they slip they no longer can. It’s actually a nitpick and it’s infuriating. If you put any game up this kind of hateful scrutiny it will fall apart at the seams. Also there are things about this games story that simply weren’t developed in future games which is a failure in those games not this one. It’s fine for a game in a franchise like sonic to have open plot threads, it’s not a marker of a bad game.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@implantgames Japanese subs? You sure you actually didn't play with still the English subtitles?

[@Andiatus]

@@zacharyblack8623 Very good points and my thoughts exactly. To add to this I'd argue that Knuckles reacted in a matter of seconds, which was not enough for Rogue to even fully register she was falling, thus I thought it made it to be more about Knuckles being a nice dude and saving Rouge even is she wasn't in danger. More about him attempting to save her life despite their antagonistic fighting just seconds prior, than it was about her being able to save herself, thus further strengthening their relationship and respect for each other.

[@InternetTAB]

"Dreamcast port"

[@implantgames]

Ha!

[@PumpkinSwag]

Please review the PS2 Sly games! I’d love to hear your takes on them!

[@deslardesslok]

FINALLY THE SA2 REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fredator3840]

I think you forgot the space station gravity level for Sonic ? (crazy gadget)

[@sausage5488]

Yeah he forgot to complain about gravity gimmick

[@GamerMan57]

For me the Sonic/Shadow stages are a lot of fun, the mech stages are pretty forgettable and don’t feel great to control (until the last eggman one with the low gravity, I liked that), and while some of them can drag out past the point of fun I didn’t really hate any of knuckles’ stages. The 5 min Rouge Stage can fuck off though. And while I like the idea of mad space, the wonky gravity mechanics make it way more of a chore than it had to be. Mario Galaxy this is not lol. I dont totally agree with the popular notion that it’s only a good game 1/3 of the time. But I get why people think that and while I know a lot of people don’t like the 6 separate campaigns in SA1 I personally prefer that. Because atleast with SA1 if I wanna sit down and just get a full sonic campaign with a gameplay style I like a lot then I can get that and be happy, and then everything else is a bonus. But with SA2 the fact that the campaigns jump between gameplay styles so frequently can get aggravating. The reason being that you’ll have a blast with the speed stages for a few minutes, only to follow it up with a treasure hunting stage that takes 20 mins or a slow mech stage that feels clunky to control. So it ends up being seriously unbalanced. It’s especially bad in the dark story where Shadow only has 4 stages. As for the story: it’s a mess but part of that is because it wasn’t translated well from Japanese. I find it chuckle worthy and I have fun going along for the ride so I’m ok with it. Overall I think it’s a good game but its seriously unbalanced and i much prefer Adventure 1

[@gamesergeanthd]

I like the game but I still agree with all of your points, Great review.

[@danhedgehog]

Glad to see people arent sugar coating this game anymore. The treasure hunting levels are absolutely awful, and while the sonic and shadow stages arent too bad, they control so much stiffer than sonic did in adventure 1. It just feels so off.

[@mbdg6810]

see i never played adventure 1 so when i played the treasure hunting stages for example , i did like them {for the *most* part}. the mech levels though i do not enjoy

[@edwardrobinson919]

I don't like the treasure hunting stages mostly because of the ghost and radar.

[@ukyoize]

TH stages are not bad, you are bad.

[@danhedgehog]

Ivan farlenkov Always one defender lol

[@realestAG]

Elaborate on why the treasure hunting is “absolutely awful”

[@GardeTora]

Game is not bad has its flaws but it's not as bad as people say it same with adventure 1

[@M3rtyville]

I think the part with "faker" suppose to imply that Sonic believes Shadow acts as a double to Sonic to shift blame. And not about Hedgehogs in general. Otherwise the joke would be repeated in 06 for sure.

[@StrangeDad]

No one defends bad games like Sonic fans.

[@apathy2454]

travis DG edna lmfao that’s the complete opposite of what Sonic fans do. Gtfoh

[@VanguardSupreme]

Damn. Dude was talking about framerate in 2001. I was, like, 15 at the time, but I didn't know shit about framerate at the time. Guess I was a pretty ignorant kid.

[@Scorpionbe]

Back in the day, when this game came out. I really loved this game. Also in that time period, the graphics where outstanding. I still have a nostalgia feel for it. But it's far from a good game in today's standards. If you play the classic 16 bit games, they are aged very good. For me the best 3D sonic game is Sonic generations. But besides that, give me the 16 bit games anytime.

[@GameplayandTalk]

I played Sonic Adventure 2 on the Dreamcast around the launch of the game and it didn't take long for it to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Every time I think about trying it again, I watch an analysis video and remember, "Oh yeah, the game wasn't very good. I'll pass." Too many other actually-good games out there to waste time on this one. Also, thanks for the reminder on Sly Cooper. I still need to pick that up.

[@implantgames]

The HD Sly's are available on PSN for $15 for the whole trilogy :)

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

"Analysis"

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Why the air quotes?

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@beta511ee4 Because it's not an analysis but a disguised rant about a game he dislikes so much and act all smug about it.

[@beta511ee4]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Technically, the way it was worded in the original comment can refer to any negative review of the game, not just this one.

[@JustSkram]

I think superbunnyhop said it best that sonic can't rely on safe design due to how and why he was created.

[@toalesovikk7168]

Rouge clearly got her ass kicked by Knuckles and tired so her not able to fly away makes sense.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

Or she just got tired if she won the fight. Besides, even real bats don't fly on command.

[@TheReZisTLust]

It is weird that chaos isnt in the master emerald after seeing them float away... weirder that im watching ,multiple sonic reviews too. Also Knuckles can indeeed manipulate the size of master Emerald

[@Sly88Frye]

Didn't you already review this game in a different video? Lol! I definitely see the problems that you see with Sonic Adventure 2. The thing is I enjoyed Sonic stages in Sonic Adventure 2 so much that that's a good that to me outweighs the bad. I'm surprised you didn't mention the stage crazy gadget. that's a stage I find highly enjoyable that's pretty unique in comparison to the other stages with the gimmick of hitting those switches that make you fall down to the ceiling or the walls and stand and move around on them. The puzzle at the end of that stage is pretty interesting although once you've played the game enough you kind of memorize it. I still enjoy both assoc adventure games and mentally I haven't played either of them since like 2008 or something, so maybe I might think differently if I played them again now, but I do see the flaws in both the games and I have to agree that the storyline is pretty ridiculous.

[@tearlach47]

I hated hearing your analysis on a game I fully enjoy and hold near and dear to my heart because I truly enjoy this era of Sonic games, Shadow The Hedgehog included. I hated it because your analysis is objectively correct and there's no denying the shortcomings of this game's design both in story and gameplay features. It almost feels like I'm being told that I'm wrong for thinking this is one of the best games the series has to offer. Sure, a lot of reviewers may not have enjoyed their time with the "adventure era" of Sonic games, but I sure did and still do, and it's annoying that I'm not skilled enough to be able to provide a counterargument that wouldn't just be dismissed as nostalgic bias. I just wish that you and other KZbinrs enjoyed this era of Sonic games like I did. It's just sad watching all these Let's Plays of people actively not enjoying their time with these games. I just don't understand what made our experiences so different. Sure, we've all gotten frustrated at points during all these games, but as a kid, it was easy for me to look past those flaws and that persists to this day. We're a lot more forgiving than others who are playing through these games for their first time on camera and being so unforgiving of these same flaws.

[@implantgames]

Some of my favorite games are mediocre or below average. I am ok with this :)

[@mattimusprimal637]

@16:52 Yeah, Sonic Team made that game years later called Shadow the Hedgehog, and its story is 10x more convoluted than both SA1 & SA2 combined!!!

[@FastTquick]

You’ve definitely made a good review. Sonic Adventure may have aged poorly, but it’s at least still playable in a sense. Sonic Adventure 2 is just a lackluster sequel in every way.

[@implantgames]

Thank you!

[@xcar0982]

I played it in the Game Cube, I liked it, but years later, I played it again and was so frustrating.