Tier Ranking Sonic's Lost Chao Missions in Sonic Adventure 2

[@chronicchronicling-jb8zz]

I really do like the Chao missions, they add some extra exploration to what many people accuse of being overly linear stages. They really do have their surprises if you know where to look.

[@MysticClaws100]

Idk if I'm alone in this, but I usually do Mission 4 (which has a timer and no checkpoints) instead of Mission 1. I like to try and beat my times but I don't like abusing the checkpoints to reset my timer if I fuck up. I generally only do Mission 1 if I'm playing through the story or trying to get a personal best in score or rings collected in that mission. Feel like it would've made sense to include Shadow's levels in this video too but if you're doing a part 2 for his levels, that's fine too. Here's my tier list of all of Sonic/Shadow's Lost Chao missions (included Cannon's Core since you end the mission with Sonic, though I like how every character does play their part unless you do a trick as Sonic where you stop time permanently and spin dash off a slope to get to the Chao. A Radical Highway, Sky Rail, Cannon's Core, Pyramid Cave B Final Rush C Metal Harbour, City Escape, Green Forest, Crazy Gadget, White Jungle D Final Chase E My ranking is mostly based on how the Chao and Ruins are placed into the level, how the Chao area can be used in the other Missions (i.e. can it be used as an alternate route in Missions 1/2/4/5, can you return to the main area after picking up the 1UP that replaces the Chao in these areas, are these areas used for score attack or ring attack runs), are there ways of getting to the Chao without the upgrades that are "required" to reach it (Mystic Melody, light dash, bounce bracelet etc.) The Ancient Ruins in Pyramid Cave is very easy to find but there's also another Ancient Ruin earlier in the level too that is just used as an alternate route which I like because it can sort of be considered a troll route for those looking for the Chao. Same with Crazy Gadget that has another ruin earlier in the level that takes you through a section of the level upside down. I'd put Final Rush in A tier if it gave you a feasible way to return to the stage but if you go there in Mission 1, 2, 4 or 5, the only way to get back is to do an almost impossible spin dash jump and considering there is a ring capsule in this area, this is the only way of getting max rings in the stage. It doesn't have to be a spring that takes you back but if there were more rails you could take back like the ones you take to the area and the camera co-operated when returning, then it would for sure be an A rank. These Chao areas commonly have this problem of not giving the player a way of returning to the actual stage when in the other missions. It's not too bad if you can do a simple spin dash jump but a lot of players don't know how to do that and even those who can spin dash jump will most likely fail to do so in levels like Final Rush, Final Chase or White Jungle. Pyramid Cave is one of the only one of these missions to give you a way back to the level via a spring. I don't mind the placement of the ruins because the ruins can be skipped just by spin dash jumping towards the rail, or doing the trick you mentioned. I also like how in the 2 player version of Final Rush, there are some rings where the 2nd ancient ruin is you can use to try to fuck over your opponent. Radical Highway is in A because even though it is a simple platforming challenge when done normally, I like where it's placed in the level at the very top of a very open area, and how you can skip the Mystic melody by spin dash jumping. It's simple but adds to the level, offering a 1UP to players when done in the other missions which can make it ideal for players looking for lives or players looking to improve your personal best in score/ranks. Sky Rail is in A because of its location, the skips you can do to reach the ruins and the top of the mountain without the Mystic Melody/light dash trail, the incorporation of the main gimmick of the level (those metal springs) and the enemies/obstacles that try to stop you on top of the mountain. The enemies, 1UP and rings this area contains in the other missions also makes it a neat place to improve your best score/rings for this level too. Final Chase is at the bottom because of the fact that it's at the very end of the stage making it not that much different from Mission 1, in addition to the fact that the actual challenge it requires you to do isn't enjoyable and the camera doesn't work properly here. Additionally, if you hold forward after doing the light dash you won't land on the Ancient Ruins platform. It's not an abysmal mission which is why I don't have it in E tier (which I would put some other missions in) but it's for sure the weakest Sonic/Shadow mission in the game. All the C ranks are adequate but don't really do anything that interesting compared to the others. I think the Lost Chao missions were implemented into the game more with the treasure hunting characters in mind but for the most part, they work well for Sonic & Shadow.

[@lregey]

You take chances on there that I never could! Well done!

[@thephilosopher4271]

I went back to the game and did all the Missions. Never realized how fun they were as a kid! Some really great ones, esp the Chao ones. Now sorta trying to A Rank the Missions. lol

[@4nrew]

Best of luck! It's a tough feat at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature!

[@edfreak9001]

as someone who enjoys doing Archipelago randomizers for SA2 i end up running through the missions a lot, most importantly seeing how much I can clear without the intended upgrades, since it's very possible, and even likely, that they'll be locked behind advanced tricks like Green Forest 3 without Melody. So it's really fun to think about these especially with what alternate methods you have at your disposal - and I did not know you could do Final Rush's like that! I did some horribly jank trick of grinding backwards on the railing and making a very awkward jump.

[@AmazingFantasy]

Imacculate video, thanks man! You will blow up soon, get ready

[@TheBonehead1997]

I enjoy the chao missions too, though I'm surprised you didn't include cannon's core in the list, since it is technically considered a Sonic stage

[@4nrew]

If this video does well, I'll do more characters, then I'll probably include Cannon's Core as the final segment.

[@TJAdkirson]

Not sure if you're being really tough on the game, or whether I just don't understand your point criteria. I personally really enjoyed a lot Sonic's Lost Chao Missions.

[@4nrew]

It's probably the former, if I'm honest. I like it when Chao missions take me on an adventure beyond the main course. Not just a platform to the side or on top of the main area.

[@gyoza1442]

Talking to rocks is illegal.

[@swisserty]

I done did farted!

[@CinnaSwirls]

Do the other characters, you coward