Sonic Adventure 2: Battle - Gamecube Review

January 7th, 2004

It was only a matter of time. When Sonic Adventure was released to steller sales (the title would sell close to 4 million units alone on the DC worldwide), decent reviews and fan delight, Sonic Team would hit the computers once again and begin the sequel to the biggest selling DC title ever. Sonic Adventure was originaly released in a major bug state, rushed for the DC's original winter 1998 Japanese launch. Yuji Naka sent 12 dudes to America to clean bugs, fix various camera angles, and other non-sence for the North American launch. This dirty dozen became known as Sonic Team USA and they began work on the sequel not to long after their work was completed on SA1 for that unforgatable day 09-09-1999. Thus begins the epic sequel to the epic Sonic title.

Sonic Adventure 2 for the DC was released on June 19th, 2001 followed by a world release on the 23rd, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the blue blur. Sonic's birthday was met with not only a new game but Sega collectables, Sonic PSO appearances and a special birthday pack. The 10th Anniversary SA2 pack includes a gold coin, booklet with Sonic history/interesting facts, soundtrack CD featuring music from a ton of Sonic games and a copy of SA2. 8 Months after it's DC release, the enhanced GC port Sonic Adventure 2:Battle was released February 12th, 2002 featuring a host of new goodies. Sonic Team must have been secretly developing the title for the Cube during it's DC development, considering the short release span between both systems.

The story takes place some time after SA1, with our blue hedgehog not only battling Eggman, but a mysterious bat girl named Rouge and a sinister hedgehog named Shadow. SA2 features a much darker and mature story celebrating ideas such as life, death and one's purpose for existance. This story kicks ass. It's a rollercoaster of epic storytelling for Sonic Team with moments of joy and loss. Once again the story is split into segments. SA1 featured a large story told through 5 different characters. As you played the game, the entire plot is revealed. SA2 is much the same. This time through 2 angles, the Hero side (The Tripple Threat) and the Dark side (Eggman Empire). Presented below is the official SonicTeam.com description of the story...

* * * *

HERO SIDE

The world's fastest, supersonic hedgehog, Sonic. Somehow our hero, Sonic, has been mistakenly accused by the military troops because they think Sonic is the one who escaped from their facility. The mysterious black hedgehog, Shadow stands in his way as he goes through the city running away from the military troops. Mysterious incidents start happening one after another. His archenemy, Dr. Eggman announces his plans to take over the world. Sonic learns the connection between Shadow and Eggman. With his friends, Tails and Knuckles, Sonic ventures to outer space to go after Eggman.

DARK SIDE

Dr. Eggman breaks into the military base looking for the top-secret weapon, Shadow. However, what he finds is a black hedgehog. The black hedgehog, Shadow calls himself the ultimate life form. Shadow invites Dr. Eggman to the space colony, Ark, and persuades him to use the Eclipse Cannon to take over the world. Then, a mysterious batgirl, Rouge, appears in front of them and offers her help. World conquest now begins with these three characters.

* * * *

Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is another enhanced port of a classic DC title to the GameCube. Unlike SADX, this title runs smooth at a constant 60-fps. Sonic has never looked better with slight graphical improvements to the character models to enviromental elements. The animated/motion captured cut scenes are amazing. The characters move... real. The way Sonic walks or Amy's gestures look phenominal. On an age old Stuffs Radio episode, I reviewed SA2 when it first came out for the DC. Tyler and I marveled about the graphics in the game and declared it the best looking DC game period. But what about Soul Calibur? We both agreeded that even how stunning Soul Calibur is the speed, colour and texturing that Sonic Team displayed in SA2 easily shadowed that launch title fighter. Today, it's amazing how an over 2 year old DC title still continues to shine on the more powerful GC hardware. It truly is a beautiful looking title.

Gameplay in Sonic Adventure 2 is less of a mixed bag like it's older brother. Gone are Amy's slow platfrom stages and Big's fishing levels. The game focuses on three styles of gameplay from the DC classic-

- Sonic's blazing high-speed levels

- E-101's gun-blazin' mech action

- Knuckles treasure huntin'

Focusing on these types of gameplay is a blessing yet we're still cursed with Knuckles with his friggin' treasure huntin' rampages. Here the lovely Rogue or the hot tempered Echidna go a huntin' for emeralds. The concept is unique and appealing, in execution its a bit mixed. Most of the time these stages are a sucess, but when you get stuck in a tiny room, the camera temporarily goes hay-wire then you're screwed. Thankfully you ain't gonna encounter many tiny rooms in the game but they do. I have to hand it to Sonic Team though, these levels are masterly designed. They stretch on forever, especialy the final emerald huntin' level which takes place in Space is just phenominal and is a great play.

Tails and Doctor Eggman battle in mechs and blow shit up real good. Inspired by E-101's gun toting adventure, these levels are still a treat with heavy weapons a blazin'. As you progress you'll find various weapon and mech upgrades that help you out.

The best levels are of course are Sonic's and Shadow's which have become the main focus of the latest title, Sonic Heroes. Now here is where dreams come true. Sonic and his nemesis blast threw levels at super sonic speed while they grind on rails, fly, bounce and smash baddies for rings.

The level design is of course top Sonic Team quality. If it weren't for the occasional camera screw up, the title would have been a masterpiece. The camera once again seems to have problems tied with the type of gameplay Sonic Team is striving to achieve. Knuckles/Rouge's levels are entertaining but the camera problems lie greatest here. You can adjust the camera but at times its frustrating. It's nice to see Sonic Team trying different things with the 3-D platfrom genre instead of just going the safe route with a copycat, generic game. Instead we have a hell of alot creativity and it shows. Tails/Eggman's levels rarely have the problem and Sonic/Shadow's levels never have the problem. Let me calm your fears down and say that the ride is well worth it. Levels get more and more exciting as you work your way through it. Again, the level design kicks ass and when you hit the final chapter... Holy shit! This is some good gamin'!

Controls rely on simple up/down/left/right movements and two buttons(jump/action). Controls are responsive and tight as you rip through stages. Character's personalities reflect through the control scheme. Sonic and Shadow's control handles lighting fast with a touch of the stick sends them running in that direction. Appropriate for their care free attitude. Tails and Eggman operate mechs in their levels, are naturaly the slowest of the characters to work with. Both tech junkies, it's nice to see the characters operate vehilces this time around(although I do miss Tails flyin'). Their controls are dead on as you hover and blast shit up real good. Finaly Knucles and Rouge move inbetween the mix as they can boogie nearly as fast as Sonic and Knuckles but not as slow as Tails and Eggman. The treasure hunters move fast and precise for the lost emeralds.

Gone now is the world exploration from SA1. Here you would travel towards each stage around Station Square or other areas. Along the way, you could find rare Chao Eggs and Emblems. At the time of release, fans complained about the exploration that it was un-Sonic. So Sonic Team removed it for SA2 and the gameplay returns to the stage by stage experience. When SA2 hit the DC in 2001, fans then began to complain that the world exploration was removed. Okay... Let's see. You bitch about somethin' and Sonic Team hears ya and removes the feature. Done. End of story. The sequel is released without the feature you bitched about... and then you begin bitching that you want it back. Okay... WTF? So goes the life of an internet junkie...

Sound kicks ass... period. The voice acting is top notch, some of the best you'll ever hear. Sound effects are loud and booming. The music rocks. If you liked the music in SA1, you'll love the music in SA2. It has a harder edge to it with a mix of hard/soft rock and rap. Great orchestral music as well. Once again, each character has their own theme song which jams real loud for them as well as instrumental versions. Once again, another top Sonic score.

SA2 also includes a 2-player mode which has been enhanced for the GC's Battle title. Here you battle it out with buddy as the hero or the villian. Sonic/Shadow's battle is the "Action Race Battle". Knuckles/Rouge's battle is the "Treasure Hunt Race". Tails/Eggman's battle is the "Shooting Battle". The GC title features new stages plus tons of classic Sonic characters for you and an opponent to play with. Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, Hero/Dark Chao Walkers, Tikal and Chaos Zero join the battle and duke it out. The multi-player is alot of fun.

Not surprising is the return of the excellent Chao "A-Life" pet for you to raise and play with. Now our little cuties can develop into Hero and Dark side pets. The Chao raising is a deep experience. With hundreds of different possibile rasing and full grown outcomes, it truly is a huge gaming experience in itself. Your Chao goes through 3 stages of development -

EGG - Here you hatch your baby. The way you hatch'em will also play a role in their development.

INFANCY - The true meat and potatoes of the game. Feedem', pet'em, take them to Kindergarten... What will they become?

MATURITY - ????

The Tamagotchi craze that swept North America in the late 1990's has now gone into memory. I thought it was great that Sonic Team would keep the virtual pet alive with this series. It's a great game to play and you may find yourself playing SA2:Battle more just to be able to collect different items and animals to help your Chao grow. Great stuff.

Now here is were I gotta plug Sonic Team big time. They're the innovators and are always ontop of the shit. First console title with Internet capabilities... SA1 for DC. First console title with Online Gameplay... Chu Chu Rocket for DC. First Worldwide Console Online RPG... Phantasy Star Online for DC. First GC to GBA connectable title... SA2:Battle for GC. Here you can take your Chao on the go by connecting your SA2:Battle title with one of the following GBA titles - Sonic Advance 1, Sonic Advance 2 or Sonic Pinball Party. Sweet! Your Chao will play and eat in the luxury of your Tiny Chao Garden on the go with your GBA and play games a, buy special toys/eggs for them as well.

It wouldn't be a Sonic Team game if there wasn't any secrets? A 2-player Kart Racing game is ready for unlocking. Alternative costumes exist for all our heroes/villians. Finaly if you collect all 180 emblems, unlocked is a special 3-D version of Sonic's very first level ever - The Green Hill Zone.

Another sweet goodie are the in-game trailers. Once you complete the Hero Side, you get to watch a 20 second trailer featuring the up and coming Dark Side. Cool! Once you complete the Dark Side, another trailer is revealed pumping you up for the epic conclusion. They're just nice little extras that just show how much the Sonic Team loves their hedgehog. Plus we have the return of DVD type of extras. You can play the title in English with or without subtitles or in Japanese with or without English subtitles. This feature existed in the DC SA1 and SA2 versions as well and its nice to see the feature continue through the GC versions. I don't know why more games out there don't have this feature cause its pretty damn cool.

This is still one of my favourite games of all time. Hell there are problems but they are shadowed by great levels, cool characters, excellent story and awsome music. Hell I could nit-pick any Miyamoto masterpiece anyday and I'm not shitin' you. What's great with the Adventure series is that it was never trying to do the safe route. They took risks by trying different game modes and some suceeded and some didn't. So what? Life goes on and we're left with a great title that is packed and packed with stuff to do. It was nice to have one last Sonic title on the DC and it was one hell of a huge production. I played it non-stop and it's great to see it live on the GC with improvements and bonuses. Is this the final adventure title? Possibly. The games have been stellar sellers but have had mixed reaction from fans. There have been conflicting reports from the news media indicating that Sonic Team is finished with the series and has moved on with Sonic Heroes. Others have reported that the Team ain't done with it yet and is just taking a breather from the series for a little while. Who knows... We'll have to wait and see. Enjoy the game. Trust me, it's one hell of a fun ride.

- Kelley