Genesis REVIEWS: Sonic the Hedgehog 2:
Without Sonic, there wouldn't have been a 16-bit console war. In a time when iconic cartoon characters managed the most sales, Sega needed the Blue Blur to compete. It needed Sonic to be both an iconic character, as well as have pretty solid gameplay about him.
Since Sonic only started in 1991, Sega did not have the time to build him a legacy, as Nintendo did with Mario. Instead, they had to release the second game as fast as possible, culminating in the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 only a year after the first.
It's good to say that, probably, a hectic schedule did not affect the quality of the game, because Sonic 2 is a continuation of the best parts of the first game, and then some.
Sonic was never about precise platforming, nor was it about exploring different worlds and going through different levels. At its core, Sonic was a game about mastering the mechanics that make it possible to race through a labyrinthine level in less than a minute.
While Sonic 2 is an expansion of that concept, it actually brings more personality to the game than speed alone. While the first game had interesting, varying locations, it felt populated by generic leftover characters and plastered with imitation landscapes.
This harsh assessment is only because the sequel brings much more character to the game. Chemical and Casino zones are levels that stick to the memory long after you play them. I only played the game a couple of times back in the day, but those levels were imprinted in my mind.
Finally, we actually see Dr. Robotnik's personality more, as his creation becomes more bizarre, more mechanical, and simply more colorful.
Of course, the addition of Tails the fox is what stamps this as the true beginning of Sonic as a franchise. Something which at once separates it from the rest of the platformers and paves the way for Co-Op gameplay.
"Sonic has all the Chaos Emeralds"
One major change to the mechanics of the first game is the spin dash. With it, Sonic gets the ability to charge his spin in the ground to launch himself with great speed. While it's not used to its full potential in this game, it still adds a lot to the tools Sonic already has, and reduces the times you have to track back to speed over a ramp.
Otherwise, the solid gameplay is still tight as ever. Mostly, this is a game about using your tools to master the game's levels. Each level has its own twists, and much more than the first game, they can be traversed through different paths.
Because of that, this game is instantly replayable, with mastering a level as your goal, instead of simply beating it.
That is not to say that each level is balanced and fair. Several times, you would run at full speed, jumping through hoops and bouncing off jump pads, simply to crash into an enemy right in the avoidable path of your landing. In those cases, it feels less like reaction time and more like memorizing the placement of those obstacles.
One thing that completely ruins the balance, but in a fun way, is the Super Saiyan mode Sonic goes into once you get all 7 Chaos Emeralds. Getting the emeralds, you must go through a fun mini-game that is much better than the vomit-inducing nightmare of the first game. Once you do get all seven, then getting 50 coins turns you into Super Sonic.
The problem is that once you have this power, you cannot opt out of it, which turns most stages into a trivial affair. I would recommend against getting all 7 emeralds, since it keeps you from experiencing the stages as they were meant to be played.
A final thing to note, though, is the TERRIBLE final boss. While the bosses of all levels are fun affairs where you can slog and counter-slog the mad professor, the final boss has you without any rings. This throws the entire training of the game out of the window and makes sure you die a lot in this fight. Worse yet, it's two bosses after each other with no checkpoint.
"Booing..."
The only way to showcase the gameplay and personality of the Sonic games is to have the best graphics and sound on the system. In Sonic 2, the team manages to stretch the Genesis's abilities, while also respecting its limitations.
Sprites are bold, colorful, and contrast well with the varied and cool environments. Emerald zone is the typical starting area, with no threatening backgrounds and typical forest imagery. Yet, with the second Zone, Sonic 2's bold colors clash to make something memorable as well as edgy and dangerous. The first time you fall from switch panels into a slowly rising pool, only to realize you need to race back up before you drown, is the time Sonic 2 manages to impress.
Since Sonic only started in 1991, Sega did not have the time to build him a legacy, as Nintendo did with Mario. Instead, they had to release the second game as fast as possible, culminating in the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 only a year after the first.
It's good to say that, probably, a hectic schedule did not affect the quality of the game, because Sonic 2 is a continuation of the best parts of the first game, and then some.
20: Sonic the Hedgehog 2:-
Year: 1992.
Genre: Platformer.
Publisher: Sega.
Developer: Sega.
"Sonic got through Act I"
Sonic was never about precise platforming, nor was it about exploring different worlds and going through different levels. At its core, Sonic was a game about mastering the mechanics that make it possible to race through a labyrinthine level in less than a minute.
While Sonic 2 is an expansion of that concept, it actually brings more personality to the game than speed alone. While the first game had interesting, varying locations, it felt populated by generic leftover characters and plastered with imitation landscapes.
This harsh assessment is only because the sequel brings much more character to the game. Chemical and Casino zones are levels that stick to the memory long after you play them. I only played the game a couple of times back in the day, but those levels were imprinted in my mind.
 |
| I had dreams about this level as a kid |
Finally, we actually see Dr. Robotnik's personality more, as his creation becomes more bizarre, more mechanical, and simply more colorful.
Of course, the addition of Tails the fox is what stamps this as the true beginning of Sonic as a franchise. Something which at once separates it from the rest of the platformers and paves the way for Co-Op gameplay.
"Sonic has all the Chaos Emeralds"
One major change to the mechanics of the first game is the spin dash. With it, Sonic gets the ability to charge his spin in the ground to launch himself with great speed. While it's not used to its full potential in this game, it still adds a lot to the tools Sonic already has, and reduces the times you have to track back to speed over a ramp.
Otherwise, the solid gameplay is still tight as ever. Mostly, this is a game about using your tools to master the game's levels. Each level has its own twists, and much more than the first game, they can be traversed through different paths.
Because of that, this game is instantly replayable, with mastering a level as your goal, instead of simply beating it.
That is not to say that each level is balanced and fair. Several times, you would run at full speed, jumping through hoops and bouncing off jump pads, simply to crash into an enemy right in the avoidable path of your landing. In those cases, it feels less like reaction time and more like memorizing the placement of those obstacles.
 |
| Boss battles are not actually challenging, but they are really fun |
One thing that completely ruins the balance, but in a fun way, is the Super Saiyan mode Sonic goes into once you get all 7 Chaos Emeralds. Getting the emeralds, you must go through a fun mini-game that is much better than the vomit-inducing nightmare of the first game. Once you do get all seven, then getting 50 coins turns you into Super Sonic.
The problem is that once you have this power, you cannot opt out of it, which turns most stages into a trivial affair. I would recommend against getting all 7 emeralds, since it keeps you from experiencing the stages as they were meant to be played.
A final thing to note, though, is the TERRIBLE final boss. While the bosses of all levels are fun affairs where you can slog and counter-slog the mad professor, the final boss has you without any rings. This throws the entire training of the game out of the window and makes sure you die a lot in this fight. Worse yet, it's two bosses after each other with no checkpoint.
"Booing..."
The only way to showcase the gameplay and personality of the Sonic games is to have the best graphics and sound on the system. In Sonic 2, the team manages to stretch the Genesis's abilities, while also respecting its limitations.
Sprites are bold, colorful, and contrast well with the varied and cool environments. Emerald zone is the typical starting area, with no threatening backgrounds and typical forest imagery. Yet, with the second Zone, Sonic 2's bold colors clash to make something memorable as well as edgy and dangerous. The first time you fall from switch panels into a slowly rising pool, only to realize you need to race back up before you drown, is the time Sonic 2 manages to impress.
 |
| The Casino level is both iconic for its visuals and gameplay elements |
With its soundtrack, as well as its sound effects, the game manages to use the Genesis to the best of its capabilities to make several great tunes. Songs that complement Sonic's speeds while styling each stage with a suitable sound.
Its the best soundtrack I have listened to in the Genesis so far, except for one track.
In Conclusion:
While the first Sonic game has to be respected for its innovation and what it brought to the table, it had a number of limitations that kept it from being memorable in itself, as opposed to memorable due to what it started.
Sonic 2 simply takes everything good about the first game and expands on it. This is the game that actually compares to the level of polish Nintendo had with their games.
It's rough in some places and grates in others, but it rocks and rolls like no other when in sync.
Series:
For those reading one of my Genesis review blogs for the first time, here is the basic concept:
I already reviewed a bunch of SNES games, so, naturally, I am going to review the games of its prime competition. Does the SEGA Genesis stand a chance against the legendary SNES library?
My review series is based on the top 100 list of Retro Sanctuary
Originally, I posted most of my content on a football forum called "Goallegacy," which was the first online community I had ever joined. I found it to be the best place for a football fan (the REAL football, not handegg) to hang out on the internet, but the forum is not as active as it was years ago. Next Game:
I can't believe Retro Sanctuary actually has Sonic 2 at #61. Its an obviously a better game than the first Sonic, and there is little debate about it. Now I am REALLY looking forward to Sonic 3.
Next game on the list at #57 is Shadow Dancer, an action platformer game which is actually one of the famous Shinobi games.
Stay Tuned.For Previous Genesis Game Reviews:
Its the best soundtrack I have listened to in the Genesis so far, except for one track.
In Conclusion:
While the first Sonic game has to be respected for its innovation and what it brought to the table, it had a number of limitations that kept it from being memorable in itself, as opposed to memorable due to what it started.
Sonic 2 simply takes everything good about the first game and expands on it. This is the game that actually compares to the level of polish Nintendo had with their games.
It's rough in some places and grates in others, but it rocks and rolls like no other when in sync.
Final: 9/10
Pros:
- Great platforming gameplay with emphasis on mastery.
- Non-linear and varied level design.
- Introduction of Tails.
- Great graphics and world design with a lot of charm.
- Brilliant soundtrack and sound effects
Cons:
- Relatively short in a single playthrough.
- Mastery is more about memorization than reaction.
- Terrible final boss.
Tips:
- Search the level around for power-ups and lives.
- If you lose a life, you can always get one at the same location you found it for the first time.
- Collect 100 rings to get a life.
- Complete the stage with more than 50 rings to go into the bonus stages.
- If you have no rings at all, play the game like its Ghost's and Goblins.
- Hold of getting the 7th Emerald if you want to experience all stages normally.
Series:
For those reading one of my Genesis review blogs for the first time, here is the basic concept:I already reviewed a bunch of SNES games, so, naturally, I am going to review the games of its prime competition. Does the SEGA Genesis stand a chance against the legendary SNES library?
My review series is based on the top 100 list of Retro Sanctuary
Originally, I posted most of my content on a football forum called "Goallegacy," which was the first online community I had ever joined. I found it to be the best place for a football fan (the REAL football, not handegg) to hang out on the internet, but the forum is not as active as it was years ago.
Next Game:
I can't believe Retro Sanctuary actually has Sonic 2 at #61. Its an obviously a better game than the first Sonic, and there is little debate about it. Now I am REALLY looking forward to Sonic 3.Next game on the list at #57 is Shadow Dancer, an action platformer game which is actually one of the famous Shinobi games.
Stay Tuned.
For Previous Genesis Game Reviews:
This
blog was originally posted in Destructoid Community Blogs on January 19th, 2017. The blog was slightly edited to fit my newer review format.
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