From: penfold@ccs.northeastern.edu (Karl J von Lauderman)
Subject: [Genesis] I played Sonic 2!!
Organization: College of CS, Northeastern U
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 17:12:25 GMT

	I went to Electronics Boutique last night, just to see what was new
and exciting for Genesis (and to see if Rampart was out or would be soon), and
I found out that, on that night only, from 6 to 9, (I got there at 5:45) there
would be a big Sonic 2 promotion, complete with someone in a big Sonic costume,
and two arcade-style cabinets with a Genesis inside with Sonic 2 for people to
play. They were just setting up when I got there, and I was the first to play
after the employees tried it out. Here's a brief preview:
	First of all, I read in VG&CE that there are ten zones, some with 2
acts and some with 3. The first two zones had two acts each, and that's as far
as I got, so I can only comment on the first two zones.
	Overview: There are supposedly (according to VG&CE) three modes of 
play: One player, two player cooperative, and two player competetive. I only
saw One player and two player competetive. In One player, you control Sonic, 
and Tails tags along behind. He can kill things and collect rings, but you
really can't control him, since he just does everything you do after a short
delay. Sometimes he can get lost, or even die, such as if you jump onto
a moving platform and he doesn't make it. In this case, he flies over to where
you are a little later by means of a helecopter-thingy, and then resumes 
following you. In two player competetive, the screen is split into two parts,
squashed down to fit everything in each half (top and bottom). The effect, of
course, is that everything seemes stretched out horizontally, but it is not
really terrible or anything. I could deal with it after some getting used to.
	Consistencies with the original: Sonic looks the same, moves the same,
etc. The extra Sonic and invincibility music are the same. TVs give the same 
prizes. Many familiar elements are present, such as spikes, loops, etc.
	Awesome new stuff: First of all, as I mentioned, there's Tails, as I 
mentioned. When he jumps and rolls, he looks like a ball of fur with a tail
sticking out. The first zone is akin to Green Hill Zone, only better. There
are corkscrew loops, which you can run across really fast, or fall through
to lower platforms. And you liked horizontal and vertical springboards? This
one has those, plus DIAGONAL springboards, which sometimes bounce you from one
to another in series, higher and higher! There are also mini springboards which
bounce you only a small distance, and look more like catapaults than springs.
Also, there's just a lot more level! And you thought you could get moving in 
Sonic 1? In this game, you go fast more often, go up more curved ramps, and 
around more loops than you ever thought possible. 
	The second zone (I don't remember the names) is like Scrap Brain, but
not as difficult. Remember those tubes that sucked you in and shot you up or
down to another level? This one has entire NETWORKS of those things, and I
could swear that there are some intersections that randomize your path. Also,
there is some water in this zone, but you just have to pass through briefly.
This zone, again speeds you around so much and so fast that the crowd just
gaped and Oohed and Aahed. There are incredibly long ramps, more springboards,
etc. 
	Graphics: The background graphics and scenery are as good as, and often
better than, the original. Also, the graphic for the thing that protects you
from one hit looks much cooler than the spinning-ring from the first one.
There are new enemies, but some of the old ones, like the jumping fish and
the shooting bees, have been redone differently.
	Sound: The sound effects are about the same, but the backgroud music is
AWESOME! The first level music is catchy like in the first game, but much more
pleasant. The second level music kicks MAJOR BUTT!! Definately worth using
headphones.
	Misc: One of the employees played around with the two player
competetive mode, and selected the "Bonus Level" or something. This has got to
be seen to be believed: Sonic and Tails, seen from BACK VIEW, run through a
roller coaster-like tunnel collecting coins. They can  run up the sides to get
coins along the wall. The whole thing looks INCREDIBLE!!
	Bottom Line: Sonic 2 is in NO WAY a disappointment. It definately lives
up to the current hype. Anyone who liked Sonic 1 NEEDS Sonic 2. Reserve your
copy today! I can't wait till Nov. 24! It's too far away! I need Sonic 2 now!!!

.-  .--        .-     Karl J. von Laudermann               | Disclaimer: The
|  /    __  __ |      penfold@dworkin.ccs.northeastern.edu | views and opinions
|    \    \/   |  ___ -------------------------------------+ expressed herein
|     \        |      are mine, and yours too. You just may not realize it.
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