From: v089l3s3@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Jeremy B Horwitz)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: SONIC 2: Full Review [Horwitz] :)
Date: 24 Nov 92 04:27:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

Well, I have it! (So do the other pre-orderers who were smart
enough not to order from Babbages, which seems to be under
strict corporate orders not to violate the "Sonic 2sday"
pledge.)

Here's my assessment. Warning, I'm only at level four
(Casino Night) so I can't say how the later levels are, but
I think I can make a reasonable assessment.

Sega has finally produced a title I feel is worth the
fifty buck price tag. I warn you ahead of time that I
felt that way when I purchased Sonic 1, only to feel
unhappy a few days later when I discovered how unhidden
the "hidden rooms" were and how linear the game was.
But nonetheless, the graphics in Sonic 1 were great,
and the game was fun to play. Too bad the objective
seemed to be "beat it as quick as ya can".

But now, there's something different. Turning Sonic 2
on, you start with a new type of deja vu; an evolutionary
sense that you've seen the same thing before but not
quite so good. The animation of even the first screens of
the game is really impressive, with Sonic and Tails
poking their heads out of the Sonic logo. You get a sense
of the familiar as the title music is a memorable blast
from the past, and that continues when you start the
game.

It should be emphasized that everything is classier. The
pre-level scene uses a neat effect to introduce you to
the level's name before you begin. The bubble and star
power ups are glitzier. Sonic and Tails spin in 3-D as
they vault off of springboards and run on corkscrew
loops, which can only be described as impressive. Robotnik's
boss incarnations are actually well done this time,
with neat variations on the theme of repeating the main
spaceship using new weapons against the dynamic duo.

The other impressive gimmick is the dynamic duo features
themselves. First, the two-player mode which uses a
new 320x448 resolution. Smooth as silk but takes a little
getting used to. Second, the animation of Sonic and
that of Tails is excellent. To use the word "cute",
they're cute. Really cute, actually. And, you can choose
to play as either one of them in the one-player mode
[read your instruction manuals, boys] or have both on
screen with you controlling Sonic. If the latter is
picked, any rings Tails picks up on his own become 
part of your stock - real nice idea.

And the new ideas. First, the "power-up spin", which is
a chargable ball roll to get up the side of a 
building or whatever. It's neat, but hard to control.
Then, the new levels. Great themes, great fun. REALLY
great levels, actually - I like every bit of the
Aquatic Ruin and Casino Night, especially, although
the Emerald Hill Zone (level one) is a complete
ripoff of Sonic 1's first level with slight
alterations only. The bonus scene and the new means
to get to it (the lamp-posts will immediately open
a warp zone if you touch them with fifty rings) is
a great method of improving the option for two
players.

That's where the problems begin. Why put the warp 
zones at lampposts? Remember where they used to be?
At the end of either act one or act two -- never
before a boss encounter. Well, there's a problem.
Each level seems to only have 2 acts. (Thus far, 
I know Sega said "some will have 2, others 3", 
but it's level 4 and so far all the levels have
had 2 acts.) Thus the dramatic increase in levels
(6 to 12) may have been accompanied by a drop in
acts on average overall (18 to 24 or thereabouts).

Not much is different besides the tricks Sonic
can do and the level graphics. Where are the novel
new power-ups we expect from any sequel, in the
Mario tradition? Where does the game differ from
its predecessor besides the glitter and splendor?

I definitely like the enormity of the levels.
There seems to be a heck of a lot to explore, which
I'll love. We'll see how Sonic 2 works out after I
play it to exhaustion...!

[ -> Jer Horwitz ] [INTERnet Game Consultant]