Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Game Relations

CONCEPT: "MOBIUS" - Game Relations ~ Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Name: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (all three nations)

Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic 2, Knuckles in Sonic 2, "The Best/Last Good Sonic Game"

Release Dates:
November 21, 1992- Japan
November 24, 1992- North America & Europe

Quality: 16-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer

Game System(s): Sega Mega Drive/Genesis

Also released on:

(1). Sega Arcade Systems - Mega Tech, and Mega Play
(2). Sega Saturn - Sonic Jam Collection
(3). Sega Dreamcast – Smash Pack Volume #1
(4). PC – Smash Pack Volume #2, Sega Archives from USA Vol.3
(5). Internet - Sega Game Honpo, RealPlayer Arcade, GameTap, Excite GameX
(6). GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC - Sonic Mega Collection (Plus)
(7). Radica Games' Play TV Legends – Sega Genesis Volume #2, Super Sonic Gold
(8). Mobile - Sonic Café
(9). Sony PlayStation 2/Portable - Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection
(10). Nintendo Wii - Virtual Console
(11). Microsoft Xbox 360 - Xbox Live Arcade
(12). Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 – Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection

Developer(s): Sonic Team & Sega Technical Institute (STI)

Publisher(s): Sega Corporation (all three nations)

Credits:

Executive Producer: Hayao Nakayama
Producer: Shinobu Toyoda
Game Planners(Directors): Hirokazu Yasuhara, Masaharu Yoshii
Chief Programmer: Yuji Naka
Programmer: Mark Cerny
Character Design: Judy Totoya
Chief Artist: Judy Totoya
Project Manager: Masaharu Yoshii
Assistant Programmer: Masanobu Yamamoto, Bill Willis
Object Placement: Hirokazu Yasuhara, Yutaka Sugano, Takahiro Anto
Special Stage Object Placement: Yutaka Sugano
Zone Artist: Reiko Kodama, Craig Stitt, Brenda Ross, Jina Ishiwatari, Tom Payne, Judy Totoya
Special Stage Art and CG: Tim Skelly, Peter Morawiec
Composer: Masato Nakamura
Sound Programmer: Tomoyuki Shimada
Sound Assistant: Hiroshi Kubota, Yukifumi Makino, "Milpo", Izuho Takeuchi, "S.O", "OYZ", Naofumi Hataya
Development Support: Mark Cerny, Al Nilsen
Project Assistant: Takahiro Hamano, Syuichi Katagi, Yoshiki Ooka, Steve Woita
Game Manual: Carol Ann Hanshaw, Youichi Takahashi
Executive Supporters: Tom Kalinske, Fujio Minegishi, Daizaburou Sakurai, Hisashi Suzuki, Takaharu Utsunomiya
Special Thanks To: Kunitake Aoki, Tsuneko Aoki, Cindy Claveran, Masaaki Kawamura, Broderick Macaraeg, Deborah McCracken, Locky P, Daisuke Saito, France Tantiado, Tatsuo Yamada, Jinya Ito, "Papa"
  
Character Introductions: Miles "Tails" Prower, Silver Sonic (AKA Mecha Sonic) and the animals: Becky, Locky, Wocky, and an unconfirmed mouse/rat animal that is only seen in the Mystic Cave Zone.

Region Game Takes Place On: Westside Island.

Concept Introductions: The 7th Chaos Emerald is introduced in Sonic 2 along with Super Sonic, where once all 7 Chaos Emeralds are obtained, along with an additional 50 rings, Sonic transforms into a yellow version of himself with spiked hair, doubled speed and invulnerability. The Spin Dash was also introduced in Sonic 2, which is a maneuver that allows Sonic to rev up along the ground and boost forward in an acceleration roll of high speed. It is meant for offensive purposes or for travel.

Concept Deductions: There is no longer a Special Stage entrance via ring portal at the end of each zone act. In Sonic 2, you enter the Special Stages by having 50 rings at the 3 to 4 checkpoint markers in each zone act. This makes getting the Chaos Emeralds rather easy, though once you finish the Special Stage and return to the zone, you lose your rings. An experienced player can usually obtain all 7 before getting out of Emerald Hill Act 2. Checkpoint markers also change appearance. That's all, unless you deem it necessary to count original beta ideas for the game such as the zone's original names, templates, etc.

Main Framework: The same as before, but the level design is bigger and wider, allowing for more exploration and, most importantly, more speed.

Storyline:

Sonic was seen high up in the skies, manning his very own biplane, the Tornado, searching for adventure. That is until he notices a beautiful island with lush greenery far ahead that looked pleasing to the senses. With white smoke coming from the plane, Sonic flew a long arch in the sky before he immediately landed the Tornado on none other than Westside Island, the Island of Illusion! This Island, according to legend, once had a civilization that based their strength off of seven mythical gems, some even decided to channel the energy for their own selfish greed. But these attempts, however, came to naught.

           Days had passed since Sonic landed onto the island and during his casual exploration, he found he was being followed by a young, two-tailed fox. After spotting this admirer, Sonic noticed the little fox immediately hid behind a palm tree. Sonic shrugged it off, speeding forward into the horizon as his follower did not at all hesitate to run after the hedgehog. Instead of leaving his new follower in the dust, Sonic eventually ended up letting this fox follow him everywhere, thus starting a friendship with Miles Prower, who on the island was referred to as Tails because of his two tails that he uses as rotary blades to fly.

           Our heroes were chilling on the beach, Tails was seen walking around, inspecting Sonic's plane in sheer awe. He fell in love with its curved outline and proportions, walking towards the front he then saw Sonic sleeping in the cockpit. The fox scampered towards the rear once again in hopes not to wake him. Alas, an explosion boomed throughout the nearby woods, followed by columns of flames and smaller rumbling explosions, scattered trees, rocks and sediments allover. Then, a dismal army of marching robots came forth, cluttering the Earth.

           Miles watched, shocked, yet still not realizing the full scope of the situation. Sonic watched with anger in his eyes. "Eggman...," the hedgehog muttered. In no time, Sonic sped off into the nearby wood to nail the scientist once more. After recovering from a brief faint, Tails kicked up and followed after his hero, determined to assist him in any way possible.

"DA-HAHAHAHA!!!" The loud laugh echoed throughout the woods, Eggman was nearby.

"Finally, my plan is underway! The CHAOS EMERALDS sleep somewhere on Westside Island, the Island of Illusion, so it will be easy to expel my adversary Sonic! Soon, my supreme weapon, The Death Egg, will be launched into space. Just you wait, Sonic! This time, THIS time I will gather the Chaos Emeralds, and with their power I will defeat you! Thus, I, Dr. Robotnik, shall become master of this world! Daa-HA HA HA!!"

Personal Criticism/Opinion:

          Now then, what's the first thing you do when you've released a successful game? You make a sequel. And not just any sequel: a GREAT sequel. Sonic 2 took what was good about Sonic 1 and, appropriately, multiplied it by 2.

          What I liked best about this game was the way it felt. You know you're in for a good adventure with Sonic and Tails from the get-go. From zooming through Emerald Hill to the epic clash on the Death Egg, you're always enjoying yourself.

          Some may argue that the game feels more realistic that the first one. I don't see this one bit. Sonic's world is just as out there as ever, if not more so here. And you get to see a lot more of it, as the zones here are much bigger this time around. Just two Acts this time around (Metropolis Zone being the exception), with a boss at the end.

          One of the main draws (and main gripes depending on who you're talking to) is the inclusion of Tails. Granted, he's mainly here to show off the power of the Genesis, but I feel him being there is appreciated nonetheless (even if he can't fly in this one). First of all, it adds multiplayer (dominating Eggman with a second player is rather cool). Secondly, he's more helpful than most give him credit for, even in the Special Stages. Learning how to get those Emeralds with Tails behind you adds more challenge.

          Also, without him, there wouldn't be those snazzy races. There's only 3 levels (and 3 Special Stages) to compete in, but it's still fun.

          All in all, Sonic 2 is a fine continuation of the series. It's not perfect (no game is), but if you insist on spewing the "anti-3D Sonic" bullcrap, this is great material.

GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:

Replay value? You can outdo your best scores and times, explore and, once the Chaos Emeralds have been collected, tear up the place as Super Sonic. Also, you can play the entire game as Tails by himself, if it takes your fancy. Don't expect him to go Super, though (yet).

Graphics? This is what happens when an already fine look is pushed a tad more. The environments are bigger and brighter and are made to suit Sonic's speed a little more. The animations have been slightly improved, and, to note, Tails is just too damn cute.

Audio? Ah, more great tunage. Sonic 2's music is some of the best in the series.  Aquatic Ruin is a personal favorite of mine. The sound effects, aside from some new ones here and there, haven't changed much.

Storyline? Hmph. I'll admit, a little more effort was put into the story presentation here...near the end of the game. I, for one, would've appreciated it if it was done throughout the entire game and not just near the end, but that's just me. Better than Sonic 1, at any rate.

*cue level completion jingle*

OVERALL RATING? I give Sonic the Hedgehog 2 an A.