Introduction: So here we are. The infamous Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Let me start off by saying that this game really is fun and is one of the best for Sega's mascot: Sonic the Hedgehog. This is a platform game, of course, made and developed by the Sonic Team and was published by Sega originally for the Genesis and the Mega Drive! This unique game introduces a new character as well to show that Sonic has his own buddies as well! Miles "Tails" Prower is the new character, and is also playable! So, do me a favor if you were reading this to read below.

Difficulty:8
Let me say that this game is just a little bit tougher than it's predecessor, but not by that much. I'd say that this game is even on difficulty with the last one, but with this game being longer is what makes it tough. All though, it is not that hard to manage though. If you can beat the first one, you can beat this one for sure... maybe. I would recommended you only using Sonic if you plain on trying to become Super Sonic. Tails is a real bother in the mini-game, unless you have a lot of skill.

With a bit of practice, this game could be no problem! The new spin dash move helps tremendously in this game, so use that too.

Depth:9
OK, here we go with the depth of this game. It is a fair size of depth in this game, not bad and it is good.

So the game-play is basically like the first Sonic the Hedgehog; you, the player, finishes all of the levels you come across, moving left to right usually, in a time limit of ten minutes. But don't even mind the ten minutes limit, when you play it you will probably finish the levels WAY faster than that time. So along the adventure of the level you collect these wonderful gold rings and you defeat the badniks that are in your way.(Not sure where Sonic keeps all of his rings!) There are star posts that are checkpoints so if you die and lose a life, you'll return there. But if you played the last Sonic the Hedgehog, you will notice that you will actually have to FIND the checkpoints. This Sonic game is a little bit more "free" if you will. But the special thing about these star posts is that if you have 50 rings and activate one, sparkles appear above it which you can jump into and play the special stage to see if you have what it takes to take the emerald! More about those later. In this game, there are only two acts per level this time, facing Dr. Eggman at act 2. The only time there is an third act is in Metropolis.

The game-play in this is also faster than its predecessor. Like stated above, Sonic and Tails can use a spin dash move where sonic builds up speed in place while in a ball, and then shoots out really fast! This is great for gaining speed.

So here is where I talk about these special stages! The special stages in this game tracks Sonic and/or Tails from behind as you run through half-pipe course filled with rings and bombs. There are checkpoints in this stage which is reached by collecting a certain amount of rings. There are two checkpoints, and then you get the emerald. But as you may have known this, run into bombs and you will lose some rings. The amount of rings you lose varies on the stage you are on such as if you are on the 5th emerald, it varies there. The stages are linear and increases in difficulty as you progress through them. Unlike Sonic 1, you can't progress to later stages until you beat the one your on. Obtaining the emerald or not, you are transported back to the level when it is over and you start with ZERO rings, so stay cautious.

There is also a options screen where you can select playing as Sonic and Tails, Sonic alone or Tails alone. By default, you control Sonic and Tails tags along as an unplayable character. But a second player can control Tails! Tails can die anyway Sonic can, but he is invincible as he keeps returning on screen in a few seconds. Tails CANNOT fly in this game.

Sonic also has a super transformation in this game! It is known as Super Sonic. If you collect all seven emeralds, Sonic is able to do this. If you have 50 rings and jump, he will transform. At this point he glows yellow and is invincible to enemies and spikes. He still dies by drowning, getting crushed, failing of screen or running out of time. His speed, jump height and acceleration is increased. With that being stated, he is much harder to control! The only decrease is his spin dash. The effectiveness of it is decreased dramatically. While in this mode, Sonic uses one ring per second and if you run out of rings, you revert to regular. When you finish a level you also revert to regular form. Unfortunately, Tails has no super form and collecting all emeralds does nothing.

This game also includes a two player mode! In this mode, two players compete against each other as Sonic or Tails in a split-screen race through three regular zones and one special stage. The players are judged in five areas: Score, Time, rings held at the end of the level, rings collected, and the number of item boxes broken. In the regular stages, the player with the highest score in these aspects wins. In the special stage, you win by collecting the most rings. If one player finishes a level before the other can cross the finish line, they have 60 seconds to get there or they lose a life! If there is a tie in any case, a special stage round must be completed. There are also new items only in versus mode. Teleport, which sends you to different parts of the level, and a Robotnik item that damages you. There is an option setting to take the Robotnink item away and use only telport.

So, now you know how much depth this game has. It is a lot isn't it? The most I've seen here so far.

Story:8
The story of this game is different than the usually. It has the usually in it, but with a twist.

So Dr. Robotnik is back after his crushing defeat in Scrap Brain to conquer the world again. After recovering, he follows Sonic's biplane, the Tornado to his vacation spot West Side Island. Legend says that an ancient civilization once abused the power of the seven Chaos Emeralds on West Side Island. Sonic meets a two-tailed fox named Miles Prower. They became great friends. Meanwhile, Robotnik searches for the Emeralds to fuel his Death Egg warship. On a afternoon, he launches a full-scale attack on the island! He imprisons all of the animals located on the island and turns them into work-drones called badniks like the first game. Sonic is now determined to stop Robotnik, but isn't alone this time. Tails aids him as they collect all of the emeralds and stop Robotnik before he completes his warship.

Like I said, usual with a twist. Not bad.

Addictiveness:8
This game is very addictive! I can play this game endlessly and never get tired of it. The amount of depth it has is amazing and you can play with a friend!This game certainly almost outdid itself. Any Sonic fan would just LOVE to play this game!

Sound:9
Like always, Sonic always has some good music. The zone music is really enjoyable to here, full of adventure. I also love the special stage music. It is perhaps my favorite! The sound effects has also improved greatly and has more sound effects! You can listen to all of this in the options menu as well! How awesome is that!?

Graphics:9
This graphics blows me away. The way everything looks is just beautiful! It is bright and colorful, and really helps set the mood of the level and the game. Stunning graphics for its time and even now! It is easily one of the most best looking games on the Genesis!

Overall:8.6
This game is awesome to sum it up. Great sounds and soundtrack, stunning graphics, great game-play and has tuns of depth. This is all what makes this game a never ending classic and a must play for anyone who enjoys a good platform game. This game has some secrets to explore as well. Great stuff.

Have fun playing this amazing game. Thank you for your time.

Great Review!

Sonic 2 is one of my favorite Sonic games... And it's the favorite of many Sonic fans as well.

After all, this was the game that gave Sonic the fame he has...

Hope to see another review like this one some day.

Would it be wrong for me to say that 2 isn't a lucky number in gaming franchises?

Eddy88
Wow. You actually read this and responded to this. Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. I put everything in this review for some reason. Thanks again. I also agree with you, Sonic 2 is my favorite one also.

megamanmaniac





Oh YEAH! It would be wrong for you to say that! For some reason every 2 is an awesome game for its franchise lol. Thank you.