<--Dave's Sonic Site 2004!-->

Sonic Adventure 2 is by far, in my opinion, the greatest Sonic the Hedgehog game ever. It has all of the aspects that a good game needs and more. Sonic Adventure 2 has intense speed levels for Sonic and Shadow reflecting classic Sonic games, but as you can imagine, that would get annoying. But Sonic Adventure offers

so much more. In addition to the speed levels, it has treasure hunting and shooting levels. In treasure hunting levels you get to use Knuckles and a new character, Rouge the Bat, to glide, dig, and swim your way to find emeralds and keys. In shooting levels, you blast through levels filled with tons of flammable enemies just waiting to be blown up by you, Dr. Robotnik or Tails. Throughout the game, you find and install upgrades like the shovel claw, Fire Bracelet, Hover Upgrades, and more. One major aspect of this game I especially like is the chao garden. It is very laid back.

In the original Sonic Adventure, one section of the game that many players enjoyed was the Chao sequence. For those not in the know, a Chao is a form of A-life (artificial life) that Sonic and the gang can care for throughout the game. They are also the cutest little b*stards you've ever seen. Sonic Team expanded the Chao sequences perfectly to fit into the Hero/Dark motif found in the game. Raising a Chao is essentially a the same as raising a virtual pet. The way you treat your Chao will affect their maturing process. Pet them and treat them gently and they'll be angels. Beat them, throw them, or forget to feed them and they'll become evil. You can pick up small animals and Chaos drives in the gameplay levels and use them to help your Chao mature. For example, you could breed your Chao with bats and birds make him learn to fly, or with squirrels and lions to make him a great runner. The addition of this rather involving mini-game adds quite a bit of depth to the gameplay. Also, if you'd prefer to not be bothered with a virtual pet mini-game, then you can simply avoid the Chao key in the action levels which triggers your entrance into Chao World. Not only that, but if you have a VMU (GBA for SA2: Battle), you can take your chao with you wherever you go and load him back into the game later.

In general, SA2 is a very sonically pleasing game. (Yes, the pun was intended) The music is great and each track really captures the proper atmosphere for the level. For example, Sonic's levels feature 80's-styled, racing guitar solos, while during Knuckles' stages hip-hop is the norm. If nothing else, it's impressive to hear the artists work references to the game into the music. Listen to the Pumpkin Hill theme, and you'll know what I mean. The sound effects may not be the best we've ever heard, but if you're like me, then you enjoy hearing that all-too familiar "ching" sound that accompanies the pick-up of a ring. It's the classic Sonic stuff we've been hearing for years, and you'd have been disappointed if it wasn't.

The story is great. It is simple on the surface, so younger players can have a good time, but It really goes deep. And besides, is it not the gameplay of a platformer that matters? How many times has Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach? Exactly. In the end, SA2 creates an experience that is nothing less than amazing.

Review by Dave Linger