Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review

Courtesy of SEGA 

With the release of Sonic the Hedgehog being a huge success in many ways, SEGA needed to come up with a sequel for the game.  As the sequel was being created in America by some members of Sonic Team and the SEGA Technical Institute, SEGA of Japan was creating Sonic CD for the SEGA CD.  This game literally took the blue hedgehog to a whole new level, with the help of a two-tail fox named Mile "Tails" Prower (speed joke... you got it?).  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was finally on store shelves in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992.  Great gimmick they had for it, which was known as Sonic Twosday.  If you're interested, check out the information on it.  Did this game match up to the original, surpass it, or did it fall short of glory?  Let's find out in a DirectGamers' review of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the SEGA Genesis/ MEGA DRIVE.
Game Synopsis
I really couldn't use either the Japanese or U.S. manual, because they both have a somewhat different story about how the game begins.  This especially goes for Tails' background history.  However, here is the basic part of the story.  Dr. Ivo Robotnik is back once again to take over the world, and he only needs to find the Chaos Emeralds to finish his greatest weapon, the "Death Egg."  It's up to Sonic and Tails, his new sidekick, to stop him and save the world!  Are you up for the challenge?
Gameplay/  Game Mechanics
Once again, your goal is to get from point A to point B as fast as possible; higher platforms help you beat the act faster but are more difficult, and lower platforms are easier but longer.  Now, you can play as either Sonic, Tails, or Sonic and Tails together (Tails will follow you around).  Playing as Sonic and Tails together can be fun; however, it can be a pain.  The main issue with playing as both Sonic and Tails is that Tails can screw you over sometimes.  Whether hitting the boss for you as your jumping or possibly taking your air bubble, he can mess you up.  A good fact to know is that player 2 can play as Tails during the game; just tell your friend to grab the controller.  There is a 2 player mode, where the first and second player will race against each other to the end of the act.  The acts are the same layout as the acts in the 1 player game.  These are fun, and it's worth the time to get another player to play against you.

Another reminder... JUMP!!!

The special stages in this game are brand new and fresh to the series.  You still have to collect 50 rings, but instead of having 50+ rings at the end of the act, you just need to have 50+ rings when hitting a checkpoint post.  Stars will circle the post and that's your time to jump in!!!  The special stages are half-pipes, and you need to collect a certain amount of rings to continue on in the special stage.  It's not all fun and games on certain stages;  there will be bombs in your path, and memorization is required for the pattern of the stages.  Another thing to point out about Tails is that he has a time delay during the special stages so make sure to jump early, or you're going to lose rings because of Tails.  If you make it through the entire special stage, you'll receive a Chaos Emerald; there are 7 in total.


Sonic controls much better then he did in Sonic the Hedgehog.  Added to his arsenal of moves is the Super Spin Dash, or known as the Spin Dash.  By holding the down arrow and pressing the action button, Sonic or Tails (he can do that too) will curl into a ball and rev up in place.  When released, they will dash off faster than they could have.  This has definitely help out Sonic throughout this game and was kept for future games.  It can also be used to jump over high places.  When all seven chaos emerald are found, Sonic can become SUPER SAIYAN... sorry, I mean Super Sonic.  Now yellow instead of blue, Sonic can run faster, jump higher, and is invincible against enemies and their attacks.  However, Sonic can still be killed by drowning, bottomless pits, and being crushed.  Finally, there are some glitches where can fall through the floor and to your death, or somehow getting crushed.
Difficulty

Aquis:  The badnik that won't leave
you alone.

This game has a good amount of difficulty in the beginning; however, the difficulty will become harder in the end.  You start off in Emerald Hill Zone, which is the Green Hill Zone of the game; thus, introducing veteran and novice players to the gameplay.  One reason I believe the game has a spike in the difficulty because the game can throw badniks at you, and you probably won't see them because you're going too fast.  Other badniks won't let up in trying to attack you.  A lot of people say that the Slicers, Asterons, and Shellcrackers in Metropolis Zone are difficult, but I say that the Aquis from Oil Ocean Zone can be an extreme pain.  Not only will it hit you, but if it doesn't hit you, it will LITERALLY follow you just to get an attack.  I understand that the badniks in Metropolis Zone are placed in the craziest spots in the level but that is just bad enemy placement, and for me, I can easily get through them.  Oil Ocean Zone is a pain for me; this game makes you slow down a lot.  Finally, by the end of the game, you'll be fighting some strong enemies over bottomless pits and having no rings.  Can you handle the challenge?
Graphics/ Sound
The graphics in the game are very well, and on point.  The backgrounds do move as the stage moves, and the colors fit perfectly with the stages.  Emerald Hill Zone has nice, vibrant colors, while Oil Ocean Zone has factories and an evening setting.  Forgot to mention that the ocean is black oil that can make you sink if you're in there too long.  The music in Sonic 2 is well made, and it's enjoyable to listen to even when you're not playing the game.  Another good thing to note is that the 2 player mode has a different set of musical tracks for all the stages, except for the special stage.  I can say that the ending theme goes with it very well, and that I have a good amount of songs from the game on my iPod.
Conclusion
At the end of this game, you'll feel happy and accomplished that you completed Sonic 2.  Even though Tails can be a pain and screw you over a number of times, this game can be fun.  A really great aspect that the game introduced to the series was the 2 player mode.  I can remember when I played against my older brother in that to see who was better.  On the negative, enemy placement can work against you, cause you to slow down a lot, and take up a lot of time.  With that said, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 gets a 8.5 out of 10.  This is a game you should buy, play, and enjoy multiple times.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 © SEGA, Sonic Team (1992)


DirectGamers Reviews 2011