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What is it like to play Sonic 2?

Discussion in 'General Sonic Discussion' started by PsuitablePseudonym, Dec 6, 2011.

  1. jenniferdarknight

    jenniferdarknight

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    A gaming blog? Fanfic? An unrelated Hack?

    Haha, I remember when I used to play Mystic Cave on two-player mode with my sister; I died so much that I always lost on that stage, even though I could almost always win on the other stages (especially Casino Night)...when I grew older, it became one of my favorite stages, but I still get tripped up on it from time to time (stupid firefly things and missing switches...). I never had problems with the boss, though...at least, he didn't give me as many problems as, say, the Metropolis or Oil Ocean bosses did.

    Agh, Metropolis...why is that my favorite stage again? ><
     
  2. Iapetus

    Iapetus

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    Because what isn't satisfying about conquering something that used to give you trouble when you were younger? :)

    I'd like to applaud PsuitablePseudonym for starting this topic as I believe it deserves to be discussed further. What is it that makes Sonic 2... Well, Sonic 2? We all know that Sonic 2-ness when we play it, we can distinguish it from other Sonic games as a result. But how do we pinpoint it?

    I don't have a lot to contribute to this topic, other than I like it. The levels feel short yet in-depth, a striking contrast to S3/SK's seemingly overly-long levels. And unlike later games, it doesn't feel like you are on a track that can't be changed - you can always jump off or sometimes go back to where the road branches off. Sonic 2 is a blast to play to completion, but the real joy occurs when you go off your usual beaten path and find unusual pockets or paths that you didn't know existed.

    Anyway, my 0.02.
     
  3. Frodo T. Baggins

    Frodo T. Baggins

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    I dunno how anyone could dislike Sonic 2.

    When IGN does those "greatest 100 video games of all time forever eternally for the year 20xx" every two months or so (because what could be more original than a list??), I'm always sad to not see STH 2 near the top.

    The game's elite.
     
  4. RetroKoH

    RetroKoH

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    Do you actually take IGN seriously?
     
  5. Frodo T. Baggins

    Frodo T. Baggins

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    Absolutely not.

    Just saying, they put out about seven of those lists a year, and I don't think Sonic games ever break the top 20.
     
  6. Blastfrog

    Blastfrog

    See ya starside. Member
    Does anyone agree with me about Sonic 2's art direction? (in that you agree they tried to make it sleeker and more serious)
     
  7. jenniferdarknight

    jenniferdarknight

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    A gaming blog? Fanfic? An unrelated Hack?

    Sleeker, maybe, but serious? I guess the levels were less openly exaggerated than Sonic 1, but in terms of level design, music, hazards and even Sonic's sprite design? Sonic 1, to me, was the more 'serious' game, and I think it was intentionally 'serious', rather than Sonic 2. Sonic 2 felt a lot more cartoony and childish, with the less foreboding obstacles, the bouncing, happier music (Sonic 2's Robotnik theme versus Sonic 1's Robotnik theme? Sonic 2 felt MUCH less threatening. Or what about Green Hill Zone versus Emerald Hill Zone? Or Hill Top Zone versus Marble Zone? I think the only Sonic 1 tune that didn't feel more 'mature' to me was Labyrinth Zone.), and the overall atmosphere of the game felt more bright and colorful.

    Sonic 1, maybe because of my own experiences with it, felt like the more 'serious' game in terms of its art direction and atmosphere. Sonic 2 felt more friendly and approachable when you picked the thing up, and I think that's what they were trying to do.

    ...BUT!


    When we get to the ending levels, then yes, they were trying for a more serious tone, not just in colors and music, but also in level design. Wing Fortress and the Death Egg zones, on top of the Midi rendition of Dream Come True's "Sweet Dream" as you're falling to the ground—the way they put it together almost felt out of place against the rest of the game. But compare that to Sonic 1's ending levels? Yeah. Sonic 2 IS more serious in terms of art direction.

    ...

    TL:DR:

    Overall: Sonic 1 is more serious in art direction.

    Last few levels?: Sonic 2 is the more serious game.

    ...

    Why can't I ever give straight 'yes' or 'no' answers?
     
  8. LockOnRommy11

    LockOnRommy11

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    I can't go in to that much depth about how the game plays, it's just a whole lot easier to go and play it. To sum it up- Sonic 2 often feels more tactical with enemy placement, and it's obvious that they would have preferred the player to play with someone else being Tails. The game itself is made to generally there's an 'easy' path through a majority of the levels, but taking he longer more winding ruotes is more resourceful.

    Sonic 1 is quite paced due to the lack of spin-dash, but overall the two games don't play that differently overall.

    Sonic 3 just expands on the tactical elements of Sonic 2 by throwing in different abilities and larger levels.
     
  9. RetroKoH

    RetroKoH

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    If we are talking art styles... Sonic 1 was the most serious... Sonic 2 was on the opposite end of that spectrum... especially if you take a look at some of the other art that was supposed to be included, but got scrapped. Sonic 2 was meant to be a little bit more cartoonish than the first.
     
  10. Vaiz

    Vaiz

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    Welcome to Sonic Retro, mate. Shit gets preeeeeetty hardcore here. I don't understand how half of it works, but we have some pretty amazing techies.

    Anyway, Sonic 2 never really clicked with me. Maybe it's because I'm a wuss and I need a save function to be interested in a game, because I tend to play games in extremely sporadic, hyperactive doses, but I could never get into it. Something about it always felt really weird to me. Not my least favorite classic game in the slightest (that honor goes to numero uno), but it's down there.
     
  11. dsrb

    dsrb

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    You think that's hardcore and awesome?

    S2H is good and well-made and all, but it has deviated relatively little from the original in comparison.
     
  12. E-122-Psi

    E-122-Psi

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    For some reason I always thought Sonic 2 was the best in terms of layout. Yeah I like some of Sonic 1's platform hopping and Sonic 3 added a lot of cool additions like save files and cutscenes but overall Sonic 2 felt the most consistant and approachable to play. The levels were more reasonable in length and had tons of variation (in comparison to the other two that have levels that lag on for a bit too long), it's real fun for those who have a poor attention span such as myself as there isn't as much repetition and you don't have to wait long for new dynamics to appear. It's genuinely furious paced without wishing feeling things weren't used to their full potential or were too short and underwelming.

    The numerous unused levels are a shame but overall they seemed to be lacking much in innovation and gimmicks so maybe it's best they were kept out and didn't taint on the progression.