Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

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Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Ivogoji »

The first of our official Sonic game discussion topics, this one for the second game in the franchise.

The introductory game for Tails, the Death Egg, Mecha Sonic, Sonic's Spin Dash, the Seventh Chaos Emerald, and Super Sonic. Probably the game that made the biggest impact on the franchise before Sonic Adventure came out, it not only influenced subsequent games very significantly, but it also had the most obvious effect on cartoons, comics, and other media of any title in the series (indeed, more so than S3&K or Sonic CD). The partner mechanic would be referenced in passing in later entries in the series like Sonic Adventure and Sonic Advance, but would also be expanded upon in games like Knuckles Chaotix and Sonic Advance 3 to create more varied types of gameplay.

At the time of its release it was most noted for its length, as it featured ten Zones rather than seven like the other Genesis era games. Coupled with no save feature, this makes the game particularly time consuming to beat. This game also leaves Super Sonic as mostly a bonus feature, rather than necessary to defeat the true final boss, which was not implemented again in a main series game until Sonic Colors.

Sonic 2 is a fun and relatively challenging game that has aged somewhat better than the first title in the franchise, but isn't as highly regarded as its sequel.
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Mamkute »

I have started attempting to beat this with one of my roommates, and he is taking the lead as Sonic (I was Sonic in S3&K, but that one has a save system at least.) Last attempt was on Sunday, so this topic is close to home for me.
We have made it to the Sky Fortress Zone twice now, but not past it, with at this point taking alternating turns over controlling the now lonesome Sonic. Making it past that, I have high doubts of beating the final boss set any time soon. One day, though.

Last night I also played Sonic 1, and the differences are amazing. Charging spin dash is so amazing, and mostly just helps to ease the tedium of backtracking to build up speed, or to more easily get ground level enemies. But it is such a nice and simple addition.

I can also see what you mean, with likely introducing some of the most key aspects of the 2D Sonic games (although I do agree with most that S3&K is better, due to being more refined.) I was also amazed to find out Sonic 1 came out in 1991, Sonic 2 in 1992, and S3 and S&K coming out in 1994. That is a crazy set of years to be making so many really good games, and despite being similar, they pretty much always took cool aspects from prior games and improved upon them. But this is more just me raving about old Sonic in general.

Back to Sonic 2. The game's zones are all pretty good, with Emerald Hill first being a nice call back to Green Hill Zone, and then very notable levels next, like making the first Casino level, since Springyard Zone didn't really get there. There are a few unfortunate parts, like Mystic Cave being terrible and squishing and death pit, or the flooding portion in Chemical Plant Zone, but overall, the game is really fun, and has memorable levels.
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Ivogoji »

Yeah, I've never beaten Sonic 2 without using the stage select cheat code, it's just too long. It's still a remarkable game though, has its own spirit apart from the other classic titles.

The history behind the production of Sonic games is fascinating to me. Like how Sonic 2 was a joint venture between the Japanese and American branches of SEGA, and things such as Casino Night Zone were inspired by Sonic Team's experiences in the USA. Makes playing the game and putting the pieces together more rewarding, you know?
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Mamkute »

I did not know that about the collaboration, but that is really cool. Overall, with my realization of how close the games came out together was how there was very consistent improvement in the games, and bringing back aspects from older games in new ways (Casino Bonus Stage in S3, or even something as simple as the letting go of poles in Aqua City Zone, from Sky Fortress Zone.)

Also, in terms of Chaos Emerald stages, I would call Sonic 2's a good venture. Disorienting, just like the other two, and also really difficult, but an exciting thing to improve upon for yourself (I have never gotten past the fourth emerald stage, sadly.)
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by chaoadventures »

Mamkute wrote:Aqua City Zone
HYDROcity Zone.

---

Right. Since I'm here, I want to say that I beat Sonic 2 quite recently. I used the Classic Collection version, and it's "per Act" save states. I have a new found respect for this game.
But not enough for me to attempt a no save states run. The game's designed to make you never finish it. The final boss has no rings, and if it weren't for me previously using debug mode,
I would have never known it's weak point or attack patterns. I would have just lost all of my lives and continues.


It took me years to beat Chemical Plant though, less because of the rising water section, but more because of the areas after that.
The bridge/platforms that drop you back into the water were the problem.

Interestingly, I never encountered the spike pits everyone's always raving about. And I didn't get Super Sonic either.
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Ivogoji »

I usually get stumped on the Oil Ocean Zone in regular playthroughs, but I've made it as far as Sky Chase a couple times.

I cannot beat the special stages in this game at all. Not once. Thank goodness for cheat codes.

I'm so glad we didn't get special stages like that in any other Sonic game.
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by KeatonLabs »

I prefer the sonic 3 special stages personally.

But I beat this game in a single run about 2 years ago. I like it, but i do feel S3&K is better. Sonic 2 is still great though
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Crash32 »

I think it's the best out of the original trilogy (& Knuckles).

I think I've always gotten stumped by Mecha Sonic
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Sable »

mecha sonic is a cakewalk, just spindash under him when he's descending and then let go right before he dashes - at the start of his next cycle, when he's revving up, you can easily get the remainder of the hits you need on him.

more on-topic, 2 is probably my next-to-least favorite of the (2D) classic series, it's a solid game but not much in it really jumps out to me as special or amazing.

imo
CD = 3K > chaotix > 2 > 1
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Goat »

Sonic 2 I feel is the best to introduce someone to the series
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by KeatonLabs »

Sable wrote:mecha sonic is a cakewalk, just spindash under him when he's descending and then let go right before he dashes - at the start of his next cycle, when he's revving up, you can easily get the remainder of the hits you need on him.

more on-topic, 2 is probably my next-to-least favorite of the (2D) classic series, it's a solid game but not much in it really jumps out to me as special or amazing.

imo
CD = 3K > chaotix > 2 > 1
This sums it up fairly well for me

Though i MAY argue 2 over chaotix but i havent played chaotix in years
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Re: Game Discussion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Post by Ivogoji »

I think Knuckles Chaotix is a creative and enjoyable improvement on Sonic 2's partner feature, making it more versatile with the elastic Ring force, in addition to increasing the roster of characters. Whether or not the stages are better is up to interpretation- they mostly remind me of S3&K's stages.

Sonic 2's huge number of Zones and it's introduction of Super Sonic give it a bit of a leg up over CD and Chaotix I think, but it can't hold a candle to S3&K.
Goat wrote:Sonic 2 I feel is the best to introduce someone to the series
Well, either the rerelease or Sonic Mega Collection. The whole trilogy should be available to newcomers right away.
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