Game Review: Sonic Adventure

Game: Sonic Adventure
Console: Sega Dreamcast
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 9th September 1999

The first 3D game to be released in the Sonic series (with the exception of Sonic 3D which was isometric so it doesn't count), Sonic Adventure was a launch title for the Dreamcast which featured somewhat different gameplay from previous titles. The action is centred around action stages, which involve platforming and occasionally other elements to reach the goal at the end of the stage. These occur in between adventure stages in which Sonic and friends must travel between areas in the Mystic Ruins and Station Square to advance the plot through cutscenes.

Relying much more heavily on plot elements than previous installments of the series, there's a fair amount of cutscenes which aren't particularly well voice acted or animated. At best they give you a reason to continue along to the next Action Stage. There are 6 playable characters in the game (7 if you count Super Sonic) each with different objectives for completing their action stages, and slightly different perspectives on the main story, fitting together to set the scene for the final boss.

Graphically the game is mixed, the opening demo has parts which look great and really make the game seem exciting, but at other times during cutscenes and levels, there are little inconsistencies and graphical issues which let it down. The camera is also a problem in the game, sometimes taking a somewhat unconventional position behind Sonic, making it almost impossible to see what you're doing. While this doesn't happen enough to make it a bad game, its not exactly a rare occurrence either.

The level design is great on the whole, Sonic's stages flow very well; the high point for me being the stage "Lost World" which in addition to being nicely themed features good variation of platforming and puzzles along the way. Sonic's story mode is the best experience to be had in the game, followed by Knuckles levels in which you have to find pieces of the Master Emerald, guided by a proximity meter. Amy Rose and Tails stages tend to follow Sonic's a little too closely even if they have different ways of getting around them. E101 Gamma's stages are a welcome change from the gameplay of the other characters, using time based laser shooting to add to the platforming.

Only two characters have core gameplay which I take exception to; Big The Cat's fishing levels are not only monotonous but the fishing mechanic isn't great and personally I could hardly describe it as anywhere close to fun. His final level features a battle which ends with one hit, somewhat epitomizing the uselessness of his levels. Super Sonic's story on the other hand, whilst being a short introduction to the final boss battle involves a fair amount of walking to other locations to find things out and watching a variety of cutscenes before you can fight the final boss. While I understand that the game is heavily plot driven, it's annoying to be delayed in such a fashion, having unlocked the ability to play Super Sonic's part of the game.

You might think that this sounds like a largely negative review, but its true that this game has its fair share of problems. Stages other than those of Sonic and Knuckles can feel like padding for the game, just to make it longer, especially those of Big the Cat. Cutscenes are goofily voice acted and the camera can act up, making it difficult to progress every now and then, but even these things don't stop the game from being a good addition to the Sonic franchise.

The music in the game is one of it's strongest points, there's a lot of good themes for levels and characters which fit well with the ambience of levels and Sonic's fast paced stages. While the plot isn't the game's strongest point, it's not executed badly and the 6 different points of view are an interesting feature, leading up to the final battle which gains a somewhat epic feel within the context of the previous cutscenes. There's also a lot of varied gameplay features; snowboarding, raising chao, racing carts on twinkle circuit, playing pinball in the casino in addition to the action stages.

Sonic's action stages in particular are well designed, fast paced and varied with good themeing throughout and a good balance of challenge and innovative play. Knuckles stages also are designed well, with clever places for the Master Emerald shards, and its almost a shame that some of the supporting cast don't get their own levels or at least more stages compared to Sonic.

Overall this is a pretty nostalgic game for me, one of the first to come with my Dreamcast, it got a lot of play before I had a large collection of games. As I grew older, it was more obvious that it is in no shape or form a perfect game, there's some pretty large flaws which I overlooked upon first playing the game. Going on the logic that the added characters don't take anything away from Sonic and Knuckles stages in the game, even though they need to be completed to truly finish the game, I'd have to say that it makes a pretty solid start to Sonic's 3D adventures.

There are some that prefer Sonic's 2D games and I can understand why, the voice acting here isn't great, and there's no retro charm as you'd find with the genesis games, however there's a lot of fun to be had in Sonic Adventure, its an action packed, fast paced journey with a rocking soundtrack and shiny new 3D graphics (for the time), with a lot of good ideas and levels. Forgiving the game a little for it's flaws can leads to an enjoyable experience comparable at least to its sequel.

Rating: 80/100
Grade: B