SA2 is superior to the original in almost every way, and probably the best 3D Sonic of all time.
Lows: Flawed multiplayer, cheesy voice acting, some of the songs can get annoying after a while (especially the rap music on Knuckles' stages), grading system is a little unfair, some glitches that can cause death.
Verdict: Not only the best 3D Sonic game, but the best game Sonic Team has ever made.
After the success of the first Sonic Adventure game, how could Sonic Team continue their hot streak? How could it be better than the first in almost every way? Well, lets find out by reviewing the legendary Sonic Adventure 2, released for the Dreamcast in 2001 in celebration of Sonic's 10th Birthday, and this game is one helluva way to not only celebrate the Blue Blur's b-day, but one helluva way to send the Dreamcast out with a bang. In SA2, you can either play as the good guys or the bad guys. If you choose the good side, you get to play as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. If you choose the bad side, you get to play as Shadow, Rouge, and Dr. Eggman. You can choose to save the world, or conquer it! The level design in SA2 is great, as Knuckles' stages is a treasure hunt for pieces of the Master Emerald. On Tails' stages, you get to control him in a walking battle tank, as you can shoot your way through lots of enemies and build up huge combos. And of course on Sonic's stages, it's just a speed run to the end of the stage. The same applies to the bad guys as well. Rouge does the treasure hunting for the Master Emerald, Eggman is in a walking battle tank, and Shadow has the speed run stages. The game controls and plays like a dream too, as your character reacts at the exact time you use a certain button. The game also has the return of the Chao Garden, where you can raise your own Chaos, and you can play minigames with them as well. The character development is great too, as we learn of Shadow's dark past, Eggman's past, the story behind Knuckles' quest, and what have you. If you complete both light and dark quests, there is a suprise climax in the end. The music is also great too, as each stage has a memorable tune to it, and the fantastlc single "Live & Learn" by Crush 40 is epic too. Even though this game is indeed a classic, there are some problems. There are some graphical glitches in the game that can lead to some cheap deaths, some of the music can get annoying after a while (especially the rap music on Knuckles' stages), as they can sound gimmicky, the grading system is also unfair, as on some stages you need to move as fast as you can to get an A, B, C, or an S. Also the voice acting and some of the dialogue are cheesy as all hell, some of it is funny, some of it is annoying. The multiplayer is also flawed, as Sonic Team probably didn't put much effort into it as they should have. But overall, Sonic Adventure 2 is a great game. It surpasses the original in almost every way, and is an excellent way to say goodbye to Sega's last console. No 3D Sonic has ever come close to matching this classic, as it does pretty much everything right for a 3D Sonic. Hands down the best game Sonic Team has ever crafted. Pick it up when you get the chance.