Support the show on Patreon: / implantgames IMPLANTgames.com implantgames implant In today’s video I dive in and take a look to see if Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Genesis is still good. Enjoy!
I only found out about that shortcut last year! but when i went to try and find it recently in the excelent android port id completly forgotten where it was. Still to this day Sonic 2 is till suprising me with new routes, hidden rings, items and areas in a way that no othere game ever has
I truly miss Implant and his excellent Genesis analysis videos. His "Is It Still Good" series featuring the Sonic and Disney analysis videos (particularly Toy Story) are what inspired me to fully fall in love with the console, thanks to his excellent editing and perfectly written criticisms.
I love this game. My brother and I would play this game all the time. Still remember when we beat it for the first time had 20+ lives and beat it with 2 left. We even taped it lol
Brilliant, honest detailed review. It's amazing how many things that you take into account such as knuckles retaining rings after special stages or being able to avoid all water in aquatic ruin. Very good review.
Some good points about enemy placement and behavior here. However the monkey can be hit before throwing if you're fast, and the crab in MZ can be jumped on, it just has a strangely small hit box (you need to make sure to hit it past the center of the sprite). The former is why I want to see Sonic HD released on more platforms since the higher res helps in some cases.
@@implantgames i hope you noticed that your speech pattern in this video is very weird. the last three words in almost every sentence is overpronounced like you're mocking a news reporter, but it's throughout the entire video. i sincerely hope you speak more naturally in your newer videos
I am pleased to find someone else who really has paid attention to Sonic 2's shortcomings and considers the game to still be a fantastic experience, yet not the masterpiece that people would hype it up to be in years pass. As a kid you don't really pay as much attention to stuff like how a game is designed and how it guides players through while still providing a fair challenge...I love how in-depth and detailed these reviews are, too, looking into and explaining to viewers your observations not only on what factors in a game effect its overall quality and difficulty, like enemy placement and behavior, but also how well or sloppily said factors can be implemented in a game that may also make or break a game's enjoyability as well, and these are honestly some of the best review videos that really excel when it comes to that sort of thing. Again, real careful and observant points are made here, great job!!
I love Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In particular, Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is my favorite Sonic game of all time, and one of my favorite games of all time.
Very cool that you talked about Knuckles and how he changes the game! Also I heard you say you use a framemeister which makes me dig these videos even more (I also use one and love it) anyway nice work on this one too!
Thanks man! And yeah, the Framemeister is sort of amazing :) Have you picked up the OSSC yet? It's even more sharp, though the compatibility beyond 480p is a bit dicey.
I remember reading about the ossc way back but didn't realize it was available. I will check into it cause yeah sounds like it has like a 0 delay which is pretty awesome!
This is going to be random and maybe unwanted, but I just was feeling quite down today and super bored but then decided to watch some of your reviews again and have cheered up just like that. And once again another fantastic job! I am curious if you're going to upload any more reviews since it's been several months since the Sonic game gear one, but I'll enjoy your other currently existing videos until then.
A lot of people think this game is overrated, well let me tell them this, THIS IS THE GOLD AGE OF SONIC, OK? This was back when sonic was great, there were so many good classics like this, sonic 3 and knuckles, and sonic CD. Also I really like this game
Sonic 2 was my introduction to the Sonic games when the family got the Genesis. I have played this game so many times back when I was a kid and I can still remember the special stages by heart and get all the 7 emeralds before meeting with Eggman for the 1st time at the end of Emerald Hills (not by sound test cheating mind you). When I realized this back then, now I truly understand the name of Emerald Hills. 7 Posts in the 2 acts and you got yourself Super Sonic... Love it.
Great review and awesome video! My all time fav sonic game ever! , second is S3+S&K tandem. I played S2 A LOT with my brother, the 2P mode was the shit, still today is funny. I recorded on my VCR when I finished the game, I almost cried, the tune in the ending it's so beatiful (Dreams come True - sweet dreams ) weird tip: I played in backward order (3-2-1), the S1 is the most hardest for me (because no spin dash).
A 30 minute analysis of Sonic 2? Oh heck yes! Seeing this in my inbox made my night xD I really agree with most of your points here, it really is interesting to view the games from a modern lens
I remember as a kid really enjoying the special stages in this game, but these days I hate them. I think out of all the games, the special stages here are the worst. I commend you for your patience with the chaos emeralds.
I enjoyed the 2-player special stages as a kid. But as an adult, I find them tedious haha :) And yeah, collecting all 7 emeralds as a nightmare, specifically the 4th and the 7th, I failed dozens of times...
I still prefer the Sonic 2 half pipe. Sonic 1's special stage was boring and random and while the Blue spheres of Sonic 3 and S&K have a lot more depth to them, they are way too difficult and filled with some of the trolliest level design I have ever seen. The Half Pipe looks cool and you really need to memorize much less than blue spheres.
@@mikesannitti6042 for me,i like the S3&K special stages. They require timing,and skill. The S1 specials are random and almost nauseous,the S2 requires tooooo much memorization.
@@luisjogos821 I recall that i beat all the Mania blue spheres levels after a fair amount of effort. But then i tried the S3&K levels and they seemed like another level of bullshit lol. Also me and my brother were able to get super sonic in sonic 2 as adults in a 2 player game recently, so that feels more doable to me.
I very much enjoy these videos. Sonic 2 is one of my all time favorites and has a killer HD version on iOS right now. Hoping for Sonic 3 and K, or Sonic CD!
I still play this pretty regularly on the Sega Classics Collection on Steam. I didn't didn't realize that version has no way to play as Knuckles as far as I know. Now I kind of wish I hadn't sold my original Genesis copies of the first four Sonic games.
Very detailed! I can tell you played the hell out of the game. Still my favorite Sonic game, but Sonic CD is a close 2nd. I usually hit that last boss when he is walking too. You can hit him when his arm is at his side, not out in front. What abilities would you suggest tails have to make him play different? Maybe a short helicopter spin to give him a little float time on his jumps. Not too long though or it would be game-breaking. You may have repeated the line about "lost potential" by the way, unless my phone just messed up. I will go back and check.
Yeah, there is a repeated line... forgot to edit out a take and didn't notice while editing the audio or the video. Sloppy :D Tails flying would be an obvious edition, along with level design taking advantage of the capability of course. Something, anything! As for the final boss, I just can't get the rhythm down and attack him the fast way, I lack the skill and/or patience haha. Thanks for the comment!
I was kinda expecting someone to go like: Implant: *Talks about the game being zones & acts* Person: Do not cite the deep magic to me witch, I was there when it was written.
Thank you!! I can say I've watched the Simpson's before I ever played Sonic, however I would not consider myself a super fan or anything. Did I make a reference?
22:29 - 22:30 Also, when he puts his foot down while walking, provided you time it right, and don't release your jump button too early/trigger Sonic or Tails' variable jump height mechanics. (As Knuckles though? With his lower height velocity ... IDK if this would work. I gotta try it)
eww, the mobile version, touch screens and platforming don't go together, or touch screens and basically any kind of precision gaming, moral of the story is, buttons are better
In my personal opinion no Sonic game has ever held a candle to the best Mario Bros titles, however, they were still pretty great for their time. These days I find myself revisiting Mario a lot but never really picking Sonic back up. I think it's because with Mario 3 and Super Mario World I cannot think of a single stage I don't want to play, whereas with the Sonic games there's always some that make me go, "uuuuugh, I don't want to deal with that again right now." It should be said that I was a big Sonic fan as a kid, despite being a Nintendo console owner. I didn't finally have my own Genesis until I was 15. THAT said, I listen to the soundtracks ALL the time. Sonic 1-3(full) all have amazing music.
Ironically people made a song and dance about the game being too easy when it was launched. I adored it. Days of my life in the game and I can still break a smile when I hear the music randomly.
Whats your favourite sonic game implantgames. Mine is sonic the hedgehog 2(with knuckles but i actually think the remaster for mobiles is the best once you get used used to controls on touch screen) if i chose a 3D only choice then i would probably choose either colours,generations or heroes.
I'd to see a Mega Man/Sonic crossover game. Imagine Eggman and Wily working together?? Imagine a rebuilt, repurposed Mecha Sonic with some familiar Mega Man X parts.
Yup, this be my favorite classic Sonic game. A shame Tails can't fly or swim (without a mod), but I like playing as him regardless. And the level design is inventive, without being a complete clusterbleep like in Sonic 3.
To be honest, at Metropolis Zone act 2 I once ran in the beginning and when I noticed it, it was too late because I then fell in the lava and died. It didn't feel like what you said to me. 10:58
*It still exciting and fun to play even today!! Music is fantastic too! You can connect to Sonic and Knuckles cartridge to play a New character any body can pick up and play this! It never gets old! You hook it up to a hi-if and hear the rings behind you in glorious surround sound! It’s that amazing!* ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
There is one mistake here. When you jump into a goal post after an emerald attempt, your rings DO go back to zero, but every ring in the zone will respawn. This is why it’s possible to get every chaos emerald in just Emerald Hill.
i love the newer sonics too, lots of criticisms given to them can be also given to other amazing games But the old2d ones were the most consistent, therefore the bar's high for later ones as well imo
23:38min: "a missed opportunity here" ;-) Great review man, 30min flew by! Sonic 1 is one of my favorite games ever. Sonic 2 never clicked with me.. I really don't like the color-use compared to Sonic 1; it doesn't have the smooth "natural" look, way to many colorswaps with assets as well (weird digitized trees in the pinball zone, ugly "transparency"). Would love to see your review of Sonic 3!
Good eye! Also glad to here 30 minutes flew by :) I'm still torn on which game I prefer, Sonic 1 or 2. I feel Sonic 2 is the superior game, but not necessarily my favorite, and I'm not sure why that is. As for Sonic 3, will get there in 2017, no doubt!
I noticed the same thing LOL , it was very “all work no play make it still a cool addition to play as someone else besides sonic but I feel there is a missed opportunity here “
Personally I don’t have an issue with the ‘cheapness’ of the enemy placements. Ultimately, 80s and 90s 2D games involve a lot of repetition and memorisation. A genuinely difficult game like Contra Hard Corps is unfair by design. You need to invest hours learning how to beat individual sections.
I remember as a kid, I could play the whole game without taking a hit. I thought I was the best player ever. Then I found out as an adult that you could become Super Sonic. I always skipped the special stages cause I hated them and considered them optional. Turns out I've never even properly finished the game.
I feel like the mantises, crabs, and monkeys are all poorly implemented or placed enemies, but I've never had the problems with the octopuses, seahorses, or starfish that you've had. But largely I do agree with this video. It's a fantastic game with a few notable flaws.
My favorite game of the trilogy! Controls feel so much better and the visuals and music of this game were marvelous (no offense to the other 3 games). It’s also really nice to have a better chance to get chaos emeralds instead of the pressure of getting 50 rings. 8.5/10
You can get extra lives in Casino Night.You can get up to 7 or more lives at time.You do this by using the slot machine. I agree with you on the point of poor enemy placement.
The game is amazing considering it was their second try and it’s crammed into 40 MB. I still revisit the game and it will be 30 years old in late September.
implantgames I feel the same way as far as one of my first true loves. Wouldn't change a thing. Even the extreme slow down in 2 player Mystic Cave Zone lol
I actually did a co-op run through getting all 7 chaos emeralds for the first time this summer. I got the game for my 7th birthday. I'm 31 now. I was very proud of myself (and my brother, playing co-op) that we finally did this.
Great video! But I gotta say, Sonic 2 is my least favourite main series 16-bit sonic. I feel the level design is too streamlined when compared to Sonic 1 and not as varied as Sonic 3+Knuckles
Personally i think its my favourite. It is faster in comparison to 1 and 3+k while still keeping the platforming well and not turning into outright boost. I think its balanced.
Sonic 2 is awesome as it improves the basic formula from Sonic 1 on the Mega Drive/Genesis and really gives him more spin boost to fly through the levels. I would also consider that the only possible flaw with Sonic 2 was that there was no save system to save your game. When you ran out of lives, you have to start from the start again or at least know the cheat codes to get back to the level you were before. Sonic 3 fixed that issue with the Save System and in all due fairness, that is the only flaw that Sonic 2 has in what is a wonderful game and really deserves to be up there with the original Super Mario Bros series from the NES era.
At 17:31 You say that after a special stage you go back to the level with 0 rings making collecting 100 impossible. However, this is untrue. Yes, your rings are reset to 0, but all the ring placements are as well. You can simply backtrack to collect all those rings again.
Fun Fact about my experience with Sonic 2 and how it shaped my self-expectations when playing today: Because I have played this game over and over for 24 years, I feel no shame in telling other seasoned Sonic 2 players that we all have no one else to blame when we die from a stupid mistake. If you've played this game enough times, even though no one can play perfectly, you have no excuse for dying from poor judgment.
