and Japanese versions are stellar) and neat mechanics, these pros can't outweigh the cons. Though Sonic CD has awesome cinematics, unique zone concepts, dope soundtracks (both the U.S. Sonic the Fighters was originally built for arcades, so this shortcoming is understandable, but this game remains nothing more than a shallow, passing fancy on the timeline of Sonic's history. This game's biggest drawback is its blatant lack of content. Plus, Fighters remains the only game where you can play as fan-favorite characters Nack the Weasel, Bark the Polar Bear and Bean the Dynamite (check the Archie comics for proof of their cult status). Character animations are amusing, the controls are simple, and executing combos is fun enough. Sonic the Fighters is a Soulcalibur-esque arena fighter with virtually no depth, and that's A-OK. Add in its bright spots, like the killer soundtrack and imaginative zone aesthetics, and this title is definitely not the worst of Sonic's track record, despite its faults. When you combine that diversity of gameplay with boatloads of content and a surprisingly elaborate, fully fleshed-out story, there's no arguing that the game delivers ample bang for your buck. And as for the other styles - Sonic's, Blaze's, Shadow's and Tails' - they're all varying degrees of fun for those who didn't mind the janky speed of Sonic Adventure. Its most risky inclusions, Silver the Hedgehog and his telekinetic gameplay, could've been awful - but, in actuality, are pretty interesting. Still, you can't deny the raw ambition of this game, as it tackles nine different gameplay styles, all linked to the same core physics and movement system. Sonic '06 has a lot of issues, most of which aren't easy to look past.
The graphics are strange and character designs unsettling.
The plot's a mess and the interspecies romance is uncomfortable. With that said, Episode 2 does improve upon the first episode in a few ways (slightly better music, more-imaginative zones, etc.), but overall, neither installment of Sonic 4 is quite worthy of its name. While serviceable platformers in their own right, neither recaptures the physics, level design or scope of the classic games, making both episodes feel like graphically enhanced shells of their peers. Like any high school reunion, Sonic 4 Episodes 1 and 2 are varying degrees of disappointing. Though good for its time, Adventure just doesn't hold up as well today. And I'm not even addressing the painfully bland hub-world content and miscellaneous fluff that constitutes the bulk of the game's overall experience, nor am I mentioning the (very) poorly aged graphics. Unfortunately, Amy's plodding play style and Big's fishing (yes) really, really weigh the experience down, especially when you consider how rough around the edges the other four characters' gameplay styles are.
Gamma's linear, third-person shooter segments are inoffensive, though not terribly engaging. Heck, even Knuckles' treasure-hunting escapades are kind of entertaining. And it's a shame, because the Sonic and Tails portions of Adventure are pretty solid! Sure, the level design is janky and at odds with the player's speed, but overall, the Sonic and Tails stories offer up stretches of good fun. While a bold and respectfully competent move into three dimensions, Sonic's first true 3D outing ("but what about Sonic 3D Blast?" the peanut gallery inquired) remains one of his least entertaining titles.
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