Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut
by Sega Of America, Inc.
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Our Price: $17.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Video Games See more product details |
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Video Game Reviews of Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut
Customer Review: Was A Classic, Now Loses More Pep In Its Step.
Summary: 3 Stars
Living in the N64 era and being a fan of Sonic (Sega Genesis was my first system; now I'm a certified Nintendoid), you can imagine my reaction to the Japanese demo of Sonic Adventure for DC: priceless. My mouth shot open at the exhilirating speed, the (then) flawless graphics, eye-popping cinematics, and the head-banging guitar riffs. From then on SA was the reason for me wanting a Dreamcast. Unfortunately, Sega's console-making career tanked before I could get one. Years later, in a move I thought I'd never see and one that made me want to kiss my Gamecube, Nintendo took in the homeless hedgehog, his homies and his past blockbusters for release on their systems. I was happy with the GC remake to Sonic Adventure's sequel, though a little annoyed with the audio. Something was missing, and here it is. The Director's Cut to Sonic Adventure, which boasts the original game in its entirety with improved graphics, a new mission mode, added extras, and Dolby Surround Sound support. After playing this, however, only parts of those boasts are lived up.
Story: Basically, Dr. Eggman (Thanks, Japan! Like there was anything wrong with Robotnik!) is trying to steal the Chaos Emeralds...again. What's new is the fact that he's using them to power Chaos, an ancient (and kicka**-looking) monster. So Sonic's gotta stop him, along with the help of his friends. From the surface, the storyline seems pretty basic. However, each character has a different motive for getting involved in the adventure; playing as each one will also unravel the history of Chaos, which personally still doesn't make much sense. Cool idea, though.
Gameplay: You can't play SADX and say it doesn't have variety. You can play as six characters, but only Sonic is unlocked at first. Naturally, you'll have the most fun with him, yet you'll need to play as everyone to get the whole story and beat the game. Everyone plays through nearly all the same 10 stages, only in different orders and styles. Sonic's mission in his stages are usually to release the animals from the prison egg (a lil' nostalgia for ya).The difference is that the topsy-turvy level design we all know and love is blown up into 3D. With the exception of a few buggy camera issues, Sonic's first thrust into polygonal glory is enjoyable, and speeding through these worlds, bashing robots, and loop-de-looping are all welcome. The controls have always been super-simple. You continue through these levels, linked together by a few boss battles and the hub world. Ah yes, first Mario, now Sonic has to FIND his own adventures. While he's not exactly built to explore freeform lands, these three main worlds work nicely into putting Sonic in a less-linear setting. You can even talk to people and find items. Unfortunately, there are invisible walls and poor collision detection all over the place. Add that to the fact that the game is sinfully easy to beat (with the exception of the final boss). Also, the gameplay is quite varied, but only Sonic's levels will be worthwhile. There's some fun to be had in Knuckles' and Gamma's levels. But for instance, Big the Cat fishes....that's it. And all Amy does is run from a robot (Fortunately, she only has 3 levels. Let the feminist hate mail begin).
Graphics: This is where SADX took a hit in my book. As I've said, back in 9/9/99, Sonic Adventure sported the sleekest graphics I've ever seen. Flash to 5 years later, SA does NOT hold up well. The graphics looked good on the revamp of the sequel; why couldn't they next-gen the visuals for this game? Sega managed to add some improvements to the main characters (the lighting makes them look like action figures!) and water effect, but overall everything is polygonally outdated. The animations are worse. They would've been better off without facial expressions or lip movement, but now it looks sloppy. The CGI cinematics are still fantastic, but they're too few and far between the in-game cinematics. But those DC fans looking for their old-school roots in this title will not be disappointed, as the game is still colorful and vibrant.
Sound: Lordy, lordy, lordy....what the f**k happened? To show that I'm not simply dismanteling Sonic, I'll start with the pros. With more advanced technology, Sega managed to add live music to the game, to great effect. From energetic guitar riffs, jazzy Las Vegas styled tunes (Casinopolis), booming jungle drums (Lost World), brooding piano/techno synths (Gamma's theme song; more on that in a sec), and the lively saxophone-driven "Red Mountain" BGM, this music is just as versatile as the gameplay. Now the bad: THEY ADDED BACKGROUND SINGERS!!!!! Bad ones, at that. It's not that they can't sing, but they're so annoyingly corny, it ruins the whole experience. Every character has a theme song w/a BGS. Worst of all, the lyrics, probably translated straight from Japan, don't even rhyme!! And don't get me started on the VoiceOvers, especially Amy's (we would've been better off w/Jaleel White as Sonic). Ughh, the cast of the Pokemon series sounds less irritating. Fortunately, you can change the VO language to Japanese if they irk you that much, but you can't stop the singing!
Lasting Appeal: As I said, SADX is an enjoyable, if cheesy, romp while it lasts. Simply beat the game w/ each character and...we'll you'll figure it out. The famous/infamous Chao mini-game puts you in charge of tiny virtual pets (who actually appear in the story) to raise, train, and race against others. The animals you free from the robots encountered can be used to power-up your creature. Teach it to walk, run, swim, sing, etc. At first, I thought this would take the spotlight off of Sonic, but it is a suprisingly addictive experience. One of those things you love AND hate at the same time. For further incentive to keep this disc in your GC, there is a Mission mode added to the Director's Cut, which is basically a treasure hunt. Look throughout the hub worlds for Info Cards giving you clues, then find the item or do the action as instructed. The challenging thing is that you have to actually have to backtrack through the action stages to complete the objectives. But the cool thing is that your rewards for finishing enough objectives (and collecting enough emblems) are actual Sonic Game Gear games in their entirety. The more missions you finish, the more classic games you get (and there twice as challaging as SADX, mainly because you can't save). There's also a special character waiting for you if you get EVERYTHING in the game. And remember, I said it was easy to beat the game the FIRST time. Completing the extra challenges are a different story.
I know I went on for a while but basically if you got this game on the DC, don't bother for Gamecube. However, if you missed out thefirst time and don't mind the technical glitches, cop this disc.
Customer Review: Not what I was hoping for...
Summary: 2 Stars
Some games frusterate you, some games make you happy, I don't know what it was about this game, but I got the sensation of both.Oh well, here's my review of Sonic Adventure DX:
Sonic, Sonic, Sonic, what would we do without you?Well, I don't know, but I know some of you can do without this game.Bad voice overs, dated graphics and frustration, oh my!Yeah, whatever...
Graphics=6/10
I've never played the DreamCast version, but from what I've heard, they look exactly the same.Now this is great if you're looking for that classic look, but it would be great to see some enhanced visuals here.Come on!
Another thing that bugs me(and it goes for pretty much every 3-D Sonic game)is that every character is way too shiny!Sonic, Tails, Knuckles--they're all shiny!Animals are not shiny!I know this isn't a very big deal, but it just looks weird.
Controls:7/10
Sometimes, the controls are great, but other times, all you have to do is push the analog stick forward for about half of the levels.I need something more interesting.
Gameplay:4/10
Most (not including 2-D sidescrolling) Sonic games have the worst camera ever.You're running along, then all of a sudden, there's a wall in your face.
Also, the game is way too hard!I don't know where to go or what to do half the time!Most of the hints they give you is:"Go to the (insert place) you might find something!"Whoop-dee-do, I might find something.
Music:6/10
No comment.
Replay value:3/10
When you're stuck, the best resorce is the Word Wide Web.But I'm too lazy to go on the internet to find some stupid hint for some stupid game.After I get stuck, and try to figure it out numerous times, I give up.It's just not fun for me anymore.
Overall:4/10
MAKE A NEW SONIC GAME FOR GOD'S SAKE!I'm sick of all these remakes, nobody has any innovative ideas anymore.Sonic Heroe's is a step up, but that's just one game.One game out of all the amazing minds working at Sega, you made Nights, I want something interesting again.
Customer Review: Bursting with coolness.
Summary: 5 Stars
There's a lot going on in this game and so many devices and sub-games to keep you addicted. Not so much a DX than an updated version of the Sonic Adventure, from the now obsolete Dreamcast, with better graphics, new missions and loads of extras. You play the game as seven different characters: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big the Cat, The Robot Dude and (much later) Super Sonic. The Sonic, Tails and Knuckles levels are the best. The Big the Cat levels are really boring and slow. Each character has their own story and their own power-ups, all happening at the same time. The result is almost an RPG-like game. If this were taken a few steps further who knows how great the game could have been. Though it's still brilliant as it is.
The structure is also genius and easy to get to grips with. As whatever character, you run around massive levels like Station Square and The Mystic Ruins which leads to many different action stages. The action stages can range between casinos, snowboarding, racing through sky-high circuits, go-carting, flying around in Tails' red bi-plane, flying through wind tunnels, chases across the city rooftops and racing across sandy beaches. As always the Sonic world (curiously earthlike and nothing like the planet Mobius from before) is absolutely gorgeous with an exotic feel, eternal sunshine and the bluest of skies.
What I like best about the game are the Chao. The cute little creatures you hatch and raise between levels. They are so great they became my reason for getting through the game. And as a bonus all Sonic games from the old Sega Game Gear are included. Each one is unlocked after every 20 emblems collected (1 awarded after each mission complete and others scattered about levels).
Some parts of the game can be awfully repetitive. Certain FMV sequences were used more than once and there was no point in that. And intros to certain parts of the game took too long and became quite annoying when losing a life and starting again.
The self-controlled camera was cool and useful. Though in cramped quarters it seemed to get stuck and being unable to see the character due to the spasming camera sometimes resulted in the loss of a life. That was quite annoying.
The music is great and I strongly suggest you get all the soundtrack CDs (I did). There are brilliant, fun-loving themes that totally carry the action along. The voices however, were a bit off from the original Japanese lip movements.
A totally brilliant game that you simply must get. Sonic Adventure DX will keep you entertained for ages.
Customer Review: You Can Play 2 players!
Summary: 4 Stars
Actually, at first I was bumbed about the 2 player action only being choa races and that stuff. Don't get me wrong this game is still really a good game, just the 4 stars meant it's not the greatest. It is worth your money. But I thought it was one of the best games ever when I found this out. O.K. 1) play a 1 player game with Sonic that has tails hanging around him. 2)If U plug in a controller in the 2nd slot, and just play around with it, U finally figure out that you're playing Tails! 3) Tails is almost indestuctable this way, so U can help out 1 player. Just stay close to Sonic( or U can't see yourself on the screen) and when he's in trouble, U can collect him rings, fly in hard 2 reach places, and fight of bad-guys.Customer Review: chalenging but fun (hints)
Summary: 5 Stars
in the game i beat most of the guys levels knuckles , tails e-102 gammas y but when e-102 and it's your final battle against betta attack after he uses light blast then attack him. when knuckle and your battling chaos 6 use the floating guys to freeze him then attack with a jump (jumps get rid of him better) tails is complicated when you are bttaling e-102 gamma DON'T USE TAIL SLASH it will bearly ever work jumping is your best attack.