Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Team Genre: 3D Action/Adventure Price: $60 (Est.) Support: VMS Ship Date: 9.9.99

Chances are that when you buy yourself a Dreamcast the first game you will consider getting will be Sonic Adventure. In all honesty I’m not a huge fan of platform games. Maybe I have a problem with the almost juvenile aspects of those games, thinking I’m far to mature for a cute and cuddly title like that. Jam-packed with rainbows, flowers and all manner of child attracting devises. Well, I’m also willing to admit that I’ve been with video games since the beginning and recognize Sonic as being far more than an adorable little rodent. He is a staple of everything that Sega has come to represent in the gaming world. He has earned a place in our popular culture along with other famous game characters like Mario, Link and maybe even the likes of newcomers like Crash Bandicoot.

Regardless of everything I have stated, I think Sonic Adventure is one of those games that can’t be ignored. It is leaps and bounds above anything you have ever played. I had seen many pictures of this game before I first played it, and didn’t think it looked much better than Mario64 and a lot of other Nintendo games. Boy was I wrong! I put the game into my Dreamcast and I could feel how excited I was getting. Honestly, I was almost giddy. The Dreamcast logo came and went, and Sonic Adventure began. My senses were invaded immediately, the incredibly crystal clear sights, the awesome sound and music. I was hooked, and this was only the games CG opening sequence, I hadn’t even started playing it yet!

As far as Sonic Adventure goes, the plot is fairly simple. Get the 7 Chaos Emeralds before EggHead does, otherwise his plan to turn the aquatic Creature named Chaos into the ultimate weapon will be realized. With the help of 6 playable characters, including old friends like Tails and Knuckles you work your way through the games many awe-inspiring levels. The game has a lot of what you have come to love about the Sonic titles. Lighting fast speed, loop de loops and rings of plenty. Where the similarities begin, the differences flourish. Sonic Adventure also includes a lot of other twists and mini-games. There is a high altitude attack on a huge air ship, while flying a biplane with Tails. There are bumper cars. There is also a tense, high speed run down a hill on a snowboard, with an avalanche giving chase. With all these little extras Sonic Adventure keeps you entertained and wondering what will be next. Another nice touch is that the game is not simply one level after another. There is a story that is played out, people to talk to, and places to visit. This game simply redefines the genre.

In the graphics department I wasn’t expecting too much. As I mentioned above, I didn’t think they looked much better than the N64. Well, I changed my mind pretty quickly there. On the first stage I was being chased by a killer whale that was destroying a bridge as I was crossing it. Stage 2, I was sucked into, then was fighting my way though the eye of a tornado. These were 2 scenes in the game that grab the attention of anyone watching. They are simply amazing, and that is only the beginning! All the graphics are clear, crisp, and pixel free. Expect for minor pop-ups, it a sight to behold. I think to myself that games which have a more realistic theme are gonna be breath taking if something like Sonic can be so impressive. I can hardly wait to see the improvement once I get an S-Video cable.

Sound is a factor in games that I find to be very important. It’s sets the mood and atmosphere as well as anything you see on screen. I think it goes without saying that a title like Sonic Adventure isn’t gonna be a musical masterpiece. Still, the music serves it’s purpose and gets the job done. The music is neither repetitive nor annoying. In fact the opening CG intro contained some rather heavy guitars licks, complete with lyric I found enjoyable and captivating. If there is any way you can hook your DC into a stereo I recommend you do it. Gaming sound and music used to be nothing more than beeps and blips, well times have changed, now it’s another part of the gaming experience.

Sonic Adventures gameplay is just great. With the mini-games and other variation it’s a title that keeps you from boredom pretty well. Aside for the fact that I haven’t gotten used to the controller yet it controls wonderfully. I think all the bad press the controller has received is a little unjustified. Admittedly it will take me some time to adjust to not holding the PSX Dual Shock.

Well in the end I’m very happy with not only the Dreamcast, but with Sonic Adventure as well. They have both met and exceeded all my expectations. I wish I could say I wasn’t totally ignorant to the horrid camera problems and graphical glitches that plagued the Japanese version, but in the North American version I noticed nothing that really warranted any heavy complaints. I know Sega has a lot of people worried considering their rather disappointing past, but I truly believe that Sega has their act together for what is essentially a do or die situation. More power to them.

My bottom line, Sonic Adventure deserves a...

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