Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Remastered
Christian Whitehead’s Retro Engine did a stellar job of bringing Sonic The Hedgehog to life on mobile devices, and its efforts in porting Sonic CD to XBLA and PSN were admirable, too. But we were cautious about Sonic 2 getting the go-over.Where Sonic and CD were games that always needed a little tuning up, Sonic 2has continually felt very complete. Well, it did until we played this version – it’s pretty much the best, most definitive release of the game we’ve played.
The game itself has always been a benchmark for platforming level design, offering paths for the level-savouring explorers and blistering speed-runners alike. With the remastered version offering controller support and widescreen compatibility, along with a playable Knuckles, the version you can carry around on your phone genuinely feels more complete than versions of the game we’ve got on Sonic compilations across various other consoles. Our one complaint with the functionality is the on-screen controls – something that plagues most mobile games – but once you get used to the two thumbsticks, it’s just a matter of keeping your digits precisely where they need to be.
The game has been ported with due attention to detail and an obvious care for the source material – improvements made in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles have been retroactively added in. Tails can fly now, and the multiplayer once available only on the Mega Drive returns with added online functionality. We’ve had a few issues with disconnections and lag in the multiplayer, but nothing too game breaking. Besides, Sonic 2 was always about the single-player levels anyway.
Perhaps the best addition to the game is the Hidden Palace Zone – a level that was dropped from the original release of the game halfway through production due to time constraints. Once we tumbled into the secret entrance to the restored level, we felt pangs of childish glee – you would never know that the Hidden Palace Zone was new; it feels like it’s always been there, and you have just been too lax to figure out where it was. There’s even a new boss waiting for you at the end of the zone.
It’s clear that Whitehead and the Sonic Retro team understand how to fit a Sonic game together; the continued attention to detail is reassuring for long-time fans of the series. Go into the Sound Test menu and all the old cheats work just as well as ever, offering short cuts to Super Sonic for anyone that wants to blast through the game, quick sharp. Between the commendable job of porting the game, the original’s enduring design and the catchy, upbeat soundtrack (which has also been remastered), Sonic The Hedgehog 2 may well be the best game we’ve downloaded from the Play Store for a good few years.
Details
Format: Android
Other formats: iOS
Origin: Japan
Publisher: Sega
Developer: In-House
Release: Out Now
Players: 1
Online Reviewed: N/A
