Summary
Sonic Adventurewas originally released in 1998 as a launch title for the Sega Dreamcast. WhileSonic 3D Blastwas technically the firstSonicgame to feature 3D graphics and presentation, its 2D isometric perspective is far from what comes to the mind of the average gamer when they think of 3DSonic the Hedgehoggames. On the other hand,Sonic Adventureis a fully 3D game with multiple open zones and levels, andAdventureand its sequel are still the gold standard for 3DSonictitles. TheSonic Adventuregames reinvented the franchise for a new perspective, and while the most recent 3DSonictitle was a step forward,Sonic Adventure 3could return the series to greatness.
Sonic Frontiersis one ofthe best 3DSonicgames, and it owes much of its DNA toSonic Adventure. WhileFrontierswas billed as the first open-world game in the series,Sonic Adventurefeatures multiple small open zones, acting as hub worlds of sorts. Modern titles in the franchise have also relied heavily on its extended cast of characters, many of whom first appeared or were first playable inSonic Adventure. Fundamentally, bothFrontiersand the twoAdventuregames are about the same thing: exploration. How this common theme manifests in world design, gameplay, and approach to characters, however, is very different;Sonic Adventureand its sequel are much more ambitious.
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Sonic Adventure Understands Space
Sonic Adventure2begins with the player snowboarding down the streets of San Francisco as the titular hero. While the sequel lacks the different hub worlds of the original, there is one thing the games definitely share: a sense of space. TheSonic Adventuregames visit many different places ranging from the coast to the city and even more fantastical locales like Twinkle Park. These locations are vibrant and feel more lived in than many games of their era. Compared to the almost alien and abstract nature ofSonic Frontiers' five explorable islands, the areas in theAdventuregames feel much less contrived.
Sonic Adventurealso expanded the scale of the series' storytelling. The originalSonic Adventurefeatures six playable characters, including two series newcomers. Each character interacts with the world uniquely and has different objectives. Big the Cat’s story is centered around fishing and mini-games, for example, and is relatively silly.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is E-102 Gamma, a turret-mounted robot that must kill to remain alive.Sonic Adventure 2introduced fan-favoriteShadow the Hedgehogand featured a “dark side” story that let players control the antagonists. Moreover, the focus on the series' extended cast let the developer experiment with new types of gameplay and provided an unmatched amount of variety in the series.
Now is the Time for Sonic Adventure 3
WhileFrontierswas a step in the right direction, 3DSonicgames need a radical re-invention to fully restore the series' reputation.Sonic Adventure3could reimagine the franchise as the original did, and the framework of theAdventureseries provides the perfect environment to do so. Rather than focusing on abstract islands likeFrontiers,Adventure 3could include urban spaces and diverse locations like its predecessors.
Frontiersalso had only one playable character, and while updates are promising to fix this,Adventure’s huge cast allowed for it to have a massive amount of variety and the title was designed around it. Following suit withAdventure 3would allow Sega to make aSonicgame with something for everybody. 2DSonicgames have had a renaissance in recent years with the releases ofSonic Origins,Sonic Mania, and the upcomingSonic Superstars.
Sonic Adventure 3could help give the 3D games in the franchise a resurgence as well, and one that the series deeply deserves.Sonic Adventurehas always been about experimentation and reinvention, andSonic Adventure 3is what theSonic The Hedgehogfranchise needs to relaunch itself into the limelight.
Sonic Adventureis available now on Dreamcast, GameCube, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
