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Sonic speeds into the world of 3D gaming, but not without some missteps

After many years of anticipation, Sonic fans finally got a real 3D Sonic game in 1999. Developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, Sonic Adventure was a completely 3D experience starring Sonic and his friends. It was released on Sega's new console, the Dreamcast, which was a technical marvel of the time, even offering internet play. Adventure was a big step for the blue blur, but being the first 3D game, it had some problems which would be fixed in later games. But I can certainly say that the game is big and ambitious, offering plenty of things to do and even an optional virtual pet game. It was a big step for Sonic. 

In the main game, you can play specific levels as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big the Cat, and the robot E-102 Gamma. However, you have to unlock these characters by progressing through the game. Each character plays a little differently and his levels are unique. The game also has cutscenes and voice acting, but the cutscenes are slow and dull, and the voice acting is pretty bad. The basic storyline is about Eggman going after the Chaos emeralds so he can feed them to a water monster called Chaos. So Sonic and friends must get the emeralds first. Each character has his own story and motivations. 

The game's main hub is Station Square, in which you can wander around and even enter some buildings. You can take the train to the Mystic Ruins, which is where Tails' workshop is located. Having an overworld is neat, but constantly trekking back and forth is a pain and gets annoying fast. If you're not sure where to go next, you can find the floating orb, which will give you a hint (a very blantant hint, like "Go to the Mystic Ruins. You might find something there."). Some places are blocked and will open up later, such as the Casino. Because everyone shares the same overworld, different characters can go into the same places and play variations of the same levels, which was a really neat idea.

Sonic's levels are fast and fun as Sonic speeds through a race course. These are the best levels in the game. Springs will bounce Sonic around and speed boosts will make him run even faster. The camera is the biggest problem here, especially when it rotates around while Sonic runs down a winding path (sometimes I wasn't sure which direction to hold the control stick). It also seems that Sonic Team wasn't quite sure what to put in his levels. Some levels are really chaotic and disorienting, including a little bit of everything, even some precision platforming, which is not what Sonic is about. Still, his levels were the best. 

Tails' levels often have to do with racing Sonic and getting to the emerald at the end of the level first. Sonic and Tails' stories are entertwined because they're together; this means that you'll play the same levels (which are slightly different) and fight the same bosses (which are exactly the same). You'll also watch the same cutscenes. Tails can run pretty fast, but his unique ability is flying using his two tails. He can get pretty high before dropping. Because their levels are about the same, I tended to stick with Sonic. 

Knuckle's levels are exploration-based. His story is that he's the guardian of the Master emerald; Chaos came along and stole it, and somehow it shattered into a bunch of shards. So now Knuckles must find the shards. Each level has three shards to find and a meter at the bottom of the screen which tells you if you're close to one. These levels are really boring; you just wander around in the same places looking for the shards. Knuckles has the ability to fly and climb up walls, which is neat, but his levels are still boring. 

Amy's levels are more like normal platforming levels, using puzzles and such. She moves much slower than everyone else (except Big) and can attack with her hammer (which she pulls out of nowhere). Amy's story is weird; she has a huge crush on Sonic, but Sonic thinks she's a wacko, so he runs away and she gives chase. Her storyline is all about going after Sonic. Her levels are more interesting than Knuckle's, but not by much. 

Big the Cat is probably the worst Sonic character ever. He dubuts in this game, showing up in Station Square on a quest to find his best friend Froggy (a frog). All of his levels are about fishing. Even better, in all of them, you must catch Froggy, who runs away every time Big gets him back. Unless you really love fishing games, you'll want to stay away from Big's levels. Plus, he's a terrible character with a stupid story. 

Luckily, the robot E-102 Gamma is a great character with a great story. He was created by Eggman to destroy Sonic, but over time he begins to think about his purpose in life. His levels are on-foot shooter levels. Gamma can shoot lasers and zip aroud quickly; due to this, his levels are tailored to his special abilities and truly feel unique. Plus, his quest to find his place in life is very interesting (unlike Amy and Big's storylines). 

Adventure has plenty of levels, but there are also bonus levels and sub games to find. There's a sub game in which you control Tails' plane the Tornado, which plays out like an on-rails shooter. Unfortunately, this level is boring and tricky due to short enemy patterns and messed up controls (it uses normal controls instead of inverted controls, such as up is down). There's also a snowboard level which IS really fun, having you avoid trees and go off jumps in style. There's also a cool NiGHTS pinball game in the Casinopolis level which pays homage to the Sega Saturn classic, and it's quite fun. 

Adventure also gives you an optional game in the form of Chao Gardens. You can raise your own virtual pet (called a Chao) and race it in Chao races. You can feed and give it small animals to help it grow. You interact with the Chao using the Dreamcast's VMU, which actually looks like a virtual pet device. You can find different eggs in different places throughout the overworld and then transport them to the Chao Garden. This idea would be expanded on in the sequel, and would be best used in the Gamecube version, which would use the connection of the GBA. 

Final Verdict--3 Stars: It's Okay

Adventure was an ambitious first step for Sonic into 3D. However, most of the game falls flat with slow cutscenes, some stupid storylines, and characters we don't care about (I'm looking at you, Big). For the most part, the Sonic levels are the only levels which are really fun, and even those can be a little confusing at times. The game's presentation is fine, and the music is great, but the gameplay leaves a little to be desired. Luckily, Sonic Adventure 2 would improve on everything, especially the Sonic levels and the robot levles, which would be refined to a T. Also, Adventure was remade a little later as Sonic Adventure DX, which would be the best version for you to play. Overall, Adventure was an important step for Sonic, and he took it proudly, even if his friends goofed it up for him. 

Join me every Saturday as we take a look back at all kinds of retro games, good and bad.