PlayStation games were out fast, not so with Sonic Adventure on the DreamCast!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Eye-popping detail, beautiful worlds to explore, and wonderful newly animated characters!

Cons: It's sort of short for an expert gamer... Also the buggy camera...

The Bottom Line: 
Everything is wonderful! But be careful, as the fast pace of this game can cause seizures!

Author's Review
A long, long time ago on another system little-known to younger gaming crowds once existed a little system named 'Sega Genesis'. On this system existed one fast-talking, fast-running, blue blur of a hedgehog named Sonic. Sonic The Hedgehog. All these years later the little guy still exists, but this time, Sonic returns in full, totally amazing 3-D graphics! Sonic also returns to his new title featuring some old faces some fan true to the Sonic line may remember: Knuckles, Tails, and Amy Rose (gag me). This game also features two new players, E-102 Gamma, and Big The Cat. Each character goes through unique situations, even if the setting maybe familiar. Each character undergoes a different playing style, or set-up. Some levels are totally designed for one character only, or some may be open to all six characters.
GamePlay:

Sonic: Sonic remains true to his loyal fans by having insanely fast super-speed levels with lots of action, constantly leaving players blown away, and in some cases dizzy.

Tails: Tails finally gets more recognition by having his own path through the game, however, through most of the game your racing Sonic, but in some cases Tails must go through some unique quests, or meet other characters important to the story.

Knuckles: The master emerald has been broken! To retrieve the pieces is Knuckles' goal in small areas of quick-action, long-time searching levels! These do require a bit of work, but don't worry, you can do it!

Amy: Oh Gag me. Please. Just end it all now. Amy has by far the shortest way through the game. Thank goodness. Anyone who has played Sonic CD knows how much of a pest Amy is to Sonic. She's madly in love with him, and constantly bugs him. Amy's levels are simply running away from a big bad robot you can't even hurt, because he's her final boss.

Big: Perhaps the simplest, least complex game, is Big's. Big has merely one boss, of which only takes one shot with a well-aimed fishing rod. That's right. Big fishes for his little buddy, Froggy the Frog. Big's game tends to be easy to complete, despite the fact he's the last character you unlock. People sometimes complain about his voice, and say it's retarded... be that as it may, he's funny.

E-102 Gamma: A basic run-by-and-shoot-'em-up styled stage. The timer is basically the only thing that can kill you. But there seems to be more to Gamma than just his hardened metal exterior... is it possible life stirs within?

Each of these characters have a pretty in-line game with certain points of great difficulty, some easier.

Graphics: WHOA! The playstation nor the 64 got nothing on this game! These graphics will almost make a person dizzy who is a veteran to the Sonic series! As it did to me. The graphics make you feel like you're almost in the playing fields! Each tree looks unique, and it's easy to tell the difference in the sky and the sea. Unfortunately, the camera sometimes makes it difficult to see these wonderfully animated graphics. The camera's problems were probably due to the rush of making this game on dead-line: the DreamCast release.

Music/SFX: The sound effects have been changed quite a bit since the past games. The annoying jump has been replaced with a well-made whoosh sound. Strangely enough, the ring sound remains true to the first Sonic game. Some people complain that the voice acting/lip sync are awful, and that they ruin everything. I beg to differ. The lip sync isn't bad at all. In fact, it takes a hawk's eye to notice some slip ups. The voice acting is very expressionate, and emotional, for the possible exception of Gamma, but due to the fact he's a machine, he's supposed to sound monotone.

Age Grouping: Younger kids will probably have a rough time catching the plot or controlling it, while this game is probably suited for kids 8 and up. However, kids over 15 may find this game below them, it is acceptable for everyone.

Lastability: Eternal. First you must play as Sonic to unlock all the other characters, then even after the levels are completed, there are still 3 emblems per stage, which some require great patience. However, even after the emblems (130 in all) are gathered, you still have the option of taking care of the Chao creatures which are too cute to exist. Let's face it, a chao is a little more creative than a yellow rat who can somehow make electricity and says nothing but it's name! Chao are little water creatures that inherit traits from animals they touch.

The End???: Each character's ending is unique, and it shows what happens to the character after the mysterious water creature: Chaos is killed in their quests. E-102 Gamma should be the last character you use. Eh? What's this? A golden question mark has appeared on the character wheel. Maybe it's the true ending? Pick it and find out...