So the wait began. And it was a bit harrowing, to say the least. First there was the ever present aura of gloom that accompanies every game with dialog to be dubbed over (Tenchu scarred me, for life). Then there was the rumor that classic Sonic-Style music was going to be replaced with Nine Inch Nails-esque industrial rock (nothing against NIN, but they belong in a Sonic game about as much as Bustah Rhymes belongs in Pokémon). But eventually, the ninth of September rolled around, I came home to my waiting Dreamcast, plunked in Sonic Adventure, wondering if it was still as much fun to hop around brightly colored worlds collecting rings as it had been back on the Genesis.

First of all, before I turn on superlative praise on the game itself, I'd like to commend Sega on North American version. Though, I'm not talking about the gameplay improvements, which I can't really comment on anyway seeing as I haven't played the import. No, I'm talking about the localization. Not only did they not change the music, (which is a good thing considering Sonic Adventure has some of the best game music I've ever heard), but they implemented one feature that no game company to my memory has ever established. They offerred subtitles, PRAISED BE SEGA! Instead of subjecting us to yet another snapped dub job, Sega has given us the choice of either listening to their frightening group of average voice actors (which I'll comment on shortly), or listening to the highly professional Japanese crew with subtitles. Needless to say, I ONLY turned the English dialog on when I got curious, and after hearing an eerie "Jaleel White-reminiscent" Sonic (maybe it's just me). I quickly leaped back onto the options screen and switched it back to Japanese, and I really appreciate being given the choice, for a change. To make a long story short, Sonic Adventure is probably one of my favorite localizations of a game, EVER!

Moving onto the game itself; graphically, this game is dazzling. It may not have any of the pure value of Soul Calibur, but it excels in where the aforementioned fails somewhat miserably at, environments. The worlds displayed within this game are among some of the the best I've seen since that of Zelda 64; bright, colorful, and atmospheric. While it's not quite perfect (there's occasionally slight glitching, and you sometimes fall into bottomless pits that are supposed to have a bottom...) it's still joyous. The Egg Carrier is probably one of my favorite areas in a game ever, simply because it's exactly what I imagine a huge transforming airship to look like. There is something inherently right with the playgrounds in Sonic Adventure. The characters, while a bit simple, get the job done rather nicely. The only slight problem is when they start talking, the lip-synch; as well as the motion of the mouth on the whole is a bit off. Other than that, rock solid. As far as frame rates and other little technical squabbles, the game never drops to an unnacceptable rate (which is kind of a good thing when you're blazing along at incalcuble speeds), and the textures are all crisp like that fresh batch of french fries that you know are growing stale in a fryer at the local fast-food joint. In other words, Sonic Adventure is one of the more graphically impressive games on DC, not so much in how it looks, but how it's executed.

Soundwise, you can expect the usual aural godliness that is tends to come with a Sonic game. Ever since the original Sonic the Hedgehog, every adaption possessed some of the most captivating, memorable tunes in gaming ever, and Sonic Adventure is no exception. Furthermore, the game goes on to flex the DC's sound muscle in playing some of the highest quality music ever heard in a game, much less some of the most memorable. Based upon the audio excellence in this game, the Dreamcast demonstrates a new standard that should be achievied for games of this nature. Of special note is the immense variety of songs which are unique to each playable character. Among the tunes consists of 80's "hair-rock" for the introduction of the game to the Knuckles' modern day gangsta rap. In short, there's a nice blend here for everyone as variety is always appreciated, although if I hear Amy's song one more time I will not be held accountable for my actions.

As for the voice acting, the Japanese cast is well done, as to be expected (although Amy is annoying in ANY language!), while unfortunately the domestic voices hardly compare to the same quality found in Metal Gear Solid. Although part of the problem is Sega's somewhat dicey translation which thus makes the game appear more childish in nature than it was intended. The dub's voices just don't harmonize properly unlike the original voices featured in the import. I don't reccomend playing with the English dialog unless you've got high funky-dub tolerance, or like hearing goofy voice, or simply have some strange aversion to the Japanese language.

And, finally, onto the part of a game that makes it, or breaks it, the gameplay. Overall, it resembles the old-fashioned Sonic gameplay, which can be considered good or a bad, depending on who you ask. Personally, I find it contains that adrenaline-pumping, action-packed, raw blood-boiling buzz factor that can't be found in more cerebral platformers like Mario and Crash. If you ask someone with a "mad-on" (read: negative impressions) against Sonic Adventure, it means the game is shallow. While admittedly, I didn't really need to test my brain muscles to their limit, I didn't mind it one bit. The thrill of rocketing down the side of a skyscraper is a bit too overwhelming for my brain to come up with that "Jinkies, this is too shallow" response. And for replay value, when you finish up with Sonic there's still much more to do. The supporting character quests, while not of them quite as involving or long as Sonic's, are genuinely enjoyable. Knuckles, Tails, E-102's are most oustanding, while Amy and Big's games are a bit less....pleasing. Let it be known that I have and always will, hate fishing games, and we'll leave it at that. But the game rewards you for your toil in playing through ALL the characters, with possibly the most spectacular boss confrontations ever to take place in a game that wasn't an RPG, and the reappearence of everyone's favorite Dragon Ball Z emulating super hedgehog.

In conclusion, Sonic is a TRUE gamer's game, in every sense of the word. It may not be the most technically advanced, or stunningly deep game ever, but it has enough fun factor to make you not care. If you liked the older Sonics titles, platform games in general (or basically possess) a fully functioning mind, you'll have a fun thrill ride with this latest adaption.

· · · Riisuke