Board 8 > SephG whines about the classic Sonic series pt 2

(+) Yeah! (+)

Finally got a chance to sit down and power through Sonic 2 in one sitting.

First impression was how immensely improved this game is over its predecessor--the art style, the level design, the speed, being able to spin without running. Not perfect, not Mario, not DKC, but very good nevertheless.

Until I got to the final boss(es). I can't remember ever wanting to break my TV this badly as an adult. The repetition didn't get me. The zero rings for no reason didn't get me. The forced replay wasn't it. It was the fucking hit detection on Robotnik's final machine.

How in the fuck did any CHILDREN ever beat this game? I have never encountered such a cheaply designed final boss, let alone one in a game that theoretically has finite continues. Fuck this series, man.
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imagine trying to beat that boss as Knuckles

since he can't jump as high as Sonic, you can literally only hit him after he lands from the big jump and his body lowers close to the ground
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LeonhartFour posted...

imagine trying to beat that boss as Knuckles

since he can't jump as high as Sonic, you can literally only hit him after he lands from the big jump and his body lowers close to the ground

I wouldn't mind having to take the patient route and just slowly wearing him down this way. Except I tried that and I randomly die when I hit the exact same part of his body. And then have to start all the fuck over again.

I'm buttfurious.
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Yeah, the window of opportunity during that fight was always frustrating. Not sure how I ever did it as a kid. Doubt I'd even bother with it without save states anymore.
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It's not even that... There's no consistency in the "tells" of when/where you can hit. So it's virtually impossible to get better. I really really hated that final boss. Tainted the whole game for me.
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

How in the fuck did any CHILDREN ever beat this game?

The real player plays as Tails, the person just watching cowers as Sonic in a corner or something. They just focus on staying alive with Sonic.
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red13n posted...

Nelson_Mandela posted...

How in the fuck did any CHILDREN ever beat this game?

The real player plays as Tails, the person just watching cowers as Sonic in a corner or something. They just focus on staying alive with Sonic.

But Tails isn't in the final stage!
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oh, thats right it ruins the plan. Eventually you just luck into it I guess. Its been awhile since I was young and had to carry people to victory.
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Sonic 2 is a great game, but yeah, that final boss sucks. I usually just quit whenever I get there.
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

It's not even that... There's no consistency in the "tells" of when/where you can hit. So it's virtually impossible to get better. I really really hated that final boss. Tainted the whole game for me.

Okay, I know I was a bit unfair in the grief I gave you over Sonic 1, but this is flat out not true. It follows a very specific pattern that repeats. The window of opportunity is pretty small and can be frustrating, but it's a set pattern.
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I never had issues determining when it was safe to make contact, the timing is just super awkward
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LeonhartFour posted...

imagine trying to beat that boss as Knuckles

since he can't jump as high as Sonic, you can literally only hit him after he lands from the big jump and his body lowers close to the ground

Also, this is actually the intended way that you're supposed to fight him. You CAN hit him while he's walking, but you have to have good timing and make sure you don't land too close.
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StealThisSheen posted...

Nelson_Mandela posted...

It's not even that... There's no consistency in the "tells" of when/where you can hit. So it's virtually impossible to get better. I really really hated that final boss. Tainted the whole game for me.

Okay, I know I was a bit unfair in the grief I gave you over Sonic 1, but this is flat out not true. It follows a very specific pattern that repeats. The window of opportunity is pretty small and can be frustrating, but it's a set pattern.

The pattern is set, but you literally can hit the same spot at the same time the second time and instantly die. It's infuriating.
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Before I move onto S3&K can anyone just confirm for me whether there are levels or bosses that will make me rage as much as this?
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

The pattern is set, but you literally can hit the same spot at the same time the second time and instantly die. It's infuriating.

Spoilers: You're not hitting the same spot

The timing is very tricky on trying to hit him while walking, but there's nothing like, random about it.
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That said, yeah, it can be frustrating. You're intended to be patient and hit him when he lands.
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I hit under the "stomach" and died. But there was no logical reason as to why.

It reminds me of the parts in Sonic 1 where you get crushed before the columns even touch you.
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

Before I move onto S3&K can anyone just confirm for me whether there are levels or bosses that will make me rage as much as this?

S3&K is the greatest 2-D platformer ever but you'll probably find something to make you rage anyway
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I grew up on Sonic 3 and remember it more fondly than any other Sonic game by far, but I've sadly never beaten the game. I am optimistic.
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

I hit under the "stomach" and died. But there was no logical reason as to why.

It reminds me of the parts in Sonic 1 where you get crushed before the columns even touch you.

If it's while he's walking, you have like a split second to do so because of his spikes. It's not really advised unless you're good at it already
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

I grew up on Sonic 3 and remember it more fondly than any other Sonic game by far, but I've sadly never beaten the game. I am optimistic.

How could you not beat Sonic 3? It's literally only half a game, plus it has save files so you don't have to start at the beginning every time.
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Xeybozn posted...

Nelson_Mandela posted...

I grew up on Sonic 3 and remember it more fondly than any other Sonic game by far, but I've sadly never beaten the game. I am optimistic.

How could you not beat Sonic 3? It's literally only half a game, plus it has save files so you don't have to start at the beginning every time.

I was referring to S3&K
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So... Proper way to complete S3&K? Do I need to beat the game with Tails also? The order of operations has always confused me.
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don't have much to add, just want to say i'm highly enjoying this topic series
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

So... Proper way to complete S3&K? Do I need to beat the game with Tails also? The order of operations has always confused me.

I believe its just Sonic playthrough -> Knuckles playthrough chronologically, based on background details examined by people who have far more time than I do.
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JonThePenguin posted...

I believe its just Sonic playthrough -> Knuckles playthrough chronologically, based on background details examined by people who have far more time than I do.

I mean it's pretty simple

Sonic opens the container of ghosts in Sandopolis. When Knuckles gets there, it's already open.
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S3+K is one of the greatest games ever made.

If anything annoys you, it's Stage 4.

Remember, you have to alternate pushing down then up then down then up... -_-

Luckily for me, I read the manual, as a kid.
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HanOfTheNekos posted...

Luckily for me, I read the manual, as a kid.

But the manual doesn't even say anything about that part.
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I thought it did.
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One final note: "Bad" ending > "good" ending!
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yeah I don't remember the last boss being difficult at all (at least not a major difficulty spike or anything like that)... though having trouble as knuckles seems pretty understandable even though I never tried it because the game wasn't really designed with him in mind.
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yeah the main game is incredibly broken in Knux's favor because the platforming wasn't designed to handle gliding and climbing but then it counterbalances it with the final boss
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