Review by Clark A.
As much as I enjoy Sonic’s 2D platforming outings, they all share a particular similitude. If Tails Adventure (and please note, this isn’t a grammar fail on our part, the game really isn’t called “Tales’ Adventure” like it should be – ed) is any indicator, though, that sameness may be a lynchpin upholding their general level of quality. Tails Adventure tosses many Sonic clichés and design choices to the wolves seemingly to be more alluring to fans of more methodical exploration.
Unconventional or not though, its take on the 2D platformer falls flat enough that fans of either gameplay style won’t find much left to appreciate.
Rather than explore stages at the speed of sound, Tails plods along through a dozen fairly open-ended levels. In addition to the twin-tailed fox’s usual arsenal of tricks such as flying, he’s got a whole arsenal of gadgets. It’s a fine effort to stay true to his character considering the lack of material to work with. Most tools are used for solving puzzles but there’s quite a variety amongst them. One of your overarching goals is to collect all of these trinkets as they allow you to access secrets and progress the through the levels.
The level design itself also leaves something to be desired. Though it is decidedly superior to many of Aspect’s other Game Gear titles, presumably due to the slower pace, there are many rough patches and obnoxious leaps of faith required. Passageways are needlessly tight, condemning Tails’s main means of attacking – a bomb with an awkward arcing motion – to get snagged on the ceiling constantly.
Technical Editor
