Sonic 2 HD

Pros

• Stunning HD visuals
• Tight controls
• Faithful recreation of classic Sonic stages

Cons

• Camera makes it difficult to react to objects and pitfalls
• No MAC support
• Doesn't work on PCs running Windows 8.1 or later

“Sonic 2 HD” is a high-definition remake of the classic SEGA Genesis game “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” for PCs that run Windows.

If you have ever played the original “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” on the SEGA Genesis, you know that the game is often considered one of the better ones in the franchise to be released. Unfortunately, this classic game was released before the age of HD gaming, which means it doesn't look great on HD televisions. While there are various ways to make the classic game look better on HD TVs, you can jump straight to playing various levels by downloading “Sonic 2 HD.”

This PC game is a fairly loyal remake of the classic Genesis game. The game was developed by S2HD Team, which worked hard to keep it as faithful to the port as possible. The controls for the game are quick and responsive, which is needed when playing a fast-paced Sonic game. At the time of this writing, the latest version was 2.0 Alpha. This build of the game only features a few of the stages found in its classic counterpart. However, the stages that are available are shown off in stunning HD.

To run this game, you will need a PC that runs Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8. Please keep in mind that the 2.0 Alpha build doesn't work with PCs that run Windows 8.1 or higher. This game isn't compatible with MAC in its current state either, which is something that the S2HD Team may attempt to fix at a later date. You will also need at least 85.4 megabytes of free space on your PC.

The area where “Sonic 2 HD” really shines is its visuals. The developers have done a great job making the game look crisp and colorful. Unfortunately, the game isn't without its flaws. One area where the game falls short is its camera. Just like all Sonic games, “Sonic 2 HD” is a fast-paced game that requires lightning fast reflexes. The player has to move Sonic too close to the right side of the screen to make the screen scroll. While this isn't a huge issue when walking, it makes it difficult to react to objects and pitfalls that are entering the screen when running at full speed. As “Sonic 2 HD” is a game about going fast, this a a huge pitfall.

Overall, this games does a great job showcasing what “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” would look like with a full HD remake. While the camera leaves a little to be deserved, it makes up for this with tight controls and stunning visuals. If you have a computer that can run this game and you love classic Sonic games, you owe it to yourself to give this one a try.

Pros

• Stunning HD visuals
• Tight controls
• Faithful recreation of classic Sonic stages

Cons

• Camera makes it difficult to react to objects and pitfalls
• No MAC support
• Doesn't work on PCs running Windows 8.1 or later