"Director's Cut" is nothing but a clever euphemism for an aging four-year old port

Ever since SEGA announced those years back that the Sonic crew would end up on GameCube after the demise of the Dreamcast almost seemed like an event that would never happen. I remember back in the 90's, I would always fantasize about Sonic and Mario partnering up in the same game. Since then we've seen a plethora of older Sonic titles - all ports of existing titles, but decent ones nonetheless for the Nintendo audience. After the release of Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, and Sonic Mega Collection, SEGA is ready to deliver one more port to the GameCube - and that's the one that began Sonic's epic resurrection from the fallout of his slew of sub-par Saturn titles. Well now in 2003, SEGA has done the unpredictable and put the Dreamcast Sonic-in-3D premiere Sonic Adventure onto the GameCube in a advanced form. Sonic has returned in all his glory, in full 3D, with blistering fast speeds and thrills. Sadly, this is what I excited about in 1999 - this is 2003 and SEGA has delivered something of the same game with a fancy Director's Cut label. Those expecting to reunite with Sonic's epic 3D adventure are in for quite a disappointment - especially since SEGA had no intention of giving a four-year old game real enhancements that would take advantage of the GameCube's powerful hardware.

For starters, Sonic Adventure DX is not a completely stripped port of the Dreamcast original, there are actually additional features planted into this release to somehow justify a $40 price tag. Well, you be the judge, I inherently disagree with DX being all it could be. Basically what gives DX it's name is that SEGA went back and tinkered a couple things to make it more than a flat, drab, four-year old port - but it doesn't quite succeed at that. For one, the graphics are slightly enhanced, but it seems like all they've done was brighten up Sonic - and Sonic alone. You might notice other subtle differences like the water effects that feature updated, more realistic textures. Everything else has been cleaned up and sharpened meaning increased resolution. Sadly, when you do such things to older games like enhance the visuals, you tend to see the aging process of older hardware and realize that it's a pretty embarrassing facelift that may have been better off staying old and dated looking. From the moment you switch on the GameCube and take a look at the game, you'll realize how dated the graphics really are and how much this game fails in comparison to anything of a faithful remastery. As far as the visuals go, it all suffers from an unbearably and unacceptable jerky framerate - since the team tried increasing the framerate to 60, they haven't done a whole lot of tuning to keep it there - which makes 30 frames-per-second on the Dreamcast seem just fine. Unfortunately, it's noticeable and it's one of those things that will be a constant reminder on how pathetic and rushed the whole facelift process was.

Another enhanced element of this port was SEGA going back and sprucing up the sound capabilities - and done quite successfully. You'll notice that the Sonic Team has implemented Dolby Pro Logic II, which is a very impressive addition remastery exclusively for the GameCube's hardware. Sadly, in comparison to the Dreamcast's audio, it seems like everything was already fine - but if you happen to have Dolby Pro Logic II (I do), you'll notice that the game sounds stunning - that is until you hear the voice acting. Yes, the classic, horrendous, cut-scenes will display how awfully the American team tried to synchronize the voices to the mouth movements - and they've done a pretty dicey, hacked job. Nothing changed however, this was a laughable error even back on the Dreamcast. Still, that acting is horrible, and luckily, you can convert the language into Japanese if it's that painful and offensive to listen to. Furthermore, you also have the memorable soundtrack consisting of mostly 80's-style hard grungy rock, and some typical bassy SEGA music in there. I've always found the soundtrack to give the game a lot of zeal, especially in some levels you'll be treated with themed music - like even some bits of jazz in Casinopolis and bass and drums music in the Lost World stage. Overall, it's an enjoyable listen, unless you can't stand SEGA's fixation on 80's rock in most of their games these days.

As far as gameplay goes, you have all the goodness of the original Dreamcast port, all five characters too choose from (after you've unlocked many of them with Sonic) including Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and the odder, more forgettable bunch like that robot thing, and the dopey cat. You have your brief six main worlds, and their respective various acts of challenges. Exclusively in the this "DX" version, this is where you'll finally see where SEGA has pumped most of the effort into. Each levels features more challenges, there are more bonus games giving the game some enhanced longevity (for those who absolutely loved Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast). You also have the whole Chao raising addition, in which now, SEGA has added a function to where you'll be able to link your Game Boy Advance into the console and raise your Chao(s). Since you don't have a VMU via Dreamcast, you can now cleverly utilize your GBA to play one of Sonic Adventure's more distant side-activities. Personally, I find this extra to be rather useless and boring - especially since that whole Tamagotchi craze went out long ago, and I'm sure most of us are happy it's over (I was once an avid virtual pet owner myself, gladly it's over). I suppose that back in 1999, the trend was still pretty fashionable in Japan, but now it's so unnecessary and will most likely appeal to the children audiences. One of the most welcomed additions that Sonic aficionados will find genuine is that SEGA has included the entire library of Game Gear Sonic series titles hidden somewhere inside the game. Other than that, DX has this much to offer - nothing too epic or catalytic to make the game dramatically different from it's original release.

One thing I remember mentioning about Sonic Mega Collection is how well the GameCube controller conforms to Sonic's movements - even in 3D. There's something about the Cube controller that makes controlling Sonic so simplistic and effortless that it makes it fun to maneuver around than the somewhat bulky Dreamcast controller. One thing that still erks me is that horrendously lethargic camera that always seems to want to never stay behind your player making seeing things ahead blindsighting. You can move it around with the L and R triggers relative to the DC's L and R, but it's slow-moving, and still pretty lazy and unresponsive - it's just a matter of time until the camera defaults into it's usual annoyingness. As in most 3D games, the camera is a evident gameplay problem, and it is here as well. Luckily, you'll know that controlling Sonic is a dream while having to wrestle with the annoying camera - frustration will still set in.

Finally, Sonic Adventure DX: The Director's Cut is basically a poor attempt to reviving Sonic Adventure on another system. I think the soul intent was to get Sonic DX onto the GameCube as a port, but they figured they mine as well enhance it a little if there going to do it. I don't go for this at all - especially since SEGA wants $39.99 for this game - the price of an average, but unworthy port. Even so, I don't think Sonic DX needs to be revamped just yet - it's only been four-years since the Dreamcast version which calls for a pretty lame reunion. I don't think many of us can go strolling down memory lane just yet, and if so, respectfully and faithfully reproduce the entire game with drop-dead beautiful visuals a la Capcom's Resident Evil port. From what a typical onlooker may think, is simply that Sonic DX is really nothing of a worthwhile reproduction - but merely a dated port (that's $39.99). I suppose if you really loved Sonic DX, you like the fact that you can play all the Game Gear originals, and the Chao raising thing amongst the extra bonuses and challenges than you can justify the price. But for all of us who expect more out of something we can be satisfied by just dusting off the Dreamcast for - leave this one for a weekend rental and you won't be disappointed. We'll see you in another five years, because this game still hasn't quite reached must-redux status.


FINAL DECISION
(on a basis of Epinions' stars ratings)

Visual
2 out of 5

Audio
3 out of 5

Gameplay
2 out of 5

Control
3 out of 5

Lasting Prowess
3 out of 5