An intensely frictional experience that sometimes becomes too much to deal with (it is difficult to overstate just how much two of Rouge the Bat's levels in particular are frustrating) but ultimately ends up being an experience far more than the sum of the parts.

This game has such an infectious energy to it, such a cheeky sense of flair and personality, that its impossible to stay mad at it, even after Sonic falls through the level architecture on Final Rush for the third time in a row. Say what you will about the Knuckles/Tails levels, the Sonic and Shadow levels are fantastic fun: a unique platforming experience where you genuinely feel like you are struggling to control your character, just barely leashing their immense power. It makes for some annoyances, to be sure, but when you pull off a stylish run through a level, all those annoyances become worth it because suddenly, you are soaring, a high you can only appreciate because of the lows that contrast it.

The much-mocked story is one of the highlights. No parody fandub could possibly capture just how much of a riot this game's story is, it has the exact manic energy of a game made up by kids on the playground, leaping from tone to genre to plot with nonexistent restraint. It has to be experienced to be believed, and enjoyed without cynicism, without irony. Those without sincerity in their hearts will not survive contact with Sonic Adventure 2.

I love this stupid, messy, awful, brilliant game. I'll treasure my time with it. If I ever have to play Mad Space again I will snap my controller in two.

The story is an utter failure. Making characters act utterly stupid for the sake of the plot is never a good thing.

The gameplay is a lot of fun however. The stages look great and are very fun to explore. Bosses are amazing as well, and Viola's gameplay is pretty different and cool.

It could have been a lot better and enjoyable overall, if the story wasn't this bad.

Reasons Why Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Sucks:

- A slow start that takes way too long to pick up
- An overabundance of tutorials that don't even do a good job of explaining the game's mechanics
- Navigation is often confusing due to lack of proper elevation markers
- Gacha mechanics in a $60 single player game???
- Menus are too clunky and slow for the amount of Blade management and customization that you'll be doing
- Story progression is sometimes tied to an annoying skill upgrade system
- Rex won't shut up about the power of friendship
- Tora is a creep-ass pervert who is a poor replacement for the superior Heropon Riki
- Zeke didn't get enough screen time
- Melia is not in the game
- Pyra's chest is too big

Reasons Why Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Doesn't Actually Suck:

- Combat is a major upgrade from the first Xenoblade game (once it clicks, at least)
- Side quests have been greatly improved as well
- The world is expansive and beautiful (Switch limitations aside)
- The music, bro...
- I cried
- Stockholm syndrome, I guess
- I would die for almost anyone in the main cast
- Definitely Stockholm syndrome

Much more competent than the predecessor, although it lacks the charm. Gen 2 purposefully made the game more open-ended although it creates a terrible level curve for over half the game that is plainly unfun. Johto as a region makes me feel weird, and going back to Kanto takes like 3 hours to beat which is a fun and short post-game. The non-linearity should have just been saved for Kanto in order to ensure Johto is actually fun. Unfortunately they didn't do that. Johto is also the start of Pokemon devs going "Hey, let's introduce all of these cool new Pokemon and make sure nobody can get any of them until after they beat the game!" Thanks Gen 2, you ruined the next 6+ generations. At least your music is good and you have cool birds. Pokemon is just plainly an enjoyable system so I can't hate Gold too much, but it definitely felt like a step down from Blue.