Quote of the Month

 

"These boots are made for racing."

-Rouge the Bat, Sonic Rivals 2

Quote of the Month

 "Winning is everything." 

-Rouge the Bat, Sonic Battle

Sonic Heroes Review

Rank @ End

Summary

BLAST AWAY! Do more characters=a better game? Uh...no?

Gameplay and Level Design

The level design is fair. There are some colorful additions and new ideas, namely the haunted theme. I don't really like the "chunky" look of some of the earlier levels like [shudders] Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace. Many of the levels are pretty long in length. 

The gameplay has its heart in the right place, but is not the best. I like the idea of team work, but unlike Sonic 2 where there's sort-of an optional thing for another player, this "team" thing is forced on the 1st player. It takes a long while to get used to the different moves, switching between characters, and even just balancing while flying. It needs a "learning period." Doing the Rose missions first helps.  

 

Story and Characters

This is a very character-focused game. Team Sonic has a pretty simplistic story, but it is fun to see the crew getting along and hanging out. Rose's is also pretty simple, but it's humorous and the first time we see Cream outside of Sonic Advance 2. Though where did Chocola even come from? 

The Chaotix have a fun story, though I wish the conclusion was not so obvious. Notably this team dodges Team Sonic because then they'd have to decide where to risk having the group recognize Knuckles. The wording when they first cross Eggman is careful for this reason (Knuckles Chaotix). 

Team Dark gets the best story, where the group hunts Eggman for their own reasons. Unfortunately the game does not decide what to do with Shadow. Does he get his memories back? Is he an android?   

This might be because the character was originally dead and Rouge was going to be a part of Team Rose (wtf). 

The game debuted Omega, Chocola, and introduced many "less known" characters like the Chaotix and Cream. I think they handled the intro well, but I can see how it would seem overwhelming. 

The plot twist is great for the game's story and for Metal Sonic's character. Before, he basically had the OVA for personality and that was basically just that he had Sonic's. Here we as a cold, creepier version. I wish they actually used the "Neo" design a bit before transforming him for 5 minutes, though.   

Music and Voice Acting

The music is pretty good. "Mystic Mansion" really got into the setting, and Bullet Station just sounds awesome. The main theme is good but tiresome. Of the team themes, only "This Machine" really works the best. "What I'm Made Of" is and always will be one of the most epic songs in the series. 

This is some of the best voice acting from the original cast, the other game probably being Sonic Battle. Ryan Drummond's voice for Sonic is happy and energetic, finally losing the sarcasm-awkwardness from the Adventure series. Just right. Jennifer Douillard has shown considerable improvement with Amy, putting a lot more into the role. Lani Minella's Rouge voice is also at it's best. 

I do have one main complaint, and it's for Charmy, who just sounds too girlish for a boy (the potato chips line still works though). 

Visuals and Graphics

The CG scenes are fair. The graphics aren't the best, but tolerable. Though do I have to sit through like 5 mintues of Metal Sonic transforming in thunder, rain, and lightning? 

Omega's design is a bit clunky for my taste, but the Chaotix redesigns are awesome. Rouge also wears a different outfit, which I might like better. Interesting to note that in the concept art her outfit was red and black, too, hm...

Final Thoughts

• The Special stage is crap. A-the boost is NOT like the modern boost, don't use it that way or you WILL PAY. B-you can get at least 6 of them by using Big and walking on the CELLING for some reason. C-you'll do fine and then--randomly come to a halt because you somehow fell. What is this, 06? 
• Sonic 2's is WAY WAY WAY better and it came out, you know, like 10 years before. 
• Ultimately I am glad they brought Shadow back, even if it meant SA2 lost a little meaning. However I'm not a huge fan of the android plot. 
• Also, the portrayal of Shadow himself in the game has been greatly exaggerated, I mean one minute he's all "space, did you say space" and the next he's all "some things never change," what the heck?! 
• Sorry, but Shadow the Hedgehog> Heroes Shadow.  The entire game is dedicated to the character's potential. Did it 100% work? No. Did it miss some opportunities with Team Dark? Yeah. But it gives still gives a better idea of "who" he is. 
• Plus "That way you guys can use your super powers," ugh, that's barely better than "you've got this, Sonic," ew.   
• This is the best we see of Metal Sonic, I think, yet the whole "Neo" idea is overrated. Forces may have been an opportunity to flesh out the character's personality when working under Eggman. Too bad.   
• Tails and Knuckles...just get bubbles...shinny little...WHY?
• Part of this game's problem is that Sonic himself is kinda' buried in all these characters. 
• Giving him a super transformation and no one else is NOT a solution. 
• So I'm confused about the sunset thing... 
• HOOHEE

Final Ranking: B 

Eh. What can I say? Beating this game is great, and it's really nice to see the characters work and talk together in the level, too. But it can be long, repetitive, and at points just...boring?

WHAT IF...Silver was replaced with Metal...hm.

Sonic Rivals 2 Reveiw

Rank @ End

Summary

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Visuals, Level Design, and Graphics

The graphics are horrible. The game art/card art or whatever is fine, but other than that...visually, this handheld game may be one of the worst. As far as setting, they try to do new things, but the graphics are just so bad they are barely salvageable.  

On the other hand I liked the different "racer"/etc outfits. Looked neat/funny. 

Gameplay

The idea of racing the other characters is a clever way to capitalize on the idea of speed. This type of gameplay, where almost every level is a race where the players also attack each other, likely inspired many of Sega's future apps. It's a neat idea, and if it worked as well as the Metal Sonic race of Sonic CD or a 2-D version of the Sonic/Shadow race in SA2, it would be awesome. Unfortunately it's not at the same quality. 

Even though the controls should be simple, they can get confusing. Press this button, press that button! I liked the special moves, but some work better in this case than others. For example, Tails' flight is virtually useless because of the level design--not a good choice. If the "rush" boost wasn't used so much nowadays, "Sonic Boom" might not bother me, but this version of the boost seems so inferior. I think Shadow's "Chaos Control" as well as Silver's "Psychic Control" are the best. 

Even though it's 2-D, it does not play out nearly as smoothly as the classic games or the Advance or Rush series. There are also rival fights/challenges that would be nice as a bonus mission but are instead required and therefore unwelcome. The boss fights varied from being what I'd expect to something more frustrating.     

Story and Characters

Each character is linked to another. Playing Sonic's story, for example, also means playing as Tails, even though Tails has a separate story. This is a little excessive--maybe it should have been one story per pair rather than per character. 

Sonic and Tails have a pretty basic story, but the character interactions are funny. This game is kind of like Heroes in that sense, driven by the characters involved. Only instead of all working together, the different pairs turn on each other, ha ha. 

The plot involving Rouge and Knuckles is like SA2, and though they are allies it works just as well. Silver and Espio seem like and odd combination, but it was a smart way to include the two. Shadow and Metal Sonic may be Sonic's biggest rivals, but it's still odd to see them together. Since Metal doesn't talk, it's more of Shadow's story (which is fine by me!) but Metal proves he isn't totally worthless in the end. 

Like with the first one, it would be nice if there was more of an explanation with Nega. Also, while I like that some characters get "the full story" and others think it's just Eggman, I think Sonic should have at least been suspicious. Considering Heroes and the first Rivals, being fooled a 3rd time makes the Sonic seem like an idiot. 

Music and Sound Effects

The music is pretty harsh and not very memorable. The Mystic Haunt one was okay. "Race to Win" is awesome/impressive for a handheld, but it could get annoying being in the first level. 

One of the main advantages in comparison to the last Rivals game and the Rush series is that the cutscene audio is not as limited. Whereas previous games just had small clips ("getreadytobeschooled," etc), every character had several sayings and spoke during the cutscenes. Though the cutscenes were still limited, it was nice to actually hear the characters talk.    

Mike Pollock handles the shift between Eggmans with ease. Pete Capella seemed to perfect his version of Silver, which wasn't that bad to begin with. I've begun to wonder if it was maybe a script issue rather than voice acting, but this is another case where Kathleen Delaney's Rouge voice better than in Sonic X. Amy Palant's Tails has the opposite effect, though. Her voice for him was great in season 3 but seemed higher-pitched in the games for some reason. Most of the voice acting was perfect, and the cast did a good job. 

Metal Sonic had no voice, so he was basically voiced by Eggman, lol. 

Final Thoughts

• This is a good game for those who like the characters and their various personalities and abilities. However, Sonic's own role isn't the biggest.
• I liked that even though, for example, Shadow and Rouge were not allies in this game, they weren't at each others' throats, either. The same could be said for Knuckles among Sonic/Tails.    
• It would have been interesting to see a Rivals 3 (---with Blaze the Cat). Maybe they could have upgraded things. 
• The races in Sonic Generations were inspired from these.   
• Silver calling Tails HALF-PINT is the best Silver quote. "It's no use" is nothing. 

 

Final Ranking: C 

This is another case where the characters make the game very enjoyable, but eliminating that does not leave much behind. Barfy graphics, cute plot. 

Okay, I guess he noticed the laugh was off...

ShtH is Better Than Heroes (Part 10)

REPLAY

Sonic Heroes tried to do some small things to keep it playable past the story, but it was easy to immediately loose interest. Shadow's unique style guaranteed a difference, though. 

Heroes

A lot of Heroes' extra features come at the cost of emblems or A-Ranks, which are not easy to get. As covered last post, the missions are another alternative option, but there's no real motivation to play them. 

With the different teams and emeralds, finishing the game is a bit more challenging than others. Still, once it's done it's not quite the same. While a fan of the levels and characters will want to return, the complex gameplay elements (fly, make a wind tornado, etc), missions (Chaotix), and length (levels) make it have less appeal. 

Shadow

Shadow's story and mission layout create endless possibilities over 300 combinations. The paths lead to the same six choices, yet the shape of that path can be changed with ease. 

The locations have their challenges, but they aren't forced, either, since the missions are technically optional. There is a large amount of characters, but you don't see them all at once like Heroes. One could play an entire storyline without encountering Rouge, or another without encountering Tails. The only constant characters are Sonic and Black Doom since they both appear in the first level. The simple controls also aid this game in comparison to Heroes. 

Also, since the game has a fast start (alien invasion!) it's easier to return to than Heroes' slower, drawn-out plot. Seeing Shadow's different personalities and actions (such as sparing or eliminating Eggman) is an added bonus. 

Outside of the story, A-Ranks are more realistic and so is expert mode, giving gamers more to do.     

So...

Shadow the Hedgehog has a longer lasting effect than Heroes, or most other Sonic games. 

In the "classic" days level design and different pathways helped keep the game fresh. The transitional era had interesting locations but mainly only one way to go. Shadow used its missions, characters, and story to solve this problem. 

Sonic Battle Review

Summary

Underrated and too easily forgotten. 

 

Plot and Characters

Battle is a great example of combining an easy-going, comedic atmosphere and one that's more thoughtful and concerning. 

Sonic's story is a lead-in, and as a whole not too involved plot-wise, but it sets up the basics and transitions the player into learning how to play. It's important, looking back, for both initially establishing Emerl as a "worthless" robot and creating a link (pun!) between Sonic and Emerl. 

Honestly, Tails and Rouge's stories were rather lame and the characters were probably better outside of their stories (as support) rather than as main characters. Meanwhile Knuckles and Amy each had a funny element to theirs and it kept the story moving while developing Emerl. 

The lengths that Cream and Emerl are willing to go to for each other in Cream's story is sweet. Also on the deeper side, Shadow's story debates "weapons" and purpose. The most emotional of the 8, Emerl's story shows how far the robot has come, the relationships he has formed, and the impact he leaves behind. 

Overall this is one of the best handheld plots, if not one of the best in general. 

Gameplay and Controls

Since this was released on the Gameboy, the controls should be simple. However, there are many combinations, even with only mainly A, B, and the D-pad. Though a new player should have plenty of opportunities to master this combination (as with any fighting-type game) it can be overwhelming.  

It plays out much better than other methods (such as those seen in Sonic Chronicles) though it can easily lead to frustration. Since every level is virtually the same, it can also lead to annoyance and/or boredom. 

While it's a fair fighting game, it's a fighting game, making this more of a spin-off in gameplay. 

Music and Sound Effects

The music is not as good quality and can get annoying. Seems kind of loud/harsh in some cases, but it can still be enjoyable. For example, I like the Battle elements mixed with Green Hill (for Green Hill). Fairly good tempo, which is important since every level is a fight, but some of the lower quality/high pitched parts can get irritating.  

Though they were limited to select phrases, the voice cast did an exceptional job. Everyone sounds in character and has the right energy, making lines like "Time to Party!" "Stone Fists!" and "Didn't even break a sweat!" memorable. 

The effects for the moves were unique and work fine except for the annoying beeping with one of Gamma's moves. 

Visuals and Design

The "Sonic Advance" type of sprites have actually aged well. It may have been more primitive, but it looks a lot better than other 3D sprites. The amount of variety in how the attacks are portrayed (as well as the variety in attacks) is admirable. 

The character/cutscene art is accurate, but some characters like Rouge only have 2 different expressions while others have more like 4. The maps are colorful, though it is a bit off (would Angel Island really be so close to Central City, etc). I think the "Club Rouge" idea was interesting. 

The locations during the battles, however, leave much to be desired. Rather lame, most have rectangles or squares that get in the way. Ultimately the background can be a nuisance. 

Final Thoughts

• Using the cheat codes and getting Emerl's special moves are very important because the final boss is very hard. 
• Tails' stupid virtual training is insane. 
• There is a TERRIBLE challenge Rouge gives Emerl, which is torture and/or impossible without any good special moves. 
• It's annoying when the cutscene makes it seem like you're about to fight 1 enemy but somehow you're fighting 3.  
• Editing/collecting skills with Emerl was kinda' like a precursor to the Avatar (Forces).  
• The Gerald's journals were a fascinating addition. 
• There has been confusion over when this game is set, and I think after Shadow the Hedgehog makes the most sense. 
• In Japan it was released before Heroes, but Shadow's reappearance as well as allusions to Team Dark imply it was after that game. 
• In America it was released after Heroes. 
• However, Shadow is not suffering from Amnesia as he was in Sonic Heroes-Shadow the Hedgehog, further implying the game is set sometime after the Black Arms invasion, but before the events of Sonic Advance 3 and than assumingly before Sonic Rush-forward. 
• The Sonic Battle Arc of Sonic X was important for Cream and strengthened her character. However, it's a much looser adaptation than the adventure sagas, and I wish that was more well-known.

Ranking (S is best, E is worst): B

This game has a touching story and some notable character development. However, it also suffers poorer quality elements and tedious difficulty levels. Among portable and main games alike, it does not fit in as well because of its different gameplay.

While the the characters and plot is certainly A-rank (maybe S-Rank) worthy, the rest of it tilts more average, resulting in a modest B. 

BLACK KNIGHT

Sonic Forces References

The game celebrated 25 years and also had some callbacks:


Words narrate the events, similar to the date/location given in SA2 cutscenes.

Eggman takes over the world while Sonic is away. This happened in Sonic the Comic and later in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

Eggman also took over in several other continues, but while Sonic was young, not missing. 

Knuckles leads the Resistance: a "rag-tag" team of fighters to "take back the planet." This group helps rescue Sonic after his 6-month capture.

This idea may have been inspired by:

• The (Knothole) Freedom Fighters, generally led by Sally Acorn in Sat Am and the Archie Comics. 
• The Freedom Fighters, founded by Sonic in Sonic the Comic. 
• The Resistance, the "underground" movement against Robotnik in Sonic Underground. 
• Team Hero, Sonic and his close friends who often fight Eggman in the games. 
• The Resistance, a group of humans that fought the Meterex in Sonic X. 

Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and the Death Egg all appear again.

This is the second anniversary game where Sonic fights Metal Sonic. 

Sonic says to Classic, "it's been generations since I've seen you," alluding to Sonic Generations.

Sonic's box artwork is similar to his art for Sonic Rivals 2.

Many trophy/achievement names are based on games/phrases.

The Avatar's clothing can reflect other characters (such as a Tails shirt with Knuckles' shoes or a chao backpack and Amy's boots).

Omega is broken down/out of commission for most of the game. Something similar happened in 06 as well as Sonic Chronicles.

Infinite refers to Sonic as a rat. This was something the Erazor Djinn often said in Sonic and the Secret Rings.

Shadow kicks Infinite in nearly the same way he kicks Silver in the head in 06.

The Shadow "replicas" mainly serve the same purpose as "Shadow Androids."

Episode Shadow has remixes from Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog. A part of "All Hail Shadow" can also be heard when he appears in the main story.

Update: How could I forget?! The US theme for Metal Sonic/Stardust Speedway Bad Future was also remixed! Sonic CD!

Rouge mentions an "intelligence division." This may implicate GUN.

Rouge tells Shadow "do it to it," which was a common phrase in the early cartoons.

Rouge indirectly mentions chilidogs.

Rouge also called Eggman "Rotton ol' Eggman." Even though she used to call him "doctor," I swear she's called him something like that before...  

Shth is better than Sonic Heroes (Part 3)

Problems create a story. If there is not threat, there is no story. Overall, there was more at stake in Shadow the Hedgehog than Sonic Heroes.  

Conflict

Main Villain and Side Villains

Though I'm not a huge fan of Metal Sonic, he makes a better villain. Metal Sonic is shown to be cunning, cruel, and clever. The unexpected twist--that Metal Sonic had overthrown his own creator--was one of the highlights of Sonic Heroes. With a new edgier look, he creepily wants to prove he is "the real Sonic."

Black Doom is an evil creature, constantly asking for destruction and showing no sign of compassion whatsoever. Still, Black Doom lacks something I can't quite figure out...or maybe it's just his constant nagging throughout the game...I'm not sure, but he's more along the "Erazor Djinn" level of villainy rather than the "Mephiles" level (he comes across as lame).

Though Eggman was perceived as the villain in Heroes, he really did nothing. Metal's "fake" version of Eggman is uninteresting. Not very threatening, even in all that armor.

Shadow the game also had Eggman in a more neutral position than usual (though he behind was many of the bosses). Still seemed like in Heroes...somehow hard to take serious in comparison to his Adventure or Genesis days.

In Shadow the Hedgehog, there was also the Commander. Though he is contradictory (and lacks a real name), I was content with his inclusion. It gave a different point of view and helped explain GUN's actions in SA2 (imagine: "sir, a hedgehog stole a Chaos Emerald." "A HEDGEHOG? DEPLOY THE TROOPS NOW!") 

Even though Black Doom isn't as good as Metal Sonic, the multiple villains helped Shadow the Hedgehog and it's many storylines.  

Enemies

Heroes relies many on Egg Pawns, which are kinda' boring in design. There are bigger robots with sleeker or bulkier designs, but none really stand out.

Shth also used the lackluster Egg pawns, but there were others to fight as well...

• I much prefer the  Black Arms--villainous aliens--to the useless wisps of Sonic Colors. They were threatening in appearance and I like the laser/ray-gun type of weapons they have. 
• GUN is a little annoying because they keep attacking even if there is no one there or if Shadow is "on their side." It was still interesting to see GUN actually use their men instead of robots for once (though they have plenty "Flying Mantis Dog Whatever" robots, too).

I would have liked it better with nicer graphics, but Shadow the Hedgehog has cooler enemies to fight. 

Main Conflicts

The situation in Shadow the game was huge from the start: an alien invasion. Though Shadow wanted to avoid getting involved, soon he was dropping right into the middle of it.

Heroes was divided into several smaller problems: Team Hero needed to stop Eggman, Team Rose wanted to find their missing friends, Team Chaotix was trying to please their client, and Team Dark wanted revenge on/answers from/treasure from Eggman. This was fun and light-hearted, but it doesn't have the immediate urgency of that massive attack on Earth. 

In the end the Teams must band together to stop "Neo" Metal Sonic, who was behind everything. This a nice reward for finding all of the Chaos Emeralds. However, I've always felt that the absence of Super Tails/Knuckles was very anti-climatic (they just get shinny bubbles?).

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow has to stop Black Doom for once and for all. What gives the end an extra punch is Maria, who appears on an old video. Shadow's connection to Black Doom is also revealed--a little cliche, but it makes the situation all the more personal. This also gets points for redeeming Professor Gerald Robontik and revealing the true purpose behind the Eclipse Canon.

The trouble met in Sonic Heroes was not bad, but it didn't seem like the stakes were as high.   

Personal Conflicts

Shadow the Hedgehog out does Heroes by a far in this category. Using the different paths for different outcomes, the game was able to address the different conflicts Shadow has. He lost his memory and his purpose. The struggle between good and evil is a prevalent theme, as well as identity and the relevance of the past.

The Last Way tries to unite the stories and step up the game. By the end, everything literally is on Shadow's shoulders. To resolve the conflict, Shadow does what is right but decides the past is the past.

To it's credit, Heroes has some personal conflicts. For the most part it's about getting along with each other. But Team Dark's story took it a step further when it showed that the "Shadow might be a robot" plot affected the entire team. Still, it's weaker compared to Shadow the Hedgehog.

"The original must exist somewhere."

The Molly Debate (Part 5)

Episode 5: The More They Stay the Same...

Conclusion

I like to defend the dub because sometimes people draw conclusions without even giving it a chance. It could be worse. But this is a known weak point.

They should have worked around their rules without disrupting the story. I really wish they had done the original scene and put it on DVD as a special feature or something. Except for fan edits, we'll never see Molly's death in English.

So should 4kids' have censored Molly's death? Probably not. Should they be blamed for it? The show is like, 15 years old. Complaining about 4kids won't do anything--4kids is gone.

Should the entire dub be remembered for this and this only? No. Like it or not, it was Sonic X's success in the west that even allowed the series to go on for another season. So it can't be all bad, now can it?

The Verdict: The dub did not "ruin everything," but no, they shouldn't have changed the ending.

Cersorsh*t, in the first degree.  

So is the English "A Revolutionary Tale" episode worthless? No. It has some nice qualities, and the end game is the same--Shadow leaves Eggman and goes out on his own mission. It would be a good idea for fans to see the original, but the English version serves its purpose.

Besides, much as 4kids may be criticized for censoring, Sega themselves have strayed from "darker" or "deeper" stories in favor of silly, comical ones. Sonic was supposed to be tortured yet he's acting like a clown for most of Sonic Forces. Dub or Subbed, Sonic X treated Sonic more seriously than that.

Apparently being eaten by a tree is appropriate for TV-7, though? 

The Molly Debate (Part 4)

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look into "why" Molly's death may have been censored. 

Episode 4: Who Gave You the Key, Molly?!

Why this was "maybe necessary."

My number one guess as to why this happened: rules and mandates. I'm sure 4kids ("for kids") probably had some kind of mandate against showing a direct, on-screen death (Ya' know, kinda' like how Sega says Sonic can't cry in the comics).

This wasn't aimed at Sonic, though, but for the company as a whole. In some cases, 4kids completely cut episodes (of other shows). No doubt the same company that censored signs reading "Casino" or "House of Amy Rose" saw Molly being blasted out of the sky as too harsh.

It could been broadcasting rules, though. I remember Sonic X being rated TV-7, the same as, for example, Spongebob. Now think. Did anyone ever officially die on screen on Spongebob? The closest I can think of is Bubble Buddy letting the tide come in, but that wasn't "onscreen."

Point is Sonic X may have needed a higher raking for an on-screen death, and 4kids wanted to keep it at that level. Even "darker" Sonic games are for players of at least 10.

Sonic probably attracted an older audience than expected (much like a lot of things "Sonic"). They weren't accounting for such viewers.

My final theory: they saw Molly's death as a suicide. She viciously attacks the Meterex in a futile way after finding out everyone she trusted betrayed her. Suicide is an even deeper topic to expose to a younger audience, so cutting such a scene would make sense. However, if that were the case the dialogue could just be changed so her death would be more of an accident.

Hm...Conclusions? The answers are just up ahead...

The Molly Debate (Part 3)

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look at both sides. In this episode, the English version.

Episode 3: Just Like in That Story, Remember? 

What the Dub did good

Being the 4kids cast, I'm generally impressed with the voice acting. As I have mentioned before, Jason Griffith does a perfect voice for Shadow. Kathleen Delaney (Rouge) did all right. Bella Hudson (also known for voicing Blaze and Wave) voiced Molly as determined but vulnerable as well.

Shadow isn't nice, but he's not as cold-hearted as in the original. Sure, Shadow's an anti-hero, but he's not complete a$$4@!*, either. "Don't cry, Molly," is probably the best moment of the episode. Overall 4kids gave the audience the same sympathy for Shadow that SA 2 did by arguably writing the character better.

Molly was also portrayed with more confidence than her Japanese version, who seemed...determined, yet doomed. Rouge is portrayed with her usual flair, and if I recall accurately, some viewers got a kick out of the line, "some boob set a booby trap."

This version also named the planet Cascade. Pretty name, plus the Wiki doesn't have to call it "Molly's planet," ha.

Update: Another name was listed in Japanese on an Eyecatch card, but it's not actually spoken, giving English viewers the impression the planet had no name.

I also think 4kids was justified in censoring Rouge appearance a bit, because in this episode...

WTH?

They got a little too carried away.

lol they try.

Next up, Molly's "goodbye."

The Molly Debate (Part 2)

They were too lazy to eliminate the grave from this scene.

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look at both sides. In this episode, the original.

Episode 2: A Revolutionary Fail 

Why this was "totally unnecessary."

The original is has a deep moment for Shadow. It's like he loses Maria again--if Maria was a star-fighter pilot (or, uh, whatever it's called). It's a turning point for him, and explains why he became so focused on stopping the Meterex in later episodes.

Also, death is a part of life. Trying to shield away from it may cause more trouble than help.

Also, the deaths of other characters like Maria, Emerl, and Cosmo are not eliminated (though they were not as direct). Plus the video games had characters "die" or reach a fate equivalent (Sonic dumped that magic lamp in LAVA, I don't see how the Erazor Djinn could still be around).

What ELSE did the dub cut?

In addition to Molly's death scene and her grave, the other major change would be a conversation Rouge and Shadow have. In the Dub, it's worrying about the current situation--which is...okay. But there was a deeper discussion in the original.

Since her death was cut, of course her makeshift grave is also gone. Along with it is a brief comparison to Maria that was perhaps meant to imply Shadow's memory was back. 

The dialogue also makes the other Resistance members a bit more sympathetic.

The Molly Debate (Part 1)

In 2006, when Sonic X was still airing, the death of a character, Molly, was censored. 

As a whole, I liked the dub just fine. Despite a few changes here and there honestly most of the episodes are pretty much the same.

I recently watched a comparison of Molly's death--I had seen both episodes in the past but it's been a while. To my surprise, there were still people whining about Molly's death. As if the episode aired yesterday.

I've been back and forth on this, to be honest. Originally I thought it was fine. At least 4kids didn't cut the episode.

Later, I'd think Molly's death was a huge part of season 3, but honestly it's not. Either end is the same: Shadow takes his own path, like in the games. And now I see it as sort of cliche--Shadow meets another young girl and she dies within the same episode she debuts? Come on.

The scene looks really awkward, too--Shadow randomly flies to Molly's ship and still can't save her. What happened to teleportation, huh?

Still, "A Revolutionary Tale" was the only episode that made me question the dub's capability. This wasn't just cutting out a gun or making a sign blank. This was completely transforming the ending to something with less impact.

So welcome to "the Molly Debate."

Episode 1: The More Things Change...

Eggman and Crew "help" some local rebels. This resistance has been fighting the Meterex for years, and are growing tired. Though Molly--associating Shadow with local legend--believes they have a chance, her fellow fighters betray her. After his encounter with Molly, Shadow separates from Eggman and follows his own path against the Meterex.

The episode is a great science fiction based story. The "resistance" may have been inspired by Star Wars or the Terminator, or perhaps even past Sonic cartoons. The mystic "Black Wind" story is also interesting (especially since Sonic is usually the one described like "the wind").

Hey, they did dress kinda' like Cyrus.

Diverging from the main plot, the entire episode focused on Shadow, Rouge, and Eggman rather than Sonic/the "good guys." An odd occurrence only rivaled by Season 1's "Adventures of Knuckles and Hawk," which mainly starred Knuckles rather than Sonic. As a result, this one has a rare anti-hero/"spin-off" style to it.

Unlike most aliens introduced in Season 3, Molly, Leon, and others in the group are human in appearance. What's more, the ships and fighters used resemble the same enemies of Lucas (Dark Oak) and Earthia's (Cosmo's people). This is a hint at their past and why the Meterex are set on destroying them.

Though often remembered as an important moment for Shadow, the events--or perhaps Shadow's reaction to them--affected Rouge. Previously she made it clear she was only out in space for her own gain, but after seeing the severity of the situation she later accompanies Shadow on his journey to stop the Meterex.

Due to the fascinating concepts in the story, the effects on the characters involved, and Molly herself, the episode sticks out.

But is Molly's death the key to the episode, or do the elements stand without it? Was 4kids justified or delusional? Let's see...

Best Rouge VA

Best to Worst

Kathleen Delaney (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

I think I generally like Delaney's work in the games over her appearance in Sonic X. Might be a script difference, though, rather than voice acting...hmm...

Anyway, Delaney fit Rouge's personality very well, giving her a smooth tone. She's also able to change from that tone to a concerned or angry one with ease. I especially how she acts in 06. She's able to combine the smart GUN secret agent, the sassy jewel-obsessed bat, and the Team Dark member that's willing to show a little empathy. 

Lani Minella (2001-2004)

While showing some potential, Minella's performance in Sonic Adventure 2 wasn't the best. I think the main problem was that she couldn't imitate sarcasm well. However she did a great job in Heroes and Sonic Battle, to the point that I was considering having her as number one.

However, even though Minella's take on Rouge is likable and sounds younger, it doesn't match Rouge's situation as well as Delaney (as a spy/theif...she does the treasure hunter side great, though).

Karen Strassman (2010-now)

Strassman does a good Rouge voice that matches her age and flirty personality. But her acting doesn't really go beyond "flirty," not really even in Forces and TSR. The sneaky, ambitious Rogue who secretly cares about her team is gone. Strassman has potential, but she's needs to become the Rouge that would throw together a team with a robot and an amnesic. She needs to expand beyond "flirty."

And, to be fair, SEGA needs to write Rouge that way.