The game that should've been...
-Gameplay:
This has some of the most funnest and dangerous gameplay elements known to man...when you're playing Sonic or Shadow. Rather it be destroying robots to make it to the other side...or face death, grinding in mid-air on rails and having to switch off to prevent from death and pulling off last moment stunts, running away from trucks, or fighting some unique bosses, the Sonic/Shadow levels have it. There's even a ranking system to tell how noobish you played at the end of each level. Think it's sweet? Here's the wrench. You only get about 10 levels of Sonic/Shadow...combined and the other 20-30 go right to Tales, Dr. Robotnik, Knuckles, or Rogue. Think they're fast paced? So I wish. This is where the game loses almost all the fun. Tales/Robotnik is in a small machine slowly blasting things away as they progress with NO flexability whatsoever. They can't jump to save their lives-literally and has a very annoying health bar that quickly deminishes via getting hit and slowly coming back up from each little ring you get. As for Rogue and Knuckles? Not so bad, but you're still not doing ANYTHING Shadow/Sonic is doing. Decent speed, but it's for naught since you're searching for some sort of treasure in almost ALL their levels. Last I checked, that's not why I played Sonic. Still, the anticipation of playing as Sonic/Shadow helps get you through...sadly.
Music:
For the love of God, the music IS NOT J-pop. Crush 40, if you ever heard of them, play as the main band as the Sonic team provide the other worthy levels of mentionings. Sonic and Shadow no doubt have the best music and it mixes Rock, Pop, Rap, and plain old level music (Tecno) for certain characters and levels. By no means is most of it bad and the soundtrack is worth getting the game itself...if you're not too addicted into mainstream music that is.
Story:
What can I say? It's a rated E Sonic game! Just be happy that it's a bit darker than all the previous ones! Sonic tries to save the world...again, and Shadow tries to reveal his past with Maria...and it ties in pretty deep for a kid's game at least. Deepest plot of revenge I've ever seen in Sonic...and probably ever will...
Replay Value:
When you get your first D for a Shadow/Sonic level...you'll understand why you'll end up playing those levels again to get that A, especially in Metal Harbor and the space levels for them. As for replay value for the rest of the characters? ...Only if you...Nevermind, there is none. Ever. End of Story. End or review. Try the game.