...Sonic Adventure 2. Obviously. On the one hand, I am completely surprised, because there had been several hints and leaks and such in the past that painted the game following Jet Grind Radio HD to be Shenmue (which was from a reliable source, even!) which I honestly would have really liked. On the other hand, I am completely -not- surprised, since in all honesty this is a little late as-is, considering Sonic Adventure 1's port was released last year and it's not like it took an entire year to port it. It also likely would have been a much stronger start to the string of four Dreamcast releases Sega is more or less expected to come out with. Yes, Jet Set Radio HD is certainly nicer to have, and ultimately something to be more excited about than SA2, but everybody knows what Sonic Adventure 2 is. I will never understand the methods with which companies and such decide to do this sort of thing, and as I will likely always be on the consumer side of dealings, it's not like it matters since it seems like a matter of eventuality rather than anything else. Which is a good thing, all said.
This is a little bit more interesting than what it is on the surface, however, since it highlights a few things that I can't decide if they're worrying or just strange. At the end of the video embedded in the Joystiq link above, the logos denoted as the platforms it's coming out on are simply ones that suggest Playstation Network (PS3) and XBox Live Arcade (360) with nothing suggesting the PC at all. So if you'll just play along with me for a moment, let's look at the last three ports that Sega has announced, along with the platforms suggested for them. Jet Set Radio is set to release on PS3, 360, Vita and PC through Steam. Nights Into Dreams (from the Saturn) is set for release on PS3, 360 and PC through Steam. And now Sonic Adventure 2, as already stated, is simply set to release on PS3 and 360. So it seems like with each successive announcement, they lose a system. This sort of gives me the mental image that Sega is simply using what little manpower remains to pump out all of these ports at the exact same time, meaning that every new thing gets less and less of the attention that it deserves. Which could very well just translate over the entirety of all three remasters.
Of course, the fact that all three games are set to release in the "Fall" does sort of help tip one off of the fact that maybe they're stretching themselves too thin. Just....potentially. I imagine the thought process is that, if they release everything so close together, they'll make a steady stream of money through the season and be able to go into the new year flirting with what lies above the red line. Regardless, I wouldn't be surprised if a PC version of SA2 was simply overlooked, as Sonic Adventure 1 was released through Steam, and it would be rather odd if the sequel skipped that avenue, especially considering how vocal the Steam community seems to be about Sega in general. I'm not too optimistic, however, on the games announced to reach to systems they're not otherwise announced on which does sort of crush my dreams of continued Sega support through their Dreamcast re-release library this go around. At this rate, 'Volume 2' as it were, will be Jet Set Radio, Sonic Adventure 2, ??? (theoretically Shenmue, but I'm not holding my breath on it currently) and possibly Seaman to round us up around the Holidays. Not bad, of course, especially if the third game -does- end up being Shenmue, which would elevate it from "Not Bad" to "Yaaaaaay!". With any luck, a Disc-based Collection won't be exclusive to Non-PS3 this time around.
I can't say that I have especially fond memories of Sonic Adventure 2 as I barely remember the lot of it, if we're being simply honest. I don't even own it, having only been exposed to playing the game by borrowing a friend's copy of it. I think. I might've rented it. Regardless, the point is that I don't remember. Except I do remember that while I was playing it, I also had to do a Science Fair experiment which I did in between sessions of playing as Rouge since playing as the bad guys was so new and awesome even though, looking back, they were....fairly sub-par. Character-wise, that is. Again, the memory, she is not so great. I do remember the Chao Garden, of course, which I will likely enjoy the hell out of whenever I get around to playing the game. Because I will, you see. Regardless of what systems it is and isn't released on, this is Sega, and I've given in to the fact that I will simply play all of the Sega games. Sometime. Eventually. On something.
I can only hope that Sega at least releases one or two of these games before the next announcement comes around. Even if it's Shenmue, because I would hate to think and worry that the Shenmue HD port might be 'tainted' by lack of focus. I doubt there'll be a problem with the way any of these turn out; I don't recall there being any issues commonly stated for the last year's versions, but at the same time, one could assume that Sega was doing at least a little better last year. With any luck, however, these remasters, fired off in quick succession as well as a hopefully present Yakuza Collection (that will come out in the states on-disc, I'm still holding out hope considering it'll cost me a lot of cash if it does) will bring in some serious cash for Sega, alongside Phantasy Star Online 2. More money for them means more greatness for us, after all, so long as you're not buying a new Sonic game. Though, after Generations....well, still maybe hold out for reviews, if such a thing were to happen.
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