The Sonic Complaint Paradox

...you missed my point...or maybe it was poor word choice on my part.

I was implying Unleashed is the first time I've felt a Sonic game had pushed the graphical capability of it's hardware since 3D Blast. And you're right, there were some nice stylistic choices in there.

Also, I don't think Amy wouldn't be so bad if they dropped/toned down the whole whiny psycho-stalker persona she's been stuck with. In general a lot of personality traits seem to have been over-exaggerated to the point of being annoying.

I'd like to see Sonic characters actually sticking to whatever lesson they've apparently learned in a particular game more consistently, so they don't seem so much like a bunch of boneheads. Ex: Knuckles learning not to believe Eggman's claims about Sonic (Sonic 3 &K, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Advance 2), Tails not depending on Sonic to be a hero (Sonic Adventure), Amy trying to hold her own and make Sonic respect her (Sonic Adventure). This sort of thing is the reason I point out how much I liked Chronicles' showing Knuckles
Spoilers:

not falling for Ix's obviously fake 'I'm not the bad guy here' speech near the end of the game.

I agree that Amy needs to just shut the hell up and stop trying to prove herself. She did it in Sonic Heroes, too. However, I'm slightly against omitting Amy, since as a character she's older than Knuckles, who has a far larger fan base. Granted, I'm a Knux fan myself, the series would be better off with just Sonic, Robotnik, and Amy (Throw Tails in for lulz) like back in the days of good old Sonic CD, which as far as I'm aware, was the best Sonic game ever.

On the other hand, OSM already stated my other opinion. The stories, characters, and monster bosses are irrelevant if the game has strong gameplay to back it up. Aside from Unleashed Daytime Stages, the gameplay elements have constantly wobbled between wonky controls (a la Secret Rings, Heroes, 06) and just plain retarded or redundant gimmicks. (Sonic Battle, Rivals, Riders, Black Knight, Werehog) I do like Riders, but the learning curve is WAY to high for a casual game. Sonic R did a better job, but everyone else in the world hated it ecept me, so I won't fight it. Same goes with Sonic the Fighters.

Advanced 2 was my favorite new age Sonic game, but only because the level design and ploy of it were epic and beautifully made. But even then, the game was no better than rush. All you had to do was hold the right button and you were done. Advanced 1 and 3 did this much better.

*End Sonic Rant for the day*

Aww man, that blows.

But that port prolly kills, yo. I wish my dreamcast was still in working order :/