Let's continue the series of reviewing ROM Hacks. If you are new, welcome. Let's VERY briefly review what a ROM Hack is ... When you access the code of a game and reverse engineer the "language" of a game and recode it. A simple example would be taking Super Mario 64 and changing Marios hat and shirt to green so he looks like Luigi. Most ROM HACKS are more complex than a simple character change.
Today we will be playing Sonic Adventure 64!
I knew I would like this game right away, because when I was a kid, I was a huge fan of the 3D Sonic game on Sega Genesis. I was excited to try a Super Mario 64 [SM64] hack with Sonic the Hedgehog. Right away there was a custom loading screen and lobby. The art of ROM hacking is the art of customization. If the menu etc. is the same as the original game, its a bad ROM hack.
The character design looks awesome in 64 bit.
The character moves are all the same, which is a bit depressing. I was hoping for a power spin. The world is really cool. It's right next to the ocean with pools and palm trees. It reminds me of Mario Sunshine. Very nice Level building work on this ROM Hack.
There are some really cool areas with multiple jump pads. This makes it feel like an official Sonic game. They are lined up well so you dont have to do it over and over. First try 馃槑 It's really cool they added elements to make it like a "real" 3D sonic game.
There are loops in this game. THERE ARE LOOPS IN THIS GAME!
The loops in this game looks very cool. I love how it's patched. I'm not sure if it works though. 馃ぃ馃槀 When I hit the jump pad, I just launched forward away from the loop.
I love how big this open map is. I just started playing and look how far away I am! [The red arrow is the start]. I also love how it is a water level, but there's lots of land. You don't have to swim around a bunch. It's a professional looking map.
There are some really long jumps in this game. Another good touch to make it like a real sonic game. Although there should be boosters or something. Or sped up walking. You move a lot slower than any official sonic game.
There are actually areas where you can run up walls. Very nice hacking! 馃馃憤
The last SM64 ROM Hack I played was so difficult, I was glad to at least be able to get one star in this game. 猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍 You have to fight one one of those big blocks that try to crush you and you have to jump slam on their back. Very easy first boss.
The second star was a red coin hunt. I love the custom coins in this ROM Hack.
Overall I would give this ROM Hack an 8/10 especially considering it's technically a demo with only 3 stars. The map is excellent, it's very playable and professional. The pools and sandy areas give a Mario Sunshine vibe. There are jump pads with long jumps, tracks you can slide down and also walls you can run up. The game developers do an excellent job building sonic-esque areas. I would highly recommend Sonic Adventure 64 demo and hopefully I can find the full game if it exists. It probably doesn't because it would take ages to make a 100 star game of this quality. Maybe it's 20 stars or something. Who knows ... I'll try my best to find out.
