Sonic Advance 2 - Leaf Forest Act 1 Level Analysis

Like most Sonic games, Advance 2 sends you right into the action, but while it may seem intimidating at first it is really just a simple run down a hill (and not a forest at all). There is a higher path that weaves in and out for those more skilled and trying to improve their times, but falling from even the tallest point wont kill you. There are no death pits in this area, and even the water is shallow enough you'd really have to try to drown yourself there. The first enemy you will encounter doesn't really do much other than hop up and down. These red monkeys, Mon, are easily beaten just by jumping or spinning at them, and they never move to attack you.

 Up, up, and away!

 A little further along you can encounter your first spike trap. This is optional, however, by going under the spring, but chances are you will encounter this set up: A capsule with a shield, next to a spike trap. Further along is a Buzzer enemy that will fly in that direction if you wait, but it doesn't fly past the spikes, or will it try to shoot you until after you cross the spikes. The shield-spike placement is really neat, but I feel the inclusion of the enemy may be a bit too much, but this is also part of the way to get to the harder "upper route" so that may be the intention.

You can't scare me!

If you continue along past the spikes and Buzzer you will encounter the first loop in the level, it's nothing too challenging you just keep holding the direction you are going in and you will run right on through. These loops are a flashy staple of the franchise. The Advance games also have these sideways "corkscrew" style loops, basically the same concept. This level is also very liberal with springs, poles to grind on, and these looping handles that you can swing on. The player is free to play around on these (assuming they aren't zipping right on through this level is over in a flash) without any fear of death.

Round n' round we go!

As previously mentioned this level shows you water areas right away. There are two shallow pools, one you run along the bottom and the other, because of a speed booster, you run across the top of the water then onto a grinding rail. It looks very cool, but if you can contain yourself and decide to drop into the water below you will be rewarded with a 1-up for exploration. Running across the water does grant you a "special ring," however. Managing to collect all 7 in a level opens the area to the special stage where you can try and complete a challenge for power ups or the chaos emerald, but those are very hard for me to get playing as Sonic and I don't have everyone unlocked on this emulation so I cannot show this off. That isn't the first special ring in the stage, but most of the ones prior are on to the upper route, so if you are just plowing through the level normally that will probably be your first encounter with a special ring.

Here is me running through the stage for the first time in quite a few years and trying to figure out the keyboard controls: