Trial Version

This is a sub-page of Proto:Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast).

This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

Sonic Adventure 2: Trial Version was given to certain stores in Japan. The build date of this demo is May 3, 2001, less than a month before the release of the final. It includes the same levels as Sonic Adventure 2: Preview (except for 2P Weapons Bed), but the only playable characters are Sonic and Shadow this time.

Due to the build date of this version there are fewer differences in this version of the game compared to the previous demos, as well a lot of changes made specifically for this version of the game. However, the differences that are present give some useful insight into the last month of the game's development.

Graphical Differences#

Title Screen#

Proto	Final

The title screen has text in the bottom-left corner indicating that it is a trial, along with slightly different copyright text below it.

Just like how the previous demo contained a "α+ version" title screen in ALPHATITLE.PRS, the same file in this demo contains an alternate "β4 version" title screen that was probably used for other early builds of the game.

VMU#

Some of the graphics displayed on the VMU are different from the ones in the final version.

Proto	Final	Notes
		The game's logo is different from the one seen in the final.
		Knuckles has more shading that was reduced in the final. His arm was removed in the final.
		Like with Knuckles, Amy has more shading that was toned down in the final version. Her hand was also removed from the final. Amy is also slightly zoomed in compared to the final.

• The Chao in Space posters in City Escape are the same as the previous demos, saying "COMING ON DVD!" instead of "COMING TO YOUR HOME".

Audio Differences#

• Some sounds are slightly different to the ones used in the final. Sonic's homing attack and Rouge's jumping sound are a lot deeper.
• The music from the startup opening with the logo in space has a longer start than the final and is noticeably missing the second metallic "thud" sound near the end. The final also ends slightly faster.

Level Differences#

• Sonic and Shadow's upgrades have been replaced with life boxes for this version.
• The dialogue at the start of City Escape is still missing.

Proto	Final

• As in the previous demos, the area where Sonic obtains the Magic Hands is a lot different compared to the final game. This version includes a wooden crate.

• The trail of rings leading to the area where Shadow obtains the Flame Ring in Radical Highway is missing.
• The rocket in the Flame Ring area has already been activated, unlike other versions where the player must first break open a steel container and press a switch.
• Trying to enter Green Forest (Outside of 2P) and Sand Ocean will put the player in an odd situation where the character doesn't start in the right location, there is no music playing, the camera is frozen and there is a frame counter (mistranslated as "FLAME") in the top right corner that rapidly counts up. Dying will let the player spawn normally, but there will still be no music.
• Due to the odd starting position of the above point, the player will actually spawn in quicksand and die immediately in Sand Ocean.

Preview	Trial Version	Final

• The area before the second collapsing pillar in Sand Ocean is similar to the layout seen in Sonic Adventure 2: Preview, but the second GUN beetle that drops bombs was instead replaced by one that bobs up and down in this version.

Preview	Trial Version	Final

• The area with the third collapsing pillar is again similar to the layout seen in Sonic Adventure 2: Preview, but it has three single springs instead of one large one.

Disc Content#

On track 1 of Trial Version's disc is a wallpaper unique to this version of the game:

Along with the following text files:

ABSTRACT.TXT:

< Sonic Adventure 2 >
< TRIAL version >

This is the trial version of Sonic Adventure 2.

This software represents work in progress.
Please understand that this title is still in development
and that you may find some unexpected problems that have 
not been corrected at the time of release.

BIBLIOGR.TXT:

SERIES TITLE:

 SONIC the Hedgehog           ,1991
 SONIC the Hedgehog 2         ,1992
 SONIC the Hedgehog 3         ,1994
 SONIC and KNUCKLES           ,1994
 SONIC JAM                    ,1997
 SONIC Adventure (for Japan)  ,1998
 SONIC Adventure              ,1999
 SONIC Adventure International,1999
 SONIC Adventure 2 The Trial  ,2000

COPYRIGH.TXT:

SONIC ADVENTURE 2:
TRIAL version:

Original Game (C) SEGA 
(C) SEGA / SONICTEAM, 2001