Sonic Advance 2/Level Analysis
From SDA Knowledge Base
Contents
Sonic
So when playing sonic you should expect the level to be 5 seconds or faster than any other character. Most of the videos posted will the the fastest recorded run for the main or and sometimes the fastest recorded times for alternate routes that may be as fast or just safer.
Leaf Forest
The first and shortest area in the game. Leaf Forest Act 1 and 2 and probably the 2 easiest acts to learn on the game. That being said they are short levels too, so it makes them a lot easier to learn. They are also the best levels to start with because they use also all the mechanics you should know going into later levels.
Act 1
The shortest level in the game, and the most highly competitive level. The world record for the level is crazy optimized and is basically unbeatable. That being said this level is still one of the funnest levels in the game. Using a slick corner jump early in the level through a tight section allowing you to continue through the rest of the level with boost.
This is the main route used through the level. This is the fastest route used in RTA, but not the fastest overall.
This is the same route with a slight variant through the middle of the level. This route is almost as fast as the other RTA route, but is roughly 5 frames slower. That being said the movement can be a bit more lenient and easier to perform making a bit more viable in full game runs.
Act 2
This is the second shortest level in the game. Again getting a keeping the boost state at the start requires some tricks. There are actually 2 early level and 2 end level routes. The end level routes are very different and the old one is actually quite a bit slower.
The main route used which also uses the lower route (the faster one). This route also uses a certain amount of rings and running area to get boost state manually.
The old alternate route that uses the top route on the second half of the level. This one also uses optimal movement and downhill speed with roll to be able to jump directly off the corkscrew near the beginning of the level.
Egg Hammer Tank II
Probably the easiest boss in terms of speedrunning for this game. It's so easy that 5 people are tied for the world record with many not far behind. It abuses the rolling mechanics hitbox and invincibility to keep the character invincible while hitting Egg man on the earliest frame possible.
Hot Crater
These levels are slightly longer than the previous, and are a bit more technical. There are a lot of tight jumps to navigate the early sections on the levels.
Act 1
This level isn't too hard of a level, but the beginning jump can be very tricky. It doesn't really matter how you do it because any method is basically valid.
Act 2
This level has a couple tricky jumps. The one in the middle where you jump through the rail is really tight. Also the the spring in front of boost pad can be skipped with a really tight/early airdash, which saves about 1 second.
