I need to preface this review by mentioning that I have played the steam release with the BetterSADX modpack which greatly influenced my perception of this particular version. If the review was to only discuss the paricular version of the game, I'd rate it at most a 5/10

So, Sonic Adventure DX.
An infamous remaster of 1998's Sonic Adventure. The steam release, is possibly one of the worst video game ports of all time. Glitchy beyond belief, with graphical errors you'd never think you'd see on an actual commercial product. It is however easily the most accesible version of the game, and with a few mods it can look and play pretty much on par with the Dreamcast original.
I decided that I finally wanted to do everything this game had to offer, after a long time of being a Sonic fan who always loved what SA brought to the table.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sonic Adventure fan who played it multiple times, it's just that I have previously, as a 11(?) year old played through a pirated copy of SADX. Though I don't remember much of that, apart from getting a few viruses and being stuck listening to the Windy Valley song, as it was the only one in the cracked copy, apart from Open Your Heart.
That is to say, I did have a slight bit of experience with the controls and physics of the title. Though arguably it only influenced my latter, B and A grade runs of stages.
Going through all the stories again was a great experience. People like to rag on the seriousness of Sonic stories but if you menage to find joy in your heart, I believe you can really enjoy what Sonic Team was able to do with limited 1998 tech. The cutscenes geniuenly look really impressive for the time, and the slightly more serious and continuous way of telling the story is something I really appreciate. It's kinda really sick that all 6 storylines connect and complement each other too.
The part I've been paying extra attention to during this playthrough, was definately the RPG heritage of Sonic Adventure. It's remarkable how the progression of SA's adventure field feels very much so like an old school RPG, complete with talking to town npc's and solving puzzles to enter "dungeons". Fun stuff.
The stages, are overall designed with big setpieces and insane skips of oftentimes huge chunks of the level. At least in the Sonic and Tails stages.
Yeah, the game includes a whopping 6 playstyles, assigned to 6 different characters. There's the previously mentioned Sonic and Tails, with speed platforming based stages. Knuckles, with his emerald hunting, which requires the player to explore and internally map out the stage. Amy, who's limited movement speed makes you struggle against a chasing, invincible opponent. E-102 Gamma, focusing on combat, and lining up enemy combos for time extentions. And of course, the infamous Big The Cat, who asks you to slow down and enjoy a bit of fishing. Each character feels unique, in what they can do and what they're tasked, which makes playing trhough each campaign a fun experience, even with 1:1 level reuse. Variety is the name of the game and every stage is full of unique gimmicks and setpieces. It's important to say that none of those provide a particular challenge though. There's a lot of extra lifes, the level design is merciful, and you slightly magnetize to platforms when jumping. The main campaign only requires the player to interact with each character on a surface level - the C grade of stages. All the characters come into their own during the A grades though. It makes you rethink the ways you traverse the stages and find the most optimal routes, using every tool in the character's arsenal. At that point, you need to interact with everything they put down on the table, and it's extremely satisfying to meet the often strict requirements. These are quite challenging at times, and I personally really like it. They're challenges for the player who already beat the stage and came back for more. And that's way better than inherently difficult level design.
The big thing I didn't even mention as of now is the Chao Garden.
In between stages, you can visit your little dudes, and raise them to become great racers. It's an aspect of the Adventure games I've never really interacted with apart from slight glances. Going for a 100% this time though, I had to play the Chao Garden a good bit; and frankly, I'm a bit scared of the abyss now. It's insane how in depth this sidemode is, with a lot of stats and micromanagement and stuff, that I'd never want to get into. I just needed to get enough stats to get the required emblems and bounce. It's extrememly cool that this stuff is in this already big game as just a sidemode, but I don't particuralrly want to engage with it, especially since it boils down to a lot of grinding for stat animals and rings.
There's a bit of content that the DX version adds, namely playable Metal Sonic as a reward for getting all emblems and a set of missions.
Metal Sonic is kinda cool I guess, even if just a reskin of sonic for the Trial mode. Playing through the stages with him feels kinda like a victory lap.
The mission mode however can go to hell. It's 60 quests hidden throughout the Adventure Field. The thing is, the missions vary wildly in difficulty and some of them are downright frustrating. Easily the worst part of the game.
What else... Right, the music is fantastic. Geniuenly don't think there's a single stinker on the soundtrack. The visuals also look incredible, especially for a game that's turning 26 this year (at least with the BetterSADX modpack, SADX looks putrid).

Well, ultimately I'm really happy to finaly have 100%ed this title. I heavily appreciate what it presents artistically and had a lot of fun playing it.