TSS Review: Sonic Boom Season 2 – Eggman the Video Game Parts 1 & 2

In the second of our Sonic Boom previews, we take a look at the second season’s two-part finale, Eggman the Videogame Parts 1 and 2.

As I wrote back in May, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the entire series to date as I feel it hits all of the right notes in appealing to both of major Sonic the Hedgehog demographics, while maintaining a lighter comic tone. The show has continued to collect accolades from awarding bodies, including Best Animation at the 2017 Chico Independent Film Festival and a nomination for the Teen Choice Award for animated TV show.  It is no surprise then that it is now the longest-running Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon by number of episodes aired.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

The final episodes sees a frustrated Eggman looking to create a videogame in order to improve his status amongst the villagers, after seeing a mad crowd scrambling for the latest Tommy Thunder title (and another self-aware moment/reference as one of the crowd exclaims “Shut up and take my money!”) After failing to attract any punters with a Pitfall clone aptly named ‘Stache Dash’, Eggman devises a plan to motion capture the protagonists in battle to create a realistic video game. Unsatisfied with his own ‘moves’, he works to recruit a certain angst-ridden hedgehog to his cause in order to collect footage to superimpose his own image over.

Once again, the writing team manage to compose twenty-something minutes of fast-paced storytelling with a balanced mix of action and witty dialogue. The animation during the action scenes has notably improved since the show started, with the battles in both episodes being highly entertaining and well-choreographed; Shadow (and another character who I shan’t name as to not ruin the surprise) are particularly badass throughout.

Mike Pollock and Roger Craig Smith continue to have far too much fun lending their voices to the lead characters – as was reinforced during their hilarious takeover of the Sonic the Hedgehog twitter account last weekend. It is also great to see Kirk Thornton return to voice Shadow once again, increasingly channelling the dark and serious demeanour the predecessors brought to the character with an added sprinkle of humour to contrast Shadow’s rather drastic actions later in the second episode.

The punctuation of jokes is thick and fast throughout, and I continue to be impressed with the deluge of references and in-jokes the show utilises. Those who have watched every episode of Sonic Boom this series will be pleased to hear there is a cat screech in both episodes, meaning the sound effect has now been used in every episode of series 2 – one of the many running gags.

Boom has continued to redefine its own style throughout season 2, and many will appreciate the breath of fresh air from the more serious-faced nature of the current modern video games. Here’s hoping for a third season!

Eggman the Video Game Parts 1 and 2 are billed to air on Saturday, 11th of November 2017 in the United States.