Would Sonic Adventure 2 have benefitted from the way it was originally planned?

[Noog09]

Originally, Sonic Adventure 2 was going to only have 3 characters; Sonic, Knuckles, and Eggman. It would take the three styles of gameplay that worked in the original Sonic Adventure, Sonic's speedy platforming, Knuckles' treasure hunting, and Gamma's shoot 'em up gameplay. (only now with Eggman in a mech)

Shadow, Tails, and Amy were all going to be non-playable characters. At e3 2000, the game was announced, with the trailer I posted above. The game showed off Sonic, Knuckles, and Eggman, but Tails was nowhere to be found. Fans complained about the lack of their two-tailed fox friend, so SEGA decided to add him with a copy of Eggman's gameplay. With Tails in, it messed up the idea they were originally going for. Having Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails in the story didn't make sense. So they had to add two more characters to Eggman's story. Shadow was an obvious choice to take Sonic's gameplay, but this forced them to find a new character to copy Knuckle's gameplay. Thus, Rouge was born.

Now, there were a few problems that arrised with this. First of all, the story was originall going to run on morals, similar to Shadow the Hedgehog, this had to be cut. I'm thinking that SEGA originally was going to use Shadow as Sonic's dark side, rather than a whole different character. When Sonic did something bad, he would turn into Shadow. Again, this is completely speculation, and I may be wrong.

The second problem with this is levels; SEGA was probably done creating the levels for the characters. When I played this game when I was little, I always wondered why there was a lack of Shadow levels, only three! This is probably because SEGA had wanted Sky Rail and Radical Highway to be levels for Sonic. (as shown in the e3 trailer, Sonic's on Sky Rail) They added White Forrest because they needed a new level, and it worked with the story.

Eggman had to give up some levels to Tails, and Knuckles gave up some to Rouge.

So, what do you think?

[Dr. Crusher]

Still treasure hunting, still mech shooting.

There probably wouldn't be much difference.

[viperxmns]

I'd say it would have benefitted IF Sonic Team would have made the three characters' gameplay richer as a result.

[Generations]

It would probably would have been better.
Never cared for SA2

[New the Chameleon]

The clones (and their stages) were useless, but I prefer Sonic and Shadow being different characters, Sonic should be pure hero.

[Dr. BaconStein]

I really like the whole morality/dual-objective system and I wish they would bring it back. So many ways it can be used, both in gameplay and story. But I also have to admit I like playing as the other characters, even if they are just clones for the most part. It seems useless to have that many NPC's in a game, it's hard to imagine not being able to play as Tails or Shadow in SA2.

[Generations]

The clones (and their stages) were useless, but I prefer Sonic and Shadow being different characters, Sonic should be pure hero.

Sonic: Hey! I'm the Hero!!
Me: Go away.
Sonic: Why?
Me: CLONE!!!

[TheCartoonLoon]

I always wondered why there was a lack of Shadow levels, only three!

Four
1.Radical Highway
2.White Jungle
3.Sky Rail
4.Final Chase

[Bolt The Cat]

Still treasure hunting, still mech shooting.

There probably wouldn't be much difference.

This. Although fans would probably be very disappointed not getting to play as Shadow.

[Generations]

Four
1.Radical Highway
2.White Jungle
3.Sky Rail
4.Final Chase

Why did Sonic get Radical Highway for the 3DS version of Generations?
There were other choices:
1. Metal Harbor
2. Green Forest
3. Pyramid Cave
4. Crazy Gadget
5. Final Rush (Wait)