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Rank

From Sonic Retro

Achieving an A-Rank in Sonic Adventure 2.

The RankMedia:SonicHeroes GC US manual.pdf[1] is a grading system that is used in various Sonic the Hedgehog games to gauge a player's performance in a particular event in a game, usually after a level or a boss fight.

Description

Throughout the series, ranks are represented as letter-grades that vary in range across games, but usually from S or A to E, and are awarded based on the player's performance in a specific part of a game, such as completing a level or mission. Ranks are often awarded based on the player's score, factoring points earned from collecting Rings, defeating enemies, pulling off tricks and finishing quickly. Sometimes, a game will only factor the time taken to complete a level/mission depending on the game or the level's specific objective. The player's character will also give different poses or comments based on what rank they get.

Usually, the player needs to go for the highest rank (usually A or S) for some or all missions to get rewards, such as Emblems, special bonuses, new gameplay features or achievements/trophies.

Games that use Ranks

Sonic Adventure 2

Ranks go from A to E. Missions 1, 4 and 5 are score-based, while missions 2 and 3 are time-based. Getting an A-Rank in every mission is necessary in acquiring Emblems and unlocking extra bonuses for the 2P Battle mode.

Sonic Heroes

Ranks go from A to E. All teams' first missions and all extra missions for Team Sonic and Team Chaotix are score-based, while all extra missions for Team Dark and Team Rose are time-based. Getting an A-Rank in every mission will unlock Super Hard Mode.

Shadow the Hedgehog

Ranks go from A to E. Score-based ranks are given for all stage missions while time-based ranks are given for bosses. Scoring high for one alignment will reduce the rank achieved for the other alignment (e.g. getting a high Hero score will result in an E-Rank for the Dark misson), while a neutral score will count to both alignments. Getting an A-Rank in every stage will unlock Expert Mode.

Sonic Rush

Ranks go from S to C based on the player's score in every Act and boss fight.

Sonic Riders series

Ranks are awarded differently from other games in that they are awarded based on how well a player performs tricks when flying off of jumps, going from X to C. The higher the rank that is achieved, the more Air (in Sonic Riders and Sonic Free Riders) or Gravity Points (in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity) will be awarded to the player. In the first game, the rank is based on how many tricks the player pulls off in the air, but if they make a bad landing then they will instantly get a C-Rank. In the latter two games, the rank is simply based on timing of the jump prompt at the moment the player gets launched.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

Ranks go from S to D based on the player's performance in an Action Stage, Boss or Town Mission. The player will also be awarded bonus rings based on their rank in Story Mode.

Sonic Rivals & Sonic Rivals 2

Ranks go from S to C based on the player's score. In Sonic Rivals 2, some cards require the player to achieve an S-Rank in specific Acts and Act 2 Battle modes.

Sonic Rush Adventure

Ranks go from S to C based on the player's score in every Act and boss fight. Getting a high rank will award the player with more Materials.

Sonic Unleashed

In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of the game, ranks go from S to C, and are awarded based on the player's clear time in Day stages, and based on the player's time, rings and collected Dark Gaia force in the Night stages. In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version, ranks go from S to E and are based on the player's score in every Act and boss fight. Getting an E-Rank will play an intentionally bad rendition of the normal results screen theme.

Sonic and the Black Knight

This game uses stars for grading instead of letters, with the number of stars determining rank (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest).

Sonic Colours

Ranks go from S to D based on the player's score in every Act and boss fight. Finishing with an A-Rank or S-Rank will award one or three 1-Ups respectively. In Sonic Colours: Ultimate, Park Tokens are awarded instead of 1-Ups.

Sonic Generations

Ranks go from S to D. In regular Acts, ranks are based on the player's score calculated by clear time and rings, but only between A and D. Finishing an Act without dying once will award a Perfect Clear bonus that raises the player's rank by one level, which is the only way to get an S-Rank. In Challenge Acts, ranks are based on clear time.

In the Nintendo 3DS version, ranks go from S to D based on the player's score in every Act, boss fight and Special Stage. Unlike the console/PC version, there is no Perfect Clear bonus.

Sonic Lost World

Ranks go from S to D. In the Wii U/Steam version, ranks are used only in Time Attack mode and are based on the player's time. In the Nintendo 3DS version, ranks are based on the player's score in every level, boss and Special Stage in the game, and achieving high ranks will award the player with larger quantities of Materials.

Sonic Forces

Ranks go from S to C based on the player's score in every level and boss fight. Completing Daily Missions will activate a Daily Mission Bonus that will boost the player's score even further to make S-Ranks easier to achieve.

Sonic Origins

Ranks are used in missions and go from S to C based on the player's performance. Getting a high rank will award the player with more Coins.

Sonic Frontiers

Ranks go from S to D. In Cyber Space levels, ranks are based on the player's clear time, and each level has a mission that requires the player to finish with an S-Rank to get a Vault Key. In the Open Zone areas, ranks are used for the Action Chain Challenges and are based on the player's score. The highest Action Chain Challenge rank achieved for each of the Starfall Islands is displayed on the loading screen when changing islands.

References