Mystic Ruins

Mystic Ruins is the second Adventure Stage in Sonic Adventure. Like the other two, it is comprised of three distinct areas and a Chao Garden. Many of the characters' later levels are accessed from this area. In the game, a group of archeologists are sent to seek out the ancient Echidna Temple, although it is revealed by talking to one of the group that the first group sent into the jungle have become lost, and plans are being made to send in a second team.

Areas

Area 1 - Train Station

The first area of the Mystic Ruins, accessible by all characters, contains the railway back to Station Square. The only level open in this first area is Windy Valley, accessible to Sonic, Tails and E-102 Gamma. Other areas accessible from here are Angel Island, the Jungle and the Chao Garden, found via a mine cart through a gate in a cave. Also found in this cave is another doorway leading to one of Knuckles' powerups and the monkey destructor switch. Bosses fought in this area are the Egg Hornet and Chaos 4, and it is also the area in which Sonic and Knuckles fight briefly. Other points of interest are the platform below the station, accessed by ladder, which eventually allows passage to the crashed Egg Carrier Adventure Stage, Tails' workshop, found above the Egg Hornet boss arena, and where the Sky Chase minigame begins, and the silver Chao Egg, found on a ledge in the waterfall where Chaos 4 is fought. To obtain this egg, a switch near the waterfall's base must be found and pushed. This retracts the ledge and drops the egg into the pool.

Area 2 - Jungle (Echidna Temple)

This area is accessed via another mine cart found near the top of the first area, beside the waterfall. This area is filled with a lush, thick jungle over which several ledges hang, one of these being the terminus for the mine cart. This area holds the entrances for the Lost World, found inside the remains of the Echidna Temple, Final Egg, found at the cliff's edge and Tails' Sand Hill minigame. This area is also the location of Big the Cat's home, over which another ledge hangs containing Knuckles' second powerup. When playing as Knuckles, two acloves within the thick jungle are found containing statues required to open his entrance to the Lost World Action Stage. To obtain these, Knuckles' first upgrade must be acquired. As happened to the archelogist found wandering among the trees, it can be very easy to get lost in this area, however with the addition of the map in Sonic Adventure DX, getting lost has become less of a hazard.

Area 3 - Angel Island

When playing as Sonic, this area become accessible through a cutscene in which a part of the cliff face near the station blows open, revealing a secret tunnel. The debris can be jumped over, revealing a wind tunnel like that which leads to Windy Valley. The first part of Angel Island is a long tunnel, leading to a frozen doorway, through which Ice Cap is found. Continuing on leads you to another open area containing the entrance to Red Mountain, Sonic's Ancient Light powerup and an old bridge leading to the Master Emerald's alter. In Tails' game, this area is blocked by a doorway.