Recommended Team: Knuckles (Leader) & Sonic (Partner)
Act 2 introduces more intricate platforming and vertical exploration. Knuckles' ability to glide and climb walls is essential here. Start by moving right, using springs to ascend. You'll encounter tall walls that can be climbed by Knuckles, often leading to shortcuts or bonus areas. Sonic as a partner provides a speed boost with his Tag Action, which can be useful for clearing long gaps after a glide.
There are sections with large, rotating platforms; time your jumps carefully to avoid falling. Look for destructible blocks in walls; Knuckles' punches can break these, revealing hidden passages. One such passage leads to a large cache of rings and a 1-Up. The act features several areas with multiple pathways, some requiring specific character abilities to access. The lower paths are often more dangerous, filled with spikes or enemies. The act ends with a series of ascending platforms leading to the goal ring.