![]() ![]() It introduces new level-based challenges gradually, layers them upon established challenges, then throws enemies into the mix, with a smattering of rings and a few classic Sonic power-ups as your only lifelines. Sonic Mania achieves the kind of balance in level design that eluded even the first Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic & Knuckles. The momentum-based gameplay was there, but it was coupled with silly or redundant additions like the team-up mechanic, which was shoehorned into mostly unmemorable levels. Take the episodes of Sonic 4, for instance. The level design in this game is so good, one has to wonder what the heck Sega has been doing all these years - nearly every new Sonic game is an experiment in taking on gimmicky mechanics, often to the detriment of the level design. There’s no shortage of new ideas in the 4 new Zones and 8 re-imagined Zones (many of which seamlessly combine elements from multiple classic Sonic levels), and the game has a surprisingly long length for a 2D Sonic title. ![]() Sonic In Its Best Formįollowing the structure of Sonic 2, there are only two acts for each Zone - the first act usually hosts a mini-boss, and the second a challenging boss battle - you’ll usually face Eggman or one of his “Hard-Boiled Heavies”. ![]() Under the Lead Development of Christian “Taxman” Whitehead, whose impressive resumé includes officially-published enhanced ports of classic Sonic titles, and Headcannon and PagodaWest Games, Sonic Mania puts to shame every other attempt by Sega at rebooting Sonic over the years, and it does it all seemingly effortlessly, by weaving together reimagined classic levels with brand new levels that fit right into the classic Sonic aesthetic they’re like lost levels from 20 years ago, with groovy music and highly appealing background elements. It’s slick and true to the feel of the best elements of the Genesis/Sega CD games, it accurately captures and refines the mood, music, and gameplay of games that were considered cutting-edge twenty years ago, and perhaps most impressively, it’s able to innovate on Sonic’s existing level design elements in fresh ways to fuse something we’ve never really seen before - a sort of “perfect blend” of Sonic 2, Sonic CD, and Sonic 3 - a balanced, challenging, momentum-based platformer that rewards precision and exploration, never gets boring, and packs a lot of replay value. There’s so much that’s incredible about Sonic Mania. ![]()
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