![]() ![]() Progress for this is carried over games, so you need not start again when playing as a different character. On top of this, you can collect all the rings in a special stage to achieve a gold ranking. This is where the completion incentive lies in that completing special stages unlocks new features in the Extras menu, as well as the Secrets option found when starting a “No Save” game. Speaking of previously devised Special Stages, Blue Spheres returns from Sonic 3 upon collecting 25 rings and hitting a checkpoint to reveal swirling stars. One of these is significantly harder than the others, but generally they’re a lot more inventive than any Special Stage previously devised. It starts off rather simply, but eventually includes bombs that reduce your rings and places that when you run off them immediately end the attempt. Blue spheres increase your speed when the gauge is maxed out, while Rings increase the time remaining. The Chaos Emeralds can be obtained by going into giant rings hidden in each zone, and chasing down UFOs. When talking about Sonic games, there are of course Special Stages. They don’t speak, but are full of character in their appearance and battles. These encounters are just as good as the other bosses, with one even incorporating sound effects and movement from another classic Mega Drive game. The Hard Boiled Heavies are four modified Eggman Robots who each have their own gimmick. It even gets something that Sonic Team has been trying to do for ages with its 3D games right – an enemy team. Again, spoiling these would be detrimental to your enjoyment of the game, but they’re among the most original designs for boss battles devised for a 2D platformer and are a major highlight. Then there are the bosses, with a mix of encounters with purposefully created sub-bosses and Dr Robotnik encounters. Elemental shields also have properties beyond their original purpose, such as burning the rotating wood spike bridge in Green Hill Zone. There are also Blue Coin TVs that for one time upon being hit scatter larger rings that are worth a divided value based on rings obtained before being hit, meaning you can salvage a larger amount of rings upon being hit once. Power-ups are the same as those found in all the classic 2D Sonic games – standard and elemental shields. This is arguably his most effective tool as it can be used whenever Sonic jumps, rather than requiring you to be standing still before using it, or using it to grant brief invincibility. The difference is night and day, with all three characters acting just like their Mega Drive counterparts, with the exception of Sonic’s new drop dash ability. Even bosses have different music depending on who you are facing at that given moment.Īll of this would be moot if Sonic and his friends controlled horribly as in Sega’s last attempt at reviving the glory days of 2D. They’re all catchy remixes or awesome original pieces that fit the setting wonderfully. Each act has its own versions, which are distinct in style and tone. The soundtrack, which was composed by Sonic Remixer Tee Lopes, is another success story as not one track is a dud. Sprite quality is also top notch, with smooth movement for all characters and enemies, as well as some great idle animations that show bags of character. Each zone is full of character, including some stage transitions that are fitting – the one for Stardust Speedway is particularly on point, while the new ones have a similar level of excellence. Of course, we can’t forget about the visuals and the music. Hopefully they can be given this kind of freedom in future games. To say any more than this would spoil just how good these levels are, but my only real gripe with Sonic Mania is that I wanted more of these original levels and to see the ingenuity of the designers with a blank slate. ![]() ![]() Sonic Mania also includes a handful of unique zones exclusive to this game and these just show the inventiveness of the team involved with the project. Every one of the classic levels that wasn’t revealed in the marketing was a genuine surprise and a joy to travel though. Within the older zones there are new features that flesh out the level design, but also familiar layouts that veterans will know exactly what to do in.Īs Sega have teased the game, we’ve already seen the likes of Chemical Plant Zone having chemical pools that do different things depending on what colours are there, but other zones have also become more fleshed out settings that occasionally use gimmicks lifted from different zones from entirely different games. Levels on the whole are well designed and mostly comprise of remixed levels from Sonic’s 2D history. ![]()
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