You can tell Sonic Mania’s been made by fans of the franchise, can’t you? The new Special Stages are like a nostalgia overload, as they fuse elements of every 16-bit era Sonic game into one. Essentially your objective here is a little like in Sonic CD: you need to catch the UFO. But eagle-eyed fans will notice the spheres from Sonic 3, and even some of the imagery from Sonic 1’s pinball-style special stages. There’s even a touch of Sonic R to the low-poly animations that we’re sure isn’t coincidental.
Here’s the thing, though: the Blue Spheres are back as well. These are being billed as bonus stages, and while it doesn’t sound like they’ll be required for Chaos Emeralds, completing them will reward you with bonuses like extra lives and so on. Oh and if all that’s not enough, SEGA has also confirmed that there’ll be a Time Attack mode in the full game. Just a couple of weeks to go now, folks.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 46
Hooray. Recycling.
I need this in my life now.
So excited. Paid for my pre-order on PSN just this week. Wouldnt normally do that, but figured that If I was buying day 1 I might aswell get the free dynamic themes and avatars.
@JoeBlogs The Special Stages are new. So there's that. Blue Sphere isn't. Chemical Plant isn't. Green Hill isn't. Flying Battery isn't. Stardust Speedway isn't.
Remember when Sonic 4 got crap for that? Specifically the complaint of recycling content? Yeah. Here we go again. Some footage of new stages would be much appreciated to alleviate those fears because right now it's looking weighted to the past.
@BLP_Software Isn't the entire point of the game to invoke strong memories of the originals while still offering something new?
EDIT: What @JoeBlogs said!
@BLP_Software Nostalgia, man. Though this is an "anniversary" title to be fair.
Thank Christ it's not the stupid half-pipe from Sonic 2. I was worried they'd reuse that like other games did. I'm actually getting Sonic Advance 2 vibes from these new special stages.
@BLP_Software God you are suchhhh a DRAG man.
It must be exhausting, take a break.
Otherwise, I cant wait for this, looks so good.
@Rob_230 yeah I caved too, there are like 0 chances I wouldn't be downloading this day 1 anyway...
@kyleforrester87 Given how I've noticed a huge inconsistency between how people respond to this and Forces, and Sonic 4, all around the same aspect, is what I'm doing. The game does look good, I give it that, and sounds great.
My only serious complaint, beyond enjoying the hypocrisy of "We want/Don't Want Green Hill", is Stardust Speedway.
Do you seriously mean to tell me Sonic not only travelled to the Past (As its the past version of Stardust Speedway shown), but that he also went to a different celestial body entirely between two stages?
@DerMeister Hooray nostalgia. It only sells selectively to Sonic fans I guess. And yeah, at least it isn't the half pipe again.
@get2sammyb @JoeBlogs That was the entire point of reusing visual elements from previous games and adding new gimmicks and music to stages in Sonic 4. It looks like Green Hill but it has new things and a new sound. It's Splash Hill. But no, that didn't fly.
In fact, you want a better example?
Sonic Mania has Green Hill. They eat it up.
Sonic Forces has Green Hill. They complain about Green Hill.
See the issue here? It changes.
the 15th can't come soon enough!!!
@BLP_Software the problem with the inconsistency is that the 2d Sonic games have a track record for being some of the best in the genre while the 3d Sonics have been largely awful barring the odd title
Sonic 4 got hate cos it just wasn't very good and it didn't very well either. likes been said the physics were all off compared to the games it was supposed to hark back to. I had no problem with the levels being recycled it was just very average.
@BLP_Software It's all about context, though. In my opinion (you're free to disagree if you like) the 2D Green Hill Zone sections in Sonic Forces look below par, and remind me of Sonic 4 (a game I didn't like) because of the way the physics work and visuals look.
Sonic Mania reminds me of games I did like, and is building new ideas upon them.
I don't think anyone's being as hypocritical as you imply: this is simply a case of Sonic Mania understanding what people like about Sonic, and the other games you mention not.
@GlynCR See im referring not to the product as a whole (which wasnt great) but that one specific sticking point.
That one very loud complaint. Its not got unique enough levels. It recycles a lot. Why was that complaint valid there but not here? Ignoring the rest of the games qualities, it was a somewhat valid issue because the levels often didnt feel unique enough.
According to their argument a new name, gimmicks and music is worse than the same name, some new gimmicks (Green Hill has ziplines from Sonic 4!) and a new remix.
@get2sammyb Im not arguing the other qualities though!
Im saying why for whatever reason is it ok to recycle content only some of the time?
Why is this, a less original but more faithful in visuals game getting no flak for reusing old levels and assets when other games that werent as solid gameplay wise with one of the criticisms against their quality specifically being not unique getting dumped on? Why does that critique in of itself only apply selectively?
@BLP_Software My issue with Green Hill being in Forces is that I'd rather see completely new stages in 3D Sonic games, especially since Generations already happened. If the modern titles are supposed to move the series forward, I'd like to actually see it. Don't give me Green Hill in Forces, give me something else that fits with the game. Mania is the nostalgia game, let it pander as much as it needs to.
Or alternatively, they could've had Mania include new stages while Forces could essentially be Generations 2. I wouldn't mind either way, but don't have both games try to do the same thing.
And the nostalgia comment was sarcasm, if you couldn't tell. The Sonic "fans" aren't happy unless it's a rehash of the Genesis games or it's concepts, so nostalgia away.
@BLP_Software Because, looking at the comments on this site and from around the web, this is what people wanted and those other games aren't.
@get2sammyb So basically, as long as the game is good it can be as unoriginal as can be, rendering comments saying a game is bad because its unoriginal kinda moot?
See Im glad im just a casual sonic fan. The green eyes and Sky Sanctuary not being yellow kinda told me damned if ya do damned if ya dont. Logic doesnt apply to these fruit loops
@DerMeister Generations 2 would be nice. We only know 2 zones from Forces though.
And you know whats funny?
"The Sonic "fans" aren't happy unless it's a rehash of the Genesis games or it's concepts, so nostalgia away"
Guess what Sonic 4 was XD
@BLP_Software It didn't have those sexy Genesis graphics though, so it burned at the stake.
@BLP_Software Thing is, you just spend all your time being deliberately obtuse, then claim you're doing it for "the sake of discussion"
Snorrreeee.
Throw something a bone once in a while.
@BLP_Software It all depends on context, and that's the important thing. It's been almost 20 years since we got a game like this, so people feel "ready" for it.
It's clear that there's demand for a Mega Drive-era Sonic that's been underserviced over the past couple of decades, and people are ready for it.
@BLP_Software I don't remember there being a big fuss over the levels in Sonic 4 other than it not having enough of them, like I said I never had an issue with them and I personally don't know many people who did
on the recycling front there was no big kick off about 3d/2d Green Hill, Chemical Plant & Sky Sanctuary in Sonic Generations cos they were well done and looked great, Green Hill in Forces looks awful by comparison
I personally would like to see older levels then save the new stuff til I get my hands on it
@GlynCR If you only see the old how do you sell people who want to see new things? It's a balance that needs to be struck and I think Mania has leaned just a little too hard on one side.
And Forces has only shown controversy.
@DerMeister I mean it didn't look /bad/. Plastic grass yeah that was weird. It was like a weird mix of the modern and classic art styles and not in a poppy Sonic Lost World kind of way.
I think they were trying to riff on what New Super Mario Bros did. Except it looked weird. Weirder. New Super Mario Bros doesn't look great. That 3D models on a flat 2D surface is what does it.
@kyleforrester87 Being obtuse is fine. It means I'm rather wide. Nice fat joke ;P And it's gotten comments hasn't it? We have discussed various aspects of the game, and I'm sure when Mania lands I'll enjoy it, assuming the version I buy isn't crap.
If I can find enjoyment in Sonic 06 I can enjoy a 2D Sonic game.
@BLP_Software Its just bloody frustrating lol
@kyleforrester87 Increased ad revenue for the site through multiple clicks, discussion, and you have an ignore button! What a world!
@BLP_Software If I clicked ignore, I'd always be worried that I'd miss out on the day you had an epiphany and grew up
They really nailed that Sega CD look. And it's coming out on pretty much every modern platform as well.
This game is going to be a gem.
I'm liking this so much, can't wait for this game.
@BLP_Software they have shown 2 of the new levels though Studiopolis & Mirage Saloon (admittedly a cut level that never saw the light of day) but it's enough for me I want to be surprised
@kyleforrester87 Ooh the snark how I love it so. Can't tell if you are serious, granted, I expect you are.
@BLP_Software
@kyleforrester87 Watch out its Big Boss with his....very toothy smile.
@BLP_Software There we go, now we're getting along! How bout dat Sonic Mania eh? Real humdinger that's shaping up to be! Cant wait to loopda loop wid da coin and the Robotnix! Getting dizzy thinking about it!
@kyleforrester87 "Coins". Sir, that's a borderline crime around the rabbid fans. (Not those Rabbids)
It looks fun. I just hope the Switch version isn't borked, but having played it, it should be good. I'm just wary.
@BLP_Software Aha I meant rings. Same thing, almost!!
@kyleforrester87 Got to say I enjoy the paper thin plot.
"After Sonic 3 Eggman became depressed and his remaining robots go rogue forming the Hard Boiled Heavies"
Now this is either a payoff to the Metal Sonic plot of him becoming independent which they tried to start in Sonic 4, Free Riders, and Boom.
Or we've already seen Eggman is the boss of Green Hill and its all BS.
@BLP_Software All of the footage of the Switch version looks perfect. I doubt there will be any issues. It's not like the game is even in the slightest bit demanding.
@Ralizah it's demanding.
DEMANDING TO BE PLAYED BY ME LOL.
@kyleforrester87 It has certainly been a long time since I've actively anticipated a new Sonic game.
Now all I can imagine is Snake playing a Sonic game. Thanks for that. lol
@Ralizah
@kyleforrester87
"Otacon! Youve got to try this. Theres this hedgehog and he keeps collecting rings"
"Snake what are you doing?"
"Just like one of your Japanese animes"
@Ralizah I know. Its Tantalus doing the port I believe so it should be fine. Should. Then again this is also a world where Crash has frame drops on PS4 so...Im not saying itll be perfect yet!
@BLP_Software An even better example: a world where Tetris dropped frames on the PS4.
@kyleforrester87 Is this some weird crossover thing I've just been blissfully unaware of until now? Still not as weird as that fanfic I read where Rorschach from Watchmen get transported to the world of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, though.
@Ralizah Super Smash Bros. Brawl has Snake and Sonic.
And yesh Tetris sure. Sonic has more going on...in ways. Physics mostly.
Nostalgia can be good. Nostalgia can be bad. Nostalgia can be meh.
Here it's so overloaded, I've feel as if I have gone back in time to 1991 and been unborn in process.
Game of the year right there 😉 I can't believe it's been 20 years since I was excited for a Sonic game 😃😃😃
Looking real good.
The first special stage (in this trailer) is great
Hate the sonic 3 special stage though, it easier than 2 but looking around with that rotating camera isn't fun.
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