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Sonic mania unlock blue spheres5/5/2023 In fact, replaying levels is something players should really want to do. Sonic Mania capitalizes on this, as each stage in the game is of reasonable length and has sections that are speedrunner heavy as well as platform friendly, making the exploration aspect strong enough to really encourage players to play each stage over and over. The series has always been about highlighting both, sort of catering to both methods of play and relying on the user to find their own comfort level. Those who played the original might note the issue with the game’s pacing, as it’s easy to think Sonic is all about the speed when you have more slow-paced methodical levels like original game’s Marble Zone that rely on careful platforming. Separating Sonic games from other 2D platformers are the multiple routes you can take depending on how you want to tackle each level. These changes really aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but they still feel authentic and fresh enough to be believable Sonic Team changes. The second act in Chemical Plant, for example, features the ability to change the color and solidify the chemicals to make them bouncy while the second act in Sonic Mania‘s version of Sonic 2‘s Oil Ocean Zone remixes the level with toxins in the air while also giving Sonic the ability to travel up oil spills by constantly tapping the jump button. The gimmicks in these second acts are really where the remixed level design shines. Even the music is remixed, further giving it a familiar yet fresh feel. While they aren’t picture perfect copies, the first act in each zone are designed to look and feel like the way they were in their original games, while the second act in these zones throw some different twists and turns making the levels feel different while also making sense with the zone’s theme and setting. Such examples include Green Hill Zone from the original Sonic as well as Chemical Plant Zone from Sonic 2. We won’t spoil it, but be sure to play through Chemical Plant Zone. The game features bosses in every stage, and not every boss requires a fight either. While the main highlight is the game’s original new levels, Sonic Mania boasts plenty of zones that are tributes to Sonic’s past. Each “zone” in the game features two “acts” - so you essentially have two levels per area. There’s plenty to like here, especially if you’re a current or former Sonic fan. This is Sonic the Hedgehog the way it should have always been. This primarily fan run team-up ended up with a product that retains the look and feel of the original 16-bit Sonic trilogy ( & Knuckles) with authentic and necessary additions, all while being an awesome nod to everything great the entire series represents. Rounding out the core of the development team is level designer Jared Kasl, artist Tom Fry, and composer Tee Lopes of PagodaWest Games. Joining Whitehead is Simon “Stealth” Thomley of Headcannon, one of the main designers of Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix, a well-noted yet unfinished Sonic fangame that may very well be the foundation of what Sonic Mania actually is. The Sonic Mania development team is led by Christian “The Taxman” Whitehead, who Sonic series producer Takashi Iizuka had helm the enhanced mobile ports of both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Prior to that, The Taxman lent his hand to countless fan-made Sonic games that made extensive use of his Retro Engine of which Sonic Mania takes full advantage. What Is It?Īt first glance, Sonic Mania looks like a back to basics approach with the series, but it’s really much more than that. In a year that we can arguably call the year of the mascot platformer, especially with the success of Crash Bandicoot and the upcoming release of Super Mario Odyssey, Sonic Mania ended up being a product that stands head and shoulders above every Sonic game before it. Sonic Mania is more than a return to prominence. Unfortunately, due to hiccups and head-scratching development decisions, a lot of fans turned their backs on the blue hedgehog. What was obviously an answer to Nintendo’s plumbing mascot was actually something entirely different. Sonic the Hedgehog used to be a series held in high regard. Sonic Mania is the first big step to getting them all back. Sonic has been losing his rings for years with bad games.
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