Sonic The Hedgehog 4 was not exactly the sequel we expected - Sega has now fixed the mistakes with Sonic Mania
Sega's fast running hedgehog Sonic was once as synonymous with video games such as Nintendo'sSuper Mario. In fact, the two games have unique features that complement each other more than well. Where Super Mario offered precise platforming at a slow pace, Sonic was all about running through tracks in supersonic speed, experiencing fast-paced action while finding the most effective ways to reach the goal.
Which series is best is, of course, a matter of taste, but one thing is certain - historically, the transition to three dimensions was definitely beneficial for Nintendo's plumber. Therefore it is not surprising that Sega chose to release a brand new Sonic game in two dimensions, it is, after all, where the series is best. And unlike the makeshift Sonic the Hedgehog 4-games that were released a few years ago, Sonic Mania delivers on everything that defined the series during its glory days.
New game, classic look
Sonic Mania pulls of feeling nostalgic in its pixel-design - while at the same time offering a more colorful and bright gaming world.
What is guaranteed to attract the interest of many is, of course, that the game, purely visually, appears to be a direct continuation of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles to the Sega Mega Drive. Here there are only pixels as far as the eye reaches. Beautiful, colorful pixels that paint up varying environments consisting of various obstacles, loops and enemy robots in true 16 bit spirit.
In Sonic Mania we run through new tracks as well as remixes of old acquaintances. What at first glance looks like the classic Green Hill Zone course from the very first game eventually turns into a whole new experience after a certain point. The fact is that all the earlier courses are full of new features that makes even the most hardened Sonic player stop for a while to think and learn about the new challenges before them. For example, I did crack open a smile when the antagonist Eggman challenged me to a match in the puzzle game Puyo Puyo instead of a normal boss battle.
Play as Sonic, Tails or Knuckles as you go out on your fast-paced platforming adventure!
This turns out to be just a hint of what is to come. When new levels are lost, the developers will step up fully to their responsibility and introduce others, if possible, even more flipped-out concepts. Of course, this is mostly positive, however, some moments seem less thought-out than the most spectacular one's does. We who dreamed of steering Eggman's egg-shaped aircraft finally got the chance as one example. But we could have managed without cheap teleportation elements or hackneyed gravity mazes.
The rightful sequel?
A most wonderful nostalgic gaming experience.
Overall, Sonic Mania feels like the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 we wished for, but never received. Yes, half of the courses are older escapades, but what does it make when they feel so fresh in comparison to the true classics? When I shoot through the game like Sonic, Tails or Knuckles, I was glad to be reminded that some things were better before. Sonic Mania is the final proof that all games does not need to be in three dimensions to evolve with grace.
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