With Sonic Mania, Sega brings Sonic back to his classic 2D sidescrolling roots, taking direct inspiration from the 16-bit games that originally propelled Sonic and friends to superstardom. I think that's a shame for everyone.He’s had his fair share of ups, downs, and loop-de-loops, but Sonic has proven to be one of gaming’s most beloved and enduring icons. Sonic fans will be pleased, Sonic deniers will still feel justified in their scoffing, the world will continue to turn.īut Sonic was in desperate need of an evolution, and all we got was a celebration of something that wasn't very good to begin with. Instead, we're left with that same confused experience that Sonic has always been - just slightly better. Take the best bits of the franchise, zoom in on them with a laser focus, and build the entire experience around that. Sonic Mania should have done for Sonic what Rayman Origins did for Rayman. There's nothing wrong with making a Sonic game just to please the fans, but I also feel like there's a great Sonic game waiting to happen, and this feels like yet another missed opportunity.
#SWITCH SONIC MANIA SERIES#
The fun to be had in the series generally stems from learning a level in intricate detail in order to perform the perfect run, while its genre brethren focus on fun first, then rewarding expertise. Sonic has always felt unfocused, confused, and frustrating. These might be the best bits of the best Sonic games, but if you didn't like them in the first place, it isn't going to convince you otherwise. It's like a best of collection for your favourite artist.īut therein lies Sonic Mania's biggest problem. If you grew up playing Sonic, and have fond memories of the Mega Drive games, there's no way you won't fall head over heels in love with this. The spiky speedster handles as smooth as butter, and you always feel in complete control of each action.īasically, Sonic Mania is a love letter. There are hidden levels dotted about that contain snapshots of later Sonic games, and you get a Chaos Emerald for completing them.Īnd in a very real way, Sonic has never felt better. Of course, there are brand new levels and even some lovely easter eggs. Essentially, you're playing the best bits of the best Sonic games. A bunch of levels from those classics have been torn up and spliced together, creating remixed versions.
The visuals, sound, and level design are all so strikingly similar to the originals, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were playing one of them.Īnd in a way, you are. Sonic Mania is inspired by the Mega Drive classics where the blue hedgehog cut his teeth. Well, if people only reviewed stuff they liked, criticism would become an echo chamber. Sure, he's had his moments, but overall his adventures have paled in comparison to the likes of Mario, Crash, and Rayman.īut why is a Sonic-denier reviewing Sonic Mania? After all, it was made by the fans, for the fans - not for utter cads like me. I'd even go so far as to say that there has never been a truly great Sonic game.
Disclaimer: I don't like Sonic very much.
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