Review: Sonic Mania

I played my whole first playthrough of this live on Twitch, and only ran out of time once, on the first act of the last zone.

My main reproach is the length of the acts themselves. They tend to overstay their welcome by a minute or two. i'd much rather have taken a couple more zones and environments and each zone being a bit shorter.

( Edited 20.08.2017 22:03 by RudyC3 )

RudyC3 said:
I played my whole first playthrough of this live on Twitch, and only ran out of time once, on the first act of the last zone.

Honestly wasn't too over the moon to begin with, but it changed with each stage and boss I was finally able to overcome. Such a high degree of quality and love and care has gone into this. Once I start comparing it to a NSMB game, the difference is striking.

Would be foolish for them to rest on their laurels and not turn this into a new trilogy at the very least. Mania 2 with more brand new stages would be a blast. Some returning ones, sure, but there was such originality with the new stuff, I'd love to see what sort of slick new stages they come up with.

RudyC3 said:
My main reproach is the length of the acts themselves. They tend to overstay their welcome by a minute or two. i'd much rather have taken a couple more zones and environments and each zone being a bit shorter.

I should say, actually - I don't get why there is even a time limit. Most will say ten minutes is plenty, but I don't understand the benefits to forcing players to hurry up. Same thing with Mario games. Seems counterintuitive to the explorative sides of the games.

( Edited 20.08.2017 22:26 by Azuardo )

I had fun with Mania, but if I have to play through Green Hill Zone one more time I might actually lose my mind. I was so excited when it looked like the game was going to start with Angel Island but then...immediate disappointment. 

Renan said:
I had fun with Mania, but if I have to play through Green Hill Zone one more time I might actually lose my mind. I was so excited when it looked like the game was going to start with Angel Island but then...immediate disappointment. 

But that's why I hope to god they do a Mania 2 - they would be stupid not to, but the original ideas and stages they had in this game were great, so letting them run free and creating more new stages without relying on the classics would be exciting. I still wouldn't mind the odd throwback tho - Angel Island, like you say, or Ice Cap. Otherwise, let the imagination run wild, because Mania was a sign they have great ideas.

Man, I seriously wish this game was just all new stages. I've been juggling it and Miitopia the past week, and whenever I get to a rehashed Sonic level, I jump ship. It's absolutely amazing regardless, but I'd still have preferred all original levels.

Aaaaand maybe a little less of Sonic 3's special stage. I like that minigame a lot, but it doesn't feel as good playing it every single checkpoint.

Yep, wishing for original stages is being echoed a lot. I can understand why they've played on the nostalgia for this, but because the original stages are so good, it's easy to wish for more. Fingers crossed for Mania 2...

Agree on Sonic 3 special stage. Also didn't register with me till later that in order to get the gold medals you need to get all rings as well as the blue spheres, so... eff that.

Love Mania, and love the story behind it. I agree with the critical points, levels are slightly too long, it might be a little more punishing than some will like, but on the whole- rejoice!  

I didn't realise the Switch version was being ported by Tantalus Media either. I just went ahead and purchased it on the obvious platform of choice, so really glad there aren't any niggling issues or differences. 

Also, I really dig the CRT filter.

( Edited 23.08.2017 17:03 by The Strat Man )

The Strat Man said:
Also, I really dig the CRT filter.