Praise be to Jesus and his holy emeralds. There is a Sonic the hedgehog game in 2017 that isn't a piece of shit. That Sonic forces nonsense may change that, but at least there will be Mania to remind us that there is a good post millennial Sonic game in existence.
I've only played a bit of Sonic mania at time of writing, but if first impressions are anything to go by, I think I'm gonna like this game.
Fuck it. I think I kinda love it. It's early. But my feelings are real.
Sonic mania is a game which is all about its roots. So forget Sonic adventure and all those 3D pieces of shit. Cast your mind back to the Mega Drive classics. And if you're not of an age to remember those, then prepare to be schooled and play you a good Sonic game which is reminiscent of a time when Sonic's games were good.
The great thing about Sonic Mania is that the whole time I'm playing it, I'm not so consumed with how much better this is then the 3D Sonic games (contrary to the previous paragraphs). I'm just thinking about how much I missed this. Sonic mania finally sees SEGA tap its franchise into what has kept Super Mario's games so popular and wholly consistent over the years, which is keeping true to what works. SEGA have spent so many years trying to shoehorn shit which doesn't make any sense to the franchise, that it seemed they'd completely lost sight of what made the series popular in the first place. Nobody wanted Sonic fighting with a sword. Nobody cared about fishing with some overweight Cat. Who the fuck wanted to see Sonic as a werewolf!? Ain't nobody got time for some silver hedgehog try'na be Magneto. Sonic mania is a Sonic the hedgehog that gets it. A much needed look back in order to move the series forward.
Sonic mania feels like an amalgamation of Sonic 1, 2, 3 and even the oft forgotten about (and my personally fave Sonic game) CD. Those who have played each of these games will be able to reference zones, themes and which game-play mechanic, shield, boss and enemy is from which game. But it all melds seamlessly together. It's not the semi shameless greatest hits type of slapping together that Sonic generations was. You don't feel like you're playing a Sonic game which is stitched together from the 2D classics, but rather a game which considerately takes components from each game and creates something new. Even with the game opening on Sonic the hedgehog 3's Angel island zone and then throwing you into Green hill zone, it still feels fresh and new.
Sonic mania is also one of the very few, if not, the only Sonic game which feels highly stylised, fresh and in some instances ingenious. The second boss battle in Chemical plant zone sees you squaring off in Dr. Robotnik's mean bean machine, the Puyo Puyo style game which released on the Mega Drive in 1993. Never did I expect something so cool and audacious from a Sonic game in 2017. If this is the precedent that Sonic mania is serving up two zones in, then I'm looking forward to seeing what lies ahead. I just hope things don't run out of steam and peak too early, as this is one commonality I've always felt that Sonic games have had right across the board.
For the first time in years, I'm enjoying a Sonic the hedgehog game and have a genuine desire to see it all the way through. It's also making me wish I had a Nintendo Switch, because being able to play this game on the go would make the package even sweeter.
Sonic mania plays great. Looks great. Sounds great. Long live Sonic the hedgehog! May SEGA realise the good thing they have here and cancel the shit out of Sonic forces. Ain't nobody wanting to play this mess.
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