IGN owes Sonic an appology
Sonic Mania is unequivocally a great game. The platforming is fluid, and it strikes the the right balance in terms of difficulty. The zones are challenging, but every death is a result of my mistakes; very rarely do I feel like the game is cheaply killing me. However, the real icing on the cake is the aesthetic. From the title screen and the opening note of the score, I could tell that a lot of love was put into this game. The developers really cared about the product which made Sonic Mania just that much more special. From the intro, to the animations, to the music, everyone did their part and pulled off one of my favorite Sonic games of all time.
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| Like the rest of Sonic Mania, the intro sequence is an excellent throwback that still feels thoroughly modern |
Usually I click right past main menus; I don’t feel the need to watch intro cinematics. However, the internet was in love with the beautiful Sonic CD-esque animation to kick off Sonic Mania. So, I waited for the title to roll over to the cinematic, and wow. It’s a cyclone of color, imagination, and music that is a ton of fun to watch again and again. The artists were so thorough and had such an eye for detail that at this point, I’ve hung around to see this introduction sequence several times already. Of course, an intro cinematic is only as good as the game it’s attached to, and luckily the actual game is just as great.
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| This zone is one of the most impressive with blowing leaves and falling snow in the foreground and background, respectively |
Sonic Mania in motion is a sight to behold. When I’m running at blazing speeds through loops and careening off of springs the game is a blur of chaos- and it’s great. However, what is equally great is Sonic Mania at rest. Every frame of this game is teeming with life. Rain effects cascade down the screen. Leaves blow and swirl in the background. But the best part are the character animations. Sonic and Friends are incredibly expressive. Whether that is Sonic wobbling on the edge of a platform, Tails falling asleep during a long idle animation, or the duo getting frozen during the showdown with a Hard-Boiled Heavy. The animators were able to convey so much character through facial expressions and body language that just looking at Sonic Mania is a treat. However, when you combine this level of visual polish with the game’s catchy soundtrack, Sonic Mania gets just that much better. Each zone has a distinct, very well composed melody. Even when I was at my wits end with replaying Flying Battery Zone over, and over, and over, I never got tired of the music.
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| I hope this holiday's Sonic Forces stacks up to Mania |
It’s very clear that Sonic Mania was a labor of love. The developers really care about Sonic, and understand what makes a good Sonic game. Everyone executed their job well and the end result is a truly great game. That doesn’t mean Mania is perfect though; there are a few problems with it. Both types of special stages are hard to control, and the blue sphere variety is flat out annoying. Similarly, there are some instances of poor level design where I’ll get hit by enemies or fall down bottomless pits without any chance to save myself. However, those issues barely detract from Sonic Mania. The Blue Blur has had a spotty track record as of late- for every Sonic Rush Adventure or Sonic Generations there has been a divisive or flat out bad entry in the series. Sonic Mania is the answer to that as I can’t see how anyone could flat out dislike this game, or find significant faults in it. At a mere $20, this game is a steal, and is definitely worth your time and money. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some Sonic to play.
~SPOILER ALERT~
*Spoilers for CP and PG Zones Below*
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Sonic Mania has some of the best boss fights I’ve played in a while, and I just have to talk about two of them. However, if you haven't reached these fights yet, don't keep reading! You'd be spoiling some of the game's highlights. The ninja battle in Press Gardens is a standout. It's a test of reflexes, patience, and a bit of button mashing. Dodging exploding shurikens while trying to smack the Hard Boiled Heavy out of the air is stressful, but a ton of fun. After several attempts, I finally beat the boss with no rings left. While that is an awesome fight, if you’ve played Mania already, you’d know which boss deserves a shout out. 
That’s right, the Mean Bean Machine battle against Dr. Eggman in the Chemical Plant was a huge surprise, and one of the standout moments of the game. That speaks to Sonic Mania as a whole, there is always something creative and unique in each zone. This sequence in particular was a great throwback to the Genesis classic, and my favorite fight at this point. It isn’t just a one time occurrence however, as I learned that by collecting twenty silver medals in the bonus stages you can unlock The Mean Bean Machine to play at anytime from the extras menu. I suppose I have no choice but to ‘get good’ and learn those darn blue sphere levels!
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