Sonic Mania (August 15th 2017, Christian Whitehead, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) - The New Classic

[Sonicfan287]

51 minutes ago, Jango said:

Oh shit dawg, I don't want spoilers, but this looks so cool.... ?? I'm digging the colors, it's definitely a new zone, and the screenshot was taken right at the beginning of the level, as Sonic is far on the left. It looks like the inside of a cathedral... It reminds of the one in Stardust Speedway's background (in the past)! Oh shit, what if?!

 

 

 

Hmmm.. I hadn't even thought of that. It's possible they revised the Stardust Speedway Past (and that this is part of the Stardust Speedway level and it lets you change from past to future) and I can't imagine Stardust Speedway won't be in this game since they're going to include a Sonic CD level and this seems like the most obvious one. I hope it's not though, because I'd prefer this to be part of a larger new zone. 

[Chris Knopps]

Let me put this in your minds for a second...

At an event in LAS VEGAS...

SEGA is promoting a church/cathedral harkening stage...

"You people need Jesus"

[Sonicfan287]

If the event is in Vegas, this would be a perfect time to reveal Casino Night Zone if it's in the game 

[Tenko]

Hmm could very well be what everyone is suggesting. To me tho, I get more of a indoor botanical garden kind of feel. They are very church/castle/station type windows tho. An indoor garden would need the big windows to let in the light too tho. Maybe its just the potted plant and the red vines wrapped around the gating and poles as well as the platform itself thats throwing me off. 

[Sonicfan287]

Speaking of which, I'm extremely curious to see which Sonic 2 stage will be in the game. Sonic 2 being one of my favorite games of all time, I'd be happy with pretty much any level but it's such a toss up which one they'll use. Normally I'd say Chemical Plant or Casino Night would be the obvious choices but both of them appeared in Sonic Generations. Then again, so did Green Hill and that's back so maybe that doesn't preclude a stage from appearing again. On the other hand, Mystic Caves, Oil Ocean and Metropolis could all be done very well in a remix. 

I'd say Aquatic Ruins or Hill Top would be the most disappointing if that's what they went with but even then I think they could make it different enough to make it interesting. 

[Monkey Destruction Switch]

Yeah, for the sake of originality, I hope it's not Chemical Plant or Casino Night (as much as I love Chemical Plant), and I personally find Metropolis Zone a bit annoying and not as interesting conceptually as some zones, so Mystic Cave or Oil Ocean would probably be my top picks. I'd love to see what they'll do with them, as they're both really interesting stage ideas with a lot of room for intriguing new twists and gimmicks.

[Sonicfan287]

Just now, Monkey Destruction Switch said:

Yeah, for the sake of originality, I hope it's not Chemical Plant or Casino Night (as much as I love Chemical Plant), and I personally find Metropolis Zone a bit annoying and not as interesting conceptually as some zones, so Mystic Cave or Oil Ocean would probably be my top picks. I'd love to see what they'll do with them, as they're both really interesting stage ideas with a lot of room for intriguing new twists and gimmicks.

I tend to agree although I have a new found appreciation for Metropolis Zone in recent years. As a kid, it was always too hard for me. I rarely even made it to Act 3 and I was too impatient to simply time those 4 sided cubes with the spikes that go around. I'd always jump on them and die because I wouldn't just time the easy pattern. Now that I'm older, I appreciate the challenge and love the music and some of the cool gimmicks. 

That said, I'd say Oil Ocean is my #1 choice because of the music and the industrial look of the stage. I've always preferred the technological levels (like Chemical Plant or Oil Ocean) to the more nature ones. I'd love to see what elements they could add to Oil Ocean Zone although I'd also love Mystic Caves provided they could open it up a little bit. That level was always a bit claustrophobic to me. I know it was kind of suppose to be but it made it a bit annoying to navigate at times. 

[Tenko]

If it is a new zone and not a reimagined one it's also a bit sad spoiler wise. We already know of two new zones, and if there are only 5 new zones based on the amount of HBH bosses then we will now know 3/5 of the brand new zones. Would rather see another reimagined one so we have seen two of each before release rather than all the new ones being shown off before launch. 

[Sonicfan287]

1 minute ago, Tenko said:

If it is a new zone and not a reimagined one it's also a bit sad spoiler wise. We already know of two new zones, and if there are only 5 new zones based on the amount of HBH bosses then we will now know 3/5 of the brand new zones. Would rather see another reimagined one so we have seen two of each before release rather than all the new ones being shown off before launch. 

Personally I hope there are more than 5 new zones. I'm hoping for at least 6, with 5 HBH boss fights and maybe an original final zone (that has references to other final zones) and maybe even an all new Super Sonic boss fight zone that you unlock with all the emeralds. I realize they already said there would be more reimagined zones than new ones but still, to me the real disappointment would be only having 5 new zones when the new zones look really interesting so far 

[Chris Knopps]

Wanna know a secret?

Taking down the Heavies is the first half of the game.

Then you move onto the second half.

[Sonicfan287]

45 minutes ago, Chris Knopps said:

Wanna know a secret?

Taking down the Heavies is the first half of the game.

Then you move onto the second half.

I assume this is just speculation and hasn't been confirmed. While I guess it doesn't matter, I hope the new stages are intertwined with the old ones in terms of order 

[Chris Knopps]

Just now, Sonicfan287 said:

I assume this is just speculation and hasn't been confirmed. While I guess it doesn't matter, I hope the new stages are intertwined with the old ones in terms of order 

More like a dream.

I'm just imagining the game being about the first half taking down the Heavies that are messing with Eggman's plans and/or keeping him on the run, then after you defeat them all Eggman is free to take everything into his own hands and resume his ambitions making him the primary focus for the second half of the game.

...Let me dream.

[TheOcelot]

5 hours ago, Diogenes said:

Took a shot at cleaning it up. Definitely some kinda creepy gothic castle sort of stage.

Maybe this is inspired by Taxman's Egg Garden, with a bit of Chaotix Botanic Base. 

 

1 hour ago, Sonicfan287 said:

I assume this is just speculation and hasn't been confirmed. While I guess it doesn't matter, I hope the new stages are intertwined with the old ones in terms of order 

Nah, speculation. Just a heads up; Chris makes up rubbish all the time. Better to just ignore what he says.

 

I agree in terms of zone order the new stages being mixed with the remade ones would be far more interesting. Although, for a story to make more sense playing through all re-imagined stages first and then the new ones seems more likely. Hopefully you're correct.

[Zippo]

Have there been any details on the playable demo at the expo? We know it's there but i haven't heard of anyone trying it out yet. Either way, I would not be surprised if we hear something in the morning, the cat is out of the bag already, I suppose. 

[molul]

It has some Castlevania vibe

[Ellipsis-Ultima]

9 hours ago, Tracker_TD said:

Have a butcher's at it. Looks like concept art.

EDIT: 

 

...actually, I think this is ingame. Holy shit. 

Have I mentioned that the level design here is my favorite part of the game?

Because HOLY SHIL THAT DETAIL!

[Badnik Mechanic]

Until we get an official name... I vote CastleMania Zone.

[Indigo Rush]

That detail, though. I have a feeling this game is going to be better than I thought it was going to be, and my expectations were already really high. Need that release date, yo.

[JosepHenry]

Someone please bring Michiru Yamane for the music.

[Indigo Rush]

???

Tee, buddy, dontcha spoil it

[Blue Blood]

3 minutes ago, Indigo Rush said:

That detail, though. I have a feeling this game is going to be better than I thought it was going to be, and my expectations were already really high. Need that release date, yo.

Don't worry, Indy. Forces is still coming out to provide you with your regular dosage of Sonic disappointment.

Castlemania Zone looks gorgeous. I can't wait to find out more about it. They're really, really not holding back on this. But I think I'm going to install a spoiler blocker now to avoid all Mania news. Catch you guys on release day!

[Ellipsis-Ultima]

11 minutes ago, Indigo Rush said:

???

Tee, buddy, dontcha spoil it

Possibly linked to that castle like zone?

HMMMM...

[JosepHenry]

24 minutes ago, Indigo Rush said:

???

Tee, buddy, dontcha spoil it

Is going to be really interesting, 80% of what he does are jazzy tracks.

 

Also, can we please not bring Sonic Forces here?

[Blue Blood]

44 minutes ago, Joseph Mello said:

Also, can we please not bring Sonic Forces here? Is annoying.

Literally just the one off-the-cusp comment to another member who's stoked for one game and not-so-stoked for another, followed by actual Mania opinions and thoughts. I mean, if the thread was being flooded with this then I'd understand:

But like. One comment. is not annoying yet  Nah don't worry I'm not gonna shit all over the Mania thread with Forces hate. It's not every day that there's a Sonic game that I'm actually interested in, you know?

Anyway, yeah. Mania is looking cool. Can't wait!

[Wraith]

I love the cathedral look. Glad this game is capturing that mysterious feeling the Genesis/Saturn games did.