![]() Even better, all of the aforementioned tweaks and changes open up what feels like a half-dozen legitimate run routes some are vertical, while others creatively get players running leftward. (You'll also run into the original CPZ's momentum-stopping moments, like slowly rotating platform blocks and underwater passages, but both are infrequent and brief.)Ĭhemical Plant Zone has not been mined as repeatedly as Green Hill Zone in Sonic rehashes, so it's good to see an iconic series location come back with all its best bits preserved. Some of the new level bits, like corkscrew warp tubes and DNA-styled elevators, are mostly aesthetic, but these serve as welcome punctuation between the level's open bursts of speed. ![]() Players can also stick to, and very quickly fling off of, bouncy pads that crawl along ceilings and walls, and they can now pick directions to slide within the Chemical Plant Zone's series of super-fast tubes. (Speedrunners will appreciate the shield's upgrade, methinks.) ![]() I used it to great effect to run-and-jump to new points when I went back to retry one CPZ level. I mistakenly thought this was a new series power-up because it's so much bouncier and faster than in Sonic 3-and it lets Sonic now stay in his "attack" state while in mid-air. With this equipped, tap the "jump" button in mid-air to slam down to the ground and bounce back upward. Paired with this mechanic is a beefed-up version of series' "bubble shield," which can be opened up by opening a bonus-item box. You can do the usual Sonic thing of madly dashing from left to right, but some of the levels' fastest routes and shortcuts only emerge once you solve a puzzle of navigating toward a particular pool. Early in the level, Sonic discovers that the color can be changed by hitting a switch and dumping more chemicals. Depending on their color, these bouncy pools will send Sonic bouncing a certain distance above. ![]() The zone now feels more chemical, primarily thanks to a series of pools full of flubbery goo. Those return, and they serve as the foundation for a series of new level elements and design ideas. This builds from the foundation of the Sonic 2 zone of the same name, which was characterized by metallic rollercoasters and high-speed warping tubes. The newest and most impressive example comes from today's newly unveiled Chemical Plant Zone. I remind you of this dev team because Whitehead and Thomley are better known for loving old Sonic games than for one-upping the originals. They are partnering with PagodaWest Games, whose 2011 title Major Magnet is as close as anyone's gotten to a Sonic-caliber game restricted to smartphone taps and swipes. These slowly moving platforms are back as well.Īs has already been announced, Sonic Mania comes courtesy of Sega's first-ever fanboy development team. Two of its primary members, Christian Whitehead and Simon "Stealth" Thomley, are better known for authentically porting older Sonic games to newer systems (often with awesome upgrades like widescreen support). Enough playable Mania levels exist, with new twists and refreshing returns, that I'd happily buy the incomplete package for the August game's eventual $20/£15 tag. Last month, Sega finally tipped me over the edge. Everything has played smoothly so far, but I've bitten my tongue, lest I hype something that ultimately turns out as unevenly as Sonic 4. Over the past year, I've reluctantly enjoyed promising demos of the company's latest 16-bit Sonic homage. Every time we've heard Sega's nostalgic promises, they've been followed by the series' handlers coming up high and dry. LOS ANGELES- Sonic Mania is far from Sega's first stab at returning to the blue, spiky bomber's good ol' Genesis/Mega Drive days. The good news? While our full review of the PS4 version is embargoed until Monday, you can read whatever you want into the fact that we’re resurfacing this June 8 preview for now. The bad news? The game’s PC version has been delayed until Tuesday, August 29. Update : We have good news and bad news ahead of Sonic Mania’s launch on Tuesday, August 15 on various consoles.
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