SONIC MANIA
GAME DETAILS
Title: Sonic Mania
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PS4 [Reviewed], Xbox One, PC
Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual
Developer: Christian Whitehead , Headcannon ,PagodaWest Games
Publisher: SEGA
Release Date: Aug 15, 2017
It’s been over 20 years since a classic Sonic the
Hedgehog game has graced the console world. Sure,
we’ve had the odd side-story here and there, but most
of that time has been filled with 3D Sonic games that
have never been all that great; And I’m including the
Sonic Adventure series into the mix.
For years people have been asking for a traditional 2D
Sonic game, a style where I, and many others, feel that
Sonic works best. We nearly got that with Sonic 4, but
that game simply tried to capture the past with new
modern mechanics and an ugly style that failed to
connect. Hell, I don’t think that game was ever finished,
releasing only two of the planned three episodes that
would complete a full game.
Fast-forward to 2017 and the release of Sonic Mania
across all modern platforms, including the PC. What we
have is not simply a love-letter to fans that grew up
with Sonic the Hedgehog, but a game that not only
stands alone to the testament of the best a side-scroller
can be, but also may just stand as the best Sonic game to
ever grace consoles.
It’s been over 20 years since a classic Sonic the
Hedgehog game has graced the console world. Sure,
we’ve had the odd side-story here and there, but most
of that time has been filled with 3D Sonic games that
have never been all that great; And I’m including the
Sonic Adventure series into the mix.
For years people have been asking for a traditional 2D
Sonic game, a style where I, and many others, feel that
Sonic works best. We nearly got that with Sonic 4, but
that game simply tried to capture the past with new
modern mechanics and an ugly style that failed to
connect. Hell, I don’t think that game was ever finished,
releasing only two of the planned three episodes that
would complete a full game.
Fast-forward to 2017 and the release of Sonic Mania
across all modern platforms, including the PC. What we
have is not simply a love-letter to fans that grew up
with Sonic the Hedgehog, but a game that not only
stands alone to the testament of the best a side-scroller
can be, but also may just stand as the best Sonic game to
ever grace consoles.
26
GAMBIT | SEPT/OCT | 2017