Dr. Crusher Presents: The 30 Days of Sonic the Hedgehog (sponsored by PowerVerte)-Fin, PAGE 150

[TearForFear]

I never liked EggmanLand anyway

 

Favourite base? That's an easy choice for me:

 

 

It's an abandoned, cursed, haunted, filled with ancient death traps and ghosts pyramid.

And Eggman conquered it and turned it into his base, made room for a Shuttle and a launching pad, and painted his face on every door, just like that.

[Dr. Homem]

First, a special mention to Circus Park. Easily the best level in that otherwise wretched game, the one that best accomplishes its basic premise - being slight darker than the rest of Sonic while still being recognizable as a Sonic level. While most levels in Shadow the Hedgehog rely on overexposition, this one presents that aspect in tone and style. Not to mention its unique atmosphere, cheerful and full of little circus acts. The music was distinct and fitting to the colorful visuals and over-the-top design.

 

And, I can't help but mention... Robotnik was lovely as always as he gloats about the awesome zone he crafted, even asking if Shadow is enjoying the theme park. And stealing rings from all around the world to make his own fun-land? That's one of the simplest yet one of the most Eggman-ish plans the doc has pulled.

 

 

But the real top spot is reserved for Launch Base. It's Eggman's plan finally coming together, the Death Egg in the background ready to rise as Sonic races against time to delay the inevitable stop him. Sonic even takes a ride in the Eggmobile for once! It's a fun, detailed level with a great atmosphere, but the best part has to be this guy:

 

 

Oh yes. Robotnik knows the ending is the most important part, and tops off an already-great level with not one, not two, but three boss fights, the last of which is one of his most formidable machines. It's a simple design: large arms (hence the name, Big Arm) and spikes on top, but it's a deadly and effective combination that can even smash Super Sonic to the ground. It's a climatic battle, so much that the weather even changes... probably as a result of some machine he invented just for theatrics. Which is a good thing, in this case. Launch Base is not the final stage of the locked-in 3&K, but it's definitely one of the most unique, enjoyable and memorable ones.

[Dr. Crusher]

For the record, despite my original post for the question listing Circus Park as a "sky" area, I decided I might as well go easy on that one since it's rather ambiguous. Circus Park's a great one anyway.

[Soniman]

Im gonna have to give it for my boy Final Egg.

 

It's just a fun ride from beginning to end, having to deal with all sorts of dastardly traps and badniks created by the good doctor, always keeping you on your toes. The level design is very multilayered and has a good sense of progression and dear god the music, going from a rather laid back track into a blaring rock and roll fest in the later part of the level, so good. My only complaint is that the visuals are rather meh (looks more like a warehouse then a evil base) but it's fun factor far surpasses it.

[Danj86]

Well...fudge...

 

I've been busy with other things, I've been missing the new 30 days...damn...

Ah well, better get in there before I miss it completely.

 

Question #8: What are your favourite ON-LAND Robotnik bases... APART from Eggmanland?

 

Final Egg

 

Well, out of all land based Eggman bases, this one stands out the most for me. The music is a pleasure to listen too, the level is long, but not ridiculously long. *cough* Eggmanland *cough* While being challenging, and not too hard or easy. It also tickled me that it's called Final Egg, but when playing as Gamma, you go there first.

Plus, although not actually part of the level, the boss battle that follows with Sonic was a b****in' fight and was pretty tough when I played it for the first time. To win, only for the doc to take you out in his last attack when you weren't expecting it. XD

[Komodin]

Question #8: What are your favourite ON-LAND Robotnik bases... APART from Eggmanland?

 

My favorite non-Eggmanland, non-space station Eggbase, huh…

 

All righty, while Eggmanland is and will always be my all-time favorite Eggbase, I can think of two other grounded ones that I love almost as much. 

 

1) Scrap Brain Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog)

 

 

This is an obvious choice, yeah, but I still think it’s the iconic Eggbase in the series. It not only serves as a huge contrast to the natural wonder of Green Hill, it’s the best representation of Eggman and his callous disregard for anything and everything that isn’t his. It’s heavily industrialized, near post-apocalyptic, heavily polluted and VERY dangerous to traverse, even if you’re the “fastest thing alive.” Even the third act showcases this character quirk of his: 

 

 

I mean, really: the tainted, purplish water that floods the area with little to no air bubbles in sight; the drained out, grey appearance of the dilapidated ruins itself; and the simple fact that Eggman not only had the gall to not only build his base of operations on top of it, but also uses it as a death trap for those who try to stop him. 

 

It’s truly a sight to behold and this is why I like the zone so much.

 

2) Cryptic Castle (Shadow the Hedgehog)

 

 

As Eggbases go, this is one of the more unique ones. Instead of the usual mechanized factories or carnival parks, this is a gothic castle situated in who knows where (although I bet it’s somewhere near Hang Castle) that’s only slightly mechanically modified by the good Doctor. The way I see it, this, too, represents Eggman’s conceitedness towards anything that’s not his, as there is a good chance that this is an already existent castle that Eggman essentially hijacked for his own purposes. However, you wanna know what I liked the most about it, though?

 

 

It’s the Chao Garden. Normally, this would seem to be a Big Lipped Alligator Moment in context to the level (why are these adorable little thing here in this pseudo-Castlevania hellhole?). However, considering that Eggman actually had one in his Egg Carrier in Adventure, this indicates that Eggman might actually really like these little critters… or at least likes to beat them up in his spare time. 

[TheOcelot]

Question 8:

 

Gotta go for Death Egg zone in 3&K.

 

 

I find it to be epic from the moment Sonic and Tails jump towards it at the end of Sky Sanctuary, to the end when the Death Egg starts exploding and Hyper/Super Sonic sets off after Eggman in space.

 

Visually it continues to tell a story as you progress with the core of the Death Egg in the background. It's got some neat gimmicks like having to play sections upside down, the bullets that you need to avoid, and the moving transporting machines (be it Sonic hanging from them or riding on them).

 

I love the anti-gravity section in the middle of Act 1 where you need to turn the six yellow lights to red in order to open the hatch. Then you fight an epic two part mid-zone boss, before continuing Act 2 out in the open on top of the Death Egg.

 

You get to ride those weird yellow transporters which make a funny noise. The music is fantastic and the four bosses at the end makes it one heck of a ride. To me it feels like a dramatic and fitting end to a great game.

 

Special mention to Launch Base and Final Egg for the variety of gimmicks and creative level design. I always like the lifts in Final Egg which moves  - when Sonic gets inside - up and down with mechanical claws. I like how Launch Base takes place outside and is visually pretty. Not forgetting the epic three bosses that you need to beat (including watching Knuckles falling into the drink) on the way to finishing the stage. 

[Dr. Crusher]

or at least likes to beat them up in his spare time.

 

The canon reason, obviously.

[Big Panda]

Only ground bases?

Okay, that would have to be Final Egg.

The Sonic and Amy versions of those levels haunted my childhood nightmares, but now I look back on them fondly. The whole damn level just struck me as one big death trap, with badniks everywhere, conveyer belts attached to spike walls with endless abyses below, hundreds of long dark drops, giant claws trying to grab you, lasers blocking your way.

And then when you come to end of it all, the fucking Egg Viper, another star of my childhood nightmares, awaits you.

Amy's version was also pretty daunting, considering the game is expecting you to go through this thing with Amy's painfully stunted moveset. With Zero once again hellbent on capturing you no less.

[Dizcrybe]

Wait, does Chemical Plant count as an Eggman base? if so, I wanna say that one, because it's such a blast to play through and the look of the level is just amazing; the blue and yellow pipes, the gray metal structures, it's just great.

[Dr. Crusher]

I personally never saw Chemical Plant as a base since the manuals made it sound as though it was just some random factory that Robotnik decided to flood with Mega Mack for the sake of being a dick. But... if I'm counting Aquatic Base despite that one belonging to the Duke of Soleanna, I suppose I might as well count Chemical Plant as well.

[C4k3]

Aw yeah, time for Egg Fle-

ON-LAND

 

 

Nah, I kid. Guess my second favourite would have to be Final Egg. Fantastically awesome music aside, it's an extremely fun level to speed through. All sorts of traps and badniks here as Eggman goes all out at this point. The platforming section with the swinging mallets is probably my favourite platforming section in the game. The mechanical and industrial trope of it gives me vibes of Metropolis Zone, which even has similar rotating cylinders too.

[buba]

Question #8: What are your favourite on-land Eggman bases?

 

Eh.

If I really have to mention one that isn't Eggmanland, I think I'll say Secret Base Zone from Sonic Advance.

It's basically your typical Eggman base with all the industrial shit, but what makes me "like" it is the spy theme going on.

 

 

You make your way into the stage via zip-line with what looks like searching lights trying to spot you in the night's sky and as soon you enter the base, the entrance is blocked.

If this already doesn't make you think of spy movies, just listen to the stage's theme.

 

 

After that you have to get through all kinds of obstacles like swinging hooks, tube networks, steam tops, lava crucibles, and free-floating iron platforms. The usual crap.

Nothing too special compared to Eggmanland, but then again, no other base on the ground are.

 

 

 

[Ducktor Naldush]

Day 8: Favorite Eggman Base

 

Ok, since I can use it...

 

Circus Park

Shadow The Hedgehog

 

Ok, let's start by saying this; I liked the game anyway. But there is something that always bothered me...the fact that Sonic's world is restricted to just some cities and jungles. Sure, you get to visit what remained of Prison Island (good job blowing up the Island by the way, Eggman) but...that's it. Circus Park is part of a trope I always liked in Sonic games; The Circus (duh) / Casino level. And this time...is an Eggman base! And it has what I could describe as "demented circus of hell" music! Just listen to this!

 

Pa pa pa ra pa  pa pa pa para!

 

In a game as dark as ShTh was, this base was a breath of fresh air. In fact, it's my favourite level in the game! You even get to help Tails gathering back ...rings...Yeah...uhmm..those rings were stolen, but...It still feels wrong, somehow. But, HEY HEY HEY, KIDS! YOU CAN BLOW UP GUN' S ROBOTS! PEW PEW PEW! BLAM BLAM BLAM! BOOOOOOOOOOM!

 

Special mention goes to Cryptic Castle and his cryptic Chao Garden, Secret Base Zone from Sonic Advance (great atmosphere, good music, one of the worst Eggman mech ever made) and Launch Base Zone, from Sonic 3.

[azoo]

Top five Eggman ground bases that aren't the best one Eggmanland!

 

5 ) 3D Blast's Panic Puppet Zone

 

 

I've always loved 3D Blast / Flickies' Island regardless of how strange it is, and the Panic Puppet stage is probably one of the most hype stages in the game, due to not requiring any Flicky collection in the whole stage. It feels the closest to a legit isometric regular Sonic game, and I love that about it.

 

Plus, the (Genesis version's) music is amongst the most iconic tracks in the whole series. It's so unforgettable that it's legacy surpasses the level itself. Seriously, who can forget it?

 

4 ) Sonic CD's Metallic Madness Zone

 

 

This stage has such an amazing color scheme. That dark turquoise and magenta being the foreground while the neon violets, greens, and reds in the far back.. man this stage looks awesome. The gimmicks are hectic, the layout is challenge and overall it's just a load of fun. Also, the American music is spine-chillingly good, and HOLY CRAP AMAZING is that Japanese music.

 

The best part about it though is that it's one of those stages that feels like it doesn't break a decent pace while also being where you have to be on your toes, especially around Act 3. So good.

 

3 ) SA2's Pyramid Cave / Egg Quarters AWW YES

 

 

Come on, it's a pyramid with Eggman's face plastered on it! It's awesome!!

 

Pyramid Cave is maybe my favorite level in Adventure 2. Those half pipe walls, all the crazy loops and big areas just to run and roll around. The smaller puzzle elements and moments of actual platforming were loads of fun too, and those ghosts.. they'll spook ya. Oh yeah, and the music is vibin' some serious James Bond blended with that smooth electric guitar, that just speaks to me, man. Take me home with that melody, Jun.

 

Egg Quarters on the other hand also has one of the best music tracks in the game. That colorful mambo bossa-nova rhythm going on that Rouge's vocal lady skitches and coos over so gracefully, and that buzzy little synth lead mixed with the peppy horn line and funky drums.. man I'm gonna need something to drink cuz that song is hot to the touch five real. Love it. The stage's atmosphere and environment you get to dig through in EQ is loads of fun too, sort of doubled by the stress you get from creeping around the corner and BAM there's that big beetle thing haunting you around every corridor. 

 

Just awesome. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

 

2 ) Sonic 3K's Launch Base Zone.

 

 

And just when you thought you were done with the funk, S3K throws this one at you. This is my jam.

 

I adore this stage. The omnious feel of the base, that build up to finding the Death Egg out there at harbor, and the amount of scale the entire base has. It's also filled with slopes and traps, making it where if you plan this stage right, you end up playing one of the most flow-filled stages I can recall the series ever having. When you get this stage down good, man does it feel so right to play.

 

I think that alone is why it managed to make it over Pyramid Cave / Egg Quarters (which I love to pieces), but really this stage's amount of flow and awesome art design really just skyrockets it waaaay up here on the list.

 

Also, lest I forget to mention the amount of cutscenes and build up the stage has towards what is the climax to the first half of the game. Please, tell me you didn't feel like stuff was getting real for a bit when you got past the first of Eggman's contraptions.. and then the stage darkens.. and then..:

 

his palms are sweaty

knees weak arms are heavy

there's vomit on his sweater already

egg spaghetti

- Sonic, "Lose Your Rings"

 

Granted the boss wasn't that hard but come on man that was awesome.

 

And the payoff afterward when you watch the Death Egg descend back into the ocean and you get ready to tackle the second act of the game.. man, this is a good game, guys. I love S3K.

 

1 ) SA1's Final Egg

 

 

Aww. Heeeeeell. Yeah.

 

Final Egg was smothered in all kinds of love. You could tell Sonic Team had a field day and a half designing it and it's extra touches. Such intricate art and level design, tons of stage gimmicks, background sounds like sirens and robot ladies over loud speaker, the Sonic, Tails and Knuckles dolls Gamma and co had as shooting targets.. all those things really added to the experience. I loved how it had all these seperate rooms that had such unique, clever ideas for traps and ways to kill off Sonic, it was so devilishly cool.

 

It also was a lot of fun to dart through. There are so many places to make good stage flow; such big quarter pipe ramps and downhill plummets, nicely spread out platforms and fun enemy placement really makes this stage shine even for all the bugs the game has. 

 

And you know what else it did well? It managed to feel threatening. It had it's own share of funktastic music as well as the more tense music, but all the same you felt like you were being challenged all the way; like there was just this big feeling of being on-edge all the time, which really just adds to how satisfying it feels when you learn how to speedrun this stage for all it's worth.

 

All of this cool of course is multiplied by the hundreds when you get here, btw.

 

Oh yeah! And the opening area to it, in the Adventure field, is so nice. Seeing Metal and Mecha Sonic just chilling in there while you pass by, the entrance to Eggman's little happy chao garden, and then seeing how Eggman purposely put up a puzzle door to clue Sonic in on where to go... aaah man it's all too great.

 

 

----

Runner-up: Sonic Advance's Secret Base. It and Panic Puppet were toe to toe, but PP's music won it over (although I adore Secret Base's tracks too, though..)

[Dr. Crusher]

the entrance to Eggman's little happy chao garden, and then seeing how Eggman purposely put up a puzzle door to clue Sonic in on where to go... aaah man it's all too great.

 

I think you're getting Final Egg mixed up with the Egg Carrier there, hoho.

[azoo]

I swore there was an alternate entrance to the chao garden there too, but if not then at least the puzzle door was there, that was my main point anyways.

[Dr. Crusher]

Ah, fair enough then. I thought you were talking about the door that only opened if you jumped on the "EGGMAN" letters in the right order.

[Blue Swallow]

DAY 8 Favorite Eggman base that's not in space(hey that rhymes!).

The restrictions don't bother me, I wouldn't choose any of the space bases or eggmanland if they were allowed.

I can't just choose one base though, it's to tough.

In order of appearance

1) Launch base

I just love that it's outdoors on a clear day, and really doesn't look all that menacing (that is until big arm appears). I imagine that it's cold given the snow in the beginning of act 1, and that makes it even better. Not to mention the view of the deathegg being repaired. There's also the fact that it's built over a river (Is it a river?).

Of course as others have mentioned, the music is great, very hip hop and funky.

It really is a great end to part 1, or a great tension builder if your playing S3&K.

2) Reactive Factory

Wow! 6 pages and I'm the first to mention this.

Tied with radical city as my favorite sonic r track, I love Reactive Factory! Like launch base, I love that it's out doors on a clear day(sometimes). The submarines are an interesting touch, and I love the dome thing with robotnik's face on it. I'm not sure why robotnik built a machine that dispenses unlimited rings, considering it only helps his enemies get the chaos emeralds he stole. The music, like the rest of R is AMAZING! (I don't care what anyone else says.), and the course is just a blast to race through.

3) Final Egg

This stage is great, a wonderful final zone, all those wacky, yet deadly and very effective, contraptions, and that spider lift. I love each characters' version of it, Sonic's, with Those obnoxious pink badniks that are really hard to shake, Amy's, with zero hot on her trail, willing to destroy a wall just to capture her, and Gamma with the Sonic, Tails, and, knuckles puppets.

4) Aquatic Base

I absolutely adore the theme of this stage. I think it's so cool having an underwater base with giant windows to see all the sea creatures roaming around. The music fits so well with the stage too, very ambient and mellow. I'd love to see another stage like this, preferably with out any balls. I have to echo Sixth Rate Soma on the genius of using an underwater base to combat the water hating Sonic.

[Kiah]

Day 8: Favorite On-Land Robotnik Base:

 

Eh, I'm honestly not up to thinking too much about this one at the moment, so out of the many amazing Robotnik bases I am going to go with the original : Scrap Brain Zone.

 

 

Scrap Brain Zone where here lies Dr. Robotnik's fortress with hazards aplenty: Slippery metal floors, razor-sharp saws, grinding wheels, traps, flaming torches, pits, disappearing platforms, electrical currents, swinging spikes, tons of badniks...and of course Sonic's natural nemesis water-purple water at that.

 

 

Overall, Scrap Brain just screams evil with all the hazards. Very few places Sonic could actually stand with no risks in this ultra-hazardous base that is filled with surprises-the unpleasant surprises mind you. The background of both industry and wasteland with concrete, steel, factories and pollution is really fitting with actual base itself and it's many dangers.

 

Now as for the music for this place, as it is certainly amazing:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoVY7nvcel0

 

The music for Scrap Brain Zone definitely makes this treacherous journey worth embarking through-somewhat as playing through level is a real challenge and a real pain at that.

[DocAzure]

Another Eggman question eh? OK then.

 

When it comes to bases, the Eggster certainly isn't lacking in variety, and of course we've got the obvious choices, and they're obvious with good reason. Scrap Brain, the original, the first stronghold. Very fitting, from the saws of death, to flamethrowers, all working with the whole theme of industrialization, giving something that just screams 'final stage'.

 

Final Egg from Sonic Adventure, not only is it very Eggman-y, but it's also fun as all hell, specifically Sonic's version of the stage. Very fast paced, shows off how good Sonic Adventure is with straight up 3D running. That music too, always sticks in my head.

 

I'm gonna mention the Veg-O-Fortress from Spinball, too, mostly because of how insanely off the wall it is, I mean, the name...why? Where does that even come from? Regardless, this fortress inside a big ass volcano is an area that's sadly neglected, mostly due to the fact that not many enjoy Spinball, but regardless, this setting, and the 4 major areas within, are held highly in my book.

 

Honorable mention to Gimme Shelter from Sonic Battle for the Rolling Stones song reference. 

[Red Hot Jack]

Ground base? So that also means no Death Egg, Final Fortress, Sky Deck? The best ones, basically.

 

I guess Final Egg, it's nothing special aesthetically, but it's a very tricky stage for Sonic, full of traps and gimmicks, a very fun challenge, even more than Sky Deck probably. The other ground bases felt boring to me, maybe Metropolis was cool, but the others weren't really "grand" and "epic" like his air fortresses.

[ImPantsAtThis]

Day 8: Favourite Land Eggbase?

 

Have to go with Final Egg here. Not only is it a tricky stage with a mechanical backdrop -- simultaneously bringing back memories of Metropolis zone and bringing the series' Nature vs. Industry theme to a suitable climax -- it also has one of the most enjoyable level themes to date, what with the face-melting guitar and it's many variations. A lot of people have picked this, so I don't have much unique to add; I will say though that it captured 'final' perfectly, feeling like the Good Doctor's last bastion after being chased from the Egg Carrier by Sonic. It was superbly satisfying following him there, shredding through his defenses and putting a stop to his schemes once and for all... until the next game, at least.

 

I look forward to the next question in 'the 30 days of Eggman'

[Kaabiitorori]

Day 8: Favourite Eggman Base

 

Eggman bases have always been a staple in the series as the last zone Sonic and friends step into. In line to the doctor's ambitious schemes, his bases have been pretty unique in their setup, layout and design, ranging from highly secured on-land bases to extreme and wacky outer space bases, with the premise of putting Sonic and his friends into a tough test. Since we have to choose on-land Eggman bases for this 30 Days of Sonic challenge, I am going to say that my favourite one is...

 

 

Launch Base Zone (Sonic The Hedgehog 3)

 

This base featured in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is surprisingly fun to explore and play, very well thought and very well designed with the many towers to climb, the rotationary conveyor belts, the extreme loop to loops and lifts, and the catchy funky music (which screams Michael Jackson inspiration, as many may know already), Not only Launch Base is well crafted gameplay wise but serves as an incredible plot point featured in the classic series; Sonic running under the clock to stop Dr Robotnik's ambitious scheme to launch his latest masterplan, the Death Egg, which is seen in the background of the level as it's been played, resulting in the showdown against the doctor on board of Big Arms and his defeat which ends up with the failure to launch the Death Egg. An incredible way to finish the first part of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles story arch.

[Lady Soniko]

Day #8 - Favourite Eggman base that isn't Unleashed's Eggmanland

 

  

 

Egg Factory - Sonic Riders.

 

Something about Egg Factory is incredibly awesome, the spewing of molten metal everywhere, the conveyor belts laden with freshly made robots and canisters full of chemicals to smash through, the music is also pretty awesome too, but I just love how tense the atmosphere is in this level, the humidity and overall feel of the place is awesome.

 

 

Cyber Track is also a balls off the wall Eggman level, it feels like it's set in some virtual strong hold of a place riddled with coding and gimmicks.