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

[molul]

+1 to the disappointment with old/new levels. If the reimagined zones are really that cool, they should release a trailer for one or two of them soon.

Anyway, I'm totally buying it. Not doing it, I would be telling Sega I don't want 2D "pixel" Sonic games.

[Spееdy]

I sometimes think that Sonic Mania is a result of people wanting 3&K in HD resolution so incredibly much. And that probably is the case and somewhat explains why classic levels (assuming there are more from 3&K) are a bigger part of the game than new zones. With remixed songs on reimagined stages (reimagined because again, people complain about originality) you can overcome copyright issues I guess because it goes under fair use (?), so they came to this idea. Seems they can't release standalone 3&K in HD with all the music yet (or maybe overall) for mentioned reason and that resulted in Sonic Mania.

And now what you see... People are still complaining even if they wanted it so goddamn much. I just can't understand, please explain.

[Marcello]

12 minutes ago, Spееdy said:

I sometimes think that Sonic Mania is a result of people wanting 3&K in HD resolution so incredibly much. And that probably is the case and somewhat explains why classic levels (assuming there are more from 3&K) are a bigger part of the game than new zones. With remixed songs on reimagined stages (reimagined because again, people complain about originality) you can overcome copyright issues I guess because it goes under fair use (?), so they came to this idea. Seems they can't release standalone 3&K in HD with all the music yet (or maybe overall) for mentioned reason and that resulted in Sonic Mania.

And now what you see... People are still complaining even if they wanted it so goddamn much. I just can't understand, please explain.

I want S3&K Remastered and I want a new game. I do not want my new game to be filled with old levels.

Not very hard to understand.

[Cyrus]

I'd be more okay with this if this was being marketed as a throwback like Gens instead of a theoretical Sonic 4. I'm still interested in this, still haven't cancelled my pre-order, but not as hyped. I'm sure I'll be crawling right back to it as soon as something other than GHZ and Studiopolis is shown.

[FriendBot]

7 minutes ago, Marcello said:

I want S3&K Remastered and I want a new game. I do not want my new game to be filled with old levels.

Not very hard to understand.

Then shouldn't there be disappointment from day 1?

Why throw a fit now?

[Marcello]

2 minutes ago, Soni said:

Then shouldn't there be disappointment from day 1?

Why throw a fit now?

Maybe you should check the very first page of this thread.

[Diogenes]

People were disappointed at the returning levels back when the game was announced. Hearing that there's going to be more returning levels than original ones advances that disappointment a bit.

Still, I don't see anyone freaking out over this. A fair amount of grumbling, which is understandable, but it's not as if people are turning against the game entirely.

[Spееdy]

6 minutes ago, Marcello said:

I want S3&K Remastered and I want a new game. I do not want my new game to be filled with old levels.

Not very hard to understand.

Well, you get 'S3&K Remastered' with Sonic Mania (reimagined S3&K because you can't have otherwise for copyright reasons) with other throwbacks and even with more original content in it (new levels). And you get 'new game' called Project 2017. What's exactly the point?

I respect your opinion and all, but people need to get out of this negativity, seriously. One time you think SEGA has pleased everyone, made everything clean and positive and yet another complain story.

SEGA mustn't fulfil any desires even if they want so. Sometimes they just can't and you don't know why because they can't tell you. S3&K can't be released anymore (or maybe can but not now, I don't know, there are some unknown reasons which I understand) and SEGA tried to overcome this with Sonic Mania, just for the fans' desire... Still you see negativity around. So done.

[Marcello]

2 minutes ago, Spееdy said:

Well, you get 'S3&K Remastered' with Sonic Mania

No, I don't.

2 minutes ago, Spееdy said:

And you get 'new game' called Project 2017. What's exactly the point?

We're talking about Sonic Mania. Project 2017 might be nice, I wouldn't know as they haven't shown the actual game, but with Sonic Mania, I wanted a sequel to S3&K, and in my mind that sequel wasn't a rehash.

4 minutes ago, Spееdy said:

I respect your opinion and all, but people need to get out of this negativity, seriously. One time you think SEGA has pleased everyone, made everything clean and positive and yet another complain story.

You clearly don't.

5 minutes ago, Spееdy said:

SEGA mustn't fulfil any desires even if they want so.

They don't have to, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about every decision for this game.

[Spееdy]

@Marcello Ok, I got your point. You're not happy about your desire and expectation not being realised. And you blame SEGA for this, so please continue.

Also I apologize to mods for some personal conversaton in here. Sorry.

Edited September 21, 2016 by Spееdy

[Milo]

1 hour ago, The Deleter said:

This'll be the Star Fox Zero of the Sonic series from what it's trying to accomplish, looks like. Personally hoping it'll do well enough for a completely original sequel, (just like I was for Star Fox..... :U) but I'm good with this for now.

Not really. Star Fox Zero completely threw out the traditional control scheme it used in favor of the dual screen GamePad setup, and cut out some existing features like multiplayer and nonlinear/branching paths. Sonic 4 would be a more apt comparison for that game IMO; with Sonic Mania being more of a Megaman 9/10 style of a revival.

[Blacklightning]

If the differences are anything like the contrast between S3&K Icecap and SA1 Icecap, I'd be game for it honestly. It would be nice if the similarities from here on out amounted mostly to thematic tones, and if they put an entirely different spin on the level in the process, even better. Despite all the shit Sonic 4 gets for being lazy rehashes of Genesis themes, conceptually speaking they actually didn't handle this idea all that badly - and if even Dimps can try new stuff with old levels I'm sure StealthTax can work some magic with it.

'course, I'd love to actually see a stage or two of this in practice. There's only so far I can take their word for it. =V

[Salamander]

A thought on level representation: We have fewer original levels than Classic, and it's always seemed likely that the levels would alternate between Classic and new.  Considering this, it seems quite likely that the final level will be a Classic level, probably from from Sonic & Knuckles...  I think we could be getting that Death Egg ruins level.

[Diogenes]

You know what would be cool, if the game is so huge that there's basically an entire game's worth of new levels even given that there are less of them than returning levels.

[Sean]

Honestly as long as all the returning levels have a bunch of new creative areas like Green Hill underground I'm game for anything Mania has to throw at me regardless of what kind of level it is

[Mr Loopone]

Just knew it was too good to be true..

With the news that there are more classic levels than new stuff, it is a bit disappointing. It feels more like what Sonic Generations on the 3DS should have been instead of recycling the original level designs but with a new coat of paint. The returning levels have to surprise me and really have to, even if it ends up a bit like mainline Generations where its the same levels that you know and love but presented and designed in a different way. Underground Green Hill is a nice touch though and even then, its inspired by the 8 bit game. I can understand why Taxman and co have done it this way; its their first official game and treading the waters, they include classic levels to ease development time and especially with a small team, plus its a late 25th anniversary game.

Saying that, if there were about 6 to 7 new zones and the rest are the original levels it feels like a full size classic Sonic game plus extras. Then again its the case of misleading advertisement where its advertised as NEW GAME while its not quite as new as it seems (if it was like hey you like Generations, why not a classic take of that with new levels then it wouldn't be sore). Just a bit mixed with the decision that's all. It will still be a good game, control wise will still be better than most of the 2D games in the series and if every one of the new levels is like Studiopolis, then it'll be a ride.

Now its gone from a Day 1 purchase no questions asked to one whether the price has to be right to consider the game at launch.

[expansivelovestories]

1 hour ago, Detective Paradox said:

So Christian Whitehead tweeted some stuff regarding Sonic Mania's levels:

Until now this has seemed just remotely possible (that Mania would be a big game); it is wonderful to read that it is actually true!!   ^___^

speaking of big; i hadn't seen the original Sonic 2 commercial before so i thought that the tacklebox in the Mania version was in reference to Big; not that he would be in the game, just sneaking him in by any means necessary.  Though at this point i'm wondering if there will be a 2D Big hidden somewhere in one or a few of the zones...!   

[Jeffhog]

Out of curiosity though, speaking about Mania being a big game, has it ever been specifically mentioned just how many Acts we're getting per Zone? I know we're getting at least two (as in Sonic 2/3&K) but it'd be neat if they're shooting for three (à la 1, CD, and dare I say 4) for each stage.

[Multikaris]

3 hours ago, Gabe said:

Not really. Star Fox Zero completely threw out the traditional control scheme it used in favor of the dual screen GamePad setup, and cut out some existing features like multiplayer and nonlinear/branching paths. Sonic 4 would be a more apt comparison for that game IMO; with Sonic Mania being more of a Megaman 9/10 style of a revival.

So, Star Fox Zero done right, basically?

Genesis doth what Nintendon't.

 

[TheOcelot]

The prospect of there being more reimagined stages than new one's doesn't bother me. I'm excited to see what they can do with existing stages. I like the idea that the passage of time could have changed how the zone looks. With completely new level design, different backgrounds/colors, new badniks and bosses there's enough potential to make the reimagined zones feel and play like brand new levels. 

Mania already has the important stuff nailed down; the graphics look great, the stage design is excellent, the music sublime, the physics are classic perfect-and Sonic still felt unique in how he moves when I played Mania. Based on the hacks/fan games and their work on the new routes in the remasters of Sonic 1&2 (and Hidden Palace), I've every confidence StealthTax can make the reimagined stages feel as unique as possible.

I've been thinking of new levels I'd like to see in Mania. Top of my list would be a new desert stage with a design based on the cancelled Sonic 2 stage; Dust Hill and Taxman's Desert Dazzle. I just want a desert-themed stage with cacti and all that kind of stuff.

40 minutes ago, Jeffhog said:

Out of curiosity though, speaking about Mania being a big game, has it ever been specifically mentioned just how many Acts we're getting per Zone? I know we're getting at least two (as in Sonic 2/3&K) but it'd be neat if they're shooting for three (à la 1, CD, and dare I say 4) for each stage.

The Mania producer said in one of the interviews there's going to be two acts per zone like in 3&K. I know they mentioned about act/zone transitions being like 3&K's, so I think it's safe to assume they are sticking to 3&K's zone formula.

[Soniman]

A bit of a bummer but it doesn't curb my enthusiasm for it. I'll be looking forward to to seeing what new bells and whistles are added to the returning stages 

(plus a greater chance for Hydrocity so I mean...) 

[Fletch]

Not really bummed out about there being more classic levels than new levels, especially if there will be a lot of new things to offer in the levels like Green Hill Zone.

As for what classic levels I'll like to see in Mania:

• Mystic Cave or Casino Night from Sonic 2. Just one of my favorite levels, and I'm a bit of a sucker for gambling in Sonic games, so Casino Night could add maybe a lot more casino-ish things/gimmicks to the level. 

 

• Ice Cap or Hydrocity from Sonic 3.
  My absolute favorite stage from Sonic 3 and I think it's the one level that really represent the game as a whole (like how GHZ represents Sonic 1, Stardust Speedway for Sonic CD), and is a level that's extremely fun to play through, has great level design, fantastic music, etc. I

 

• Lava Reef or Flying Battery from Sonic & Knuckles.
  Honestly don't care either way which level is chosen from Sonic & Knuckles. As long as it isn't Sky Sanctuary since that was properly represented in Sonic Generations already, and I think Lava Reef being the complete opposite to Ice Cap would be cool to have in the game.

 

• Stardust Speedway, Tidal Tempest, or Quartz Quadrant from Sonic CD.
  Obviously if Hydrocity gets picked to represent Sonic 3 then Tidal Tempest should automatically be scratched from the list, but those two are my top favorite water levels in all the classic Sonic games, and for the life of me I can't choose which one is better than the other. I think everyone can agree that Quartz Quadrant was the most straight-forward level in all of Sonic CD (right next to Palm Tree Panic), and I always did like the whole switches going on in the stage which affects the direction you'll go in. Hoping for Stardust Speedway to be the one that's represented most for Sonic CD. It could include a remaking of the race with Metal Sonic (I'll never get tired of this), and my favorite level of all time can finally get a proper remake that it sadly didn't get in Generations. 

[FReaK]

guys, there's really no need for all that negativity.

 

I'm pretty sure the team will make the classic levels a blast. Even green hill looks absolutely fantastic, and we haven't even got a glimpse of act 2! just remember that.

One thing I am curios about is act 2 music. will there be remixes like s3&k? i would love to get that one confirmed.

[Slingerland]

33 minutes ago, FReaK said:

guys, there's really no need for all that negativity.

Because everyone on this forum is going to buy it anyway regardless of what they say.

[Indigo Rush]

I think it's fairly reasonable for people to air their grievances regarding the remix:new Zone ratio, especially if taking that quote at face value, but its worth bearing in mind that the game itself will be "longer than Sonic Generations" and Green Hill was the tamest of the bunch.

We saw a retread of the original Acts 1 and 2 with completely new content in Mania's Act 1, with an undisclosed Act 2, which we can reasonably conclude would contain even more original ideas. If that's what they consider 'tame,' then I think we have a LOT to look forward to in the coming months. But of course, seeing is believing, so I won't really hold it against any of those who are crying fowl... besides which:

9 minutes ago, Slingerland said:

Because everyone on this forum is going to buy it anyway regardless of what they say.

This.