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

[Marcello]

I'd be really annoyed if Super Knuckles and Tails weren't in because of canon.

[molul]

If the game is as long as we expect, introducing extra special stages for either gathering the super emeralds, master emerald, chaos rings or time stones would make sense and would be really welcome. Without something like that, if you get all chaos emeralds in the third stage, then there's nothing else to do in that sense for like a 70% of the game.

This brings me back to something I've always wanted a classic Sonic game to have: collectible stuff. Doesn't have to be red rings, but something apart from chaos emeralds would bring so much replay value. And if unlocking a new final zone and the true ending depends on that, then much better

[Ayliffe]

You know what I'd want instead of Hyper Sonic and the Super Emeralds? An in-game explanation for why they literally fell off the face of the earth after S3&K.

Just a cutscene with Eggman trying to take them and accidentally breaking them would be sufficient, just give me some closure goddammit.

[FriendBot]

Was there ever a discussion about how Studiopolis was supposed to be pronounced, no? Well too bad, the debate was over as soon as it started.

FROM DA TAXMAN, MAN!

Quote

We pronounce it "Studi-opolis" Zone, like Sandopolis so that's our "official" answer (though I don't mind really). A bit of Trivia for you - when we found out Studiopolis Inc. was actually the name of the post production studio that records the V.O. for Sonic we had some alternate names like "Opening Night" or "Fame Plaza" in case they weren't cool with it, but they were so it's now a cool reference! 

Opening Night? Fame Plaza? Those are nice alternative titles but Studiopolis just works.

[Pixel]

I'm glad they could stick with Studiopolis. It's fresh while still keeping to the spirit of the amazing Classics.

[StaticMania]

There wouldn't be a pronunciation discussion...Studi-Oh-polis wouldn't even make sense.

[FriendBot]

I'd personally go with Fame Plaza to keep in the spirit of the fantastic Moderns!

Of course, there wouldn't be a discussion we already have the solution in front of us. It was done as soon as it started.

[Pixel]

Just now, Soni said:

I'd personally go with Fame Plaza to keep in the spirit of the fantastic Moderns!

Fame Plaza just doesn't have the same ring to it. Another incredible aspect of the illustrious Classic games is the names of their levels. 

[FriendBot]

While it may be true that the names can of the Classics can be quite unique in some parts, *coughs*SonicBlast*coughs*

A title as strange as Fame Plaze is exactly what makes the exalting Modern games' level names stand out.

Spoiler

as much as i love to do this meme, this got old super quick.  

 

[TheOcelot]

So they pronounce it as "Studi-opolis". Sounds good to me. Fame Plaza is also a good choice although I prefer the former.

It's interesting how we pronounce certain zone names differently. For example, when typing Casinopolis I tend to say "Casino-Opolis" in my head. I say San-dopolis, so I pronounce the "d". I also say "me-tropolis". "Hydro-city" and not Hydrossity

[Wraith]

Opening Night is a nice play on Casino Night and Carnival Night. I actually would have really liked that. Studiopolis is good to tho

[G-Force]

On 12/22/2016 at 9:03 AM, Ayliffe said:

You know what I'd want instead of Hyper Sonic and the Super Emeralds? An in-game explanation for why they literally fell off the face of the earth after S3&K.

Just a cutscene with Eggman trying to take them and accidentally breaking them would be sufficient, just give me some closure goddammit.

The Super Emeralds were just the Chaos Emeralds enhanced with the Master Emerald's power.  The Chaos Emeralds scatter themselves when they're no longer needed, so after the events of S3&K, they just kinda vooshed away.  They never came back because no one ever needed to bring them back.  Hell, technically they weren't even needed the first time.

[YuTwo]

Just saw this tweet. Maybe it could be a zone like Hang Castle or Mystic Mansion as this type of zone hasn't been done in a 2D game. 

[TB100]

1 hour ago, YuTwo said:

Just saw this tweet. Maybe it could be a zone like Hang Castle or Mystic Mansion as this type of zone hasn't been done in a 2D game. 

Holy shit, I hope it means like I think it means. A haunted spooky zone has never really been done in the 2D games before. (I know there was gothic gardens from Sonic Boom fire and ice, but I'm not sure if that counts honestly because well... it's Sonic Boom.) And it's also one of the most popular stage ideas. So seeing a haunted themed zone in a official 2D Sonic game would be sweet.

[Diogenes]

1 hour ago, BlueBlur91 said:

A haunted spooky zone has never really been done in the 2D games before.

Well, Sandopolis act 2 kind of counts. Though that's still only half a zone at best, and not really fully committed to that theme.

I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for a proper spooky level this time around, though.

[Mania Pipe]

4 hours ago, YuTwo said:

Just saw this tweet. Maybe it could be a zone like Hang Castle or Mystic Mansion as this type of zone hasn't been done in a 2D game. 

I'm really looking forward to a haunted theme stage in this game if that's the case.

[Clewis]

2 hours ago, BlueBlur91 said:

A haunted spooky zone has never really been done in the 2D games before.

Haunted Ship from Sonic Rush Adventure was spookyish. And 2D.

[Remy]

Bring back king boom boo

[Hiki]

I'd be all over a spooky zone! I'm always gonna be up for fresh ideas from the Mania Team!

[TheOcelot]

A haunted stage could be an interesting idea. Perhaps a re-imagined Mystic Cave or a new zone set in a haunted house/castle and/or graveyard. A haunted carnival theme sounds appealing.

Oh and they should bring back those creepy ghosts from Sandopolis who never left your side!

8 hours ago, Clewis said:

Haunted Ship from Sonic Rush Adventure was spookyish. And 2D.

Speaking of ship levels, you made me think of a haunted stage from Tiny Toon Adventures which has fitting music which could work in a classic Sonic game.

 

It's now been five months since Mania was announced. I like to think in another five months we'll be playing it!!!

It's been quite a ride so far. It's looks like SEGA have done everything right. Hiring passionate Sonic fans/highly-skilled programmers who can replicate the accurate feel, physics and sound of the classics whilst bringing it to the "32-bit next-level". Aaron & Gene are doing a good job in keeping the fanbase entertained, teasing us. Their occasional streams have been really cool.

The reveal trailer was done well with a lovely piece of music and has had over 2.3 million views. They've revealed just about the right amount content without going overboard. We've seen two new zones & one re-imagined, footage of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Sonic & Tails and got a taste of what sounds like a high-quality soundtrack.

It was in October when we first saw footage of Mirage Saloon. So I think in January next year we'll get footage of another re-imagined zone. My guess is the footage will be played by Game Grumps (remember Aaron invited/gave them an invitation when he & Gene did the charity stream) which would be cool.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a disc release, or maybe for a later date a disc compilation of Sonic 1, CD, 2 & Mania maybe for Christmas in 2017! 

Spoiler

Yeah, yeah, I want Sonic 3 Remastered included as well

Seems likes all the feedback from fans and media has been overwhelmingly positive. It's probably the most positive reception a Sonic game has received (prior to release) in a very long time.

In the words of Dr Emmett L Brown:

 

[TB100]

I wonder if we'll get any new info on Feburary 2nd, since that's hedgehog day?

Would make sense in my opinion.

 

[Sega DogTagz]

Man, even the backup names for mania levels sound cool. I can't complain with Studiopolis, but Fame Plaza and Opening Night both sound like legit Sonic level names I'd be happy to get behind.

and god help us if we get a Mystic Ruins rebuild. I'll loose my mind if the team takes that stage back to the drawing board. Its right up there with Jungle Joyride (HD) as my favorite stage in the series.

[TheOcelot]

In response to a question Taxman confirmed that Mania's story will be told in the same style as 3&K with cutscenes and no voice or text dialogue.

I think it's smart to stick to the simplicity of how 3&K's story was told, with just a few cutscenes. It worked well back then, so no need to change it.

 

[FriendBot]

I thought it was already confirmed that Mania will have the same story presentation from 3&K but nice to hear it from DA TAXMAN!~

[Indigo Rush]

Save for an anime opening/ending ala Sonic CD, I can't imagine anything more perfect for a retro Sonic game. I'm up for that.