Sonic Mania: Sonic 3 Zone Speculation

[Drunk Michael Myers]

I'd love it to be Hydrocity even though the original stages are similar to Chemical Plant, i think the Mania-team can do wonders with it. And Tee Lopes making the music...too perfect.

[Chris Knopps]

Since everybody wants Hyrdrocity, here you go.

 

[Monkey Destruction Switch]

Even with the introduction of Chemical Plant making it unlikely, I'm still holding out hope for Hydrocity! That would definitely be my pick. Really fun zone with awesome music and great concept and aesthetics, definitely one of the best water levels in the series.

Ice Cap wouldn't feel quite right without the music, tbh. In theory, it would be a great pick due to having what are easily among my favorite aesthetics and gimmicks in the series, but having plenty of room to grow in terms of a complex level design. But in addition to the music issue, it would also maybe be a little predictable, I feel? I'd still be happy to see Ice Cap, though, don't get me wrong.

I don't actually like Carnival Night or Marble Garden a whole lot, all things considered. Angel Island and Launch Base would both be pretty nice choices. Neither seem particularly likely - Green Hill has water now, so the difference between it and Angel Island is even less, and Launch Base requires a particular story framework. But they'd be good to see, anyway.

[Zippo]

Hydro City seems like the only zone choice at this point. Every other zone is having their unique gimmicks used for other stages or  just flat out can't be used for one reason or another. It's not my favorite Sonic 3 zone, but it is the best water stage in the entire series, so no complaints here. 

[Spooky Mulder]

3 hours ago, Zippo said:

Hydro City seems like the only zone choice at this point. Every other zone is having their unique gimmicks used for other stages or  just flat out can't be used for one reason or another. It's not my favorite Sonic 3 zone, but it is the best water stage in the entire series, so no complaints here. 

What about Ice Cap and Launch Base?

[Zippo]

6 minutes ago, Spooky Mulder said:

What about Ice Cap and Launch Base?

The obvious music issues that Sega won't touch with a ten foot pole. Also, Taxman said the Death Egg won't return, so that doubly deconfirms Launch Base. 

[Spooky Mulder]

8 minutes ago, Zippo said:

The obvious music issues that Sega won't touch with a ten foot pole. Also, Taxman said the Death Egg won't return, so that doubly deconfirms Launch Base. 

The music issues really aren't that obvious. They've never been confirmed and are still based on fan speculation. Also I didn't interpret Taxman's comments to mean any of the stages wherethe Death  Egg is visible wouldn't be included.

[Zippo]

People far more musically inclined than myself have pointed out and examined the music similarities numerous times, and while not confirmed, there's large amounts evidence to support fans' suspicions, and that's not even getting into the PC port music discussion.  I don't expect Sega to even mention it, they've done a great job not doing it so far. I still wouldn't expect to see it, but anything's possible. 

[Sonicfan287]

My guess is, no matter what level they end up picking (or levels), they'll probably wait until July to reveal it (if they even do) and it'll be the last level they reveal before release. I'm thinking they'll reveal at least one more zone between now and August 15th and that it'll be the Sonic 3 stage since they've revealed a stage from every other main game (although Stardust Speedway was only shown off in clips of that trailer and never really elaborated on) 

[LATER BUDDY]

[DELETED]

[Sonictrainer]

18 hours ago, Zippo said:

Hydro City seems like the only zone choice at this point. Every other zone is having their unique gimmicks used for other stages or  just flat out can't be used for one reason or another. It's not my favorite Sonic 3 zone, but it is the best water stage in the entire series, so no complaints here. 

 

 

15 hours ago, Spooky Mulder said:

What about Ice Cap and Launch Base?

 

15 hours ago, Zippo said:

The obvious music issues that Sega won't touch with a ten foot pole. Also, Taxman said the Death Egg won't return, so that doubly deconfirms Launch Base. 

 

14 hours ago, Zippo said:

People far more musically inclined than myself have pointed out and examined the music similarities numerous times, and while not confirmed, there's large amounts evidence to support fans' suspicions, and that's not even getting into the PC port music discussion.  I don't expect Sega to even mention it, they've done a great job not doing it so far. I still wouldn't expect to see it, but anything's possible. 

 

Seeing that Ice Cap Zone has been remixed before in Sonic Drift 2 and Sonic Adventure, I don't see any issues with it reappearing in Sonic Mania.

[mikeblastdude]

While that's true, those versions of Ice Cap use different music, avoiding the whole possible legal issues with the music (which we'll probably never have officially confirmed, but we pretty much know at this point). I'm still very "all or nothing" when it comes to wanting Ice Cap in Mania; if that iconic music isn't there along with the level, then I would rather not have it be in the game at all.

Although, now that I think about it, if Ice Cap were in Mania with a 16-bit styled "Be Cool, Be Wild and Be Groovy" as its music, that could be an acceptable compromise.

My vote still goes for Hydrocity making the cut though.

[molul]

I just remembered about that "new item" not yet revealed. I say we'll see it and  the Sonic 3 zone in the last trailer, in a couple of weeks.

[GucciBurr]

hydrocity is probably the most iconic sonic 3 level, so that should be it.

i disagree with ice cap being excluded because of the music. really now, the music is iconic, but the reason people like the level is because of the level itself, not the music. replacing the music is no big deal. still, it would be more logical to just create an entirely new snow level than remake ice cap with different music

[molul]

32 minutes ago, GucciBurr said:

the reason people like the level is because of the level itself, not the music. replacing the music is no big deal. 

I can only say "wrong, dude". That music is 35-40% of why that stage is still remembered.

[GucciBurr]

the stage is best remembered for sonic snowboarding and being the first major snow level in the series. the music is admittedly a big part of why it's so popular, but ultimately, it's the level itself that people like most about it. a lot of people wanted it in generations too; you think they wouldn't have wanted it if the genesis music couldn't be used? plus i don't see why sega can't come with original music that just sounds similar to the genesis tune. lego dimensions did: 

also 35-40% is less than half you know

[molul]

I could accept Ice Cap reimagined with a different but similar music, but of course I'd miss the music, as much as I'd miss Green Hill theme in Green Hill. It's just part of the level.

And yes, the fact that it was the first snow level in classic Sonic games and the snowboard intro was probably 60% of the stage success.

By the way, if they reimagine Ice Cap, I hope they make a more interactive snowboard section

[TheOcelot]

What makes Ice Cap memorable is; 1) the music (perhaps even more renowned due to the recent discovery it's based off of Hard Times, 2) the snowboarding sequence at the start of act1 is completely linear but it's short and visually pleasing & 3) has a nice aesthetic.

However, the level design is by far the worst out of all Sonic 3 stages. None of the gimmicks (aside for the brief snow-boarding at the start) are memorable. Act1 is frustratingly linear and act2 - which is surprisingly short (you can beat it quickly) - offers no original challenge what-so-ever. When you think of the unique level design challenges; Angel Island, Hydrocity, Marble Garden, Carnival Night & Launch Base offer, Ice Cap falls way short.

 

I don't like it when fans say they don't want Ice Cap in Mania if the music has to be completely new, because they are playing a dangerous game. It's almost like saying they don't want Sonic 3 Remastered if some of the music has to be changed. If it's the difference between getting a new release or never getting another one, then I would be happy with an altered soundtrack. Especially with someone like Tee Lopes who clearly knows how to make excellent music which fits the style of 16 bit/32 bit Sonic. He actually did an IC remix a few years ago:

This is why I'm hoping CN, IC or LB is chosen for Mania, because I'll be keen to see if the music is completely new or remixed. If it's a brand new piece then we'll have a better idea where we stand regarding Sonic 3's music; in that we could let SEGA know we would accept a partially (or completely) changed soundtrack.

[superman43]

Overall...

Angel Island shares the theme with Green Hill, Emerald Hill and Palmtree Panic... and all of the zones´ gimmicks are in Green Hill

Hydrocity is likely.

Marble Garden wall gimmick is in new Stardust Speedway. I believe that also the gimmick in instruction manual would be in Stardust Speedway. Ancient ruins/city theme.

Carnival Night nah... Studiopolis will do the thing. So we cannot expect Spring Yard, Collision Chaos or Casino Night as well.

Ice Cap is likely.

Launch Base... well I think it is one of the Eggman bases... and that will be substituted by Chemical Plant... act 2 has music samples from Metallic Madness (eggman base), bounce sound from Wacky Workbench (that can be considered a base as well), so I believe it will be a Eggman base theme overall. The bubble gimmick and overall design of Chemical Plant resembles Oil Ocean a bit too.

 

And hey, who said there will be only 1 zone from each game ?

I believe that in Sonic Mania there will be: Green Hill, Labyrinth, Chemical Plant, Metropolis, Stardust Speedway, Hydrocity, Ice Cap, Flying Battery and either Lava Reef or Sky Sanctuary. The picture shown above resembles the latter one more than any other. 

[Psychicmoose103]

I think it might Be Hydrocity.

the new zone they teased seems to be a snow/ice level set in Japan, so that might disclude icecap.

[TheOcelot]

1 hour ago, Psychicmoose103 said:

I think it might Be Hydrocity.

the new zone they teased seems to be a snow/ice level set in Japan, so that might disclude icecap.

Yeah, I think we can rule-out Ice Cap now that we know there's a new snow/ice theme zone which is exciting!

I guess this leaves Hydrocity & Carnival Night as the most plausible. 

Carnival Night is obviously a carnival theme and is different enough from Studiopolis act1 in terms of it's level design and trope (studio/tv ) for it to fit nicely in Mania.

[Your Vest Friend]

Some are speculating that it's Marble Garden based on the instruction booklet. 

If it is, that is literally the worst zone they could have chosen.

[mikeblastdude]

25 minutes ago, VEDJ-F said:

 

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Some are speculating that it's Marble Garden based on the instruction booklet. 

If it is, that is literally the worst zone they could have chosen.

 

 

Spoiler

Yeah, I've been pretty suspicious about that myself. Especially considering that the sketch has a blocky floor pattern just like Marble Garden, which makes me think that it might not just be a gimmick used in another zone. Hard to say for sure though.

If Marble Garden does end up being in Mania, well... it definitely wouldn't have been my first choice (or second, or third...), but, at the same time, I wouldn't really feel too disappointed. I absolutely love the music to Marble Garden, and I'm sure Tee Lopes would do an amazing job making new versions, so that's the silver lining I'm seeing with that personally.

Either way, I would still gladly take Marble Garden over Carnival Night.

 

[TheOcelot]

43 minutes ago, VEDJ-F said:

 

  Hide contents

Some are speculating that it's Marble Garden based on the instruction booklet. 

If it is, that is literally the worst zone they could have chosen.

 

The art in the booklet looks nothing like Marble Garden.

I'm thinking the snow/Ice stage could actually be this:

[Pawn]

While there is a freezing enemy, the rest of the two images we've seen look decidedly dry. The concept art in the instruction booklet appears to have cherry blossoms falling and those red plants don't exactly scream cold weather either.

I'd love for it to be a snowy stage outside, but there seems to be little evidence so far.

EDIT: I suppose the Heavies could bring back Eggman's weather/season machine from Mushroom Hill and change the level from Winter to Spring between acts, with the freezing badniks remaining a constant.