Video Game Review - Sonic Mania

You know with everything that goes on with SEGA, they still always treat Sonic as if its their only profitable and successful franchise. Its had more games than the likes of Nights, Alex Kidd, Jet Set and even Crazy Taxi. Is there no end? Well I guess not. So anyway, Sonic makes another comeback in a game that for years people have been asking for. And its all thanks to a fan who went out of his way to create a Sonic fangame to present to the franchise executives and it become an official fully funded Sonic game. Whether its another comeback or not, Sonic is back and in good form after what happened with Boom. So let's play on:

Taking place sometime after Sonic & Knuckles (whether its in the series' timeline or not is beyond me), the voiceless Sonic and Tails head to Angel Island via the Tornado to investigate a powerful energy force that's coming from it. But Eggman (guess SEGA couldn't let go of that name for the game) and his robotic allies uses the power from the island to send our heroes and the island guardian Knuckles through different but familiar dimensions. So the trio set out to stop Eggman before everyone is doomed. So let's start with the biggest thing people have been hyped about, the graphics. Reminiscent to the days of the Megadrive/Genesis, its a nostalgic thrill ride that will make any longtime Sonic fan feel right at home. Not only that, but it manages to have a number of things from previous games added such as fan favourite levels from Sonic 1-3 and Knuckles, having some connection to Sonic CD and even having a boss battle solely dedicated to the Mean Bean Machine. Amongst other things too which I won't spoil here. Plus the music feels as awesome as it did back in the 90s.

So to summarise, this is an awesome game. Sure it may be another game that relives the glory days of retro gaming, but it perfectly captures what was and always has been great about Sonic and then some. Thinking back to it, the move to 3D and talky talk has been a rocky ride, but 2D Sonic will always be the best. Its the bread and butter that made the franchise what it is. Now as far as Rivals is concerned, I'm not as hyped for that game as such. But I will definitely give it a try because it at least deserves that even if its in 3D and talky talk. But otherwise its a 9/10 for Mania and let's hope we get more Sonic games like this in the near future. But remember SEGA, you do have other games as well. Not just Sonic.