There is no doubt that Sonic Mania was made by people who absolutely love Sonic and Sega. It’s a game that captures everything that players loved about the 16-bit days of the blue-blur and adds in just enough to make it feel all new. Sonic Mania exceeded the expectations of not only fans but also just about any player that tried out the game. Back in July, the game was expanded with two new characters, some new modes, and a physical release as Sonic Mania Plus. This version just adds more to the value, while also generally making the game better than the initial launch in August the year before. After playing the game for some time and taking in everything that was said about it, I finally have some thoughts that could add to the multiple reviews, videos, and essays on the title.
Sonic Mania Plus is a bit of surprise for me on a personal level. I have never seen the appeal of Sonic as a game and believe that the overall design of a platformer that focuses on speed still has room to grow. We’ve seen some very stellar attempts at recreating Sonic in a more modern way, especially when considering Freedom Planet. I also got some mileage out of Sonic Generations. Yet, even with Sonic Mania a game I rather enjoy, I am baffled why particular design choices were kept in the level design.
Sonic Mania is all about making quick decisions and taking various paths that result in a finish line and taking down a boss. The problem is there are still dubious traps laid throughout each stage and a few sections that are just poorly designed. Most notably this comes in the form of spikes right along the player’s path immediately following a speed boost. This started to arch my brow in the Chemical Zone that has moving blocks the player must navigate all while facing the danger of drowning. This vertical climb is awkward and it’s all too easy for Sonic and pals to get squished between the block and the wall. Add this with the limited live system and it makes these frustrating segments all the more time-consuming. Even more perplexing is that this was an issue on the Sega Genesis as well.
This section takes more lives than probably any other.
I think some solutions to this in later games could be a zoomed out camera to give the player more of a chance to see what lies ahead and just some better placement of obstacles. Based on sales and critical reception, it would make a lot of sense for PagodaWest Games and Headcannon to get another shot. It would be excellent to see them really play with original ideas for stages and characters rather than the remix stages sprinkled with new layouts and the occasional new stage. Rather than be stuck in the arguably flawed framework, these developers could take Sonic to the next level in a big way.
Here is where I am torn a bit by Sonic Mania Plus. I love everything this game stands for and the story of its development is something I will champion for many years. Developed by a team that had previously excelled at Sonic ROM hacks and fan games, Sonic Mania is the ultimate example of developers nurturing the talent of the homebrew community. Too often we see publishers completely end projects that frankly are sometimes better than official titles. Another Metroid 2 Remake comes to mind as that fan game was one the best Metroid games I’ve played. Publishing companies can really lose out on some of their best potential employees by sending those dreaded DMCA takedown notices.
Even though I love the idea of Sonic Mania, the animations, colorful retro-inspired graphics, incredible sound design, and the clever nods to other titles, I just can’t seem to find much fun with the game itself as a platformer. I find myself cursing the oddly designed sections or shaking my head at an obstacle that no one could’ve seen coming. To this day, I don’t think I’ve actually completed the game with any of the characters. I mostly enjoy loading it up on the Switch, running through the first few levels and then restarting with another character once I get stuck. That on its own can be pretty fun as I use Sonic Mania Plus as a palate cleanser between other games. That said, I do believe that this is the best Sonic has been in a long time.
Never did like these bonus stages, but those who did will find plenty of variants to overcome.
For those unaware, Sonic Mania launched for twenty bucks on all platforms making for a cheap game with a lot of value for the player. In a sea of $60 games asking for more and more money it was really cool to see a complete package. Later on, they launched the Encore DLC that added Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel, encore mode, and an expanded competition mode for a small fee and with some general improvements for free. Encore Mode is the main draw with this update, allowing players to get multiple characters and switch on the fly. It’s a fun way to revisit stages and for those that have already mastered the game, it can keep things fresh enough.
With Encore Mode, I found myself once again in a state of momentum with progression. In the early stages, I would quickly grab all of the characters, which act as lives in this mode, and cruise through most of the first few levels. Then, I would hit a snag and be unable to gather as many characters, creating a wall that I just kept tossing hedgehogs and echidnas at. Maybe an amateur mode with infinite lives would allow me to get through the game without it feeling like a slog, but for now, I just enjoy giving it a few attempts here and there.
Encore Mode starts with a rescue!
All in all, Sonic Mania Plus wasn’t made for me, the casual fan that had more fun on the GBA than anything else. This one was made for the fans, the players that replay these games frequently and are aware of the subtle design choices and secrets. For most players, Sonic Mania Plus is still a fun time, but for me, it’s one that I probably won’t pick up as often as others might.
Personal criticisms aside, there is quality in Sonic Mania Plus and it’s one that I can easily recommend.
For more information on Sonic Mania Plus, check out the official website. A review code for the DLC portion of the game was provided for the purpose of review. For more Switch action, check out Jonathan’s review of Diablo III and for another platformer review, look into Mike Robles’ coverage of Crash Bandicoot the N-Sane Trilogy.
