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[AssaTM]

Pretty tempted by the Studiopolis shirt. I really love how the zone looks

Also I wonder if the shirt design implies something about Knuckles? He appears to be standing in their way so maybe he's back to his old ways of spring traps and laughing like an idiot



I think it's fairly inline with Chaotix and 3D Blast's soundtracks, which is the era of Sonic this game's trying to replicate

Where can you get this from please?

 

[HoodWinked]

Where can you get this from please?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KUG9Y9Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Ristifer]

Okay GAF. Any way to order those Sonic Mania shirts in Canada at all?!

 

[AdamisFox]

Yeah that's not great. Didn't really feel like there was a good reason for it either - other than issues with loading and unloading the cave background. Still keen to know if there's a way to get into the Cave from up top, rather than having to go through the bottom section.

Edit: I would also argue that nobody will have a clue on what the Blue Ring monitor does. Hell, I didn't know what it did in Chaotix. I'd suggest that the "big rings" Sonic spawns when he has the Blue Ring monitor should actually BE blue, oe flash blue, so people remember that they got that powerup and that's what it did.

Blue rings in Chaotix : when you're hit by an enemy/obstacle, instead of having all your rings spilled away, only one big ring will be spilled. If you catch it, you'll gain all rings you had previously, but if you don't get it after a few seconds, it "explodes" and all your rings will be spilled.

In Mania, it seems that 1 big ring =10 or so regular rings.

 

[dlauv]

New interview from PAX with the producer, but it's fairly uneventful.

On the note of the controller, I'm imagining a physical release.

Genesis clamshell box with the console color and name done up in the same style. Instead of red it would be green for X1 or blue for PS4, and say the console name on the side like it says Genesis.

The side which normally would hold a cart contains a wireless Genesis controller which contains the game data. Packed loosely in a plastic baggy would be a usb charger that would also function in the installation transfer of Mania from the controller to the console. On the instruction booklet side would be an instruction booklet. Probably too impractical, prone to malfunction, but I think a neat idea for a limited release.

 

[Zalman]

Sega is asking a very important question on Twitter. If you're like me and you want a collector's edition of Sonic Mania (or just a physical copy), then please vote here. It could happen.

 

[Azure Dream]

Tiny indie games get collector's editions, no sense leaving this one out.

 

[IronicSonic]

Thanks for de heads up.

Ill buy at high price. Double dip on NX

 

[sixteen-bit]

Sega is asking a very important question on Twitter. If you're like me and you want a collector's edition of Sonic Mania (or just a physical copy), then please vote here. It could happen.

thanks for the heads up

 

[Opa-Pa]

Thanks for the heads! I got caught up on my excitement and didn't bother reading the third option oops.

 

[NZerker12]

Sega is asking a very important question on Twitter. If you're like me and you want a collector's edition of Sonic Mania (or just a physical copy), then please vote here. It could happen.

Thanks, would definetely get it.

 

[TreIII]

Sega is asking a very important question on Twitter. If you're like me and you want a collector's edition of Sonic Mania (or just a physical copy), then please vote here. It could happen.

Thanks for the heads up. Did my part and voted!

But the fact that they even had to ask if it's something we wanted is (thankfully) the only backwards thing about Sonic Mania, so far.

 

[Bam Chowder]

Sega is asking a very important question on Twitter. If you're like me and you want a collector's edition of Sonic Mania (or just a physical copy), then please vote here. It could happen.

Literally created a Twitter account just to vote in this poll >.>

*dreams of a Genesis/Mega Drive-style collector's game case

 

[allenpergallon]

Apparently SEGA did a small test stream earlier in the day with Mania, and Iizuka came through as well answering some questions. Probably the biggest take away was the mention that there will be more classic re-imaginings than completely new levels, but there were also a few other comments on things like a new item taking the place of (Super) Emeralds and a confirmation on CD being included with the trilogy as a basis for levels/tropes/gimmicks (not sure if this wasn't already the case).

 

[mrmickfran]

Probably the biggest take away was the mention that there will be more classic re-imaginings than completely new levels, but there were also a few other comments on things like a new item taking the place of (Super) Emeralds and a confirmation on CD being included with the trilogy as a basis for levels/tropes/gimmicks (not sure if this wasn't already the case).

Not surprised with CD representation, just please, no Wacky Workbench or Collision Chaos.

 

[Piers]

Apparently SEGA did a small test stream earlier in the day with Mania, and Iizuka came through as well answering some questions. Probably the biggest take away was the mention that there will be more classic re-imaginings than completely new levels, but there were also a few other comments on things like a new item taking the place of (Super) Emeralds and a confirmation on CD being included with the trilogy as a basis for levels/tropes/gimmicks (not sure if this wasn't already the case).

Specifically the Super Emeralds? That's a little strange. I thought the whole reasoning for them was due to lock-on complications with S3&K

 

[Rlan]

I'm pretty disappointed that there will be more "reimagined" levels than new ones. The whole point of a new game is to... make a new game. Many, many games have just had very similar designs but completely new names. "Splash Hill", "Botanic Base" etc. It's not like the developer can't push out some amazing new levels, with Studiopolis.

Only two "real" games ago did we get re imagined levels in Generations, and Sonic: Lost World's Windy Hill is BASICALLY Green Hill anyway.

Feels more like Sega trying to cheapen the costs or trying really hard to hit that nostalgia pinch point. They could have done that without repeats, honestly.

Anyway - I'm sick today, and went and found two more very old "engine" tests by Stealth, and made a video of them!

Robotnik Attacks

Knuckles Ring Rush

 

[Opa-Pa]

Very disappointed at there being more classic stages than new ones since their inclusion was pretty much the only thing that didn't excite me about the game, but eh, what can you do. They probably want to play it somewhat safe with the nostalgia factor.

If the game does well tho, I can definitely see Whitehead and company being assigned the "classic" series to keep making games in the future to go with the modern ones. I hope so anyway.

 

[The Lone Dragon]

Getting to hear new versions of classic themes while playing updated versions of old stages doesn't really sound that bad to me.

Plus, they only said there will be MORE remade stages than new ones. There will still be new stages.

Hype still intact.

 

[Ristifer]

I was initially bothered by that revelation about more "remixed" zones, but Taxman has stated that Mania will be a big game. He also tweeted this earlier this morning:

"Yes there are more reinvented stages in Mania than brand new, but Mania is a big game so..."

I'm not worried.

 

[Stevey]

Hype is still through the roof for me

 

[Rabid-Coot]

Depends what more actually ends up meaning, the classics typically had a minimum of 6 zone styles with a maximum of 10. Getting 2 new and 4 remixed would be bad but say 8 new and 10 remixed would be more acceptable.

Considering how short the classics are by modern standards maybe including the reimaginings is the compromise needed to pad game length while keeping the budget reasonable.

 

[gelf]

It really depends on how many new zones we get. If its enough of them that when combined they would make a full MD game back in the day anyway then its no big deal if we have so many remixes as well. But if we only ended up with something like 3 new zones I'd be disappointed.

 

[Ferr986]

So then there's going to be more than 1 stage remixed per classic game I guess.

I expected 50/50, wish it was like that but oh well.

 

[Tarin02543]

I feel like a 90s kid again

This is the must have title for 2017.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

I feel like a 90s kid again

This is the must have title for 2017.

Thimbleweed Park and Sonic Mania in 2017

what a world

 

[Polioliolio]

Could be worse. When they first showed it, I had worried in the back of my mind that studiopolis might be the only brand new level.

Hoping we get at least 3 or 4 new zones.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

I'd hope for six new zones.

 

[Stat Flow]

I will be pleased regardless, I have faith in that. This game looks really good.

If this game does well, we can definitely expect a sequel with all new zones.

 

[Dusk Golem]

Depends what more actually ends up meaning, the classics typically had a minimum of 6 zone styles with a maximum of 10. Getting 2 new and 4 remixed would be bad but say 8 new and 10 remixed would be more acceptable.

Considering how short the classics are by modern standards maybe including the reimaginings is the compromise needed to pad game length while keeping the budget reasonable.

While he hasn't given an exact number of stages, he has said that Sonic Mania is longer and has more levels than Sonic Generation in the past. So at the very least the game has 10 stages (with two acts each), and it sounds like there may be even more. This doesn't talk about ratio or anything, but at the very least we can expect 10 stages and probably more it seems.

 

[MrBadger]

Apparently SEGA did a small test stream earlier in the day with Mania, and Iizuka came through as well answering some questions. Probably the biggest take away was the mention that there will be more classic re-imaginings than completely new levels, but there were also a few other comments on things like a new item taking the place of (Super) Emeralds and a confirmation on CD being included with the trilogy as a basis for levels/tropes/gimmicks (not sure if this wasn't already the case).

More remasters than new stages is a shame, but if the game really is bigger than Sonic Generations, it could have more or the same amount of original stages than your average Sonic game anyway, which tends to have around six or seven zones.

Also I wonder if CD representation means time travel. Not as a mechanic for the whole game obviously, but in some form.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I wish it was zero rehashed zones but what can u do?

 

[APZonerunner]

My guess is that there'll be 5 rehashed zones... one each from S1, 2, 3, &K and CD. Then four new ones. That'd be 9 stages (excluding special stages), which would be more than Sonic 1, CD, 3, and Knuckles if you count those two separately. It'd be less than Sonic 2, but this game also has 3-act stages, right? So there's one more level per zone than in Sonic 2.

 

[AssassiN]

Just tried this at EGX. My god I need this game now.

 

[ZenTzen]

I wish it was zero rehashed zones but what can u do?

i get this complaint, but the game is gonna be bigger than generations, and when the reimagined zones look like this

i dont really have that big of an issue, also dont forget that Green Hill Zone is supposedly the tamest of all the reimagined ones

 

[Ferr986]

My guess is that there'll be 5 rehashed zones... one each from S1, 2, 3, &K and CD. Then four new ones. That'd be 9 stages (excluding special stages), which would be more than Sonic 1, CD, 3, and Knuckles if you count those two separately. It'd be less than Sonic 2, but this game also has 3-act stages, right? So there's one more level per zone than in Sonic 2.

I think it's 2 acts per zone.

 

[VariantX]

i get this complaint, but the game is gonna be bigger than generations, and when the reimagined zones look like this

i dont really have that big of an issue, also dont forget that Green Hill Zone is supposedly the tamest of all the reimagined ones

Thats kind of cool that GHZ 1 in mania is bigger than GHZ 1-2 in sonic 1 combined with the extra underground path. And the level itself isn't even finished yet. Havent even considered the possibility of areas that only certain characters can reach too if that mechanic made it into this game from sonic 3&K

 

[DICKS AHOY]

I'm gonna guess:

Green Hill: Sonic 1
Chemical Plant: Sonic 2 (I feel these two since they're so iconic would've been mandated by Sonic Team to be included, which is sort of annoying given Generations already featured them prominently)
Hydrocity: Sonic 3 (Music for Ice Cap is probably still in MJ copyright limbo, Hydrocity remix in Generations seems to indicate it's not affected. Also holds the distinction of being the only water stage people actually like in the old Sonic games.)
Flying Battery: Sonic & Knuckles (Most iconic zone that wasn't already in Generations)
Stardust Speedway: Sonic CD (Most iconic zone from SCD, was *barely* in Generations)
Botanic Garden: Knuckles Chaotix (I reckon they'll throw a curve ball and have this game get a call out, since one of its items and its overall art style is already being used in Mania)
Sky Chase: Sonic 2 (Icon and easy to make, also makes for a good transition to the final level and gives the most popular classic Sonic game more representation)

7 classic levels, 6 new levels. Seems fair enough if they can remix up the old stuff well enough. Regardless, these people have more than earned the benefit of the doubt over this for me. I also feel like Sonic CD was directly acknowledged as getting a level representation in the original press release? It was definitely listed alongside the other classic games, and unlike Generations Sonic 3/& Knuckles weren't grouped together.

 

[Tizoc]

Here's a better idea:
5-6 completely new Zones
at least 5 re-imagined old Zones.
As many Zones as Sonic 3&K and the re-imagined stages (sans GHZ) can be bonus Zones you unlock or unlocked post game.

 

[MrBadger]

I'd be pretty bummed out if we got Chemical Plant again. But if it was a Sonic Team game, it'd be that or Casino Night.

For whatever reason, I have it in my head that they're going to do Aquatic Ruin. The reason being that for the level design, they're focusing on giving every stage three distinct paths, and that stage stands out to me as the best example of that in Sonic 2. How if you're good, you never have to go in the water.

 

[Ferr986]

I would say the ratio will be more towards reimagined levels than not just 1 level of difference between old and new.

 

[Zalman]

I hope they skip Chemical Plant. It was already in Generations, and I never liked that stage to begin with.

Flying Battery would be great just for the music alone.

 

[Billy Lee]

Thats kind of cool that GHZ 1 in mania is bigger than GHZ 1-2 in sonic 1 combined with the extra underground path. And the level itself isn't even finished yet. Havent even considered the possibility of areas that only certain characters can reach too if that mechanic made it into this game from sonic 3&K

The reason why I prefer Sonic 2 to 3 is because Sonic 3's levels were too big. Sonic 2's levels were just the right length and I didn't get lost. Bigger isn't always better.

 

[Dusk Golem]

My outlandish guess is that there are 11-13 stages (2 acts each) to match the number of Sonic 3 & Knuckles (and even slightly surpass since S3&K had some 1 act stages), which is why he is saying it's a huge game (since if it reaches this number, it'd be the most stages in any Sonic game).

I predict that there are 7-8 returning zones, and 4-6 new zones.

Those are my bets for now. Maybe optimistic, but we shall see,

 

[Hot Coldman]

I hope they skip Chemical Plant. It was already in Generations, and I never liked that stage to begin with.

Flying Battery would be great just for the music alone.

Sonic 1: GHZ and Scrap Brain
Sonic 2: Mystic Cave and Metropolis
Sonic CD: Collision Chaos and Stardust Speedway
Sonic 3: Hydrocity and Ice Cap
Sonic & Knuckles: Flying Battery and Lava Reef
Sonic 4:

Spoiler

lol just kidding

Those are my dream picks. But that might be expecting too much from each game. I'd take the first pick for each at least.

 

[VariantX]

The reason why I prefer Sonic 2 to 3 is because Sonic 3's levels were too big. Sonic 2's levels were just the right length and I didn't get lost. Bigger isn't always better.

I don't have a problem with bigger in this case since it looks like you can get to the end pretty damn quickly. You're just going in one direction here but you're given multiple ways of getting all to the same endpoint. If the level asked you to go backwards as much as forwards then I'd have a problem with this.

 

[DICKS AHOY]

Also would I be right in assuming everybody else is expecting the cut Desert Dazzle from Taxman's Sonic CD remaster to show up here? Way too nice art to leave it to rot.

Sonic 4:

Spoiler

lol just kidding

You joke, but it'd be sort of neat to see them translate something from 4's god awful art style to really snazzy pixel art, and White Park or Oil Desert had enough unique things going for them that they could be pretty cool in a game that wasn't janky as all get out.

 

[Berordn]

I hope they skip Chemical Plant. It was already in Generations, and I never liked that stage to begin with.

Studiopolis seems to be filling the niche of both Chemical Plant and Casinopolis anyway. Not exact since there's nothing like the rising water and pinball but it's a rampy, vertical stage full of toys and visual gimmicks and borrows a few of Chemical Plant's gameplay elements like the springboards and if you stretch with me for a second - the TV Van is basically pipes.

Also would I be right in assuming everybody else is expecting the cut Desert Dazzle from Taxman's Sonic CD remaster to show up here? Way too nice art to leave it to rot.

I was surprised it wasn't one of the first things they'd shown. They've already put too much work in it not to use it.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Ohhhh, right, Desert Dazzle as a "CD" zone would be so perfect. They should do that.

 

[Piers]

Sonic 1: GHZ and Scrap Brain
Sonic 2: Mystic Cave and Metropolis
Sonic CD: Collision Chaos and Stardust Speedway
Sonic 3: Hydrocity and Ice Cap
Sonic & Knuckles: Flying Battery and Lava Reef
Sonic 4:

Spoiler

lol just kidding

Those are my dream picks. But that might be expecting too much from each game. I'd take the first pick for each at least.

Given M&S Winter Olympics, Generations and S&ASRT, I'm guessing they'll try and push for Sky Sanctuary as the representation for S3&K again. Unfortunately.