Sonic Mania Reviews
Very few stones have been left unturned to create what is a contender for the best Sonic title ever made. More than just an anniversary celebration, Sonic Mania is full of fresh ideas, balancing its source material and addition of all-new elements to elevate it beyond many other platformers that rely heavily on the same old formulas. It is a great pity that Sonic 4 exists, because no game deserves that name more than Sonic Mania; this is the Sonic 4 you have all been waiting for. The hope now is that it does not prove to be a one-off; a sequel with even more original zones and ideas needs to happen down the line. For now, though, it is a time to appreciate Sonic Mania and the incredible work Christian Whitehead and his fellow developers have done.
Sonic Mania proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sonic is better in 2D. Mania cleverly leans on the best of Sonic’s past while also carving its own path for a bright future for the blue blur. Welcome back Sonic.
So is Sonic Mania good? Yeah, it’s awesome. Is it the best Sonic game ever? No, Sonic 3 & Knuckles is. Is the Sonic Cycle broken? Probably not, Sonic Forces is due out later this year and looks like more of the third-person rubbish that we’re now so sadly used to.
If you liked classic Sonic, you'll love Sonic Mania. If you've never played a platformer and don't understand why people are so excited for a game with graphics that your electric toothbrush can render, you might want to skip it.
Sonic Mania is quite possibly the best blue blur experience in over twenty years. What Christian Whitehead, Headcannon, and Pagoda West Games have accomplished is nothing short of breathtaking, and it most certainly steers the Sonic franchise back on course. Now, we can only cross our fingers that both the flawless quality and overwhelming success of Sonic Mania will result in a series of future franchise entries within this style.
Sonia Mania is a refreshing attempt to bring the spotlight back on 2D Sonic games. It easily rivals the original Sonic trilogy in term of the level design and boss fights.
Sonic Mania is one of those games that many thought would never happen. A true sequel to Sonic and Knuckles that takes the series to new heights, this is the 2D arcade platformer that everyone who owned a Genesis has been waiting for.
It was so simple, yet so difficult. Sonic Mania succeeds where others did not: it delivers the gameplay experience of the original games with a format made possible by today's technology and an immense wealth of creativity that when put together make this an exquisite Sonic game, a fitting follow up to the 16-bit originals and one to leave a legacy for the future.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The fantastic stage design, gorgeous visuals and inspiring music of the early Sonic games have been brilliantly translated, with all the new additions seamlessly gelling with the old. Mania is an absolute must for any self-proclaimed Sonic fan and ranks high even just as a platformer in this generations of consoles. The blue blur has truly returned to his former glory.
Sonic Mania is the Sonic game fans have been wanting. It hits all the notes (and problems) the originals had. But it is also why the series has remained relevant for so long. It delivers speed, fun, and chaos (no pun intended) all in one package. It also finally removes the stigma that all Sonic games are terrible. Let's hope Forces is as well polished and enjoyable as Mania is.
Sonic Mania is a love letter to the past while keeping its eyes toward the future of the franchise.
From level design, to the art and music, Sonic Mania gets a lot of things right. For once, we have a Sonic game that does justice to the iconic character and the franchise.
Sonic Mania is a love letter thoughtfully crafted for fans of the series' early romp in 2D, which the game follows to perfection. Admittedly, some of the game's mechanics have not aged well and might be cumbersome for some. If you love the classic gameplay, however, and want to experience it through larger areas littered with multiple paths and secret nooks and crannies, you'll want to spin dash your way to this one.
Sonic Mania has everything you could ever want from a Sonic game. The levels are carefully crafted, the bosses are unique, and the fanservice is off the charts. Those looking for the second coming of SEGA's mascot have found it here.
It has taken a fan game to bring Sonic back to where he belongs – a two-dimensional platformer full of thrills, spills and 90s gaming nostalgia
What was old has become new, showing that Sonic can deliver a thrilling adventure without gimmicks such as werewolves and fishing mini-games. Instead, Sonic Mania is a revival of this retro star at this best, and I hope SEGA makes more.
The bugs and glitches betray its modern gaming background, but otherwise Sonic Mania is an absolute masterclass in how to rejuvenate an iconic series without either straying too far from its roots or essentially repeating a stale and tired formula.
Even though it's not the Genesis version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Mania does a lot of good things right. Christian Whitehead and Simon Thomley put out a beautiful love letter to Sonic fans from the Genesis and Advance eras of Sonic 2D platformers. The nods to all of SEGA's classic titles, the innovative boss fights, the merging of several classic levels, all of it proves that to capture the pure essence of Sonic the Hedgehog, sometimes it is good to simply go back to the basics...
In the end, I really enjoyed Sonic Mania. The 16-bit adventure is a true return to form for the series, and an installment that many fans have been waiting for since Sonic 3 and Knuckles. The gripes are minor, but the fun is major. And at a modest $20 price tag, you really can't go wrong picking the game up.