Sonic Mania

Gameplay – 9.5/10

Sonic Mania does the Sonic the Hedgehog thing and reinterprets it in a way with love and care for the original canon. Certainly, under any references one can think of, it is about bringing back a period in any narrow-angle play, so that all tight controls, speedy platforming, and creative-level designs could be thought of as extensions of the Sega Genesis-era experience.

With Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles each boasting unique abilities- Sonic has a drop dash which introduces some really fun new momentum-based gameplay, Tails can fly and Knuckles can glide and climb walls, making for some very diversified play-throughs. All-new zones such as Studiopolis and Press Garden are truly amazing, while the legacy levels remixed such as Green Hill Zone add new twists and expanded layouts.

The boss battles displayed a lot of creativity, catching players completely off-guard with mechanics from Sonic games of the past. The difficulty curve appears well-curved but could spike at some later zones. Special stages like those modeled on Sonic CD and Sonic 3, promise to be added fun while collecting the requisite chaos emeralds after transforming from blue hedgehog to Super Sonic.

Graphics & Art Style – 10/10

Gorgeous pixel-perfect sprite works captures the feeling of classic Sonic and incorporates modern frills such as smoother animations, richer backgrounds, and dazzling effects into Sonic Mania. The game plays at the maximum frame rate of 60 FPS, creating a fluid speed for platforming action.

Each zone is a forest of vivid colours, parallax scrolling, and stunning pixel art making the game a truly beautiful visual experience. The very definition of a retro aesthetics masterclass, 2D Sonic has never looked so good.

Sound & Music – 10/10

One of the finest soundtracks in the whole Sonic franchise, Sonic Mania spreads its wings with a beautiful composition by Tee Lopes. Wonderful classic tunes remixed into energetic, catchy, and perfectly fitting new tracks for high-speed actions of Sonic.

The sound effects stay true to the classic games, with nostalgic jump, ring, and spin dash sounds that hit all the right notes. Zones such as Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon have particularly great music, making it a treat for the ears.

Story & Atmosphere – 8/10

The game has Dr. Eggman and his Hard-Boiled Heavies, a bunch of rogue robots, chase after the mysterious Phantom Ruby. The game employs short animated cutscenes which fit the Sonic mythology in minimum but effective storytelling.

At one end, it is the purely Sonic nostalgia. It mixes the best of what is old with fresh surprises. Something fans will really love about it is how it contains the nostalgic callbacks, hidden references, and Easter eggs throughout the game.

Replayability – 9/10

With several playable characters and secret paths, a time attack mode, and an encore mode that can be unlocked, Sonic Mania will go a long way in replay value. With the Competition Mode, races can be done with friends, and the Co-op Mode allows a second player to control Tails.

Finding all Chaos Emeralds while taking alternate paths and unlocking other secrets would result in the need for more than one playthrough. Compounded with the existing level variations and challenges from the Encore DLC, that makes it even more replayable.

Final Verdict – 9.5/10

Sonic Mania is best 2D Sonic game since 90, capturing everything fans appreciated about the originals, but with more modern polish and new ideas. It's a love letter to classic Sonic, with tight controls, stunning visuals, and an absolutely fantastic soundtrack. Whether you've been a long fan of Sonic or are just starting to discover it, Sonic Mania is one title that should not be missed.