SEGA announced at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend thatSonic Maniawill include bonus stages reminiscent of those found in Sonic CD.
Additionally, SEGA released a screenshot of the bonus stage, along with its theme, titled “Dimension Heist”, on YouTube. Like previously released tracks fromSonic Mania, the new theme is composed by the talented Tee Lopes and mixed/mastered by Falk Au Yeong.
Those who have playedSonic CDwill notice the similarities right away. This is all done with intent, of course, asSonic Maniaborrows heavily from, inarguably, the greatest era of Sonic the Hedgehog games, the 90s – even includingupdated versions of classic stages.
Sonic the Hedgehoggames haven’t really wowed audiences in quite some time. The series had a dreadfully awkward phase where the blue hedgehog was wielding swords and turning into a werewolf, which ended up unintentionally distancing itself from its fanbase. There were more recent attempts to modernize the franchise, such asSonic Boom, but they justweren’t hitting the marksfans wanted.
WithSonic Mania, however, the series is going back to its roots, and the reception has been much more positive. While it may seem as if SEGA is merely plucking at familiar nostalgic chords to make sales, a closer look at the game will convince you otherwise. The game’smost recent trailerdoes a good job of previewing what players can look forward to, which includes new stages, reimagined classic stages, and very catchy new music tracks.
SEGA appears to be listening to fans for this title, which is boding well for it. In fact, much of the game’s soundtrack is composed by Tee Lopes, a fan who once made remixes of Sonic tunes one YouTube. Instead of shutting him down, SEGA hired the guy, and he’s really helped capture the style thatSonic Maniais going for through his music. His stuff can easily go toe-to-toe with some of the series' greatest, like Sonic 3’s Ice Cap Zone theme.
Sonic Maniawill launch for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in Summer 2017.
