Analyzing Sonic Mania's Trailer

Recently SEGA announced a new Sonic game that will take Sonic back to his 2D roots and deliver a classic experience. Unlike Project Needlemouse Sonic Mania is an entirely 2D game with modern updates, new and old zones, and modern mechancis such as the dash drop. What else is happening in this trailer though, lets analyze it.

Sonic CD Influence

It seems that much of Sonic's animations will come from Sonic CD. Everything from the run animation to when Sonic leaps into the air with a spring jump comes from the Sega CD game. Perhaps we'll also see the return of the standing charge when Sonic builds up speed without have to use crotch and perform the spin dash.

Bonus Stage Returns

In one part of the trailer we see Sonic inside what appears a point multiplier machine. Different colored balls with symbols ranging with different multiplers and an Robotnik symbol are seen, which means that the bonus stages from the classic games are returning. We can see in the gameplay trailer for Green Hill Zone that the original checkpoint system has returned.

This could also mean that Chaos Emeralds will become optional, similar to the classic games and Sonic Episode 1 and Episode 2.

Optional Paths

For those unaware of Sonic lore, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 not only introduced Miles "Tails" Prower but allowed players to pick their character and play as Tails. However it wasn't until Sonic & Knuckles, when players could choose to play as Knuckles, that other paths were opened to the player. As Knuckles players could take on different routes because of his ability to climb, glide, and break down walls. Opening new sections of the map.

If Sonic Mania is going to allow us to play as one of these three characters we can assume that other paths in each stage will be available based on each character's skills. 

Trailer Stages Could Hint at Future Zones

The trailer highlighted that new and old zones will be part of Sonic Mania, with Green Hill Zone being the first confirmed stage. However in the beginning of the trailer not only did we see Green Hill Zone but Aquatic Ruin Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Flying Battery from Sonic and Knuckles, Green Grove from Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R's Radical City. Emerald Coast from Sonic Adventure, City Escape from Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes' Ocean Palace, and Eggman Land from Sonic Unleashed. 

Now these could be a long-shot but these levels were chosen to be part of the trailer. And seeing that Green Hill Zone, which has a gameplay trailer for Sonic Mania, perhaps SEGA was hinting that these stages are coming to Sonic Mania. The only disappointing thing about this theory is that Ice Cap zone wasn't featured.

Sonic Mania will launch for Xbox One, PS4, and PC Spring 2017. If you're still waiting for SEGA to announce Sonic Adventure 3 click here to find out why it isn't happening.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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