Why does she have a human name when everyone else is called things like ‘Ulala’ and Pudding? It introduced me to Sonic’s extended cast, like Amy Rose. Tom: Actually I have played this one as well and it’s pretty good, given the lack of Mario Kart on PC. Fans will disagree, but I reckon this is the only really great one since Sonic 2. The bouncy Portal jelly in the new Chemical Plant Zone is an example of this, pinging Sonic around the level like a mad pinball. It has the speed and mind-twisting level design of Sonic 2, but keeps things interesting with imaginative boss design and one-shot gimmicks that never outstay their welcome. But as a pure expression of what a Sonic game is, Mania nails it. Phil: You sound like that wank in every Nike advert who won't shut up about how spiritual running is.Īndy: You just don’t get it, Phil. It’s about quick-fire reactions and choosing the fastest route through the level. It’s about keeping the pace, maintaining the rhythm. You just sort of run right and press jump every so often and sort of hope the game just completes itself.Īndy: I won’t stand by and watch Sonic be reduced to merely ‘running right’.

Phil: What happened, Tom, is you played a Sonic game.

How do we have so many opinions about this? Then I sort of completed the level by accident. Then I hit a giant hoop and chased a floating thing around a 3D racing track. I went really fast down a hill and did a loop. Tom Senior: This is the only Sonic game I have played. The lack of a spin dash only adds to its charm. I've never been so angry about PC Gamer's content.Īndy: You gotta respect your elders. We're ranking this one above Sonic 3 & Knuckles? It doesn't even have a spin dash! If you want to curl into a ball you've got to run and then crouch, like a rube. You spend a bit too long in the same places here. Also, going from three levels per world to two in the second game was a smart decision. My one problem with Sonic 1 was the use of the colour purple in Marble Zone. I could replay these levels over and over again. Sonic and Sonic 2 are the only two classics in my opinion. Samuel: I don't know what Andy's talking about, because this is the only one I was able to finish as a kid without cheats. Man, writing about games back then must’ve been really difficult. It hasn’t aged as well as Sonic 2, but it’s still just a really good Sonic game. But it’s still a really well-designed platformer, even if the levels aren’t quite as wildly rollercoaster-like as the sequel.

The Labyrinth Zone in particular is a nightmare of lava, spikes, and metal crushers. Andy: I replayed this recently and I was surprised by how difficult it is.

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