Sega just released a new chunk of gameplay footage from Sonic Mania, the upcoming Sonic game that looks to recapture the speedy hedgehog’s former days of glory. The new game is stylized like a long-lost Genesis title, but is built with HD, widescreen televisions in mind. The new videos show more of the updated take on the iconic Green Hill Zone.
As the first stage in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Green Hill Zone is the most recognizable setting in the entire series. The new clip shows off a brief snippet of gameplay, featuring the familiar branching paths, loops, and springs. But Sonic Mania isn’t just a port or a remake — it’s an entirely new game in its own right. So while the style is inspired by the original Green Hill Zone, the stage has been totally overhauled as a remix, incorporating new routes to explore and secrets to find. The music, thankfully, remains intact.
The video also shows elements that Sonic Mania borrows from other entries in the series. Sonic’s friend, Miles “Tails” Prower is seen following him as in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — and he is available for semi-cooperative play. The stage is speckled with the elemental shields and ziplines from Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Sonic has a few new moves and visual touches, including a subtle high-speed motion blur that would have been impossible on actual Genesis hardware.
Or, to put it in simpler terms: it’s another encouraging look at how Sonic Mania is blending the old and the new, and might actually be the first Sonic game in years to live up to the hype. (Yes, Sonic Colors was pretty good. We know.)
Sonic Mania is expected to release sometime this spring.
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