Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most iconic video game character in the industry. At one point, even being more popular than Mickey Mouse. While Sonic the Hedgehog has not been the most relevant in past years, SEGA did recently update Sonic Mania, which released back on August 15, 2017. Sonic Mania Plus is the same classic sonic gameplay fans have known and love, and Sonic Mania Plus is quite the expansion on the original game. First off, Sonic Mania Plus has both a Mania Mode and an Encore Mode. Mania Mode is the original Sonic Mania that was released last year, and it is still as fun now as it was then.
Sonic Mania is a mix of classic levels from Sonic 1, 2, 3 and knuckles, as well as a handful of brand new stages. The old stages are remixed for modern day consoles, and the new stages feel like they would be right at home on the SEGA Saturn. Players can choose from five characters, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and new characters Mighty and Ray. Mighty and Ray have been part of the Sonic Universe since the mid-90s, but are now fully playable in their first 2D sidescrolling adventure.
Encore Mode is essentially Mania Mode levels, recolored, and have a new lives system. Rather than losing all your rings, and then getting injured; the game relies on a buddy system for lives, and when you lose all of your buddies, its its game over. It's an interesting mechanic that will cause player to change between all five playable characters, and thus learn each character effectively. There are Television Boxes to change characters and bring characters back into the game, so do not feel if the game is difficult or unintuitive at times.
Reviewing Sonic Mania Plus is difficult because there really is not a lot to say. If the game looks fun for a minute, it will be fun for the hour or two it will take to beat it. Replayability is the name of the game, and while certain levels do not hold up in terms of replayability, most of the levels are open ended enough to where there will always be something new each new playthrough. There is also a Sound Test for players to listen to the music of the game. The game also feature 4-player Split Screen Competition Mode.
The Plus DLC is $4.99, but it offers essentially a whole new game. It is definitely a title worth picking up for anyone who is a fan of sidescrollers. It is colorful, dynamic, uses modern day technology to its finest, and is a blast to play. As well, there is a physical version of Sonic Mania Plus that is the game with the DLC on disc/cartridge available for purchase, if you would prefer to own it that way.
8/10
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