Yeah, there's no reason to think, based on what we've seen, that what that guy was describing was anything more than a bonus stage. Although I'm with you guys, the only way I'd be happy with a half-pipe special stage is if it was more in line with Sonic 3D Blast on the Saturn. Which, given Mania's Saturn-inspired aesthetics, might actually work nicely. Side note, I ordered a Saturn USB pad that got here the other day, both to replace my broken one and to play Sonic Mania on. Can't freakin' wait! EDIT: Snipe'd by Taxman, haha. No surprise, there, so assuming that guy is remembering what he saw correctly, we can probably infer that both Blue Spheres and the half-pipe are bonus stages. To respond to Chaud, for me the special stage preference order might look like this: 3D Blast Saturn > Sonic CD > Sonic 3 > Sonic 2 > 3D Blast Genesis > Sonic 1.
I think it's likely, given what we've seen so far, that the special stages from Sonic 1, 2, CD and 3&K have been modified to return in a non-special stage context. It would make sense given this is a celebration of those classic games, while also being a new classic Sonic game (hence a new special stage). The question is, how will they be modified and what will the purpose be? The bonus stages in S3K were very short and simple, designed for collecting shields, rings and lives. I could see the half-pipe being adapted for that sort of thing, but blue sphere...? I'm not so sure.
The only thing made by us that anyone outside of the Dev team or SEGA has ever had the chance to play or even see that has the Sonic 2 Special Stage in it is the Sonic 2 Remaster. None of the public demo showings have ever had any Special or Bonus Stages available Taking in this guy's full commentary, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he hasn't even actually played Mania at all (at least sober)...
Since you're here, can you guys push for SEGA to announce the number of (full) zones that Mania's going to have? Some of us want to finish calibrating our hype meter, and then get out of here before any more acts are shown.
They are probably more concerned with finishing the game instead of telling their publisher how to market the game.
Well, now I just feel like an asshole... This new background seems to be halfway between the two available in Sonic 3 Complete in terms of colour. Coincidence, or yet another reference to pre-release content?
I figured he didn't know what he was talking about, considering he couldn't remember Sonic 3D Blast was also on the Saturn!
I'm thinking the classic special stages are now bonus stages concept has a hefty chance of becoming real. On one hand that's cool; it fits. S3&K had 3 bonus stages. S&K revisited an earlier style of special stage. Mania is doing the revisit thing. On the other hand, I am simply really bored of them, even if they're new layouts. If they mixed them up severely that feeling could change, but.. would they mix them up severely? I'd need smooth rotation and curves in Sonic 1's'; rolling in Sonic 2's, and I don't know... tron-style moving obstacles in Sonic 3's. If they're just the same old stages I'll be a fair bit disappointed. It will be the one (three) part(s) of Mania that I just won't want to bother playing.
Contary to popular belief most people are not well-versed in early 1990s Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff titles or their platforms
Even if I agreed with that, I am like 1000% fed up with the half-pipe by now; that's basically 100% for every time they've rehashed it. I really really want to see something new for a special stage in Mania that isn't like Lost World 3DS Spoiler Also Sonic Rush did the half-pipe best, fight me
Mania is hitting at just the right time. A little late, but better late than never. I honestly just can't make the effort to try and enjoy Modern Sonic anymore. It would have been very sad to hang up my "Sonic hat" after all these years. It's part of my identity...
Sonic Colors DS special stage also brought an Interesting twist to the halfipipe formula, you navegate the same section three times!
This may sound strange, but the Boost gameplay kind of feels like a more polished and expanded version of the Sonic 2 halfpipe to me. It's behind the back, you're constantly running forward, and your primary challenge is to time your jumps and move left and right out of the way of obstacles. Only in the Boost games, I feel way more in control.
I'll probably be among the few who enjoy the Sonic 4 Ep.2 version of the halfpipe. It's not only pretty looking in HD but also kind of challenging in its own way.
