![]() One of the big changes includes the ability to toggle the 10 minute time limit. The need to explore can become a bit of pain especially when looking for the Chaos Emeralds or learning the layouts. Instead the developers took to ease some of the more prominent issues with the level design bringing better balance to gameplay flow. Players frustrated with some of the games quirks and weirdness such as being pinched between objects and scenery will find those elements have remained the same. The overall engine has remained the same. You’ll get the same game modes from the main game with Encore Mode which features it’s own save slots due to it’s own alterations to gameplay. This may set off red flags for obsessive compulsive types wanting to see the old material, but the new layouts and animations fit in quite well. Starting the game up from your retail copy or after updating your digital copy, you’ll not only notice the title screen change but you’ll also get to experience the slightly overhauled main menu making way for the new features. Encore Mode provides a greater challenge over the original Mania Mode. One benefit to owning the game if you’ve already played through Mania your save data will carry over from the digital version, but to play the Plus content you’ll need to buy it for your digital copy or just play the game with your physical copy in your system. Perhaps this is because of my choice of the Nintendo Switch version encased in a traditional smaller retail box for Switch games held in place by a smaller piece of cardboard to space between the game box and the art book right behind that isn’t even able to fit inside a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One game case. Sadly the physical box for my review copy came in a little beat up during shipping. The art book covers more insight talking about the art direction and level design in the game, the animated video sequences as well as model sheets from the online Sonic Mania Adventures video series. The box itself has the game, a reversible cover with a Mega Drive or Genesis box art depending on your region as well as a 32-page art book covering more concept art and sketch hog drawings over the introduction manual that was given out at conventions. Possibly the most significant new thing to gratify collectors and opponents of digital distribution alike is the fact that Sonic Mania can now rest on your shelf for the platform of your choice on a disc or cartridge. This is ideal for those who have mastered Sonic Mania along with more features that are enticing to newcomers and the small price is like leaving a generous tip at your favorite walk-in restaurant. While there is one new level the Plus content is more of a remix of what all is available. ![]() The Plus in Sonic Mania refers to the fact that it really is just more of Sonic Mania. Whether you’re buying into Mania for the first time or looking to check out Encore Mode with Ray and Mighty, this review will cover what’s changed and what’s new. This includes revised boss patterns, updated level layouts to accommodate for the new characters and making certain challenges easier to handle. Surprisingly the development team also saw fit to make changes to the main game to tighten up the experience in some areas which does not need the Plus expansion. If you want to know more about the main game, you can read about those thoughts in Neo’s original review. A lot of it’s key points remain the same here, such as sharing significant connections with the development team that could show bias in this review. Much of what you come to expect from Mania echoes from Neo Hazard’s review when the game originally released. SEGA was kind enough to give us a Nintendo Switch copy for review a week before launch. SEGA is giving you several ways to experience Sonic Mania Plus, the expansion for the original Sonic Mania coming out for all digital releases of the game including Steam as well as disc and cart based versions for all consoles containing the full game and the Plus content. After it became quite possibly the best commercial iteration of 2D Sonic, SEGA thought it would be best to entice players with not just added content but also a reason for players to put it on their shelf. Sonic Team took a risk with passionate independent developers has paid off. ![]() SEGA seems quite happy with the success of last year’s release of Sonic Mania.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |