Instead, players have to gather their allies and are given the option to switch between them to use their different abilities. Along with the layout and appearance of courses, the special stage rings have also been changed. First, the lives system has been eliminated. RELATED: How Sonic's Success Differs From MarioĪnother new feature is Encore Mode, which changes a lot of the traditional systems within each course. Both Mighty and Ray come with pros and cons that keep the gameplay fresh and offer opportunities for players to explore unseen areas of each course. If Ray dives, he can regain his momentum and reach even greater heights. He can fly upward, but over time, he will lose speed.

Rather than worrying about exhaustion, Ray operates on momentum. Like Tails, Ray has the ability to fly, but his methods are different than those of Sonic's best friend. For example, Mighty comes with a Hammer Drop attack that shatters the ground, while his shell offers protection from spikes when he's in ball form. Their additions to Sonic Mania are not only unexpected, but they also offer some gameplay variety.Įach character possesses unique abilities that make traversing a course either faster or safer.

While they've never fully been forgotten, they also get far less attention than characters like Tails and Knuckles. The duo first appeared in the arcade game SegaSonic the Hedgehog. The biggest draw of the Encore DLC is the addition of two obscure Sonic characters, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. RELATED: Sonic Colors: Ultimate - Trailer, Plot, Release Date & News to Know Still, some may be on the fence about paying for it. However, Encore takes these classic modes and adds new versions that are both a nod to the past and a view of how things have changed for the better. The game is available for free on the Epic Games Store until July 1, allowing gamers to explore yet another Sonic adventure, meaning the real question is not buying the game, but whether or not to buy the Encore DLC.Īt the base level, Sonic Mania offers many features that harken back to the early years of Sonic, such as a time attack mode and competitive multiplayer. This fan-made adventure got the series back on track with a totally original story, showing that Sonic isn't out of the race yet. In 2017, Sonic Mania brought back the 16-bit era of Sonic in classic fashion.

Sonic mania tails