Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-Inspired Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, developed by Starteam, is a captivating Sonic the Hedgehog fan game echoing the spirit and style of the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. This homage to classic Sonic gameplay taps into the enduring love for pixel art and retro platforming within the dedicated Sonic community.

The game builds upon the legacy of Sonic Mania, a beloved 25th-anniversary title that redefined 2D Sonic. While a true sequel never materialized due to shifts in Sonic Team's artistic direction and the developers' pursuit of new projects, Sonic Galactic steps in to fill the void. It embraces the timeless appeal of Sonic Mania's pixel art style, a feature highly valued by many fans, in contrast to the 3D approach of Sonic Superstars.

Developed over four years, with its initial unveiling at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, Sonic Galactic imagines a 32-bit era Sonic game, conceptually akin to a hypothetical Sega Saturn release. It meticulously recreates the feel of classic Genesis titles while incorporating unique elements.

Gameplay and Characters:

The recently released second demo offers a substantial gameplay experience. Players can control the iconic trio – Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles – across new zones. Joining the roster are two exciting additions: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble), seeking revenge against Dr. Eggman, and the all-new Tunnel the Mole, hailing from Illusion Island.

Each playable character boasts unique pathways within each zone, mirroring the branching level design of Sonic Mania. The special stages maintain the Mania spirit, challenging players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a complete playthrough of Sonic's levels takes approximately an hour, the additional characters offer roughly an hour of combined gameplay, resulting in a total playtime of a couple of hours for the demo. This substantial offering provides a significant taste of what Starteam has created.