The Best Game of August 2017: Sonic Mania
Read the Review!
Editor in Chief Ed McGlone: Up until Sonic Mania was in the hands of the masses, many jaded Sonic fans and observers of the franchise believed that the Sonic franchise was too tarnished to ever return to its high point of the 90s. While the series certainly has improved since the low mark that was Sonic ’06, the newer Modern Sonic gameplay has remained divisive. However Sonic Mania has delivered the first unequivocal hit for the Blue Blur in a long time.
For fans of “Classic Sonic” it’s the perfect return to form. The gameplay feels exactly like the original Genesis games but is loaded with new experiences. There are both old and new stages, but the returning stages have acts that are remixed to the point that they are essentially brand new zones with a fresh coat of nostalgic paint. It masterfully mixes all of the best moments of the Genesis (and Sonic CD) games and does it intelligently. Sonic Mania never beats you over the head with references and instead you’ll find yourself smiling and nodding as you whiz by a familiar Badnik or level mechanic.
Between playing through the main mode with the three different characters and various combinations, gathering up the Chaos Emeralds, uploading your fastest times to an online leaderboard, or playing with a friend in a Sonic 2 style versus mode, there’s a ton to do in what is a $20 package.
Sonic Mania is the ultimate return to form for the franchise and hopefully is a pivot point toward more great games for the franchise.
That does it for our August 2017 Game of the Month. Congratulations to Sonic Mania! What do you think were the best games from last month? Let us know in the comments.
