Sonic Mania dubbed highest rated Sonic game in 15 years
The Switch version edges out the PS4, Xbox One versions
To no one’s surprise Tuesday, Sonic Mania became the most critically-acclaimed Sonic game since Sonic Adventure 2. The PlayStation 4 version of Mania proved to be highly favorable on Metacritic, as it scored an 86 based on 45 reviews, whilst the Xbox One version received an 84 based on 10 reviews. The Nintendo Switch version, however, currently has the highest rating with an 89 score.
EGM awarded Mania a 9.0 out of 10, with Mollie L. Patterson raving:
Sega took a chance in letting a longtime Sonic fan and a few smaller dev teams bring the original 16-bit iteration of their mascot back into the modern era, and the result is Sonic Mania, one of the purest and most enjoyable Sonic games we’ve ever been given. The question isn’t if this experiment in reviving classic Sonic was successful or not—the question is what happens next.
– Mollie L. Patterson, EGM
Heidi Kemps of IGN gave the game a score of 8.7, praising its vivid, neon-colored graphics and the new challenges added to every stage.
It truly is the classic throwback longtime series fans have been clamoring for, but there’s plenty to love here even if you didn’t grow up with a Genesis. Sonic Mania is a stellar example of a retro revival done right.
– Heidi Kemps, IGN
Of course, there are no PC reviews as of yet because the game has been delayed until late August.
I haven’t picked up Mania myself yet, but when I do get to play it, I’ll appreciate Sonic’s history even more than I did in my fandom of nearly 15 years.
It is great to see all the positive reviews for this Sonic game. It seems like such a no brainer to give the fans what they have wanted for years. I really wonder what was the roadblock all these years?
The roadblock was the executives that only cared about profits. Sonic 06 was the start of a nasty decline that resulted from the game being rushed for a 15th anniversary game. Ever since then, nearly every game was rushed to meet an unnecesary deadline.
I assumed that too. But one would think once they saw that sales and reviews were not what they were hoping for, they would change course (unless people were still buying it anyway). Why would the executives be so hard headed? I mean if profit was my only goal, I would want to release what will sell, not what I think will sell. I am sure sales of Sonic Mania will be very profitable.
I think that Zelda BotW is an excellent example of superficial deadline being unnecessary resulting in a great game.
Q: “I really wonder what was the roadblock all these years?”
A: Sonic Team and Sega.
It seems that things are finally starting to change. Instead of rushing games and rejecting their past, Sega wants to take their time in order to make great games AND they’re embracing their past (Sega Forever for mobile), which could probably lead to sequels of good old Sega games.
Here’s to the new Sega, a company that could perfectly be as great or better than Nintendo (they have lots of great IPs, even more than Nintendo), if directed by the right people.
You are right, Sega has so many possible great IPs, I just hope they leverage what they have in the right way. And if not, I hope they learn and change course. Maybe we are witnessing a turning point.
I played the very first Sonic when I was a teenager. I remember the buzz was Sonic vs Super Mario World then , so its a great pleasure to hear how great this game turned out. Cant wait to buy it in a few days then I will be waiting patiently for the physical. I’ll BE DOUBLE DIPPING!!
It’s going to get better from here! Glad to see the positive reviews coming from mainstream critics
Cant wait for the PC game. And i really hope we get more 2D sega games from now on. Sick and tired of the textured polygons everywhere.