Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-Inspired Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, developed by Starteam, is a highly anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog fan game channeling the spirit and style of the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. The game caters to fans of classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art aesthetics, a style considered timeless by many despite the franchise's shift towards 3D graphics.

This isn't Starteam's first rodeo; the project, initially unveiled at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, has been in development for at least four years. Sonic Galactic imagines a hypothetical 32-bit Sonic game, evoking the feel of a potential Sega Saturn release. It faithfully recreates the retro 2D platforming experience of the Genesis era while incorporating unique elements.

New Playable Characters and Expanded Gameplay:

The recently released second demo introduces playable versions of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in all-new zones. Joining the classic trio are two exciting additions: Fang the Sniper, a returning character from Sonic Triple Trouble, and the brand-new Tunnel the Mole, hailing from Sonic Frontiers: Illusion Island.

Each character boasts unique gameplay paths within each zone, adding significant replayability. The special stages, heavily inspired by Sonic Mania, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a complete playthrough of Sonic's stages takes approximately one hour, the additional characters currently offer about one stage each, resulting in a total playtime of around two hours in the current demo.

A Spiritual Successor to Sonic Mania?

With its pixel art style, fast-paced gameplay, and multiple character paths, Sonic Galactic feels like a natural evolution of Sonic Mania's formula. The game's development reflects the enduring appeal of the classic Sonic aesthetic and the dedication of the fan community to keep the spirit of the series alive. While a Sonic Mania sequel never materialized, Sonic Galactic steps up to fill that void for many fans.