![]() In previous years I've only known the US soundtrack. I also have to say that I enjoy the UFO special stages, but Sonic games have terrible special stages in general, so that's a low bar to clear. I do actually like the bright colors and level themes, but feel that they're wasted on the levels themselves. I guess that I can appreciate the ability to truly backtrack in each level, but the poor design didn't do that feature any favors. And once in the past you're in another maze looking for the robot teleporters and holograms. The time travel mechanic is objectively terrible, and unless you have a map or intricate knowledge of the level layout, you're not making it into the past for later levels. I do like that you can either finish a stage in less than a minute, or spend multiple minutes exploring, but the actual design is obtuse, with weird obstacle and enemy placement, annoying jumps and ramps, and no real flow. ![]() I know the retort is that the level design is intricate, but they're honestly just slapdash. That includes a full Time Gem run, all robot teleporters and holograms run, and then a speedrun. Having now played it through thrice, and thoroughly, I feel like my opinion has solidified. I dabbled on a friend's Sega CD, and then had it on the Gems Collection but never really delved into it. I was somewhat lukewarm on Sonic CD when I played it years ago. Got all the trophies too, so I played it thoroughly. I actually just finished the PSN version, literally less than a month ago. I'm not a fan of it on any level, but I can see why people are into it, and the fact they didn't make more sorta sucks for them.Īlso as a bonus when I first played this for whatever reason the music was busted so I only had sound effects, at least until Toot Toot Sonic Warrior played. The entire thing is just really experimental, like Zelda/Mario/Castlevania 2 when you compare them to the rest of their original series. All the other Sonic games have bossfight music that's sorta peppy and 'cool dangerous', Sonic CD makes you feel like Robotnik is going to put you in a spiked box and throw you into the ocean. The other games barely have exploration outside of finding rings/signposts, Sonic CD is pretty much built around exploration. The other games have level design that is basically some sort of glorified line, tailored around you getting to the end quickly (the closest thing to an exception is Casino Night), whereas Sonic CD is some sort of square. Sonic CD is weird since it's pretty much unlike any of the other mainline Sonic games. And I certainly understand most of the complaints people have with this game, because among the Sonic games it's definitely an odd one. I'm not gonna pretend the opinions on this game aren't divisive. Which I guess is also where the exploration concept comes into play. Time travel also requires you to know the maps better in later levels, knowing where the spots are to succesfully gain enough speed for a certain duration. Unfortunately that stupid transition animation was a necessity to 'hide' a load time or something. Originally they wanted Sonic to travel through time in a flash, like the DeLorean in Back to the Future. It has a silly time travel gimmick that really suffered from technical limitations. Definitely the most "different" of the levels. But eventually learned that if you play the level slowly and like a more traditional platformer, the levels can become surprisingly easy. Wacky Workbench was a bitch and a half the first time I played it. ![]() Back in the day I enjoyed trying to map the levels in my head to try out different routes in later playthroughs. The exploration I always kind of admired in the levels. Though I found (some of) the levels to really shine once you try out and master the time attack mode. It has, arguably, the oddest level design of the bunch. Sonic Boom? Stardust Speedway? Tidal Tempest? All good. JP being my favourite of the two, but there's no way I could ever badmouth the US soundtrack. Both the US and JP soundtracks are godly, but each set an entirely different tone. It has perhaps some of the series' best music. There's a surreal, abstract and perhaps even vaporwave-y vibe to the whole thing that just resonates with me. It has the most pleasing aesthetics in the series, and I really wished they stuck with it for the rest in the franchise. And after Mania my favourite Sonic game of all. Yep, this is my favourite Sonic of the Mega Drive-era.
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