User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 678 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 82 out of 678
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  1. Jul 16, 2023
    8
    One of the best Sonic games
  2. Jun 28, 2023
    9
    It's a overall great game and it really nails the classic era well. And improved on the physics great with the characters. It's a definitely must try game.
  3. Feb 20, 2023
    9
    I grew up playing the 2D Sonic games on the Sega Mega Drive so when I saw this on PS Plus I jumped at the chance to get it and I can happily say that Sonic Mania is an excellent modern 2D Sonic game. While it’s not quite as good as the original games (partially due to nostalgia but also Sonic 3 & Knuckles was an outstanding game) it’s nostalgic enough that it keeps people like me happy andI grew up playing the 2D Sonic games on the Sega Mega Drive so when I saw this on PS Plus I jumped at the chance to get it and I can happily say that Sonic Mania is an excellent modern 2D Sonic game. While it’s not quite as good as the original games (partially due to nostalgia but also Sonic 3 & Knuckles was an outstanding game) it’s nostalgic enough that it keeps people like me happy and it’s also a great game by itself. If you grew up with the Mega Drive Sonic games like me then definitely give this a go! Expand
  4. Dec 28, 2022
    3
    I was really hoping on liking this game, and I did, until the 4th world. Then I started liking it less and less. I’m gonna anger a lot of fans, but it’s my opinion…

    My first complaint is towards the hard-boiled heavies. They have no personality. They could’ve had cutscenes that reveal their traits, but NOPE! They just reuse the same sprite but resizing and recoloring it. And this is a
    I was really hoping on liking this game, and I did, until the 4th world. Then I started liking it less and less. I’m gonna anger a lot of fans, but it’s my opinion…

    My first complaint is towards the hard-boiled heavies. They have no personality. They could’ve had cutscenes that reveal their traits, but NOPE! They just reuse the same sprite but resizing and recoloring it. And this is a really minor problem I have, the first one you encounter (heavy gunner) is a mini-boss, but the other 4 are end of zone bosses, just make up your mind!

    Speaking of bosses, They feel out of place in what’s supposed to be classic Sonic. Take the boss of Hydrocity (who wanted that zone back?), You’re supposed to touch the bombs he spits out to kill him, and it takes about a minute to do that. Let’s compare it to the boss of Marble from Sonic 1, he spits out fire, and you have to hit him 8 times, Do you get the boss over with for time points, or play it safe for more ring points? That was the charm of the classic bosses, you could approach them any gamer type could handle. But here, you have to wait for their attack cycle to finish then hit them. In short the (act 2, at least) bosses just take to long for classic Sonic standards.

    And for me, the absolute worst part about the game are the special stages. WHY do people consider them the best in the franchise? AM I MISSING SOMETHING!? You have to run after this UFO that’s carrying a chaos emerald, but everything moves so fast and you move all over the place. They decide to put obstacles in the way that decrease your timer, so when you hit them with 20 or so rings left, you pretty much just lost. They seem less like special stages and more like pure luck. I wouldn’t play them twice let alone 7 TIMES. The sad part is that the other special stages aren’t all that bad. WHY DIDN’T THEY JUST SWAP THESE SPECIAL STAGES WITH THOSE ONES!?

    In short, Sonic mania was disappointing for me. With it’s flat characters, bosses that overstay their welcome and ATROCIOUS special stages. Better luck next time, Sega.
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  5. Dec 18, 2022
    9
    Sonic Mania is the best Sonic game since the original Sonic trilogy and Sonic CD. This is what Sonic 4 should have been.
    I skipped it Sonic Mania on release as every Sonic game I've played in the past 2 decades has been trash, but when Sonic Origins released (a remaster collection of Sonic 1,2,3 and CD) I found Sonic Mania mentioned as comparison reviews a lot, so decided to give it a
    Sonic Mania is the best Sonic game since the original Sonic trilogy and Sonic CD. This is what Sonic 4 should have been.
    I skipped it Sonic Mania on release as every Sonic game I've played in the past 2 decades has been trash, but when Sonic Origins released (a remaster collection of Sonic 1,2,3 and CD) I found Sonic Mania mentioned as comparison reviews a lot, so decided to give it a try.
    It truly feels like a Sonic game that could've released in the 90s, it fits within the original trilogy so well that I'll always consider this the spiritual Sonic 4.
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  6. Dec 5, 2022
    0
    This game is too difficult and boring, I really don't know how can be so acclaimed.
    Levels are not fun at all, the lives system is one of the worst thing someone can pick from the old games and levels are no sense of direction.
    I just had a frustrating time playing it.
  7. Nov 10, 2022
    10
    A Sonic game where you feel really free to run and explore. A Sonic game class.
  8. Oct 23, 2022
    9
    A great return to form. Although, I wish there were more original levels instead of reused ones...
  9. Oct 7, 2022
    8
    A Good Sonic game, nostalgic, solid, very fun! Is one of the best Sonic Games, but not the best.
  10. Sep 18, 2022
    10
    uno de los mejores juegos para los niños pequeños por su jugabilidad y es la mascota prinicpal de esa compañia llamada sega
  11. Aug 26, 2022
    8
    how could you hate this game
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  12. Jun 21, 2022
    10
    Best 2d sonic I can’t stop playing even better then super mario world my old favourite 2d game
  13. May 14, 2022
    9
    Perfect level design perfect gameplay good atmosphere a lot of content the only criticism i have is that some ideas are over used
  14. Mar 14, 2022
    10
    Muito bom. Um dos melhores jogos do Sonic que já joguei. Recomendo demais. Tentei coletar todas as conquistas, mas não consegui.
  15. Mar 7, 2022
    4
    Soulless, no substance, no passion, and no reason to exist. Sonic Mania is a disgrace to both the Classics, and the franchise as a whole. Play Sonic 1 or 3 instead, they won't waste your time or your patience.
  16. Jan 20, 2022
    10
    Com certeza esse é melhor jogo do Sonic da geração PS4, gráficos lindos, nenhum bug, a história é fácil de assimilar (mesmo não havendo nenhum dialogo), você ira ter horas de diversão.
  17. Dec 17, 2021
    8
    I don't like Classic Sonic at all, I think it's a bunch of gacha trap BS, that tells you to go fast and then punishes you for going fast with off-screen hazards and spikes that hurt you from the side, so I consider it to be some feat when Sega and Christian Whitehead can make a Classic Sonic game I actually like, hell, one I love. Sonic Mania is a joy to play from the controls to the levelI don't like Classic Sonic at all, I think it's a bunch of gacha trap BS, that tells you to go fast and then punishes you for going fast with off-screen hazards and spikes that hurt you from the side, so I consider it to be some feat when Sega and Christian Whitehead can make a Classic Sonic game I actually like, hell, one I love. Sonic Mania is a joy to play from the controls to the level design to the music, it's all fantastic.

    Sonic Mania is about Dr. Eggma- Robotnik? is he Robotnik here? I'll just call him Eggman to be safe, anyway Dr. Eggman using the Phantom Ruby to screw with Sonic and... Do something, it's Sonic it doesn't matter. This is used as an excuse to have Sonic, Tails or Knuckles play through Sonic 1, 2, 3, CD and new levels, but mostly old levels, which is a shame because the new levels rock, Studiopolis comes to mind, god that song is so good, but old levels have been remixed and they feel great, hell this game made me like Chemical Plant Zone, I hate Chemical Plant Zone normally but here it's great especially Act 2. Gameplay wise it's great, Sonic doesn't feel to slippy nor too stiff, he feels perfect.

    Bonus Stages make a comeback here and THANK GOD IT'S NOT THE HALFPIPE, no instead it's the Ball collecting and Emerald Chasing bonus Stages and they're both good, I know the Balls make some people feel sick but I never got that so... ha. I know there's like a whole extra boss and ending if you get all the chaos emeralds but I don't feel like doing that and I like the normal ending better anyway, it doesn't lead into Forces so I can keep this Sonic pure and away from that garbage. Boss fights are pretty good, I didn't struggle with any except the final Eggman boss, it can be quite confusing knowing when to attack, if you're meant to hit him while the electric is on and avoid the tentacles or kill the bosses he throws at you with the hands, and even when you figure out it's just after the electric stops you have to get the timing down. It's not unbearable nor is it even really THAT difficult, but it stood out to me as being pretty irritating first time. Speaking of difficulty the game is fairly easy overall, not TOO easy, but easy enough that somebody who couldn't beat Sonic 2 (me) can beat it no problem, Oil Ocean can be... Oil Ocean, but it's the only one that gets kind of obnoxious.

    Now that music, goddamn Tee Lopes outdid himself, if like me you're a fan of SomeCallMeJohnny you'll be familiar with Lopes' work, and man does he bring his A-game here, I brought up Studiopolis earlier but it's far from the only one, the entire game is full of great tracks and it makes the game even more fun to play.

    Sonic Mania is a great game, a wonderful game, and I think Christian Whitehead should be in charge of any Classic style games going forward. Now if Frontiers can redeem Modern Sonic after Forces and Colours Ultimate we may be entering a new Sonic Golden Age, god I really hope Frontiers is good...
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  18. Nov 13, 2021
    8
    Отдадим дань игры детства, в целом ничем не отличается от версии с сеги, только, как мне показалось, динамика тут еще более быстрая и управление похрамывает, а так топ. 8/10
  19. Sep 28, 2021
    9
    Sonic Mania is one of the best Sonic games I've ever played, no doubt, but after a few repeated playthroughs, it gets kinda boring. I would recommend it to you either way. I still prefer Sonic 3 & Knuckles tho.
  20. Sep 15, 2021
    10
    De fato, um dos melhores jogos do Sonic feito, jogo bem feito, controles ótimos e não deixa a desejar
  21. Sep 4, 2021
    9
    Ignorando el empaño que significó el posterior lanzamiento de Sonic Forces, Sonic Mania representa la esencia más primigenia del erizo azul, velocidad, sentir cómo puedes ser más rápido que antes ya sea por habilidad o porque descubriste nuevos atajos, en un todo ser competitivo contigo mismo respecto a tu rapidez. Algo que honestamente se perdió hace rato, siendo Generations el últimoIgnorando el empaño que significó el posterior lanzamiento de Sonic Forces, Sonic Mania representa la esencia más primigenia del erizo azul, velocidad, sentir cómo puedes ser más rápido que antes ya sea por habilidad o porque descubriste nuevos atajos, en un todo ser competitivo contigo mismo respecto a tu rapidez. Algo que honestamente se perdió hace rato, siendo Generations el último juego que en serio tuvo esto (y ya han pasado como 11 años desde entonces). Mania es como traer la fórmula de Megadrive a la décima potencia, Sonic 1, 2, 3 y CD pero mejor y además con mucho de su propia autoría. Los niveles reimaginados de los primeros 3 juegos realmente se sienten como jugar a una nueva zona, especialmente al mostrar algunos de los boss battle más carismáticos y originales de la saga, mientras que los niveles totalmente nuevos son de los mejores niveles de Sonic en los últimos años, la variedad de objetos, caminos alternativos al estilo de Sonic 3, y de escoger entre jugabilidades clásicas como la Sonic CD aparte de la que viene por defecto, hacen que cada jugador pueda ir a su total manera por los niveles. Un problema recurrente en los videojuegos actuales de nuestro querido erizo es que claramente, Sonic team no tiene idea de qué juego quiere hacer, parecían tener una idea clara con la jugabilidad de Boost que, aunque no era tan aprovechable a largo plazo sí entregó algunos momentos muy memorables desde Unleashed hasta Generations y pasando por Colors (y teniendo un bochornoso adiós en Forces), pero en cuanto se les acabó el boost no tenían idea de que hacer, Lost world es Mario con skins de Sonic, si a varios fans les pareció pésimo el tener un Sonic lento en Unleashed, imaginar cuando en Lost world la totalidad del juego es el Sonic más lento de la historia, incluso antes de esto con los storybooks se veía el problema, muchas ideas pero ninguna dirección fija. Y es aquí donde reside una de las virtudes de Mania, sus desarrolladores claramente entienden la esencia de Sonic de cara al gameplay que es velocidad, carisma y punto final, se puede notar el cariño, el verdadero interés y la seguridad con la que el juego avanza, en ningún momento hay duda de que supieran a dónde ir con Mania. Un juego que reviva la vibra clásica pero... añadiendo un toque nuevo a la franquicia. Solo espero que Sonic team pueda ver el ejemplo y sepa extrapolarlo al Sonic moderno. Basta de intentar imitar a Devil may cry (Shadow the hedgehog) o a Super Mario Galaxy (Lost world). El mejor Sonic en los últimos años, y ojalá sea el comienzo de cosas buenas para Sonic, como fan no espero nada que no sea eso. Expand
  22. Apr 29, 2021
    9
    After many years of sonic games, this game finally captured the sonic experience i was looking for. It's just so fun and classic sonic fun. Definitely play it.
  23. Apr 12, 2021
    10
    The resurrection of the classic game. The new game, created with respect to the legacy, has captured fans both past and present.
  24. Oct 21, 2020
    10
    this is the Perfect Celebration to Sonic its Perfect unimaginable soundtrack the Wonderful Graphics ALL ITS EXCELLENT
  25. Tmz
    Oct 3, 2020
    10
    Uma obra prima entre os jogos d plataforma. Sonic Mania é colorido, divertido, com uma trilha sonora magistral e níveis bem feitos.
    Sonic foi um jogo que acompanhou minha infância e fico feliz em dizer que esse é melhor jogo da franquia atrás de Sonic CD
  26. Oct 3, 2020
    9
    Un juego lleno de nostalgia, excelente jugabilidad y buena inclusión de personajes y escenarios tanto nuevos como clásicos. Aunque me hubiera gustado que fuese un poco más largo, pero en si es uno de los mejores juegos de Sonic de todos los tiempos.
  27. Sep 7, 2020
    9
    Sonic is back baby!
    This is the best Sonic game in a very, very long time. It’s probably the best Sonic game since Sonic 2. Every part of this game is crafted with love to the smallest detail, old levels return but are revamped in this new style where there’s more paths and larger worlds for you to explore as either Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Sonic and Tails together.
    Where this game
    Sonic is back baby!
    This is the best Sonic game in a very, very long time. It’s probably the best Sonic game since Sonic 2. Every part of this game is crafted with love to the smallest detail, old levels return but are revamped in this new style where there’s more paths and larger worlds for you to explore as either Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Sonic and Tails together.
    Where this game really shines though is it’s new levels where modern game design and old school Sonic mesh for some new experiences really comes to life! This, more than anything gets me excited for a new Sonic game from this team where they get the freedom to craft a totally new Sonic experience!

    If you have played Sonic as a kid or never played a Sonic game before this game really stands the test of time as the great gameplay and fantastic levels carries this game more than anything else!
    Everyone that likes platformers HAS to play this game!
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  28. Jul 25, 2020
    9
    Just a fun game a great return to the classic games and is just a fun sonic game no over done story or anything just a pure and fun game and is a must own game if you like platformers or the classic games of back in the day
  29. Jul 8, 2020
    9
    this game is good and the music is perfect and the frameworks well in PS4 and in every final stage there are an boss to fight but the problem with the bosses it is they are very easy, so if you like platforming games so go and buy it.
  30. Jul 2, 2020
    10
    The best sonic game not because it does anything new, but because it rediscovers what made it special to begin with. This game is a victory for everyone who loves video games
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 70
  2. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2017
    90
    With this brilliant game Sonic at last reminded us why he was once a worthy rival for Mario. [11/2017, p.56]
  2. Sep 28, 2017
    90
    It is surprising how well the developers understood the underlining reasons Sonic was so loved in the 16bit era. Gone are the autorun, the messy 3D levels and the horrible clown characters, gone is the linear cheap thrill design of the modern 3D games. In their place, we got excellent level design with hundreds of different routes, elegant design choices and supremely balanced gameplay which bring us one of the best Sonic games since Sonic & Knuckles. Pity Sega was too afraid to budget for modern graphics because they would have had a full priced, instant classic on their hands.
  3. Sep 28, 2017
    80
    Sonic Mania is a wonderful celebration of what's made Sonic so great in the past while also striving to push it forward. This isn't to say it's perfect – it has some of the problems of the previous games as well – but it's such a perfect encapsulation of old Sonic games, it's impressive. If you've ever been curious about what makes these old games special, or if you're just interested in revisiting the series you loved as a kid, this is the best way to do it. It's the old and the new wrapped together in a way that makes both shine. I hope this team goes on to do more, and eventually break themselves away from needing to remix old levels and just make their own.