Sonic Mania
A retro-style Sonic platformer with classic lives and zones.
Where Sonic Mania comes up1 episode or test
- 1Lose all livesEvery life is gone
- 2Game OverOnly zone starts are permanent checkpoints
- 3Restart at zone startSent back a long way
- 4Redo finished bits"Simply frustrating" to repeat them
- 5Players may leaveWide gaps between saves drive players away
From USgamer on Sonic Mania
What was said about Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania's zone-start saves make a Game Over feel harsh. Sonic Mania only has permanent checkpoints at the start of each zone, so losing all lives sends players back a long way. USgamer called the lives system obnoxious and infuriating.
The lesson drawn is not to send players far back after a Game Over, especially new players, who seem to find these penalties especially rough. Wide gaps between permanent saves can drive players away. The critique in the source: "it's simply frustrating to have to re-do bits that you've already finished."
Are Lives Outdated Game Design?
It only saves permanently at the start of each zone, and US Gamer called its lives system obnoxious and infuriating.
Sonic Mania's zone-start saves make a Game Over feel harsh. Sonic Mania only has permanent checkpoints at the start of each zone, so losing all lives sends players back a long way. USgamer called the lives system obnoxious and infuriating.
The lesson drawn is not to send players far back after a Game Over, especially new players, who seem to find these penalties especially rough. Wide gaps between permanent saves can drive players away. The critique in the source: "it's simply frustrating to have to re-do bits that you've already finished."
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