Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-esque Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, a fan-made title from Starteam, captures the spirit and gameplay of the beloved Sonic Mania. The game's pixel art style and classic Sonic mechanics will resonate strongly with fans of the franchise's 2D heritage.

The game introduces two new playable characters: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and Tunnel the Mole (a new character inspired by Sonic Frontiers' Illusion Island). Each character boasts unique level paths, adding replayability.

The recently released second demo provides approximately one hour of gameplay focusing on Sonic's levels, with additional content for the other characters extending the total playtime to a couple of hours.

Sonic Galactic's Development and Inspiration

In development for at least four years (first showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo), Sonic Galactic imagines a hypothetical 32-bit Sonic game, evoking the feel of a Sega Saturn title. It draws inspiration from classic Genesis games, while incorporating unique elements. The game's creation stems from the enduring popularity of Sonic Mania, a title many fans consider the pinnacle of the franchise's 25th-anniversary celebration. While a true sequel never materialized due to shifts in Sonic Team's artistic direction and the developers' own pursuits, Sonic Galactic aims to fill that void. It joins other fan projects, such as Sonic and the Fallen Star, in embracing the timeless appeal of pixel art. Sonic Superstars, while a 2D successor, opted for 3D graphics and co-op, leaving a niche for a game like Sonic Galactic.

Gameplay Details

The second demo features the classic trio—Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—alongside Fang and Tunnel. Each character offers distinct routes through the levels. The special stages are heavily inspired by Sonic Mania, demanding ring collection within a time limit in a 3D environment. A typical playthrough focused on Sonic's levels takes roughly an hour, with shorter individual stages for the other characters, resulting in a total playtime of around two hours.