Sonic Mania on Crazy Games: A Platformer's Frustrating Speed Limitation

As a gamer, I've often found myself struggling to master multi-level 2D labyrinths in certain platformers. But when it comes to Sonic Mania, specifically on Crazy Games, the frustration reaches new heights. The game's speed-based mechanics can be infuriating, especially for those who are not familiar with the series.

One of the main issues I have is with the sudden obstacles that pop up throughout the levels. Sudden walls that are difficult to jump over due to reduced jump height on certain slopes, spike traps, and pits that send you down a level and force you to reorient can be particularly vexing. It's as if the game is designed to slow you down and make you feel like you're not in control.

I think this might be part of the reason why Sonic Mania feels like a poorly designed mechanic. The speed-based gameplay is meant to be fast-paced and thrilling, but instead, it can feel like a counterproductive constraint until you've memorized the stage layouts. In contrast, platformers like Mario or Mega Man allow for more improvisation and freedom, even if you don't know the level layout yet.

One potential solution to this problem could be to zoom out the camera so that players have a better view of what's coming ahead. This would give them more time to react to obstacles and make it feel less like they're bumping into everything. However, I do find it silly that you can't use the running mechanic at all if it's your first time playing the game.

In my opinion, the speed mechanics in Sonic Mania are poorly implemented. Rather than encouraging players to speedrun through levels, the obstacles and constraints can make it feel like a chore. It's not just about 'git gud' or 'slow down' – there needs to be a better balance between speed and control.

Fortunately, I'm not alone in my frustrations. Other gamers who have played Sonic Mania on Crazy Games share my views on the game's speed-based mechanics. As one player put it, 'I haven't played any other 2D Sonic games besides the first, so I don't know if this applies to the rest. IMHO, the speed mechanic of Sonic is very poorly implemented.' It's nice to know that there are others out there who share my frustrations and agree that something needs to change.

Sonic mania on crazy games