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, evokes the spirit and gameplay of the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. This isn't surprising, given the enduring popularity of Sonic Mania within the dedicated Sonic fan community and its status as a beloved 25th-anniversary celebration of the franchise. The game cleverly taps into the nostalgia for classic Sonic titles while offering a fresh experience.

While a true Sonic Mania sequel never materialized due to shifts in Sonic Team's artistic direction and the developers' own pursuits, Sonic Galactic fills the void for fans yearning for a pixel art-driven adventure. It joins other fan projects like Sonic and the Fallen Star in embracing this timeless aesthetic, contrasting with the 3D approach of Sonic Superstars.

First showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, Sonic Galactic has been in development for at least four years. The game envisions a hypothetical 32-bit Sonic title, imagining what a Sega Saturn release might have been like. It successfully blends retro 2D platforming reminiscent of the Genesis era with unique elements.

Gameplay and Characters:

The second demo, released in early 2025, features the iconic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles across new zones. However, Sonic Galactic expands the roster with two new playable characters: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble), seeking revenge against Dr. Eggman, and Tunnel the Mole, a character originating from Sonic Frontiers.

Mirroring the structure of Sonic Mania, each character boasts unique pathways within each zone. The special stages, reminiscent of Sonic Mania's, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. The demo's length provides approximately one hour of gameplay for Sonic's stages, with a couple of hours of total playtime across all characters. The limited stage count for the additional characters reflects the demo's nature.