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 of Sonic Mania, capturing the charm of classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art. This passion project, revealed at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, imagines a 32-bit Sonic adventure, reminiscent of a hypothetical Sega Saturn release.

The game builds upon the legacy of Sonic Mania, a beloved 25th-anniversary title, while forging its own identity. While a true 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 continuation of Mania's style. This aligns with other fan-made titles, like Sonic and the Fallen Star, which also embrace the timeless appeal of pixel art.

Sonic Galactic's Second Demo: An Hour of Sonic, More to Explore

The recently released (early 2025) second demo offers a taste of what Starteam has created. Players can control the classic trio—Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—in all-new levels. Joining the fray are two new playable characters: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and Tunnel the Mole (a character inspired by Illusion Island).

Each character boasts unique pathways through the levels, mirroring the branching paths found in Sonic Mania. The special stages maintain the Mania feel, challenging players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a complete playthrough of Sonic's stages takes approximately an hour, the inclusion of other characters extends the overall playtime to a couple of hours.

Key Features:

• Classic Sonic Gameplay: Retains the fast-paced, side-scrolling action of classic Sonic games.
• Pixel Art Style: Employs a pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of Sonic Mania.
• New Playable Characters: Introduces Fang the Sniper and Tunnel the Mole, adding variety to the gameplay.
• Multiple Character Paths: Offers unique routes for each playable character within each level.
• Mania-Inspired Special Stages: Features special stages that maintain the style and challenge of Sonic Mania.

Sonic Galactic provides a compelling experience for fans of classic Sonic games and pixel art. The second demo is a promising glimpse into a fan-made title that successfully captures the essence of a beloved era of Sonic.