Best of Sonic Level Design?

[OverbounD]

Maybe this is kind of a generic topic however I've been doing a lot of level design for Time Twisted lately so I've been thinking a lot about it, and looking at tons of level maps. This got me thinking two things:

Of the classic levels which individual level as the best level design?

Of the classic games which one has the best level design over all?

[toaster1]

I don't know, but Labybrinth Zone kept on bringing me back for more in Sonic 1.

Also, Oil Ocean was actually pretty nice for a level everyone seems to hate apparently.

[Rawr]

I can't name a level right now, too tired, but Sonic 3 and Knuckles was my fave in terms of level design. Big, long, and expansive levels. I really enjoyed them al, except for maaaaybe Sandopolis Act 2 since it drags a bit...but really, thats one act of one level .

[Yvarthecreatorgames]

Yeah 3 and knuckles had the best level design for classic stages.. check mushroom hill. that one was pretty awesome

[Felik]

I agree. S3&K's level designs are great. It's levels have many different gimmicks which are smartly placed. And also their size is huge and there are lots of multiple paths.

[Smidge204]

Thinking about it for awhile now, and it's a tough choice.

If I had to pick a single, favorite zone it would have to be Stardust Speedway, (Sonic CD).

It was HUGE (1, 2) - even if you ignore the time travel nonsense - but densely packed for the most part with multiple paths and difficult to reach ("semi-secret") areas so there was plenty to explore. It was also fast with a lot of loops and speed boosts.

=Smidge=

[Sparks]

I'm going with Hydrocity Act 1, as well as Launch Base Act 2

or you know what every level in Sonic 3K was a masterpiece.

For Sonic 1, I really liked Marble Zone 3. Sonic 2, Chemical Plant, Metropolis and Casino Night also had amazing layouts. :U

Sonic CD however to me, was meh layout wise.

[FanGameRevolver]

Hydrocity act 1 has to be my favorite level if I had to choose one single act.

Sandopolis was really fun too.

I'm not exactly sure what I even like about the levels, they have lots of paths, but more important even is how the game is able to visibly give the players options, unlike today's "oh you fell so you don't get to take the fast path" shit. And each of the paths felt different, like there was a purpose for finding that path.

In mushroom hill you would often dart past one of those elevator-ish gimmicks, and you could keep on running or take the high route, taking the high route could slow you down at times, but sticking with it rewarded the player with lots of good items. taking another route could lead you to a mushroom parachute, a fun experience in itself.

[Kessler12]

Hydrocity is my fav water level ever. Mushroom hill was fun too.

[dark team]

I think that Labyrinth zone and Hydrocity are the best, I just love water levels!

[DimensionWarped]

This is a very difficult question...

For Sonic 1, my favorite would be Spring Yard. If that is it weren't for those elevator sections that totally bust up the flow. Since those do exist, I'd go with Scrap Brain.

Sonic 2... I'm going to give it up to Hill Top Zone. I don't know why, but I really like its simple pathing and what it does with the few gimmicks it has.

Sonic 3. You know, Shadix and I have talked at lengths about how undeserving this level is of its praise, but I've still gotta say Ice Cap Zone. Not the snow boarding parts... not the cave parts really. It's just another simple stage that doesn't smack the player around much. Launch Base Zone is awesome, but it's put together in a way that can really confuse you and even drop you about 45 seconds back if you aren't careful. That kind of crap makes the more elaborate pathing methods which rely on large-scale horizontal gimmicks a bit risky. Marble Garden is pretty cool, but it has a tendency to seem repetitive.

Sonic and Knuckles... Lava Reef Act 2 Again, as far as complexity is concerned it isn't there in huge amounts. What it does have is a lot of great atmosphere and a couple extremely memorable chambers.

Since this is asking for a single dominant level... I'm going to go with Lava Reef 2.

Basically my philosophy is this. You know all the crap you hear about how Sonic games need to have multiple paths and stuff? I'd rather play a game with a single linear path which is constantly bombarding me with unique challenges than to have 5 different choices each of which is just a diluted version of that alternative. It's a good idea when you are going for replay value, but make sure that urge to play it the first time is there before you start working on that focus.

[Rawr]

My favourite level is Sky Sanctuary. A lot of it has to do with the music, and the level graphics, and just how fantastic it is, but the level was also very fun for me to play. Its a level that I absolutely love. The design imo was just very well executed.

[Kirs]

I love marble garden one.

[flame6753]

a genesis version of windy valley :>

[GSF]

The peak of Sonic level design is definitely in S3 (and K). My overall favorite zone is Hydrocity. Both acts are unique and have a very good flow.

After that, Ice Cap, Flying Battery and Mushroom Hill are great as well.

The overall worst would be Carnival Night. It abuses the multiple paths, and has particularly annoying gimmicks (bouncing balls, antigrav, "melting" platforms, THAT DAMN BARREL). CNZ is basically "gimmick spam".

[tentril]

Personally I really like CNZ. It was never very annoying to me.

Anyway, I really like Flying Battery, Sky Sanctuary, Hill Top, and Sky Chase/Wing Fortress. I don't much care to elaborate, because I'd have to play the levels again and pay attention to why I like them, which isn't as fun. Thats also why I can't pick one.

[Rawr]

Haha you're a fan of the "sky" levels too I see. Flying Battery is another cool one, I always look forward to playing it, and Sky Chase/Wing Fortress are fun as well.

[ila]

Yeah definitely Flying Battery for me. It has some great variety in design, between the magnetic platforms, jumping underneath the ship, and the speed sections inside. It makes you feel like you're all over that airship.

[XeroNazoBlaze]

Death Egg (S3&K), that was an good stage in my opinion.

[OverbounD]

Sonic 3 & K seems to be the big winner here. Does anyone like the level design of Quartz Quadrant?

[FanGameRevolver]

Sonic 3 & K seems to be the big winner here. Does anyone like the level design of Quartz Quadrant?

the level was fast paced, but it didn't offer anything else really, the level was over in a heartbeat, and not really memorable at all. Boss was quite neat though.

[Dan]

A few months ago I would have said Sonic 3 & Knuckles easily, but then I finally started to enjoy Sonic CD's different style. Now I look at S3&K levels and things appear quite directed. As the Megadrive series went on and the zones got bigger, opportunities to change path also got further and further apart. Not saying that's a bad thing - it probably makes the game easier to get into, and with plenty of little secrets I rarely felt directed while playing anyway. Meanwhile in Sonic CD I was maybe too distracted all the time by the options. Having said all that, now I do enjoy the Sonic 2 zones more, because there the direction usually isn't as extreme as S3&K.

So now that I like the CD style as well as the Megadrive style, its a tough call. Sonic 3 & Knuckles also has the advantage of the smoothest control and nicest visuals so that's where I would feel most comfortable playing, but if I try to consider only the layouts themselves... hmm.

I would probably still give it to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Not because its style is clearly better, but because this is an overall vote. The style it does have is the most well done, despite losing the open feel of CD. Honestly Sonic 2 is nipping at its heels as I think it might have a better balance between the two extremes, but S3&K gets over the line because of a few excellent zones that just stand out among the whole series, while Sonic 2 designs still had room to grow.

[Ristar]

Hydrocity Zone Act 2.

Class music and OHMYGOD I still get the sweats every time the level starts and that wall starts coming towards Sonic.

[Spike]

Sonic 3 & K seems to be the big winner here. Does anyone like the level design of Quartz Quadrant?

Although it was a pretty level, it was always way too linear for me.

[OverbounD]

Maybe its the unquieness of QQ make makes me like it so much.

Would anyone agree that Sonic 2 had the most boring level design? (Though I agree with the person that said Hill Top was well designed)