In 2017, Sonic Mania brought back the 16-bit era of Sonic in classic fashion. This fan-made adventure got the series back on track with a totally original story, showing that Sonic isn’t out of the race yet. The game is available for free on the Epic Games Store until July 1, allowing gamers to explore yet another Sonic adventure, meaning the real question is not buying the game, but whether or not to buy the Encore DLC.
At the base level, Sonic Mania offers many features that harken back to the early years of Sonic, such as a time attack mode and competitive multiplayer. However, Encore takes these classic modes and adds new versions that are both a nod to the past and a view of how things have changed for the better. Still, some may be on the fence about paying for it.
The biggest draw of the Encore DLC is the addition of two obscure Sonic characters, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. The duo first appeared in the arcade game SegaSonic the Hedgehog. While they’ve never fully been forgotten, they also get far less attention than characters like Tails and Knuckles. Their additions to Sonic Mania are not only unexpected, but they also offer some gameplay variety.
Each character possesses unique abilities that make traversing a course either faster or safer. For example, Mighty comes with a Hammer Drop attack that shatters the ground, while his shell offers protection from spikes when he’s in ball form. Like Tails, Ray has the ability to fly, but his methods are different than those of Sonic’s best friend. Rather than worrying about exhaustion, Ray operates on momentum. He can fly upward, but over time, he will lose speed. If Ray dives, he can regain his momentum and reach even greater heights. Both Mighty and Ray come with pros and cons that keep the gameplay fresh and offer opportunities for players to explore unseen areas of each course.
Another new feature is Encore Mode, which changes a lot of the traditional systems within each course. First, the lives system has been eliminated. Instead, players have to gather their allies and are given the option to switch between them to use their different abilities. Along with the layout and appearance of courses, the special stage rings have also been changed. Plus, rather than collecting blue spheres, there is a pinball game that offers anything from rings to more characters. Encore Mode is basically a completely different game that shows players the ins and outs of Mania‘s characters and courses.
Smaller features of Encore include Competition Mode’s new four-player local multiplayer and the ability to turn off the timer to freely explore courses. With Mighty and Ray available in each game mode, Mania included, the Encore DLC is more than just extra content — it’s a natural extension of the game. It adds so many new ways to enjoy an already great game, making it a must-buy for fans of Sonic Mania.
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