Fan-Made Sonic Game Echoes Sonic Mania

Summary

• Sonic Galactic is a fan game reminiscent of Sonic Mania, appealing to fans of pixel art and classic Sonic gameplay.
• The game features new playable characters Fang the Sniper and Tunnel the Mole, with unique paths for each.
• Sonic Galactic's second demo offers roughly an hour of Sonic's stages and a couple of hours of total gameplay.

Sonic Galactic by Starteam captures the spirit and essence of the beloved 2017 release, Sonic Mania. The Sonic the Hedgehog fan base is known for its creativity and dedication, continuously producing a variety of sequels and follow-ups to the iconic franchise. Sonic Mania, celebrating the franchise's 25th anniversary, stands out as one of the most celebrated titles, crafted by the passionate team at Headcannon, Christian Whitehead, and PagodaWest Games, who previously brought fans Sonic: Before the Sequel.

Despite the anticipation for a sequel to Sonic Mania, it never came to fruition due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and Christian Whitehead's studio, Evening Star, pursuing new projects. Instead, 2023 saw the launch of Sonic Superstars, which continued the 2D gameplay tradition but with 3D graphics and added cooperative multiplayer. However, the pixel art and classic style of Sonic Mania remain cherished by fans, inspiring numerous fan games like Sonic and the Fallen Star. Sonic Galactic by Starteam is another such project, aiming to preserve and expand on this beloved art style.

Sonic Galactic, a project four years in the making, was first showcased at the Sonic Amateur Games Expo in 2020. It presents a vision of the Sonic series as if it had been developed for the Sega Saturn, blending the authentic feel of the Genesis-era 2D platformers with fresh, innovative twists.

What is Sonic Galactic?

The second demo of Sonic Galactic, released in early 2025, allows players to dive into new zones with the classic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Additionally, Fang the Sniper from Sonic Triple Trouble joins as a playable character, seeking vengeance against Dr. Eggman alongside Sonic and friends. The game also introduces Tunnel the Mole, a new character from Illusion Island.

Sonic Galactic closely resembles a sequel to Sonic Mania, offering unique paths for each playable character within its zones. The special stages echo those of Mania, challenging players to gather a set number of rings within a time limit in a 3D setting. With the second demo, players can expect around an hour of gameplay focused on Sonic's stages, while other characters each have about one stage. Altogether, the demo provides a few hours of engaging playtime.