Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-Inspired Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, developed by Starteam, is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan game channeling the spirit of Sonic Mania. The active Sonic fan community continually produces sequels and reinterpretations of franchise titles, and Sonic Mania, a 25th-anniversary celebration, remains incredibly popular. While a true sequel never materialized due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and the developers' own pursuits, Sonic Galactic fills the void.

Building on the legacy of fan-made titles like Sonic: Before the Sequel, Sonic Galactic offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of a hypothetical 32-bit era release, perhaps even imagining a Sega Saturn iteration. The game blends classic Genesis-style 2D platforming with unique additions. Initially showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, the project has been in development for at least four years.

Gameplay and Characters:

The second demo, released in early 2025, features the iconic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles across new zones. Joining the roster are Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and the newly introduced Tunnel the Mole (inspired by Sonic Frontiers’ Illusion Island). Each character boasts unique pathways within each zone, mirroring Sonic Mania's design. Special stages, clearly inspired by Mania, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment.

A standard playthrough focusing on Sonic's levels takes approximately an hour. Considering the other characters' shorter stages, the total playtime amounts to a couple of hours. This makes the demo a substantial taste of what Starteam has created. The game’s pixel art style and classic Sonic gameplay will surely resonate with fans yearning for a true Sonic Mania successor.