Disabled Gaming Reviews: Review of Sonic Mania Plus (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Hello everyone! Today I review the expansion to the game that was described by critics as "A love-letter from SEGA to the fans". The question is.. does this game have the features to match? Let's find out!

Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most recognisable video game characters to date since it's debut on the Genisis in 1991. Through his 27-year lifespan, there have been decent games, like Sonic Adventures 1 & 2, and All-Stars Racing Transformed, timeless classics like Sonic CD, Sonics 2, 3 & Knuckles. And there are been downright disasters, like Sonic 06, Sonic the Fighters, Sonic Labyrinth and Sonic Boom Rise of Lyric.

This game ties in with Sonic Forces' story. Sonic finds himself travelling to Angel Island to find out what Dr Eggman is up to. But it was all a trap! Eggman used the Phantom Ruby to transport him through his history (Sonic Generations cliche *DING*)

VERSION TESTED- PC

The accessibility scores are as follows:

Visibility 9
Most of the game is pretty accessible. The only problem is the boss in Chemical plant, which was a tribute to Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. In this one, you are trying to match Puyos by colour, which can be an issue with colourblind players. If you play on PC, you may use this mod to solve the issue

https://gamebanana.com/skins/161232

Mobility 11

In the PC version, you can use a keyboard (which can be redefined) and a controller. With a controller, you can use either A or B to jump, the left stick or the d-pad to move. So you'll be OK with this game.

Audibility 10
There is no spoken dialogue so no subtitles are required.

Gameplay 11
With the Encore DLC, which changes your copy of Sonic Mania to the updated Sonic Mania Plus. With it, you can play the game as Ray the Flying Squirrel, and Mighty the Armadillo.

Encore mode allows you to play remixed levels from the game. This mode will allow you to play as more than two characters. But, here's the catch. If one of your characters die, he won't be able to come back until you find extra life items to bring him back. Also if all of them die, game over! This adds an element of challenge which is absent in Forces.

If Encore mode is not your thing, you can play as Mighty or Ray in Mania mode which allows you to explore areas of levels which used to be inaccessible with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, which adds even more lifespan.

Mania plus takes what's good about the base game and cranks it tenfold! I'd put this in the"Timeless classics" category of the franchise. With enhancements for the Xbox One X, this game could be the must-have game this summer.

OVERALL SCORE 102.5%