10 Most Infuriating Water Levels In Gaming History

2. Labyrinth Zone (Sonic)

sonic A Sonic game is the last place you€™d expect to encounter a water level, or at least a slow, lackadaisical one. Whereas Nintendo€™s mascot vehicle is about the platforming, gameplay in Sega€™s flagship franchise has always been based on speed. But then, the last place you€™d imagine a spider to be hiding is under your pillow, and you know how they like to surprise you. So, why is it infuriating? Honestly, I could have picked any water based level from any Sonic game. But I chose Labyrinth Zone because it€™s just such a chore to play (if I ever have kids, I€™m going to punish them by getting them to repeatedly play this zone instead of doing dishes). It takes away the fast paced, twitchy gameplay and replaces it with shambolic movement and incredibly awkward platforming (for a game built around incredibly awkward platforming); it€™s like you€™re suddenly playing as Sonic€™s granddad. As the name suggests, the level is deliberately maze like (remember that section in Act 3?) and can be frustrating to navigate. You can actually bypass a lot of the section using the top route; but if you don€™t know this, then you get to enjoy the aforementioned Blair Witch esque section. How fun! On the 8-bit version Labyrinth Zone has been somewhat nerfed, but the developers included an actual fight with that dickhead (Eggman) and his submersible. That€™s right: poor underwater controls versus torpedoes. Why isn€™t Labyrinth Zone in the number 1 spot; it can€™t get much worse, surely?
 
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Ashley Bailey writes critical reviews in the manner of an angry, judgmental 70 year old writing into TV Guide. He is also the former editor a small metal and rock webzine. In his spare time, he is a self confessed Steam addict: so much so, in fact, he is literally willing to write for food, having spent his money on their lovely, lovely sales.