10 TERRIBLE Levels That Stopped You Replaying Great Video Games
3. Labyrinth Zone - Sonic The Hedgehog
I can already hear the cries of the mob already. How DARE I criticise the original Sonic the Hedgehog in such a way?! It's a classic!
However, going back to the blue blur's original outing only proves one thing: Sonic the Hedgehog may be a classic, but the only level remembered with any fondness is the Green Hill Zone. The opening stages are a masterclass in level design, with paths carefully laid out to wow the player with just how fast Sonic could go.
Next comes the Marble Zone, which slows the gameplay down in service of waiting for blocks to move out of the way and traversing lava pits on slow-moving platforms. The Spring Yard Zone is better, but is mired in confusing navigation and slow-paced platforming.
And then we have the Labyrinth Zone. You immediately descend into a pit of water, which slows your top speed to a crawl, limits your jumping ability and of course introduces an exciting new gameplay feature: drowning. Who can forget that terrifying, panic-inducing, ever-accelerating drowning theme as you desperately try to waddle over to one of the all-too-rare air pockets only to die, respawn, die again and finally wrench the cartridge from your Mega Drive and punt it across the room? A classic indeed.