10 Video Game Developers Who Genuinely Care About Their Fans
8. PagodaWest Games - Sonic Mania
Things have been rough over the last 14 years for Sonic fans. Since the release of the now-infamous Sonic The Hedgehog reboot in 2006, Sonic games have seemingly wandered further and further away from their illustrious 1990s counterparts. From weird beat-em-up hybrids, like Sonic Unleashed through to the just awful Sonic Boom, there seemed no end in sight for fans looking for a return to the 16-bit side-scrolling pace of the earlier games.
That's where PagodaWest Games step in.
Sonic Mania is all of the best bits of the '90s enhanced. There are both nostalgic callbacks to original levels and music as well as a whole host of new levels designed in homage to the '90s classics. The added level of detail that time has allowed us, such as more elaborate courses and detailed sprites injects Sonic Mania with an undeniable charm that both appeals to a new audience as well as fans of original Sonic.
The best part is, PagodaWest Games made Sonic Mania for Sonic fans. Not as a tool to create a spin-off TV show like Sonic Boom or to create a new cast for a spin-off racing game, Sonic Mania was the hardcore game for the tortured fans to finally rejoice over.