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Lost Labyrinth Zone

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Sonic Retro emblem.svg Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
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Lost Labyrinth Zone
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Lost Labyrinth Zone
Third Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
Number of Acts: 4
Level themes: underwater, ancient ruins, underground/cave
Boss: Lost Labyrinth Zone Boss
Underwater areas: yes
Casino Street Zone | Mad Gear Zone

Lost Labyrinth Zone is the third Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I. It appears to be set underground, similar to Sonic the Hedgehog's Labyrinth Zone, and draws similar comparisons to Hydrocity Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Overview

The minecart stage in the iOS release.

Following the tradition of underwater-themed levels, Lost Labyrinth Zone is filled with water that Sonic must wade through, along with many familiar Badniks that return from Labyrinth Zone. Should Sonic begin to run out of air, the player will need to seek the surface or inhale an air bubble. The first Act additionally has large boulders that fall from the ceiling or chase Sonic as obstacles that must be avoided, and as a gimmick for Sonic to ride on as a means of progressing so long as the player maintains Sonic's balance.

This Zone is known for the controversial minecart gimmick that was in the second Act in the PartnerNET build, which involved Sonic controlling a minecart in the entire level using motion controls. Due to responses from the fanbase, the minecart Act became an exclusive level in the iOS version, and the console version received an entirely new Act.

On August 18, 2010, Lost Labyrinth Zone was revealed on the Japanese website and later on the US site, with a slew of new screenshots.[1] The entirety of Act 2 was altered to use a new gimmick in which the player carries a torch around and light up wall torches to light the way and solve puzzles, or to light fuses to blast away walls strapped with dynamite. The infamous minecart was changed in function; rather than being used in the entire Act, the minecart was now automatic, and placed in a few sections during the Act. The removal of motion controls from the Act was confirmed.

Act 3 returns to having the player wade through water, complete with water-filled chambers where the player must tilt the screen to shift a block and drain all the water out before Sonic drowns. The Act also features puzzles involving endless water slides similar to Labyrinth Zone's third Act.

Super Sonic will light up the entirety of the console version of Act 2 with his golden glow, making the level much easier. He can also breathe underwater indefinitely, similar to Hyper Sonic.

Acts

  • Act 1 - Ancient Maze of Mystery
  • Act 2 - World of Darkness (Console) / Strange Mine Cart (iOS/Android & Console prototypes)
  • Act 3 - Underwater Maze Escape
  • Boss - Trap-Filled Ruins

Episode Metal Act 2 - The Altar's Hidden Treasure

The first Act of Lost Labyrinth Zone is later visited by Metal Sonic as the second Act of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal. As with all levels in Episode Metal, Lost Labyrinth Zone is rearranged with slightly more difficult object and Badnik layouts.

After clearing the level, a cutscene plays where Metal Sonic reaches a dark chamber in the ruins that holds a powerful, electrifying orb atop an altar. Upon discovering the orb, Metal Sonic absorbs it, empowering himself, and then escapes the crumbling ruins by tearing through the walls, heading for Casino Street Zone.

Quotes

Eggman began his latest research in the remains of this labyrinth. Mysterious traps including giant boulders, moving walls, and endless waterways deter any curious explorers. If Sonic gets in over his head, make sure to look for air bubbles nearby!

— Description on the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 website[2]

Enemies

S4 Bubbles Sprite.png
Bubbles — A blue bubble Badnik used for Homing Attack chains. Red ones have retractable spikes.
S4 Burrobot Sprite.png
Burrobot — Mole bots that leap from the ground and then simply move back and forth in a small area.
S4 Jaws Sprite.png
Jaws — Piranha bots that troll around underwater.
S4 Orbinaut Sprite.png
Orbinaut — Simple sphere bots that move back and forth very slowly. Green ones (Uni-Uni) are circled by four spiked balls, which move in a pattern and are only open for attack for a short time. Red ones (Unidus) are a bit more hot-headed, though, and will fire off their shield of mines.

Screenshots

References


Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I
Sonic4EpI PC title.png

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