Mad Gear Zone

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

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Mad Gear Zone

Fourth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
Number of Acts: 4
Level theme: industrial
Boss: Flying Eggman
← Lost Labyrinth Zone \| E.G.G. Station Zone →

Mad Gear Zone is the fourth Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I. It is a base of operations for Dr. Eggman that seems to be based largely on Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Metropolis Zone.

Overview

Much like the Zone it is based on, Mad Gear Zone features many of the same obstacles that the maniacal genius has in store for Sonic, and even includes the Asteron, Shellcracker, and Slicer Badniks from the same stage. The most common obstacles found in this deadly factory include high-pressure steam pipes that can propel him to different paths or into spiky danger, pistons that can crush the blue blur, and transport pipes that take him to different parts of the Zone.

The second Act introduces rotating cogs that serve as obstacles much like they did in Metropolis Zone, as well as rolling cogs that Sonic can run on to cross gaps or to open timed doors.

The third Act is darker with wailing sirens and is much more treacherous, as Sonic is being chased by a giant death wall that chases him throughout specific sections of the Act with the intention of crushing him. The speed at which the wall chases Sonic is relative to his distance from it; the farther away he is, the faster it will chase him. Said sections are also filled with giant slow-moving pistons that will crush Sonic or close off the way forward, leaving Sonic to be crushed by the death wall if he doesn't make it past in time. Sections which don't have the wall feature platforms that Sonic will roll down which the player must tilt to influence Sonic's direction.

Acts

Act 1 - Dr. Eggman's Secret Base
Act 2 - Escape the Cog Trap
Act 3 - Impending Doom
Boss - Defeat the Real Dr. Eggman

Episode Metal Act 1 - Metal Sonic Returns!

The first Act of Mad Gear Zone is later visited by Metal Sonic as the first Act of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal. As with all levels in Episode Metal, Mad Gear Zone is rearranged with slightly more difficult object and Badnik layouts, with the most notable change being that Metal Sonic starts the Act surrounded by four Slicers.

Before the level begins, the player is presented with a cutscene that reveals the true purpose of the Mad Gear Zone. Metal Sonic, in a sorry state after returning from the Little Planet, enters a machine that is powered by the entire facility. Eggman powers on the machine, fully repairing the robotic doppelgänger and allowing him to begin his mission to destroy Sonic.

Quotes

“	A huge plant constructed by Eggman to turn his maniacal ambitions into reality. This is Eggman’s final fort filled with violently moving pistons, giant gears, high-pressure steam valves, and deadly badniks. Sonic will need to master all of his skills effectively to survive.	„
— Description on the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 website

Enemies

	Asteron — Mole bots that leap from the ground and then simply move back and forth in a small area.
	Bubbles — A blue bubble Badnik used for Homing Attack chains. Red ones have retractable spikes.
	Shellcracker — A Badnik with a giant claw.
	Slicer — A Badnik that throws its arms at Sonic. This time, it will self-destruct after throwing its arms.