Metropolis Zone

From Sonic Retro

Metropolis Zone

Eighth level, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Number of Acts: 3 Level cliché: Techno City/Large Factory cliché Boss: Flying Eggman OSV: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 OSV Maximum Rings, Act 1: 218 + 60 Maximum Rings, Act 2: 210 + 70 Maximum Rings, Act 3: 153 + 70 Music:

For the area in Sonic Chronicles, see Metropolis (Sonic Chronicles).

Metropolis Zone is the eighth zone in Sonic 2. It is an extra-long level in which Dr. Robotnik resides. There are lots of machines, including the Pipe Teleporter and screw elevators, as well as pistons that vent steam from the sides. Dr. Robotnik protects himself against Sonic with spiraling eggs, each containing a fake Robotnik.

Metropolis Zone has 3 acts, like all zones of Sonic 1 (save Final Zone). However, all the other zones in Sonic 2 have two or one. This is because Tom Payne (the artist in charge of this level) had also been assigned another level that was finally scrapped due to lack of time in favor of this third act.

Instruction Manual Description

“	Sonic's finally chased Robotnik to his own capital city. But he finds a fortress of iron and steel. Danger lurks in every spinning cylinder, pounding piston and rolling gear. Hold the D-Button RIGHT or LEFT to wind the nut up and down the screws.	„
—Sonic 2 US Manual, p. 15

Sonic Team Commentary (from Sonic Jam Strategy Guide)

“	Due to problems with the story, Act 3 was going to be a different Zone that would only appear once, but since it was cut, we still wanted to have something after Act 2. So that's why there are three acts in this one. We had already finished the map, and it would have been a shame to waste it, so this is what we went with.	„
—Yuji Naka

Enemies

Asteron - Starfish enemy, explodes when you go near it, launching 5 small spikes outwards.
Slicer - Mantis enemy, throws two blades at Sonic.
Shellcracker - Crab enemy, extends its giant claw towards Sonic. Referred to as "Shellcraker" in Sonic Jam.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)

Sonic 2