Sandopolis Zone

From Sonic Retro

Sandopolis Zone

Third level, Sonic & Knuckles Number of Acts: 2 Level theme: desert/western, spooky/supernatural (Act 2) Boss: Egg Golem (S&K) Sub-boss: Guardian OSV: Sonic & Knuckles OSV Level Map: Sonic 3 & Knuckles Level Maps Maximum Rings, Act 1: 383 + 210 Maximum Rings, Act 2: 284 + 80 Act 1: Act 2: Level icon:

Sandopolis Zone is the third zone in Sonic & Knuckles (the ninth zone in Sonic 3 & Knuckles) and is separated into two parts: a sandswept, quicksand-filled desert for Act 1, leading to a giant, labyrinthine pyramid for Act 2. The latter one is well known for featuring ghost enemies. It is also the first implemented example of the Desert cliché. Sandopolis Zone is a fairly long level, taking on a more platform-based, puzzle-oriented style than most levels before it. Puzzle navigation is crucial in Act 1, as Sonic and Knuckles have to move blocks out of their path and bungee-jump down long ravines to progress.

The torches in the background of Act 2 are not just for decoration; they serve as actual illumination for the level and will progressively get dimmer until a light switch is pulled. The light has 4 stages: bright, semi-bright, dim and dark.

The player (unintentionally) meets the Hyudoro by falling on an animal prison in Sonic's story and they then attempt to thwart the player's travels the rest of the level. The Hyoduro are likewise affected by the light; as the lights get darker the ghosts get more powerful and aggressive. They are at their most powerful when the lights go out, and at that point can physically hurt Sonic or Knuckles. If Act 2 is being navigated by Knuckles, the Hyudoro have already been freed prior to Knuckles' arrival (possibly due to Knuckles' story taking place right after Sonic's) and will immediately attack him upon the start of the level, as it is dark.

The zone is entered by Sonic or Knuckles falling from the sky into the sand at the beginning of the first act, and is exited by Sonic falling into some kind of hole in the ground, or by Knuckles just walking over it (both ways lead to Lava Reef Zone).

Instruction Manual Description

“	No desert has shiftier sands than this treacherous terrain. Play the sands to your advantage. Time your attack on the Skorp just right!	„

Sonic Team Commentary (from Sonic Jam Strategy Guide)

“	Here's the desert stage, something that hadn't appeared in the series until this point, so we were able to make it relatively free of earlier influences. The ghosts appearing in the second half are the first enemies who weren't made by Eggman. When he infiltrated the pyramid, he must have worked very hard to trap them inside that box.	„
—Takashi Iizuka