Difference between revisions of "Level themes"

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All levels in the Sonic series exhibit a theme of some form. A level's art and any level gimmicks often contribute to this theme. Sometimes level themes correlate with the game's storyline; other times, they are used to simply incorporate a variety of settings into the game. A number of themes are visible across the Sonic series.

RyogaMasaki's now-defunct website "The Shadow Zone" initially categorized levels in this way. Recent games have introduced new themes, which have also been added to this list.

Tropical island theme

Main page: Levels with a tropical island theme

The tropical island theme often occurs in the first levels of a game and has become very iconic of the Sonic series. This theme first appeared in Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog.

Ancient ruins theme

Main page: Levels with an ancient ruins theme

Levels with the ancient ruins theme often look as if they were once occupied by another civilization. This theme first appeared in Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog.

Carnival/casino theme

Main page: Levels with a carnival/casino theme

Here you'll find lots of pinball bumpers and springs, lots of stuff to keep you in the air. Also, the Casino variations contain the obligatory bright neon lights and ring giving slot machines. First appeared: Spring Yard Zone, Sonic 1

Underwater theme

Main page: Levels with an underwater theme

Another of the common clichéd zones. All or most of the level takes place underwater and the use of air bubbles is critical. You'll find plenty of piranha badniks as well. First appeared: Labyrinth Zone, Sonic 1

Jungle theme

Main page: Levels with a jungle theme

The jungle cliché involves being in an environment with swamps, many trees, and even grindable vines!

Industrial theme

Main page: Levels with an industrial theme

Jeez, Eggman's one busy little scientist! It always seems like he's building a technological city for himself in every game. I've also included levels that are set in factories of city-sized proportion, since they both seem to go along together. Metal galore, electric sparks, spikes, and nasty badniks are a few of the things often found in these zones. First Appeared: Scrap Brain Zone, Sonic 1

Urban theme

Main page: Levels with an urban theme

This cliche is a relatively new one. It takes place in any level with cars, buildings, and roads! Expect here to run down (or along!) buildings, along roads twisting in any direction, and maybe even dodge some cars!

Underground/cave theme

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Main page: Levels with an underground/cave theme

This type tends to be very popular among Sonic fans, probably because the famous Hidden Palace Zone was of this type. The setting is a huge cavern, littered with badniks and traps.

Spooky/supernatural theme

Main page: Levels with a spooky/supernatural theme

The Spooky Supernatural cliché is not an especially common Sonic cliché, but easily recognised when employed. From haunted castles to misty graveyards; darkness, bones, and supernatural spooks are the order of the day in these levels. Skull motifs, flickering flames, and hidden passageways can often be found if you search around - but don't stay for too long, or the ghosts might get you!

Desert/western theme

Main page: Levels with a desert/western theme

Hot sand, hot sun, quicksand, spikes... a virtual hell. You just gotta think to yourself that those rings are hot too! Note that this first appeared in the desert level in Sonic 2 (prototype), but since we have no concrete proof except a picture, I won't include it. First appeared: Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles

Lava/volcano theme

Main page: Levels with a lava/volcano theme

Bubbling lava, nasty traps and fire-based badniks, all part of the Lava cliché, these levels are generally tough to complete due to the hot magma that litters the zones. First appeared: Marble Zone, Sonic 1.

Winter theme

Main page: Levels with a winter theme

Snow zones are often characterized by slippery ice, snowy slopes, penguin badniks, and freezing traps.

Sky theme

Main page: Levels with a sky theme

The Sky cliche is a rare one, but it's a very unique one.

Basically it is a Zone/Act where Sonic, Tails, and sometimes Knuckles take to the skies in the Tornado to battle Eggman's forces. There is no land here, so the Tornado is yours to command! Dodge jets and bullets, and fight back!

Flying fortress theme

Main page: Levels with a flying fortress theme

Variations on the theme include levels set across a fleet of airships rather than a single flying fortress, including Secret Rings' Levitated Ruin, where the craft are biological, not mechanical.

Death Egg theme

Main page: Levels with a Death Egg theme

The Death Egg! Fearsome overlord of the heavens; a vindictive, killing moon, testament to both the grandiose malice and grandiose megalomania of Doctor Ivo Robotnik. The iconic final stronghold of the early Genesis games could strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened Sonic players, forming the backbone of the epic Death Egg Saga.

Since Sonic 2, the doc (along with other assorted supervillains) seem to have developed a taste for orbital fortresses, no matter how many times a thousand miles of vacuum proves insufficient defence from Sonic and pals. How the world has avoided Kessler syndrome, considering all the smashed bases floating around up there, is anyone's guess. Still, the space stations keep coming, and Robotnik shows no sign of losing interest in zero-g hideouts.

Often comes paired with an Outer Space cliché zone.

First appeared: Death Egg Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit).

Outer space theme

Main page: Levels with an outer space theme

The Outer Space cliché takes place in...well, space! Usually the last level/boss in the game, the fight goes to the only place big enough to have this! Prepare to dodge asteroids, fight huge monsters and don't forget to go Super! You won't survive without it!