Oil Ocean Zone (Sonic Mania)

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Oil Ocean Zone

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Oil Ocean Zone
Ninth Zone, Sonic Mania
Number of Acts: 2
Location: West Side Island
Level themes: industrial, ocean
Sub-boss: Meter Droid
Boss: Mega Octus
Non-English names: JP: オイルオーシャン Oiru Ōshan
← Mirage Saloon Zone | Lava Reef Zone →

Oil Ocean Zone is the ninth Zone of Sonic Mania, which is based on Oil Ocean Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Overview

This Zone's Act 1 is very similar to the original, retaining the massive sea of oil dumped from Dr. Eggman's refineries that the player will sink into and die if they stand around in it for too long, along with the slippery oil slides, fans, networks of balloon launchers, and steam vent platforms to ride around on. This time around, touching the oil while using a Fire Shield will ignite the oil, causing it to rapidly go up in a blazing inferno for a few seconds.

The entire Zone is set aflame in the transition from Act 1 to Act 2, and the oil refineries are now pumping out toxic fumes at full force. These fumes will eventually cloud up the screen, making it more difficult to see where the player is going. Should the fumes become too thick, the player will start losing Rings every second until they reach zero; however, the fumes cannot kill the player. To clear the toxic fumes, the player must pull down on hanging switches much like in Sandopolis Zone, though the fumes will return after a while. There are also jumpable oil waterfalls, giant submarines that the player can enter inside and explore, and Sol Badniks that will set the oil on fire when destroyed.

From v1.04 onwards, the Zone ends with the player boarding one of the giant submarines, only for it to suddenly fly out of the oil and set a course for Angel Island.

Encore Mode

In Encore Mode, Oil Ocean Zone's foreground palettes don't change very much, but the background palettes have been changed significantly, making the Zone look like it is set during the day. The buildings in Act 1 also appear to be brighter.

Enemies

	Octus — Octopus Badnik that levitates and fires a bullet when the player approaches. From the original Oil Ocean Zone.
	Aquis — Seahorse Badnik which floats around quickly, firing globules of oil at the player. From the original Oil Ocean Zone.
	Sol — Orbinaut-like Badnik surrounded by fireballs, which are dropped when destroyed. From Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Hill Top Zone but with only 2 fireballs.

References and Easter eggs

Reference	Appears in	Source Game	Source Level
Meter Droid being very similar in appearance to Hey Ho from Mushroom Hill Zone (instead of a lumberjack, he's a plumber).	Act 1	Sonic & Knuckles	Mushroom Hill Zone
The entire zone going up in flames as an Act transition.	Act 1	Sonic the Hedgehog 3	Angel Island Zone
The hanging switch mechanic which clears the zone of toxic fumes (instead of darkness like in Sandopolis Zone).	Act 2	Sonic & Knuckles	Sandopolis Zone
Ring drain as an effect of breathing toxic gas.	Act 2	Sonic & Knuckles	Lava Reef Zone
Jumpable oil waterfalls (instead of sand like in Sandopolis Zone).	Act 2	Sonic & Knuckles	Sandopolis Zone
Sol's appearance.	Act 2	Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)	Hill Top Zone
Submarines very similar to cruise ships from Marina Madness.	Act 2	Chaotix	Marina Madness
Mega Octus' attacks taken from the original Oil Ocean Zone's boss.	Act 2	Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)	Oil Ocean Zone
Two swaying tentacle-like antennas from Lava Reef Zone's Heat Arms during the Mega Octus fight.	Act 2	Sonic & Knuckles	Lava Reef Zone