Difference between revisions of "Level themes"

Revision as of 10:16, 10 August 2010

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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.

1 Tropical island theme
2 Ancient ruins theme
3 Carnival/casino theme
4 Underwater theme
5 Jungle theme
6 Industrial theme
7 Urban theme
8 Underground/cave theme
9 Spooky/supernatural theme
10 Desert/western theme
11 Lava/volcano theme
12 Winter theme
13 Sky theme
14 Flying fortress theme
15 Death Egg theme
16 Outer space theme

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

Levels with the carnival/casino theme feature bright lights, carnival rides, and casino games. This theme first appeared in Spring Yard Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog and later in Sonic the Hedgehog CD’s Tidal Tempest.

Underwater theme

Main page: Levels with an underwater theme

The underwater theme represents levels that primarily take place underwater. This theme first appeared in Labyrinth Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog and later in Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s Casino Night Zone.

Jungle theme

Main page: Levels with a jungle theme

Levels with the jungle theme feature swamps, trees, and vines. This theme first appeared in Jungle Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit).

Industrial theme

Main page: Levels with an industrial theme

The industrial theme represents gameplay that takes place in factories or other industrial areas. This theme first appeared in Scrap Brain Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog.

Urban theme

Main page: Levels with an urban theme

Levels with the urban theme feature buildings, roads, and cars. This theme first appeared in Gigapolis Zone in Sonic Chaos.

Underground/cave theme

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Main page: Levels with an underground/cave theme

Levels with the underground/cave theme often take place in underground caverns, with lava, sewage, and sometimes Chaos Emeralds. This theme first appeared in Labyrinth Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog.

Spooky/supernatural theme

Main page: Levels with a spooky/supernatural theme

The spooky/supernatural theme is uncommon. Levels may take place in haunted castles and graveyards. This theme first appeared in Dark Castle in Tails' Skypatrol.

Desert/western theme

Main page: Levels with a desert/western theme

Levels with the desert/western theme feature sand, the hot sun, quicksand, and spikes. This theme first appeared in Sandopolis Zone in Sonic & Knuckles.

Lava/volcano theme

Main page: Levels with a lava/volcano theme

The lava/volcano theme represents gameplay where the player must avoid bubbling lava, difficult traps, and fire-based badniks. This theme first appeared in Marble Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog.

Winter theme

Main page: Levels with a winter theme

Levels with the winter theme are characterized by cold environments with snow and ice. This theme first appeared in IceCap Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Sky theme

Main page: Levels with a sky theme

The sky theme occurs in the clouds, with Sonic often riding the Tornado. This theme first appeared in Sky Chase Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Flying fortress theme

Main page: Levels with a flying fortress theme

The flying fortress theme represents gameplay that takes place on Eggman's fleet of airships. This theme first appeared in Sky Base Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit).

Death Egg theme

Main page: Levels with a Death Egg theme

Levels with the Death Egg theme are set deep in Eggman's Death Egg fortress and occur near the end of games in the Sonic series. This theme first appeared in Death Egg Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Outer space theme

Main page: Levels with an outer space theme

The outer space theme represents gameplay that takes place in outer space. This environment is often the stage for a final encouter at the end of a game. This theme first appeared in The Doomsday Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 <div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:Segasonic icyisle.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a winter theme]][[File:Cooledge.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a winter theme]]</div>
 {{main|:Category:Levels with a winter theme|l1=Levels with a winter theme}}
-Snow zones are often characterized by slippery ice, snowy slopes, penguin badniks, and freezing traps.
+Levels with the '''[[:Category:Levels with a winter theme|winter theme]]''' are characterized by cold environments with snow and ice.  This theme first appeared in [[IceCap Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.
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@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 <div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:Skychase.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a sky theme]][[File:Skychaseact2.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a sky theme]]</div>
 {{main|:Category:Levels with a sky theme|l1=Levels with a sky theme}}
-The '''Sky cliche''' is a rare one, but it's a very unique one.
+The '''[[:Category:Levels with a sky theme|sky theme]]''' occurs in the clouds, with Sonic often riding the [[Tornado]].  This theme first appeared in [[Sky Chase Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''.
-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!
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@@ Line 89: / Line 86: @@
 <div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:Wingfortress.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a flying fortress theme]][[File:Sh Egg Fleet.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a flying fortress theme]]</div>
 {{main|:Category:Levels with a flying fortress theme|l1=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.
+The '''[[:Category:Levels with a flying fortress theme|flying fortress theme]]''' represents gameplay that takes place on Eggman's fleet of airships.  This theme first appeared in [[Sky Base Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)]]''.
 {{clear}}
@@ Line 95: / Line 92: @@
 <div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:Silversonic.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a Death Egg theme]][[File:Sonic Advance Zone Cosmic Angel.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with a Death Egg theme]]</div>
 {{main|:Category:Levels with a Death Egg theme|l1=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]].
+Levels with the '''[[:Category:Levels with a Death Egg theme|Death Egg theme]]''' are set deep in Eggman's [[Death Egg]] fortress and occur near the end of games in the Sonic series.  This theme first appeared in [[Death Egg Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''.
-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 [[Wikipedia:Kessler syndrome|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)]].
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 ==Outer space theme==
-<div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:DoomsdayLevel.PNG|frameless|x100px|link=The Doomsday Zone]][[File:Trutharea53.png|frameless|x100px|link=True Area 53]]</div>
+<div class="toc shadow" style="float:left;margin-right:15px">[[File:DoomsdayLevel.PNG|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with an outer space theme]][[File:Trutharea53.png|frameless|x100px|link=:Category:Levels with an outer space theme]]</div>
 {{main|:Category:Levels with an outer space theme|l1=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!
+The '''[[:Category:Levels with an outer space theme|outer space theme]]''' represents gameplay that takes place in outer space.  This environment is often the stage for a final encouter at the end of a game.  This theme first appeared in [[The Doomsday Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.
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