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Sonic Labyrinth
-- Intro --
Hey, y'know Marble Madness? Labyrinth is absolutely nothing like that
except for the perspective. It's a love it/hate it game, but I think it's just misunderstood.
(Sonic Labyrinth, that is.) Those expecting classic Sonic speed are sure to be disappointed,
but taken for what it is -- a creative, fun puzzle game brimming with secrets -- there's an
awful lot to like about Labyrinth.
-- Story --
Robotnik decides that Sonic runs too doggone fast. He bets that pesky blue
hedgehog would be as helpless as a sickly, underfed kitten without his speed. Brilliant
deduction Doc, but how are you gonna rob Sonic of his birthright? Why, with adverse footwear, of
course. Eggy creates a pair of normal-looking sneakers that happen to reduce the running speed
of their wearer. (It's gotta be the shoes!) After having one of his Badnik assistants swap the
speed-sucking sneakers with Sonic's regular pair while he's asleep, the Eggman informs Sonic of
what needs to be done to get his speed back. (I don't know why he gives him the solution,
or even why he didn't just kill Sonic while he was on a snooze-cruise. Maybe Robotnik is
secretly afraid of losing his arch nemesis? The world may never know.) Anyway, in order
to get his speed back, Sonic must collect the Chaos Emeralds hidden within Robotnik's Super
Labyrinth. His speed's gone, but his Spin Dash still works. Hm...
-- Gameplay Info --
So here's the game: the object is to locate the three Keys on each isometric
board, then make it to the exit within the time limit. And for the first time in Sonic history,
there isn't a Ring in sight (except for the boss and bonus stages): if you take damage, you get
some oh-so-valuable seconds shaved off the timer. So basically, the clock is your biggest enemy
in Labyrinth. The timer is extended every time you find a Key or bop a Badnik...so do that.
Naturally, Sonic has lost his speed. What isn't explained in the story is why
he has also lost his ability to jump. You can walk around the boards if you so desire, but being
that Sonic moves about as fast as a speeding mail carrier, that would be a death wish. If you
intend on making it past level 1-2, your only hope is to master the Spin Dash technique. It
works like a slingshot, and you can revert back to standing mode at any time by hitting the
action button again (just like Sonic Adventure).
There are four Zones each with three stages. Every third stage is a boss
round, where you DO find Rings which serve as your only defense against the boss' attack. Beat
the baddie and you get a Chaos Emerald. The levels consist of: Labyrinth of the Sky, Labyrinth
of the Sea, Labyrinth of the Factory, and Labyrinth of the Castle.
Items come in the form of weird-ass triangle formations. Here's the key:
- Green horizontal row: ? Item -- Destroys all Badniks on-screen
- Yellow vertical row: Hourglass -- Adds one minute to the timer
- Blue horizontal pair: Sneakers -- Temporarily raises your walking speed
- Red vertical pair: Invincible -- Makes you invincible for a short time
- Pink square formation: 1-Up -- Gives you an extra chance
There are two bonus stages hidden within the game. Once inside, you're just
grabbing Rings and bouncing off bumpers for points and stuff, but you must access them both to
view the good ending. Just getting inside is where the challenge lies, although you receive the
hint "1 and 2 and right key!" after finishing it with the bad ending. At the end of the good
ending, you get the level-select code.
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Information
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Review By:
Green Gibbon
Debut:
November, 1995 (Sonic Labyrinth)
Players:
1
Publisher:
SEGA
Developer:
Sega of Europe |
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Codes & Cheats
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Bonus Stage
Go to zone 2-3. Find the cannon and get into it, then press 1 + 2 + Right. Turn the switch ON to open the bonus door.
Level Select
At the title screen, press Up twice, Right three times, Down six times, and Left nine times then press Start. Select Config and use Left and Right to select a starting level.
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Music |
| (None Available)
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Pictures
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#1
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