It's amazing how a few details can change the entire look of the stage
(Images are all taken from Sonic Retro and The Cutting Room Floor)
Spring Yard could've been one of the final stages of the game according to the level select in the prototype we have. That makes perfect sense to me, since had a lot of ominous neon buildings and a darker starry sky, similar to how the likes of Casino Night from Sonic 2.
Speaking of which...
This version of Casino Night looks so evil and I can't quite explain why. These bright blues and pinks look very artificial, it's a reminder of how removed the player is from nature.
The background also has these green buildings in the distance, creeping from the darkness in an ominous way, if feels like Sonic is completely surrounded!
The finalized Casino Night feels much wider, the buildings aren't dark shapes towering Sonic, instead, they are all shining there in the distance. The foreground also has a more grounded palette, feeling a lot less "unnatural" and "wicked" and more like an actual casino.
While I prefer the finalized version of these stages, these older incarnations have a very interesting vibe!
Felt like a crime that the Spring Yard COPE signs and this shrug Sonic does in this one piece of art have never been put together. It has such an energy to it. Like, “sorry for ur loss, but not that sorry!” I also made a transparent version with just the text and Sonic if anyone wants to use it. Might be too small though...
“Third level in the game, and I gotta be honest. The more I play this level, the less I like it. I love the music, the color scheme is awesome and there are some cool gimmicks, but it’s quite flawed. You have some fast moments, but the slow ones...are a big snore. Even the boss fight is mediocre. Overall, a very bittersweet level...”
PS: the gameplay used for this gifset is not mine. The original video belongs to the user: Underground Gaming Entertainment , on Youtube.
AI Prompt: Write an entry in Dr. Eggman's diary about Spring Yard Zone.
Dear Diary,
I have a bone to pick with Spring Yard Zone. What kind of zone is that, anyway? It's like the architects were on some kind of weird, roller coaster-themed acid trip when they designed it.
First of all, there are those ridiculous bumpers, bouncing around like they own the place. It's like trying to navigate through a pinball machine, which I suppose is fitting, considering Sonic's love of rolling and bouncing around.
And let's not forget about those annoying springs. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to make the entire zone a giant trampoline? My robots have a hard enough time walking around as it is, and now they have to deal with uncontrollable bouncing? It's madness, I tell you!
But even worse than the bouncing and the bumpers are those infuriating spikes. They seem to be everywhere, just waiting to impale anyone foolish enough to get too close. I've lost count of how many times I've fallen victim to those spiky devils.
And don't even get me started on the music. It's like an ear worm that burrows into your brain and refuses to let go. I'll be humming that tune for days.
But despite all of that, I can't deny that Spring Yard Zone is a real challenge. It keeps me on my toes and makes me think outside of the box. And who knows, maybe one day I'll finally defeat Sonic there.
But until then, I'll just have to grit my teeth and bear it. Spring Yard Zone, you haven't seen the last of me.
In this reading Sonic OST Comments video, I see what others are saying about the songs I ranked in a separate tier list video. Needless to say, some comments surprised me. Btw, be sure to watch that tier list video for context!
Given that I lost the most followers during Sonic Month, I gotta bring one track out for a victory lap. Spring Yard Zone, in all its vaguely Bobby Brownish glory, is my favorite stage theme bar none and everyone needs to hear it once before they die...in the Nevada desert buried on top of their brother for sleeping with a made man's wife.