Bridge Zone is the 2nd level of Isle of Genesis. It is a recreation of the Bridge Zone level from Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Master System and Game Gear.
Layout[]
The level takes place above a raging river in the middle of a grassy mountain valley. In the Game Gear/Master System version of Sonic 1, this take place after Green Hill Zone as Sonic is on his adventure stop Dr. Robotnik and save the captured animal buddies.
The water is moving extremely fast, though, so no swimming is possible as the currents will pull the player to their doom should they fall in as, much like lava, it results in instant death. Most of the level is composed of "islands" above the water, that are connected, of course, by various bridges. Some bridges are rickety and unstable, and may collapse under the player's weight, plummeting into the raging waters below. The player can also get through the level using various floating platforms and catapult-like mechanisms capable of launching them into the air. The enemies of the stage are all basic Badniks from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, such as Motobugs, Crabmeats, Choppers and Buzz Bombers.
Act 1 is a straight-forward platforming section across the bridge where the player has to gradually make their way up the side of the mountain, fighting various Badniks along the way. Moving too quickly may get the player killed, though, as there are occasional boulders with springs mounted on the front of them, that can easily ricochet the player off of a platform and into the depths below.
Act 2 continues uphill towards the summit. There is a larger number of bridge sections and small platforms and more catapult-like mechanisms to jump around.
The final area is a short platforming section with a few scant enemies. Waiting for the player at the end, however, is Dr. Robotnik in his submersible Egg Marine machine who attacks by shooting projectiles at the player before switching to the other side of the river. After failing to defeat the player, he flies off, allowing the player to continue to the signpost as the level is clear as they head off to the Marble Acropolis next.
Development History[]
Bridge Zone has been on the World 7 overworld map for some time, since back in version 0.25 in fact. However, the original version was mostly incomplete and was far different than it is now. The original version was extremely linear with each section being just a straight line to the end. At the end of the first section, the player found themselves having to dive off of a cliff to land on a raft in the next area below. That area would then consist of an auto-scrolling segment, where the player had to ride a series of small raft platforms while avoiding an onslaught of Badniks, such as the Choppers and Buzz Bombers. There were also a couple of unusual hazards, such as oddly-placed pinball bumpers, and a unique variety of Hammer Bros that threw buzzsaw blades.
Control of the level was passed from designer to designer for over a year since its creation, and while the level saw a few graphical upgrades and minor design tweaks, it ultimately remained in its unfinished state until near the release of version v0.5, when it was picked up, revamped, and finally completed by developer Lars Luron.
Enemies[]
- Crabmeat (Sonic 1)
- Moto Bug (Sonic 1)
- Buzz Bomber (Sonic 1)
- Spikes (Sonic 1)
- Chopper (Sonic 1)
Boss[]
- Egg Marine (Sonic Game Gear)
Gallery[]
Gallery (Original Version)[]
Video[]
Lancer Plays MKF Part 287: Bridge Zone (Current Version)
LtSarge Plays MKF Part 72: Bridge Zone (Original Version)