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Famitsu Grants First Look at Chemical Plant, Metal Sonic in Generations

During our little downtime (more on that later), Famitsu scans flooded the Internet confirming another level for Sonic Generations, Sonic 2‘s Chemical Plant Zone, and the boss for the stage in Metal Sonic.

From the start, Chemical Plant looks much darker and grungier than its Sonic 2 counterpart, looking like a hybrid of it and Eggmanland from Sonic Unleashed. The double helix paths, Mega Mack-lined tubes and purple water all return in Classic Sonic’s version of the level. If you had nightmares about that one area in Act 2 with the rising water, get ready as it will likely return.

Modern Sonic takes the level into full 3D, solidifying the Eggmanland comparison. Vats of Mega Mack line the paths and, in usual Modern Sonic flare, his parkour and constant boosting through the level brings about its destruction as parts of it begin to catch on fire and explode. Genocide City Zone? I kid, but it’s an impressive sight to be sure.

At the end of the stage, Classic Sonic has to deal with a familiar nemesis, wanting revenge for a certain event that left him becoming rather intimate with a solid steel wall. Metal Sonic races Classic Sonic through the blazing ruins of the Chemical Plant Zone, harkening back to the iconic race against him in the bad future of Sonic CD‘s Stardust Speedway Zone. It’s unknown if Sonic will also have to worry about Dr. Robotnik and his instant kill laser following behind him.

With this release of assets from Famitsu, we can expect a trailer very soon, and hopefully with the actual level music and not a gutted track of questionable popularity. Check out the gallery for more photos.

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110 Comments

  • Reply

    I’m fairly certain that the Metal Sonic fight actually takes place in Stardust Speedway. Look at the lamp posts, pipes in the road, and the dark clouds.

    • Reply

      It looks like Chemical Plant to me, although with a little bit of its aesthetics inspired by Stardust Speedway. The big giveaway is that the lighting and skyline are exactly the same as Chemical Plant’s.

      • Reply

        Well, Stardust Speedway could easily be a part of Chemical Plant. 

        • Reply

          How does that make sense?

        • Reply

          Indeed, Stardust Speedway is on Little Planet.

        • Reply

          Yeah, sorry. Didn’t really think of that. I think I’d better stick to observing Retro, I don’t know that much about the classic games…

  • Reply

    Unfortunately Classic Sonic doesn’t have his super peel out to assist him this time…
    …let alone a Sonic Boost.

  • Reply

    Pretty dark level. It doesn’t matter, if there’s no originally Stardust Speedway, but it’s important that they try to create a similar atmosphere. That would do it.

    • Reply

      Forget that what I said, that is a Stardust Speedway.

  • Reply

    That would be cool to have a nice transition between Chemical Plant to the city behind it – the Startdust Speedway?

    • Reply

      Maybe he’s in the bad future of Stardust Speedway which HAPPENS to have Chemical Plant zone inside it.

      NOSTALGIACEPTION

  • Reply

    I’m pretty sure that’s Stardust Speedway

  • Reply

    Yeah, that’s definitely Stardust Speedway. There no lampposts in Chemical Plant and the factory is absent in the background.

  • Reply

    Holy shit. This looks spectacular. I can feel…. smog fuming in my face? Very interesting twist on the level. Reminds me of Robotropolis and Eggmanland in terms of atmosphere for sure. Surprising to see such a gritty take on the blue and yellow clad environment. 

    Dammit. Why is that after three Retro levels, we have to deal with so bland city levels and Green Hill relatives? This isn’t fair. They could’ve maxed out the potential of levels like Lost World, Ice Cap, Bingo Highway, and maybe even Shamar. Of course, who am I to judge when the games have been about blasting through (most popularly) city landscapes. 

    • Reply

      In the more recent titles that is…

    • Reply

      I agree…Perhaps Speed Highway will be good, but they could have picked a much better level from Sonic Heroes. Unleashed has no stages I’m fond of bar Eggmanland (which is basically this) and colours was last year so it’s hardly a blast from the past. I was hoping for some of the more colourful levels like twinkle park

      • Reply

        That leaked list isnt the full list. There’s more to come!

        • Reply

          Sega said otherwise. They said the 3DS version has 7 zones, and the HD version has 9.

        • Reply

          Where did you hear this?

        • Reply

          No, it is the full list.

          DLC might come later, but that’s the full list of levels on the disc.

    • Reply

      Why don’t you wait and actually see the levels before you condemn them

  • Reply

    Guess this is why Eggmanland didn’t make it in…it’s a little duller than I remember it, but I’m rather interested in that scene of it surrounded in flames…I bet Modern Sonic blew it up out of spite of a fast paced level with actual gameplay~

  • Reply

    It’s still good to see all the same. The level is a lot darker than I thought, but water is a good sign.

  • Reply

    Wow, this is definitely a different take on Chemical Plant. I like it! I’m assuming that the trailer for the US is gonna have some generic rock music while the Japan trailer will have the Modern track which I’m really guessing is going to combine Chemical Plant with Eggmanland references in the composition. Also, I think this stage will scare off the younger fans and I mean YOUNGER.

  • Reply

    Sweet. =)

  • Reply

    It’s most likely the Metal Sonic fight’s background was meant to mimic Stardust Speedway’s, but it isn’t actually that same level. Stardust Speedway-Bad Future/Chemical Plant/Eggmanland all have extreme similarities. It’s AMAZING they’re throwing all this into one level….Amazing job SEGA, keep it up! This game’s looking amazing with each new update!

  • Reply

    They combined everything I love about Sonic city levels, and added Metal Sonic. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Damned if they’re not putting a LOT of work into this thing. Also, continuing with ‘City Escape’, I’ll bet they throw in more obscure stuff hidden in for us, too.

  • Reply

    THIS LOOKS SO GOOD. Oh my god. I can’t wait for this game to come out. The first image looks like a frame from a stop-motion cartoon, or a Viewmaster slide. It has a real “miniature” look to it, probably because of the grain on the image, and the fact that everything is really bright, and in focus. I love it.

  • Reply

    Zip your pants back up know-it-alls. That’s all Chemical Plant, so get over it and move on. Sonic CD was absolute shite anyway.

    • Reply

      Without evidence to back that up you mean nothing. The majority of us agree that cd was one of/the best 2d sonic game ever.

    • Reply

      You’re going to look real stupid if it’s Stardust Speedway.

  • Reply

    Hmm.. that would be a really cool transition, Chemical Planet Zone leads to Stardust Speedway. Sadly  though that cannot happen as Stardust Speedway is on Little Planet. So I guess it leads to a place that is similar to Stardust Speedway lol. SEGA, you did the right thing.. I forgive you now.

  • Reply

    The level looks really cool.

  • Reply

    Holy Shit, it looks fantastic. Also, looks like Stardust Speedway to me too.

  • Reply

    Am I the only one who thinks this version of Chemical Plant Zone sucks…? Maybe the music will be good at least.

    • Reply

      I think you are actually. What about it is bad?

  • Reply

    this looks pretty juicy, and metal sonic chasing classic on chemical plant/startdust is preety coold . they should have the water rising at the same time to make it really awsome. now a little off the topic i do home mecha sonic is represented in sky sanctuary zone i be mad are these little retro references in the levels and yet they wont put him in the background atleast, especially seening as how he appears in one of the main games(sonic and knuckles) not like metal who main appearance is from a game which some people cant decide still should it count or not( i say it does )still mecha better appear not toss to the side to favor metal. other then that the screenshots are great =)

  • Reply

    If it’s not Stardust Speedway, surely it’s made to look like it, while it uses a blue/yellow colors, the floor and pipes and etc.. are from SS alright, and that’s not talking about the lampost.

    • Reply

      as i’ve heard people say before, maybe the city in the background of chemical plant IS speedway, and this is the mid-ground thats half plant, half speedway.

  • Reply

    That is definitely stardust speed way look at the highway lights in the SS then look @ them in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgcqVR74yKo and look at the platforms bellow 

  • Reply

    I don’t see anything about those screenshots that look like Stardust Speedway. It’s blatantly Chemical Plant, even down to the buildings in the background.

  • Reply

    Looks absolutely glorious, so much more intimidating.

  • Reply

    oh there is no gay pride beam for shame robotnik for shame

  • Reply

    This is Chemical Plant. Simple.

    Generations has things present in Green Hill that weren’t there in the original, like the twisty bridge and the black and yellow buzzers. To me, Green Hill seemed more like a fusion of Green Hill and Emerald Hill.

    This is Chemical Plant/Stardust Speedway.

    • Reply

      Oh, and btw…this looks f**kin AMAZING!!!!!

    • Reply

      Just realized these are two different stages that just look the same. Metal Sonic isn’t the boss of Chemical Plant. It actually is the Metal Sonic battle taking place in Stardust Speedway.

  • Reply

    This is Stardust Speedway. Or they incorporated a lot SS elements in Chemical Plant. 

    The floor doesn’t look lice CP, it has SS all over it with the pipes and stuff. Also, the LAMP directily ripped from SS. And those little things with 4 lights on the ground, also from SS. 

    It’s Speedway Boss Fight. It’s the high of Sonic Epicness. And i’m praying for a modern version. 

    • Reply

      Eh, probably for nostalgia reasons only Classic Sonic would be fighting Metal. :/

      Maybe Modern Sonic will fight Mecha Sonic.

    • Reply

      Well, they added onto GHZ as well, so why shouldn’t they to CPZ?

  • Reply

    *nerdgazms*

    First of all, let me say this: water levels are the most memorable for me when I was just 3-4 years old. Chemical plant, Hydrocity, laborynth zone. THOSE are the ones that stick out. I hope I get to see Hydrocity in DLC. I agree with everyone, I would have taken Bingo Highway over Seaside crap any day. Seaside hill is OVERUSED! it’s all over the tennis game, the Sega All stars racing game. It wasnt a GOOD level to begin with. it was too long and just plain boring. Bingo Highway, bullet train, hang castle….even frog forest are far superior levels to seaside hill. looks like sega dropped the ball there. ALL the other levels (even planet wisp) im completely content with. I’m going to spend ALOT of time on speed highway! :>

  • Reply

    These screenshots remind me heavily of the Saturn era, and I’m not sure how or why, but it’s awesome. Maybe because it resembles Burning Rangers? Idk….

  • Reply

    So if “Death Egg” isn’t the boss to the Sonic 2 level, it’ll be the boss to the Sonic and Knuckles level. That means there’s a good chance it’s the Sonic and Knuckles final boss. Great Egg Robo in HD remade, likely with new moves?

    Game of the Millennium.

    (Also Sky Sanctuary means the superior Metal Sonic returns. I can die happy.)

  • Reply

    There is the possibility that THAT could be Stardust Speedway Bad Future because time travel is a part of Sonic Generation’s story isn’t it?

    • Reply

      That’s something to take into account too.

      …holy crap, two erased timelines (Stardust – Bad Future and Crisis City – Solaris erased, Iblis never destroyed the world) revisited?

  • Reply

    Maybe the boss for modern sonic is neo metal sonic. 

  • Reply

    Am i the only one who wants starlight zone redone? And to have upgrades for both sonics?

    • Reply

      not at all. I was actually very surprised that Starlight didn’t make the list!

    • Reply

      Well, Starlight Zone is kinda Speed Highway-ish, and the has been data found for Classic Sonic have an unlockable homing attack.

    • Reply

      No, you are not. I’d LOVE Star Light Zone to be included, but sadly, Sonic 1 is covered with Green Hill.

      • Reply

        Yeah i guess the urban level was done with city escape. But whats really stupid is that theyre was no ice cap! Sega should know it was one of the best level’s in francise history! Also no level’s from sonic cd was in! Wacky workbench anyone? I know ss is supossiply in! What would’ve been sick would be able inable disable time posts that would switch the gameplay modes! Well at least i know that someone agrees with me. Now to get validated!

  • Reply

    Why is everyone wanting Stardust Speedway so badly? That level just felt like some really bad combination of Chemical Plant Zone and Starlight Zone. The horrible collision detection programing didn’t help for half of the level either. The point is, who cares about the actual level when the Metal Sonic boss fight is still the same iconic boss fight, probably better. 

  • Reply

    Looks like a fusion of Chemical Plant, Stardust Speedway Eggmanland. I love it!

    I hope the trailer comes soon…

  • Reply

    @gamester454 nope i want starlight zone so much such a gr8 sonic level i dont really mind if this level is chemical plant or stardust speedway just likein they got metal sonic 🙂

    • Reply

      I loved the metal sonic boss in sonic cd, and the silver sonic fight in sonic 2…. Would’nt it be cool if sonic raced metal in a sonic cd like fight then had a sonic 2 style fight! I heard sonic generations has a built in emulater…. So im hoping they find the 1990 tokyo gameshow sonic 1 tech demo or at least a recreation demo.

  • Reply

    I suspect a lot of the murkiness is down to the fact the scans are horrible. It looks as if they took the scan of the entire page and then saved it as a GIF – there’s bound to have been immense colour loss.

  • Reply

    http://www.sonicstadium.org/2011/07/classic-metal-sonic-revealed/ maetal sonic artwork

  • Reply

    Oh man. This is going to be awesome. Seeing as how the Metal Sonic “fight” is, in fact, the CD version, I REALLY can’t wait to see how they do Modern Sonic’s. I hope it turns out as I’ve been imagining it in my head :V

  • Reply

    Seriously people, this is chemical plant, and one screen shot isn’t. Simple as that.

    https://www.sonicretro.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/061-150×150.jpg

    You seriously think this is not CPZ?

    • Reply

      Yes it is, and no ones doubting that.
      People are discussing just the boss stage with Metal Sonic being Stardust Speedway (and yes the floor/pipes/lampost THERE are from SS, look it up) not the screenshots/zone(s) as a whole.

  • Reply

    Okay, if this is SS, what soundtrack will we get??

    I’m hoping fo USA soundtrack! Japanese was way too childish…

    • Reply

      I’m hoping that there is some sort of Sonic CD boss remix! 😀 I’d kill to hear a remix of the Japanese version.

  • Reply

    That’s definitely Stardust Speedway in the Metal Sonic shots. For all we know, should the race come after Chemical Plant, Sonic will find a massive chain in the ground, run up it, and end up in Stardust Speedway Bad Future on Little Planet, at which point the race begins.

  • Reply

    Am i the only one who wants different playable characters? They would be nice unlockables if they were in, as id love to play as metal sonic or shadow even if they only have 1 stage for them. Metal Sonic is my fave character of all time 😛

    • Reply

      Oh and even better, maybe we could unlock exclusive versions of other tracks that wouldn’t fit in the game? Like when you could unlock crush40’s mix of seven rings in hand in black knight? Id like another version of sonic boom and metal sonic’s theme from sonic the fighters, death eggs eye or something.

      • Reply

        Never Let It Go is Metal Sonic’s theme in STF.

  • Reply

    Is it my imagination but in this shot (https://www.sonicretro.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/121.jpg) you can see a faint red beam of energy behind Metal which could possibly be Robotnik there? Does anyone else see this?

    • Reply

      In that shot, it’s either part of Metal Sonic’s charge waves or him being fried by the beam for falling behind. Seems more likely to be the first since they’ll probably make him run into a wall again.

  • Reply

    Awesome!I thought they were only doing city stages?

    @David Vana I hope your right on that one,I too favor the americnized version over the japanese.
    Stardust speedway was always an awesome level in sonic CD 🙂 glad to see that paticular game getting some aknowledgement.Loved it!

  • Reply

    I had always wandered what Chemical Plant or Stardust Speedway would look like in the 3rd Dimension…looks like I’m gonna find out. Looks dark and ominous, in other words I guess I like it, wonder what’s in store in the last 4 months before the game releases…

  • Reply

    THIS is what next-gen Sonic should look like. I mean how the levels look, and the overall design of the game — not the character. Chemical Plant Zone looks BEAUTIFUL, and I hope it inspires future level ideas in the future. No more genericness.

  • Reply

    If in the final version of the game, the bosses aren’t the same zones in the regular levels. (Metal here maybe, and GHZ boss in the DS version that looks like it’s on lauch base, may imply that). Eggmanland looks like it’s the final zone after all with the Egg Dragoon 😛 (before Time Eater).

  • Reply

    HOLY ******** AAAAAGHHH *Sonicgasm*

    I think my mind will explode when I buy this game… dang. 

  • Reply

    I’ll throw this out there for the sake of clarity. I put Chemical Plant for the sake of saying it’s Chemical Plant’s boss. But it’s obvious by the level details in the background, path, and the lamp that it’s Stardust Speedway Bad Future.
    For the sake of playing it safe, I didn’t outright confirm it as SSZ because say if I did and was wrong, you’d all be far more vocal about that. Gotta play it a little safe sometimes when dealing with this whole JOURNALISM thing.
    But even to me, it’s obvious it’s SSZ BF. Question is… which music will be used? Begin discussion, now.

    • Reply

      Probably, Stardust Speedway Bad Future JP/EU, (bonus points if Bad Future US, is remixed into it in some parts, like City Escape/Endless Mine Classic.)

      • Reply

        Yea it better be the JP/EU soundtrack version, it is the original one after all. God knows why Sega America decided to have a different (and personally i think worse and less Sonic’ish) soundtrack for the game. And we know the copyright crap they pulled for Gems Collection is not an issue anymore, they had the JP/EU Palmtree Panic track as an unlockable in All-Stars Racing worldwide.

        Since it is a boss level tho, i wouldn’t put it past them to not use Stardust Speedways music and just use a remix boss track for all the bosses in the game. It would be less work for them, but a lot less cool for us.

        • Reply

          The reason the U.S. got adifferent soundtrack was because SoA was under the impression that the International style wouldn’t jive with American audiences… too pop-y. At the time, rock was what was in in the U.S., so they updated the soundtrack accordingly.
          Interestingly, an earlier build of the U.S. version, the 920 build (Sept. 20, 1993), featured the International soundtrack fully intact. The final release (1002, Oct. 2, 1993) changed the soundtrack over.

    • Reply

      Hopefully both as a medley.

      • Reply

        Addendum: I’d love to see it as the Japanese track with US in it a la City Escape/Endless Mine. Japanese version is superior.

        • Reply

          I agree. The Japanese is far superior. I’d love them to use the Japanese OST for Stardust Speedway Bad Future.

    • Reply

      Just as long as you realized it was obvious that it was Stardust Speedway.

      • Reply

        I’d be a terrible staffer on this site if I didn’t. =P

  • Reply

    If we can go from Green Hill to Chemical Plant, why can’t we go from Chemical Plant to Stardust Speedway? Not that I think it’s Stardust Speedway, but… you know.

    Green Hill has Emerald Hill elements (namely the twist bridge), so it’s possible that Chemical Plant could have some SS elements… inb4SpeedHighwayhasRadicalHighwayelements…

  • Reply

    *splodes* i just thought of possible music capabilities!!
    Think about this: sonic cd’s invincability theme is mixed into sonic adventure 2’s invincability theme…..which….is a rock mix of sa’s.

  • Reply

    I hope that Classic Sonic’s stage isn’t TOO much like the original, I want something new. Although I can bet that Modern is 100% new. I wonder if boosting will work against you…

  • Reply

    TIME PARADOX!! Metal Sonic didnt exsist yet!
    Sonic 2(CP)1992
    Sonic Cd(Metal) 1993
    GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT!!
    Unless thats the modern Metal Sonic from teh future. The world may never know

    • Reply

      Let’s not forget this whole game is a time paradox as time was destroyed. The argument holds no weight. Good try, though~

      • Reply

        Also Sonic CD has been thought of as coming before Sonic 2

      • Reply

        Also didn’t development on Sonic CD technically precede Sonic 2?

        • Reply

          Indeedily.
          Hence the Tails “See you next game” easter egg, and the fact that Sega delayed Sonic CD in order to get more fans from Sonic 2 who might be willing to fork out for a Sega CD at the time. 😉

    • Reply

      Was it ever confirmed when Sonic CD actually takes place? I’d figure it’d be before Sonic 2, at least.

    • Reply

      Lets also not forget Metal Sonic is a time-traveling robot from the future sent back to destroy Sonic in Sonic CD. What’s and extra year to a terminator?

    • Reply

      Sonic CD takes place before Sonic 2. Note Sonic’s legs.

  • Reply

    It’s CPZ, however during the Sonic vs M. Sonic race it looks to me that the level is still CPZ. Why? I’ll explain, it simply looks like the race happens outside of the factory area of CPZ. Remember in Sonic2 Act1 Sonic (& Tails) are outside the tube/factory area and their are city buildings in the background. As you get further into the level you end up more within the tube/factory are, but the city is still visible. So most likely this race happens outside the tube/factory area, and more within the city area. (Which would have street lights) Also this whole post is about CPZ not SS so why would SS be even talked about? In the end if it turns out this is SS than ok YAY WOOO but the post is about CPZ right now so I’m going to say the race happens in CPZ. The whole 20 years of Sonic timeline/storyline is being thrown into chaos so if Crisis City (a level which shouldn’t exist due to Sonic 06’s events returns than it’s most likely Famous Sonic battles might happen some where else) Their is a Shadow fight right? But the final fight stage between Sonic and Shadow from SA2 is not in this game so it might happen on another level just like the SVMS race is happening in CPZ and not SS. That’s my two cents. (The stage looks raw thou!!! GO SEGA!!!!!) 

  • Reply

    I really like how they flesh out the plant to make it dark and realistic.

  • Reply

    This looks very promising… Just, wow! I’m going to any lengths to get this game…

  • Reply

    I’m excited for this game. I really am. It seems to be that Sonic Unleashed was a way of testing a new style of sonic gameplay, while Sonic colors worked on improving mostly the 2d aspects of said gameplay. Third time’s the charm, right? (I hope.)

    • Reply

      since unleashed is ok and colors was fantastic “third times the charm” would mean sonic is the game of the year and sonic competes with ocarina of time. lets just hope the “sonic fan”(as he calls himself) at ign who reviewed the hd versions of sonic unleashed is not reviewing this

      • Reply

        My favorite part was the one where people tracked down his Xbox Live handle and saw he wrote the review based off beating only one level. I mean, as a reporter, I know we’re under strict deadlines and can’t beat whole games, but generally speaking, basing a review of a game off one or two levels is like reviewing a movie but only watching the first 10-20 minutes of it.
        I won’t blast the guy since he did what he had to do, but I’m just offering perspective.

  • Reply

    Well, One thing is for sure. This is DEFINITELY not going to be another Sonic 06. I just hope that there end up being at least 3 Acts for each stage. (If it would end up being 6, like colors, (and it won’t) I would freakin’ scream.

  • Reply

    I’m glad they are bringing this stage in. this is just my opinion, but I wish they wouldn’t keep making a green hill type stage for so many of the games.

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