The Starlight Zone

Ah, the Starlight Zone. A welcome breath of fresh air--erm, I mean...fresh vacuum?!--after the ugliness and annoyance of the Spring Yard Zone. That is NOT to say that this Zone is easy--well, for some people it is, but not me--but it IS a fan favourite. (Actually, I've noticed that almost anything with the word "star" in it seems to be a favourite among the fans, as the "Stardust Speedway" gets mentioned favourably EVERY time people start talking about Sonic CD...) The Zone is pretty, and different, the music is pretty, etc. Let's take a look at it, shall we?
The Starlight Zone is the fourth Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog (1) for Genesis, and a fairly unique level. At least, the only other level I can think of in which you travel through outer space itself without a suit is the Doomsday Zone of Sonic and Knuckles...possibly the aforementioned Stardust Speedway (which I have never seen, so I can't tell you about that one) but let me assure you, this level is TOTALLY different! Sure, you're in outer space, but instead of zooming around, it's a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere, with pretty tinkling almost lounge music playing in the background. (A fan favourite, that song--I think it's pretty, but not too terribly Sonic-esque, myself.) Sonic travels relatively slowly--this level is mostly jumping rather than spinning and dashing, but there are a FEW loops to keep you speed-freaks happy--through a gorgeous backdrop of stars, while the monsters relaxedly and peacefully try to blow him to Kingdom Come. Oh, did I mention that this level is just CRAWLING--literally--with living bombs? WALKING bombs that come up right behind you at the very worst moment, or position themselves to be EXACTLY where you land after a jump? Annoying as all heck. And oh, yes, there's also the slight problem that for large parts of this level, there is NO FLOOR. The most common way of dying is to fall to your death; I can do that about 5 times in one minute if I really try. That's the creepy bit of the Starlight Zone. It LOOKS so pretty and innocent--but you are playing in a total empty void, with nothing to support you if you fall! Rather scary...
At any rate, it's a unique and well-designed level, and definitely worth a visit.



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curious tourists have stopped by to visit the Starlight Zone since July 19, 1999. Of course, they were all pushed off of their ledges by walking bombs and fell screaming into the void of outer space, but hey...