User:MoonJet/Chemical Plant Zone

Chemical Plant Zone (or simply Chemical Plant) is the second level of the platform game Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which was released for the Sega Genesis in 1992. The level takes place at an industrial chemical factory. Like most of the other levels from Sonic 2, it consists of two sections (known in-game as "acts"); Sonic fights Doctor Eggman at the end of the second act.

Much like Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant Zone is often cited as one of the best Sonic the Hedgehog levels. It would re-appear in the games Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces.

History
Chemical Plant Zone is the second level in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, following Emerald Hill Zone. It takes place at an industrialized area with blue poisonous goo and water that can drown Sonic should he stay submerged in it too long. Chemical Plant Zone consists of two acts, and at the end of the second act, Sonic faces Doctor Eggman. After Eggman is defeated, Sonic moves onto Aquatic Ruin Zone. Alternatively, the player can choose Sonic and Tails together, or Tails alone. If the player locks Sonic 2 onto the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge, Knuckles can also be played as in this level.

Chemical Plant Zone is the second-most recreated Sonic level, after Green Hill Zone, re-appearing in Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces. The second act is completely revamped in the Mania version; it contains syringes that turn the goo into an area that the player can bounce up in high altitudes. At the end of the act, Eggman is fought in Puyo Puyo-like puzzle match.

Reception
Chemical Plant Zone is often considered among the best levels within the Sonic series. Kat Bailey at US Gamer declared "Chemical Plant Zone is the best Sonic level ever. No stage better captures the controlled mania that is Sonic's platforming. No stage has better music." Bailey also praised the level's setting and stated "Few Sonic zones really nail that combination of speed and precision, but Chemical Plant Zone does it." Mike Sounders from Destructoid also considers it the best level in the Sonic series. In a Paste article by Dan Solberg, it placed as the number one best Sonic level, in a list of the top ten Sonic levels. Solberg complimented the fast-paced nature of the level, as well as its soundtrack, noting "The only thing wrong with Chemical Plant Zone is how short it is." It also made the list of the top ten Sonic level by Justin Pietrodarchi, writing for TheGamer, where it placed at number ten. The Sonic Generations version of the level is considered the 2nd best level in Sonic games by Prima Games, whom appreciated the level when it debuted in Sonic 2, but felt it was even better in Generations, noting "Featuring a hybrid of 2D/3D style gameplay and breathtaking presentation, this is easily a high point for Sonic’s run."

The Sonic Mania remake was praised in a review of the game by IGN, where writer Heide Klemps stated "always been a fun romp filled with high-speed tunnels and ramps, but with the addition of chemical jelly goop that bounces you around and lets you cling to walls, it feels fresh and fun in a whole new way." Siliconera's Jenni Lada praises the boss battle in the Sonic Mania version of Chemical Plant, whom considered it the "biggest and best surprise" of the level, opining "the thing is, as amazing as this surprise is, it fits in perfectly with the array of boss fights that require you to really think and plan as you complete each act. It has the same level of precision and care, which is extraordinary. You are challenged and reminded of the places the Sonic the Hedgehog series has gone at the same time." Ars Technica writer Sam Machkovech was impressed by second act in the Sonic Mania version and comments "...it's good to see an iconic series location come back with all its best bits preserved. Even better, all of the aforementioned tweaks and changes open up what feels like a half-dozen legitimate run routes; some are vertical, while others creatively get players running leftward."

Kotaku's Ash Parrish wished to see the level in one of the Sonic the Hedgehog film, noting "There must be an extended sequence inside an industrial production area—a “chemical plant zone” if you will—where flipping platforms dump our heroes into pools of inspecific purple liquid and—completely inexplicably—a stunning Hollywood orchestration of the infamous “drowning music” starts to play."