WHILE NOT REQUIRED, A GAME VERSION FROM JUNE 18, 2024 OR LATER IS RECOMMENDED.

(Re)introducing Cold Peaks Zone, a new zone that goes in between IceCap Zone and Launch Base Zone. Upon finishing IceCap Zone 2, jump into the teleporter cannon, and you'll arrive in Eastbound Island in no time! This time, featuring new badniks (Bounseal and Blowler), a new gimmick and a recode of Mecha Tails. Just like last time, you can access it through Data Select, and Act Select, with support for the latter requiring a test build.

Just like last time, I have some notes:

• I'm still not very good with level design, but things have significantly improved since last year;
• You still do not need CZS + UEZ to run this mod just like last year's contest, as code from it has been merged to avoid unneccesary steps. You may still use it if you already have it, but the Act Select changes added here will be disabled, since CZS + UEZ does not support it;
• You can still skip Cold Peaks Zone if you wish, by rolling into the snow tunnel instead. Change the mod options to allow that, otherwise the tunnel will be blocked off and your character will move automatically.

A lot changed from both last year's version and the latest offsite version (so it's gonna be worth checking it out regardless of when you last played). Speaking of that, here's the most noticeable changes from last year's contest:

• All the backgrounds have been remade;
• The layout has been significantly updated;
• Ice blocks containing rings have been added to the level;
• Mecha Tails has been recoded, behaving more similarly to other bosses on the technical side. Super flickies and custom objects recognize it as a boss now, and it has a new attack that can be used against you;
• Two new badniks have been added: The bounseal, a cute robot seal that jumps around, and the blowler, a owl that blows wind to push you away if you stand directly in front of it;
• A "proper" act 2 has been added, though due to technical limitations (the mod is still held together by duct tape) it couldn't be any longer than what you can see in the mod. I even tried a workaround, but the mod would simply crash the game;
• Knuckles destroys Mecha Tails to pieces, leading to a new act transition. Modded characters may choose to use the new act transition, but I'm not aware of any that do that other than my own;
• Retracting springs have been added in spots where one can get easily softlocked;
• The level graphics have been updated, including new bridges, warning signs and really pretty crystals;
• How the level was made darker was replaced, from a overlay to an actual palette change. This allows the end of Act 1 to have a sunrise look, and certain palette entries are able to skip the changes entirely (which is used by the crystals to stand out from the level);
• Sonic and friends can still moonwalk (yay);
• The level palette has been updated, looking more purple-ish with brighter snow;
• Launch Base Zone starts with a different level transition, depending on whether you got there from being carried by Mecha Tails or something else.
• And so much more that I can't remember it all, but you'll definetively feel the changes once you enter the zone!

I wanted to make sure it felt new regardless of if you only played last year's version or the offsite version from 6 months ago, and I truly believe it will accomplish that. I wish you a good time!