Sonic 3 is a game where the mechanics and level design work directly against each other, with the controls encouraging you to move as fast as possible, but the level design limiting the player (for the most part) to carrying out sets of precision jumps that should have never been seen in a sonic game. While the first and last zones give the player enough freedom to explore without getting lost, zones like Carnival Night lack direction (and under a time limit this can become an issue). Credit however has to be given to the aesthetics - beautiful natural environments contrast brilliantly with Robotnik's intricate machinery. The boss fights were also entertaining, building on the core mechanics of the game in intriguing ways.