Aquatic Ruin Zone

General
This is a somewhat-difficult level featuring hidden traps, the first appearance of water, and various difficult enemies.

Level Information
There are a couple of main terrain features that make this level unique compared to the others.

Water
This level features the first appearance of water in the game! Water has numerous effects on Sonic including a reduced movement speed and possibility of drowning. The movement speed underwater is much slower, so be prepared. Like with the rising chemicals from Chemical Plant Zone, if Sonic stays underwater for too long, you will hear a new music and a flashing number, and finally Sonic drowns. To avoid drowning, stand near a small pile of bubbles on the ground and wait for a big bubble to rise. Once the big bubble rises, jump and you will catch it in your mouth. This will give you more breath, and therefore more time underwater. Do not get this confused with Tails drowning. If Tails is near drowning, the number will appear but the music will not. The water is the main difficulty on this level.

Rising Pillars
When you approach these pillars, they will rise up. You must jump on them to destroy them. These can be dangerous in conjunction with the arrows, but otherwise they are not a threat.

Arrows
On some parts of the scenery, you will see a skull sign. This will flash red and fire an arrow. This is probably the most difficult terrain feature of the level. This arrow can kill you. Some can be avoided by ducking or by going to higher or lower ground.

Logs
These are big logs that block your way. You can simply run through them and collect the rings, or you can jump on top of them, where a monster is waiting.

Badniks
This level has very diverse and dangerous badniks.

Grounder
These drills look very easy but are positioned in very strategic places. They are placed at the top of paths above you, to block your way. The can also be hidden in the walls, and will pop out when you pass them. That form of them is by far the most difficult.

Mechanical Insects
These fly around in a swarm of three or five. They will follow you in many places, except underwater. They are usually positioned near jumps where you have little protection from them. Also, one insect can kill so even if you destroy two in a swarm, the rest can still kill you.

Mechanical Shark
These are in the water and follow you around. They can be positioned anywhere in the water and are threats due to the decreased movement speed in the water.

Boss
The boss here has large poles that rise up from the ground. The boss will then float above the poles and hit them in an alternating pattern with his hammer. They will then fire an arrow. Once this arrow hits the other pole, you must jump on the arrow and hit him. A trick to beat him quickly is to hop on the poles when they began to rise out of the ground. This will allow you to get about four good hits on him before you are forced to go on the ground.