Windy Hill

"Where Sonic begins his adventure! Windy Hill offers giant windmills to climb, huge islands to bounce between and deep, dark caverns to explore."

- Sonic Lost World Website

Windy Hill (ウィンディヒル) is the first world in both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of Sonic Lost World. Located on the far-left corner on the Lost Hex, Windy Hill is the location where the events of Sonic Lost World begin, as Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower crash-land at Windy Hill after their recent ambush with Dr. Eggman.

Overview
Windy Hill is a level consisting of many planetoids full of idyllic, grassy setting level, with lush green trees and simple plant life, a trait followed by most first levels of the Sonic the Hedgehog series video games. Checkerboard soil and tiny lakes are present in the level. Cloud platforms are also located at Windy Hill, where the player can use the clouds to jump to proceed through the zones. No actual wind breezes appear within any of the zones, with the exception of Zone Four in the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World. Giant windmills can be found and used by Sonic the Hedgehog at Zone Two and Zone Four of the Wii U version. Note that this description of Windy Hill only applies to Zone One, Zone Two, and Zone Four on the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World and Zone One and Zone Three on the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World.

Zone Three and Zone Two of the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions, respectively, change the normal theme of Windy Hill just within said zones. Instead, both zones consist of Sonic running through underground temples, with lava being ever present. 360 degree tube-like platforms are seen during the level, as if gravity has no effect on the temples. Sonic must rely on his parkour moveset to get through vertical walls that are the only way through the zone.

The Wisp reappear in all of the zones at Windy Hill, but is unknown whether the Wisps live at Windy Hill or in the Lost Hex in general. The Cyan Wisp, Indigo Wisp, and the Red Wisp are native at Windy Hill, whereas the Red Wisp is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World.

History
In the midst of the clouds, Sonic and Tails are chasing Dr. Eggman, along with Orbot and Cubot, in his Egg Mobile via the Tornado. Eggman drops the Capsule, and Sonic spin dashes on the Tornado to get the Capsule and release the animal friends in the Capsule. However, Sonic unsuccessfully releases the Capsule, and lands back on the Tornado, where he and Tails will swing back around to release the Capsule. Eggman then takes the opportunity to shoot the Tornado while the heroes are busy with the Capsule. Thus, Eggman uses his gun to shoot at a wing of the Tornado, and the heroes begin to fall down, up until they find the Lost Hex. Tails decides to land on the flying continent and the beginning of Zone One or the Tutorial, Wii U version and Nintendo 3DS version, respectively, takes place.

After Sonic releases the animal friends from the Capsule in which dropped at Windy Hill, Amy Rose and Knuckles contacts Sonic to check up on him, as she asks if Sonic and Tails have freed the animal friends. Sonic only states that he has released just the one Capsule Eggman had with him, but the blue hedgehog promises Amy to release the other Capsules located on the Lost Hex. Meanwhile, Zazz is ordered by Zavok to defeat Sonic. Zazz encounters Sonic at Zone Two (Wii U version) or Zone Three (Nintendo 3DS version), but is defeated easily. Sonic then finds Eggman along with the Deadly Six at Windy Hill just before Zone Four (Wii U version) or the Boss Fight (Nintendo 3DS version). Eggman commands Zazz on defeating the hedgehog for the second time, while the scientist and the other Zeti leave Zazz and Sonic behind to brawl. Shortly after defeating Zazz the second time, Sonic checks up on Tails, who has recently finished repairing the Tornado. With this, Sonic and Tails move on to Desert Ruins.

Zone One
Zone One of Windy Hill in the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World is mostly played in the "behind-the-back" perspective gameplay that the past Sonic the Hedgehog video games have used over the years since Sonic Adventure. Full of planetoids, big and small, with a choice to go around the tubular planetoids, Zone One has many alternate pathways, whether the player wants to go through the zone as quickly as possible, or if the player wants to search for the Red Star Rings scattered throughout the level. Badniks, such as Moto Bugs, Choppers, Snail Blasters, and Orbinauts, are present to make the pressure go up for the player. Sheep also appear throughout the zone, but will cause no damage to the player unless touched. The Cyan Wisp is available to use in Zone One, in which when using the Wisp, Sonic transforms into the Cyan Laser Color Power. A Capsule (note that it is the exact same Capsule that Eggman dropped at the beginning of Sonic Lost World) is located at the end of the zone, specifically on a small planetoid. Releasing the animal friends inside will end the stage.

Zone Two
Zone Two of Windy Hill in the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World is a 2D-perspective zone where the gameplay is slightly like the gameplay from the Sega Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog games. Taking the actual level design of Windy Hill and switching it to a 2D-perspective zone, this zone takes place during a sunset, in which the farther the player goes, the darker the level gets. Badniks from Zone One reappear in this zone and the Indigo Wisp, which transforms Sonic into the Indigo Asteroid Color Power, is present in this zone. While the player is going through the zone, several quotes from Zazz can be heard. Eventually, after a giant wall in the background covers the sunset, a Moon Mech will appear, in which turns out to have Zazz behind it. Once Zazz is shown, the Zone Two battle begins. It takes approximately eight hits to defeat Zazz. Once Zazz is defeated, Zone Two is finished.

Zone Three
Zone Three takes place within a tubular gem mine inside ancient ruins, where the gameplay has been switched to behind-the-back perspective. Rolling, breakable, boulders roll inside the tubes, in which the rocks can hurt Sonic if the player is not careful. Badniks that appear in Zone Three include Moto Bugs and Bat Brains. The Cyan Wisp reappears in this zone. Underground pathways appear in the zone, to where Sonic can find hidden collectibles, such as Red Star Rings, underneath. Green slime also appears in the stage, slowing down the hedgehog through the stage. The final part of the zone includes Sonic running through several treadmills to reach the Capsule at the end of the level, in which if the player releases the animal friends in said Capsule, the zone will be concluded.

Zone Four
Zone Four of Windy Hill has two segments within the zone; the first half of the stage is devoted to a behind-the-back perspective gameplay style, where Sonic must defy gravity to move all around tubular platforms to proceed through the level. Sheep are also present in the level, but unlike in Zone One and in Zone Two of Windy Hill on the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, these sheep will chase Sonic and push him off of the stage. Spike-poles are also present within the first half of the stage. Soon, Sonic will fly off from the segment via springs. With this, the second half of the zone begins, in which the gameplay has switched to a 2D-pside-scrolling perspective gameplay. Flowers will rise when Sonic is nearby, and badniks such as Moto Bug and Choppers reappear to hurt Sonic. Sonic must go upside down at one point to continue going through the stage, and having to use logs from waterfalls to proceed. Zazz can be heard throughout the zone, taunting Sonic on how the Zeti will use Sonic when he's threw with the hedgehog. Eventually, Sonic encounters Zazz and his Moon Mech and the hedgehog will start chasing Zazz. However, the tables turn for Sonic halfway through the chase, and Sonic will be chased by Zazz. Then, the two will begin to fight each other, as if Zazz is defeated, the zone will be finished. Approximately eight hits are needed to defeat Zazz in Zone Four, but if the player charges their Homing Attacks, it only takes two hits to defeat Zazz.

Nightmare Zone ?
Exclusive to the earlier copies of the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, he Nightmare Zone ? is a DLC that appears at Windy Hill. In this zone, the player must go through a boss rush of all of the members of the Deadly Six again with assistance from NiGHTS villains. The bosses are essentially the same as the Zone Four bosses of each world, with the exception of certain aspects being replaced with NiGHTS elements. The zone starts out with Sonic running through Windy Hill with NiGHTS until Wiseman appears and disorientates Windy Hill into black and white colors. After that, Sonic faces Zazz, Zomom and Master Zik on NiGHTS-related villains. Sonic will return back to Windy Hill after defeating the Second Level Nightmarens. The other three Zeti will appear to challenge Sonic after the hedgehog makes his way through the stage for several seconds. Defeating all of the Zeti and Nightmaren returns the world back into color and Sonic will release Nightopions from a NiGHTS Captuer similar to how animal friends are released from Capsules in the regular gameplay.

Tutorial
A basic tutorial given to the player on the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, this tutorial teaches the player the basics of the parkour system and the new control scheme used only in Sonic Lost World currently. Sonic will finish the stage via releasing animal friends from a Capsule, the same Capsule Eggman drops in the beginning of Sonic Lost World.

Zone One
The level is broken up into sections separated by large springs. The first section involves Sonic running up a wall and platforming. Speed Shoes are available in this section. Two Red Rings can also be found. The second section is a short auto-running section where Sonic can gain some rings and a Lightning Shield. In the third section, Sonic moves between moving landmasses spawned by giant totem poles. In the fourth section, Sonic can use the new indigo Wisp; this section introduces Caterkillers and a large Sandworm that blocks springs used to gain access to new sections. The next section has Sonic running across crumbling platforms while avoiding Motobugs, bouncing on clouds and using Dash Rings, and avoiding spike balls. The next section is comprised mostly of wall-running. After that, Sonic is launched into a side-scrolling chase/platforming sequence involving him running from a giant Caterkiller, similar to classic Sonic's Orca chase from the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations. After outrunning it, Sonic is launched to the final section containing the Capsule.

Zone Two
This zone is very similar to zone three on the Wii U. The Red Wisp appears after unlocking it in the main story.

Zone Three
This zone is very similar to Zone two of the Wii U version, with a beautiful sunset as well as Zazz appearing 3 times to mess with Sonic. The Cyan Wisp appears after unlocking it in the main story.

Boss
This zone is where you encounter Zazz. The Red Wisp appears after unlocking it in the main story.

Zone Extra
This zone is unlocked when the player collects every Red Star Ring in the previous three zones. This level's layout is very similar to zone one, except that it has more enemies, more obstacles, and it has a big focus on the Red Burst wisp. The level ends before reaching the giant Caterkiller chase.

Boss
Zazz is the boss of Windy Hill and the player encounters him in the end of Zone Two and Zone Four. In the end of Zone Two, he appears to hover with the Moon Mech that can shoot stars from its mouth. If the player manages to hit the Moon Mech enough times, Zazz will fall down and tries to fight against the player himself. During this phase, the player is able to damage Zazz.

In the Zone Four however, after the player runs past the latest Star Post, the player will come across with Zazz, who start running away with the huge, familiar yellow moon on his hand, that shoots stars to the sky. These stars will fall down to the ground, which the player should avoid. Zazz also tries throw yellow objects into the player. After chasing Zazz, the second boss encounter against Zazz takes place. During the confrontation, Zazz has a more simple pattern, but tries to still throw moon-shaped objects to the player's face.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Windy Hill is set to make appearance as a playable stage on the Wii U version of upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Not much is known about the stage with only being featured in Wii U version of the game. The windmills in the zone are featured. It appears to be a scrolling stage.

Archie Comics
Windy Hill appeared in Sonic Halloween Comic Fest 2013 and Sonic Super Special Magazine #9 comics published by Archie Comics, which are both comic book prequels to Sonic Lost World.

Prior to the events of Sonic Lost World, Dr. Eggman, Orbot, Cubot, and two Buzz Bomber badniks had found the Lost Hex. Eggman and company then land and look around at the Lost Hex, specifically Windy Hill, up until they encounter Zavok, the leader of the Deadly Six. Zavok demands Eggman to leave the Lost Hex, as the Lost Hex is the Zeti's property. However, Eggman challenges a fight between his badniks and Zavok. Although Zavok was able to mind-control the badniks to fire at Eggman, the scientist was able to use the Cacophonic Conch to tame Zavok. From there, Zavok was forced to serve Eggman, and had rallied up the other members of the Deadly Six–Zazz, Zomom, Zeena, Master Zik, and Zor–to find and capture animal friends on the Lost Hex for Eggman's army of badniks. (SHF 2013/SSSM #9)

Zone One

 * In the Wii U version, bouncing off of the clouds causes Sonic to give off after-images and attract nearby rings. Neither of these effects occur in the 3DS version when bouncing off clouds.
 * The music for Zone One of Windy Hill is similar to the music from Rooftop Run on Sonic Unleashed.
 * In the Nintendo 3DS version at the ends of the partially cylindrical stage are wooden mallets implying the player is only limited to the left, center, and right side of the stage, as apposed the all four sides like in the Wii U version.

Zone Two

 * The sunset during Zone Two has some resemblance to Splash Hill Zone Act Three from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.

Zone Three

 * The area design on Zone Three is similar to those from Marble Zone from the Sonic the Hedgehog (1991).

Zone Four

 * Waterfalls with falling logs, are seen in Zone Four which bear resemblance to Jungle Zone from 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog.
 * In the Gamecom's demo, Zone Four didn't feature the second boss encounter with Zazz, as the zone ends to regularly by opening the Capsule.

Miscellaneous

 * Windy Hill is also the same name based off of a segment of Windy Valley. Interestingly, the game Windy Hill appears in (that being Sonic Lost World) has also the same name as a Sonic Adventure action stage.
 * Much of the designs used in Zone One, Zone Two, and Zone Four are based from Jade Gully Zone from the cancelled video game, Sonic X-treme.
 * The stage has the same name as the AFL (Australian Football League) training ground Windy Hill which was Essendon's old training ground.
 * This stage has grass and trees, are seen in every act which resembles Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991).