--- By Ryoga Masaki --- Lava of the Hidden Reef --- Ok, by now we've all played the Sonic 2 Beta Hidden Palace Zone and we all pretty much agree it's great. It's also one of the most well known of all Sonic "secret" levels, mainly because it was cut so close to release time. Anyway, I have a theory as to why Sega named the Lava Reef Act 4 to Hidden Palace. The Hidden Palace Zone from Sonic 2 had become so well-known and popular, that Sega decided to give the fans a treat and give them a level CALLED Hidden Palace, although we all know it's Lava Reef Act 4. Even the level select says so! In other words, The S&K Hidden Palace is just Lava Reef Act 4, but with a different name to give the fans a sort of relief. You have to admit. The S&K Hidden Palace/Lava Reef Act 4 does fit it's title. It's deep in the earth, with the Chaos Emeralds at it's core. A Hidden Palace. ^_^ Anyway, I don't ever recall seeing an Act 4 in a Sonic game. Perhaps thats another reason Sega changed the name. I suppose we'll never know, unless we find Naka Yuji-san and beat him till he tells us. ^_^ --- Taken from 'Secrets of Sonic the Hedgehog - The Original' http://secretsonic.cjb.net ---