The game is much slower paced than the sequals yeah. Level design is much more platforming orientated. Though every flaw you make in the game(getting hit, falling into a botomless pit) is your own fault compared to some instances in the sequals and especially compared to recent games.
Sonic 1 gets least credit from the 3 and some even call it dated. I don't understand that :| . If there is 1 complaint i understand it's that the difficulty rising isn't consistent. Labyrinth zone's boss is still for me the hardest boss in the game lol. We became used to pass levels quick with todays games but not giving up and finally be able to pass gives a great sense of accomplishment and what's so great about it imo.
Scrap brain is one of my favourite stages. :oops: