Sonic must pass through many dangerous areas before confronting Robotnik himself. From tropical islands to frozen peaks to deadly factories, Sonic has his work cut out for him. Here is Mystic Realm's level progression.

	Jade Coast Zone This tropical island is a paradise, but it has been overrun by Robotnik's Crawlas. Pass through the beach and onto the central mountain and stop Robotnik's latest takeover.
Jade Coast is an easy stage with plenty of area and really weak enemies. Exploration is easy on this map, and it is mainly designed to ease the player into the game. Difficulty: Easy
	Each zone includes a boss act with a different level design to create variety with the limited boss AI options in SRB2. Jade Coast's boss is on a simple area, but they get progressively more complex.
Mudhole Karst Zone This is the green emerald's stage. Toxic mud fills pits in very vertical terrain based on Jade Coast's scenery. Each of the seven zones has its own emerald stage, each containing one of the seven emeralds.

	Tempest Valley Zone This valley is tormented by eternal storms of acid rain from one of Robotnik's previous schemes. The slime pools make for a bad hazard, only made worse by the badniks that still plague the region.
This stage includes slime, falling platforms which float, and introduces the flying enemy, Buzz. Difficulty: Medium

	Verdant Forest Zone A gigantic forest now blocks Sonic's path, with a huge amount of trees and mazelike complexity. To make matters worse, Robotnik has filled the forest with robots, ready to spring on unsuspecting visitors to the area.
This stage features a complex layout, with forest trees everywhere blocking the pathway. It's also possible to reach the forest canopy in Act 2. Difficulty: Easy

	Flame Rift Zone The tectonic rift stretches ahead, filled with lava and burnt grass. Sonic will have to fend off the heat, falling platforms, and Robotnik's minions if he ever wants to pass.
Plenty of lava makes this stage a little more difficult than previous stages. The second act includes falling platforms, but these respawn in case the player falls Difficulty: Medium

	Midnight Freeze Zone The giant mountain range lies ahead, with its snowy passes and giant peaks. Passing through this frozen wasteland will take everything Sonic has, as he must watch out for the icy passages and holes in the ice, leading to freezing water easily as painful as anything Robotnik could create.
The water is frozen, hurting the player without a Liquid Shield. Icy platforms are hard to control on, and the snow can hide dangers under it. Difficulty: Hard

	Sunken Plant Zone Knowing Sonic was coming, Robotnik sank his own plant underwater, making it even more hazardous than before. It still half operates, but lots of the machinery has fallen apart, making bottomless pits commonplace in the remains of the complex.
Robotnik's base pulls out all of the stops, with bottomless pits, collapsing platforms, conveyor belts, popup turrets, and Skim. Difficulty: Hard

	Aerial Garden Zone The top of the world, the Aerial Garden, seems to be the key to accessing the Mystic Realm. With all of Eggman's airborne Jetty-syn armada facing him, Sonic must stop Eggman from retrieving the keystone at all costs.
Aerial Garden is huge, with bottomless pits on the edge of just about anything. Jetty-syns are hard to kill as well, making the stage even more dangerous. Difficulty: Very Hard

	????? Zone This is it. The source of the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Who knows what dangers lie ahead here.
Only Sonic can enter here, with all the emeralds on Normal difficulty or higher. Those who do shall find a challenge greater than any they encountered before. Difficulty: Very Hard