‘Sonic Origins’: What We Know So Far
Sonic fans rejoice! The long-awaited 30th anniversary Sonic compilation known as Sonic Origins finally has a trailer, and there is more information regarding the title. Though it may have seemed that SEGA forgot about the title, it seems they were just waiting for the perfect moment to give us all the details. Here is what we know so far.
The release date and editions
Sonic Origins is slated to release worldwide on June 23rd, 2022 for PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox One and Series X, Nintendo Switch, and on PC through both Steam and the Epic Game Store. It is available to pre-order through all of the platforms' digital storefronts with the exception of the Switch. The title is slated to be a digital-only release and will be released in the following editions: Standard and Digital Deluxe. The Standard Edition contains the main game and the Mirror Mode, 100 Bonus Coins, and Letterbox Background pre-order bonuses, while the Deluxe Edition contains the aforementioned features and character animations in the main menu, camera controls over the main menu islands, character animations during music islands, and additional music from the Genesis/MegaDrive titles. The Standard Edition will cost $39.99, while the Digital Deluxe will cost $44.99.
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The games featured in the compilation and how they will play
The games that will be featured in this collection are Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog & Knuckles, and Sonic the Hedgehog CD. They are available to play in two modes: Anniversary and Classic. Anniversary mode features the titles fully remastered and in widescreen in addition to the removal of lives and game-overs. In this mode, the players will also be able to play as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in all four games. Classic mode features the games as they were originally presented at release.
Additional modes and content
In addition to the four games mentioned above, the game will also feature a variety of bonus modes and content. Firstly, there will be a Mission Mode in which players can earn in-game medallions by completing various challenges. These medallions can be spent on in-game bonuses such as items from an in-game vault, the ability to try out special stages, and other items. There will also be a boss rush mode in which players can go up against the games' various bosses in succession. The game will also have a Mirror Mode that flips the stages left to right, allowing the player to complete them in a different direction. Finally, there will be a story mode that will feature animated sequences written by Sonic comics veteran, Ian Flynn, and animated by Powerhouse Team with the involvement of Tyson Hesse.
DLC Content
The game will have certain modes, content, and characters locked behind DLC packs. These include the Mirror Mode, menu animations, additional music from the Genesis/MegaDrive games, letterbox backgrounds, hard missions, and character animations during music islands. The DLC will be released in the following packs: Start Dash Packs (included with the pre-order of either the Standard or Deluxe Editions), Premium Fun pack, and the Classic Music Pack. The Start Dash pack includes 100 bonus coins, Mirror Mode, and the letterbox backgrounds, the premium fun pack includes the hard missions, letterbox backgrounds, character animations in the main menu and the music islands, and camera controls over the main menu islands, and the classic music pack contains the additional music from the Genesis/MegaDrive games. Though all of these are included with the Digital Deluxe edition, fans are not too happy with having these features locked behind a paywall. Many have voiced their frustrations on Twitter, with some feeling that SEGA is trying to squeeze every penny out of their fans. The move seems to be part of a strategy by SEGA to aggressively monetize its future games.
Will you be picking up Sonic Origins day one, or will you be waiting on a physical release? Regardless, it seems that things are looking up for fans of the blue blur in 2022!
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Source(s): PCGamer, IGN, Sonic News Network, Sonic Stadium, SonicOrigins.com, TechRadar