Sonic Origins

Sonic Origins[lower-alpha 2] is an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog video game compilation by Sega. It features remasters of the first four platform games in the Sonic series originally released for the Sega Genesis and the Sega CD: Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), Sonic CD (1993), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994). The games are playable in their original format and a new widescreen format that removes lives. Origins adds additional game modes and missions, which allow players to unlock content in an in-game museum.

Sonic Origins
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Sega
Producer(s)Takashi Iizuka
Writer(s)Ian Flynn
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
EngineRetro Engine
Platform(s)
ReleaseJune 23, 2022
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Origins was conceived following the release of the 2020 Sonic film; due to the influx of new fans, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka wanted to make the older Sonic games available on modern hardware. It was primarily developed at Sega, though Simon Thomley, who worked on Sonic Mania (2017), developed the remaster of Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Origins is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on June 23, 2022, the series' 31st anniversary.

Content

Sonic Origins compiles and remasters the first four platform games in Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series—Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), Sonic CD (1993), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994)—originally released for the Sega Genesis and the Sega CD.[1] The player controls Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna as they attempt to stop Doctor Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds. They traverse side-scrolling levels at high speeds while collecting rings, defeating enemies and bosses, and finding secrets. Unlike the originals, the player can control Tails and Knuckles in any game, with the exception of Knuckles in Sonic CD.[2][3] The "Blue Spheres" minigame from Sonic 3 & Knuckles is also included.[4]

Origins features two versions of each game: "classic mode" is the original format, presented in 4:3, while "anniversary mode" features support for widescreen displays and removes lives.[2] A "story mode" allows players to play the four games in sequence, with new animated cutscenes.[4] New modes include a boss rush mode; a mirror mode that reverses the level layouts; and a mission mode that challenges players to complete specific objectives. Playing these modes allows the player to earn coins and buy content in an in-game museum or additional attempts in special stages.[1] Players who pre-order the game will start with 100 coins and mirror mode unlocked. Menu aesthetics, a set of harder missions, and tracks from Sonic Spinball (1993), Knuckles' Chaotix (1995) and Sonic 3D Blast (1996) for the museum music player are available as downloadable content (DLC).[5]

Development

Sonic Origins was conceived alongside Sonic Colors: Ultimate (2021) following the release of the 2020 Sonic film. Because the film brought many new fans, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka wanted to make older Sonic games available on modern formats.[6] Iizuka noted that though they are frequently rereleased via emulation, they felt "retro" on modern displays due to their 4:3 aspect ratios; he wanted Origins to modernize them with widescreen support and new features to appeal to both new and longtime fans.[7]

The compilation was primarily developed internally at Sega, which handled the presentation and consolidation of the included games.[8] The remasters of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, and Sonic CD are based on the remakes made in the Retro Engine released between 2011 and 2013;[9] Christian Whitehead, creator of the Retro Engine, updated it to allow the remakes to run in a compilation.[10] Simon Thomley and his studio Headcannon, who worked on the Retro Engine remakes and Sonic Mania (2017), developed the Origins remaster of Sonic 3 & Knuckles and assisted the preparation of the other games.[8] Powerhouse Animation Studios produced the new cutscenes with longtime Sonic artist Tyson Hesse,[11] with a script written by Sonic comic book writer Ian Flynn.[12]

Release

Sonic Origins was announced during a livestream commemorating the Sonic franchise's 30th anniversary on May 27, 2021,[13] and is scheduled to be released on June 23, 2022—the series' 31st anniversary—for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[1] The compilation marks Sonic 3 & Knuckles' first rerelease since 2011,[13] following speculation that soundtrack licensing problems arising from Michael Jackson's involvement with Sonic 3 were preventing new releases.[1]

Prior to release, Sega announced that the existing versions of the games would be delisted from most digital stores.[14] It received criticism on video game preservation grounds and for preventing consumers from choosing their preferred versions.[15] The move was compared to Rockstar Games delisting Grand Theft Auto games before the release of the compilation Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (2021), a decision that was reversed following backlash.[16]

Reception

Fans criticized the reveal of the DLC for its vagueness and requiring players to pay for inconsequential content such as letterboxed backgrounds.[17][18] Sega updated the Origins webpage to clarify some details.[19] Fans also criticized the PC version for implementing the controversial digital rights management software Denuvo.[20][21]

Notes
  1. The original games were developed by Sonic Team (Sonic the Hedgehog), Sega Technical Institute (Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles), and Sega (Sonic CD).
  2. Japanese: ソニックオリジンズ, Hepburn: Sonikku Orijinzu

References
  1. McWhertor, Michael (April 20, 2022). "Sega's Sonic Origins retro collection coming this June". Polygon. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  2. Parrish, Ash (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins launches in June with remasters of four classic games". The Verge. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  3. "『ソニックオリジンズ』6月23日発売決定。『ソニック』初期4作品のリマスターにストーリーモードなどの新要素を追加" [Sonic Origins will be released on June 23. New elements such as story mode added to remastering the first four Sonic games]. Famitsu. April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. Whitehead, Thomas (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins Arrives 23rd June, New Trailer And Website Are Live". Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  5. Scullion, Chris (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins locks modes, character animations and more behind DLC". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  6. Joscelyne, Svend (June 23, 2021). "Exclusive Interview: Takashi Iizuka talks Colors, Origins, 2022 and Sonic's legacy". Sonic Stadium. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  7. Shea, Brian (June 13, 2021). "Sonic Team Head Talks Sonic Origins, Next Mainline Game, And 30th Anniversary". Game Informer. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  8. Carter, Chris (April 20, 2022). "The Sonic Mania studio helped work on Sonic Origins". Destructoid. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  9. Chrzanowski, Katie [@KatieChrz] (April 20, 2022). "▶️ Taxman versions of Sonic 1, 2, and CD, with @Head_cannon leading development on Sonic 3! ▶️ More info on the collection coming soon!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. Whitehead, Christian [@CFWhitehead] (April 20, 2022). "I updated the engine to allow all versions to run in a collection, but all the game content in Origins has been worked on by SEGA and @Head_cannon" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. Hesse, Tyson [@tyson_hesse] (April 20, 2022). "Working with the Powerhouse team on the new cinematics was an absolute pleasure. They did an amazing job, and you've only just seen a small part of the cool new stuff we did for Origins" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
  12. Flynn, Ian (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins Revealed!". BumbleKing. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  13. Skrebels, Joe (May 27, 2021). "Sonic Central Stream: Everything Announced, Including a Brand New Sonic Game". IGN. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  14. Plant, Logan (April 26, 2022). "Sonic Games Are Being Delisted Ahead Of Sonic Origins Release". IGN. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  15. Walker, Ian (April 26, 2022). "Sega's Pulling Standalone Sonic Games Ahead Of Sonic Origins' Arrival". Kotaku. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  16. Stewart, Marcus (April 26, 2022). "Sega Is Delisting Classic Sonic Games From Digital Stores Ahead Of Sonic Origins' Launch". Game Informer. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  17. Bellingham, Hope (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins is releasing this June but some of its features are locked behind paid-for DLC". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  18. Plunkett, Luke (April 21, 2022). "Sonic Origins Has Some Bullshit DLC". Kotaku. G/O Media. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  19. Zak, Robert (April 21, 2022). "Sega quietly updates its bewildering Sonic Origins DLC chart". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  20. Donaldson, Alex (April 21, 2022). "Sonic Origins on PC has Denuvo DRM, because these impossible-to-pirate Mega Drive games must be protected". VG247. Gamer Network. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  21. Weatherbed, Jess (April 22, 2022). "Sega just ensured that I won't be playing Sonic Origins". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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