Jun 2022
Rev your engines, folks! Sonic is back, and this time he brought his friends along for a nostalgic joyride that’ll make you feel like you just unlocked a cheat code to your childhood. Sonic Origins compiles the first four classic titles of the blue blur, remastered for modern consoles and packed with some delightful new features. Buckle up as we take you through this whirlwind of rings, ‘70s funk music (don’t worry, we’ll get to that later), and plenty of fast-paced action. Spoiler alert: Tails makes everything better!
At its core, Sonic Origins delivers four classic games: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, and the fan-favorite Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Each one has been polished up pretty snazzily—think of it as a glow-up but for video games. The gameplay mixes that classic 2D side-scrolling speed you remember with new bells and whistles to keep things fresh. In 'Anniversary Mode', you can abandon pesky lives and collect coins instead! It’s like Sonic finally realized that life is too short to be 'game-over-ed'. Plus, the drop dash mechanic from Sonic Mania is back, giving players the ability to leap and spin dervishly through the air—just like you do in your dreams when you're trying to find the last pizza slice in your fridge. You get two modes: Classic Mode, which preserves the nostalgic feel of the original games (including that 4:3 resolution that makes you feel like you’re back in the ‘90s with your Sega Genesis), and Anniversary Mode, which adds a generous touch of widescreen magic to prevent anyone from feeling like they’re viewing through a pair of binoculars. The story mode allows you to plow through the games in chronological order (that's right, Sonic CD isn’t just a sequel anymore), complete with animated cutscenes that bridge the narratives together. And because what's a good game without a sprinkle of chaos? Get ready to tackle new boss rush challenges!
['Visually, Sonic Origins looks snazzier than a new tattoo on a skateboarder.', 'The retro visual style has been reconstructed with a modern twist while retaining that delightful old-school charm.', 'The animations are smoother, the environments are livelier, and the colors practically pop off the screen.', 'The transitions into the animated cutscenes are like a warm hug of nostalgia, reminding you of Saturday morning cartoons.']
Sonic Origins is a love letter to fans of the series, blending nostalgia with clever updates that make it appealing to both newcomers and veteran speedrunners. The lack of certain features, like a rewind function or built-in savestates, can feel like a kick to the shins, especially when we know they were possible. And the replacement music for Sonic 3? Well, some fans might as well be wearing an 'I miss Michael Jackson' t-shirt. Despite its hiccups, Sonic Origins manages to keep the spirit of the classic games alive while offering additional challenges and updates that can make even the most hard-hearted (or hard-headed) gamers chuckle with joy. The few technical missteps keep it from reaching full-speed glory, but overall, it’s a rush down memory lane that’s absolutely worth taking, especially if you’re looking to relive your glory days or show the younger generation how Sonic rocked before they had Insta and TikTok. Tossing it a score of 7.5 feels just right—like a chili dog after a long run. So strap on those red sneakers, shake off any Sonic CD soundtrack residue, and let’s get speeding!
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