OK, fair’s fair. I’ve done my share of ragging on Sonic Origins – and understandably so, given that this is what feels like the seven-hundredth repackaging of the same 30-year-old games we’ve been served up time and again – but it does seem there’s been a modicum of effort on the project. A new cutscene here, a charming character render there. Not long after revealing that the compilation will feature a smattering of buttery-smooth animation a la the intro to Sonic Mania, SEGA have dropped another trailer; and in this one, we get a peek at some of the new features fans can expect to see in this re (re, re, re) visit of the classic titles. Hey, it’s not like you can buy ’em on Steam anymore! The higher-ups have seen to that.
Origins’ originality
Per Eurogamer, “a new video for Sonic Origins shows off the drop dash move and the inclusion of Hidden Palace Zone.” In case none of those words mean anything to you: the Drop Dash is a new move in the franchise that was introduced in Mania, allowing Sonic to rocket off at top speed after a jump by revving up while in the air. After its debut, it found its way into Forces and a couple other projects, so its further inclusion here probably indicates it’s around to stay. How long ’til it gets the Wisp treatment – being run mercilessly into the ground to the point where the fandom gets sick of it? Wait and see.
As for Hidden Palace, this famous stage was removed mid-development from Sonic 2, before cropping up in altered form in Sonic and Knuckles and ultimately being restored as originally intended for the mobile ports of 2. The subject of urban myth for some time, its name has become synonymous with Easter eggs in the Sonic franchise, and gave its moniker to an active fan modding community. Now, this long-storied zone can be witnessed in all its kinda-sorta-HD glory in Origins, perhaps for the last time (?).
Elsewhere in the video, the game’s “menus are shown,” as well, “followed by new footage from Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, and Sonic CD.” Don’t take my – or indeed their – word for it either; seeing is believing, so please partake of the trailer below.
Other assorted additions include Super Sonic in Sonic 1 – not that that game’s blocky level design serves him particularly well – and a rather pretty UI throughout the package. It’s up to you whether all this fluff warrants another purchase of these aged classics, especially when they’re (largely) available cheaper elsewhere. For now.
Well, how about it? Will you be picking up Sonic Origins? Let us know!
Via, Eurogamer.
