Friday 24 March 2023

Sonic Origins Plus – Expanding Some Reimagined Origins

Laura’s my name! Writing’s my game! 2022 was an elevating year for Sonic the Hedgehog, but what could there be for him in 2023 besides the Jewel Rush Event in Sonic Speed Simulator back in January and the second season of Sonic Prime [3] [25]? Well, Sonic Origins is yet to be re-released…but with an expansion pack, thus being referred to as “Sonic Origins Plus” [29]. Since the re-release of an ambitious reimagining of a classic saga starring a speedy blue hedgehog will be allied with an expansion pack to boost its cred even further, the expansion pack will consist of new features. Even as a former fangirl of the heroic blue rodent, I shall discuss what Sonic Origins Plus will have to offer alongside what made Sonic Origins a hit with you while our Sonic supporters begin to flaunt some sightseeing like an Instagram influencer, play any of fifty-three songs from previous Sonic the Hedgehog titles during gameplay and challenge themselves in two new Challenge Modes with the new update for the undeniably outstanding Sonic Frontiers and our inklings are starstruck at a new performance by The Squid Sisters that will be seen during the second half of a forthcoming Splatfest [16] [23] [28].

As spooked and strangely fascinated as I am at how Mobius became a downloadable battler for Marvel’s Midnight Suns on my birthday [5] [6], I believe that my fiancé will be amazed at what new features will be in Sonic Origins Plus. [29]

Amy Rose, who was known as “Rosy the Rascal” in the original Sonic CD will be a playable character in the remasters of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD, like Coco Bandicoot being a playable character in Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy [30]. This leads to some speculation that she can become Super Amy after all scene chaos emeralds are gathered in each game [20], which will further elevate her role as a playable 16-bit character in honour of female empowerment in gaming and mark the official debut of her super form [29]. After all, 2023 is the 30th anniversary of her debut [26]. There will also be the option to play as Knuckles in the remaster of Sonic CD [29]. Approved [1]! I may not be much of a fan of SonAmy, but as someone who prefers Classic SonAmy, I am quite delighted that Classic Amy will finally get a chance to strive beyond her minor role as a damsel-in-distress in Sonic CD in Sonic Origins Plus [29]. Perhaps there will be no need for her to become the owner and manager of a restaurant, just like in that episode of Sonic Boom [22]. 

Not only will Amy be speedy as a playable character, but she will be able to wield her hammer in a rather iconic way [22]. [29]

Aside from the huge opportunity for Amy to be a playable co-star, there will be a dozen Game Gear titles ported into the expansion, including: 

  •       The Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog [29]
  •       The Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 [29]
  •       Sonic Blast [29]
  •       Sonic Drift [29]
  •       Sonic Drift 2 [29]
  •       Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (which is pretty much the Western equivalent of Puyo Puyo) [27] [29]
  •       Sonic Spinball [29]
  •       Sonic Chaos [29]
  •       Sonic Labyrinth [29]

A dozen ports loaded into an expansion pack is quite a lot, but the more, the merrier. Moreover, it is nice to give some of Sonic’s Game Gear titles more love a year after the release of Sonic Origins. Additionally, the DLC packs for the original release of Sonic Originswill be included in Sonic Origins Plus, from the Start Dash Pack to the Classic Sound Pack[24], meaning that there will be the rather bizarre Mirror Mode that makes the gameplay feel like playing the Mirror engine class in the Mario Kart series [9] [10] [11] [12] [13], but as a speedy side scroller. Since all three DLC packs and twelve Game Gear titles will be included, there seems to be no doubt that Sonic Origins Plus will be an exceptional and expanded re-release [29].

Nostalgia powers! Activate! [29]

It is quite a shame that Sonic Origins was criticised for its number of bugs and glitches that hindered the overall experience of playing some remasters of great classics for some players at first [24]. Luckily, there were a few updates for the game that made them go away like a fly being shooed right out of a house. I hate to remind some of my fellow gamers of the ghastly gush of glitches from Sonic ‘06 (unless I must punish some toxic fanbrats by making them watch a certain kiss scene) [18] [19] [31] [32], but I have a feeling that Sonic Origins Plusmight consist of several disruptive glitches after its release due the extra ambition being put into it [24] [29]. However, if there are sudden bugs and glitches spotted in Sonic Origins Plusafter its release, who should Sonic Team call? The Glitchbusters [17]! Besides, I still remember witnessing two bizarre glitches from The Sims Mobile that were eventually patched [33] [34]. Despite the unfortunate backlash due to the number of glitches that were discovered, in Sonic Origins sometime after its release in June 2022 [24], the determination to patch them out was still appreciated and the same ought to apply to some updates for Sonic Origins Plus if necessary [29].

Any disruptive glitches found in Sonic Origins Plus ought to be patched within an update sometime after its release [24]. [29]

In both digital and physical editions, Sonic Origins Plus will be released on the 23rd of June possibly alongside the second wave of DLC for Sonic Frontiers [23] [29]. Both are sure to be a splendid way to celebrate Mr. Sonic’s birthday this year. Speaking of celebrating, my fellow sinners and I are currently rejoicing for the wrap of Hazbin Hotel, the upcoming animated series about a hotel in Hell for sinners to stay at and try to redeem themselves [4] [7] [8]. I also wonder who has two new red Joy-Con controllers that were released as a big part of a new system bundle in honour of this year’s Mario Day and who found being green easier with the new Velocity Green Xbox Series X|S controller [14] [15] [21] [35]. As for our Sonic supporters, let us wish them the best of joy when Sonic Origins Plus comes out, especially for those who choose to purchase the premium edition that will include an art book featuring Classic Sonic and so on [29]. Sonic Origins Plus will be available for the PlayStation 4, the PlayStation 5, Windows, Steam, the Xbox One, the Xbox X|S and the Nintendo Switch and is available to pre-order right now!

Let us relish in both nostalgia and proactivity as more gaming events await us [2]! Game on, fellow gamers! [29]
 References

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  17. RayParkerJuniorVEVO. (2013). Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (Official Video). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe93CLbHjxQ. Last accessed 23rd Mar 2023.
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