Sonic Origins

Sonic Origins is a compilation of four of the best-known retro Sonic platforming titles, originally released on the home consoles but now available for all modern PC in a simple-to-use title that can provide an incredible amount of fun to anyone seeking retro joy.

The classic adventures available in this release include the original Sonic the Hedgehog, and its direct sequels Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. Even more importantly, these games have received visual and gameplay upgrades, making them easier and more enjoyable to play today.

Sonic Origins starts with a brand-new main dashboard from which users can pick which of the retro titles they want to start playing. All the games can easily be enjoyed by both old fans and new players who are encountering the adventures of Sonic and his friends for the first time. However, there are some bonuses for old fans, enabling them to discover brand-new areas, additional animations, and even the Anniversary mode.

While all of the available games are recreated visually with the original style, it must be noted that some of the original background music themes are not present in this release. This has most likely happened due to licensing issues. The game is also widely criticized online for the presence of glitches and crashes that the developer SEGA has promised to fix, and the influence of the Denuvo DRM system that many players deem as excessive for this retro release. The game also lacks configuration options, preventing players from tweaking the game's gameplay and visual options to best fit their needs.

In addition to the core content present in Sonic Origins, the publisher of the title SEGA has also offered players access to two premium DLC packs – “Fun Pack” which introduces new gameplay challenges, and “Classic Music Track” which brings re-mastered musical tracks from the rich Sonic history.

Sonic Origins features four of the best retro titles from Sonic retro days, but sadly the myriad of issues have prevented fans of this franchise from regarding this release highly. While the games are still fun and engaging, SEGA has decided to release these titles in a questionable manner that does not fully respect the history and popularity of this action platformer franchise.

Sonic Origins game is optimized for the 64-bit version of Windows 11 and Windows 10.

PROS

• A compilation of four classic games, revitalized and bundled together
• Enhanced graphics for a modern gaming experience
• Freshly animated cutscenes were added to enrich the storytelling
• Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD remain as enjoyable and dynamic platformers as ever

CONS

• The inclusion of downloadable content (DLC) may seem superfluous
• Lack of CRT filters for those seeking a nostalgic visual experience
• Likely not a must-have for dedicated, long-time fans of the franchise