Earlier today, April 20th, Sega lifted the lid on Sonic Origins; a collection of remasters coming to modern platforms. While the concept will have gone down well with many, sadly, the execution from Sega hasn't been welcomed with such open arms.
And it all comes down to DLC. Sega has released a Ubisoft-esque chart to go with its base game announcement, breaking down all the versions and what each one has to offer. The additional paid tiers include modes, character animations, and more.
Well, it's safe to say this announcement... hasn't gone down well. Twitter is full of commentary on the move from Sega, questioning why such a confusing system has to exist in the first place. Here's a few examples:
We have to admit, we're not fans of this setup either. When a game needs a chart to break down its DLC offerings, something isn't quite right.
Let's see how Sega responds to the fan criticism. It's pretty hard to miss right now, so we'd expect to see them come out with some of statement on it shortly. Or not, and we'll have to pay up to play all of the content on offer.
What do you make of this? Does the DLC plan put you off buying the game at all? Let us know below.
Comments 28
Lol, this has got to be the dumbest, most convoluted DLC situation I have ever seen. I mean, it is absolutely absurd how bad it is...
I was never going to buy this game before this and now I am even more unlikely to buy...
No way they change it now because you can already pre-order the deluxe edition. You can get the DLC separately, that's good because you can buy the regular version now and upgrade later if you want. The only thing that you can miss is the pre-order bonuses, 100 bonus coins and mirror mode unlocked but you can get that in-game.
That said, this remastered collection is a must-have, at least the regular edition! But after so many years, seriously, for five pounds/euros/dollars more I think it's worth pre-ordering the deluxe edition and getting everything, including extra Mega Drive music.
It's not confusing
Preorder vanilla you get most things
Preorder the all in you get... All in
Buy later, have fun with that chart.
I already have everything from the 360 era that's backwards compatible.
The whole coins thing screams microtransactions. Gonna be a pass from me.
Why sega fell from grace summed up in one launch DLC chart…..
They haven’t got a clue.
Who thought this was a good idea. Do companies not use focus groups anymore?
@InterceptorAlpha Aye fella. Whole thing screams greed to me.
Why not just make one SKU that includes everything for the price that they want? I don't understand this setup at all.
I'm afraid this sums Sega up...
Even when they have something good at hand they manage to somehow mess it up.
@Xiovanni I think you can only have either Tails OR Knuckles, not both. I'm pretty sure I read the chart correctly.
@XxEvilAshxX That makes sense because the price difference and the deluxe extras are minimal.
@BANJO It's a shame that a legendary release like this is overshadowed by a "modern release" scheme.
This is massive own goal. I’d have insta bought it.. as I have every other sonic game available to play (back compat) included on Xbox. But this is a pass. The DLC plan totally turned me off it.
I have so many questions… What is mirror mode? What can coins be spent on? What are music islands and why should I care about character animations? What is the difference between a letterbox background and a non-letterbox background? How do camera controls on the main menu islands impact gameplay?
I won't be buying, was interested but I already have Genesis copies of Sonic 1 and 2 and the nice thing about Xbox is you can play the XBLA versions of 1-3, Knuckles and CD through backwards compatibility (believe they can still be bought through the old 360 marketplace or 360 itself as well). Still interested in Frontiers, hoping they don't mess that up.
It's truly awful
@themightyant The mirror mode is not pre-order only. You can unlock it in the regular version. There is only one letterbox background that is exclusive, the Mega Drive one, the other nine are available for everyone. Also, if you pre-order the deluxe edition (just 4 additional pounds) you get all the DLC. If you don't pre-order it, you only miss the Mega Drive letterbox background.
@Banjo- Thanks for the added information, that's helpful.
It would have been more helpful if their website and chart had said some of this initially. (BTW they've updated the chart a little now but still some of your info is missing from their own website)
It's still pretty bad to chop up a remaster like this imho.
@themightyant Yes, the marketing of this game is bonkers.
There is some useful information here (use your browser's translator):
https://www.famitsu.com/news/202204/20258988.html
There is a boss rush mode not mentioned on Pure Xbox nor Nintendo Life (I haven't checked Push Square in a while LOL).
@Banjo- Cheers buddy, much appreciated.
Bonkers that their marketing got this so badly wrong meaning a lot of fans + media have helped spread the misinformation.
@themightyant Yep, the original information is messy but the internet increases the confusion in minutes! I realised they updated the chart today but listing the bundles between the two versions is still confusing. I pre-ordered the deluxe edition, just paying 4 more pounds and getting everything. Actually, I used my Microsoft Rewards credit.
@Banjo- Agreed. Though if it's just £4 more pounds why do it in the first place, this sort of nickel and diming, especially on a remaster leaves a bitter taste. And what have they got in exchange? A lot of ill-will.
@themightyant It would have made more sense making a limited physical edition with a figure or a Mega Drive Mini even if it was very expensive like the Resident Evil limited editions but this subtle digital deluxe scheme is counter-productive and the fact that they updated the chart the day after shows that they are aware now.
@Banjo- Agreed.
and the fact that they updated the chart the day after shows that they are aware now. ...or they're aware they got called out on the BS.
@themightyant That's what I mean, that they realised after the backlash started.
@Banjo- I see. Just seen they have announced Headcannon's involvement (makers of Sonic Mania) which is great to hear, how that wasn't one of the first things they were announcing is beyond me. Their team and Sonic Mania has so much goodwill.
Weird marketing. If I didn't know better it would almost seem they sent it out to fail.
@themightyant Also the reveal trailer showed the Sonic 3&K 4:3 rom and somebody from Sega had to comment on Twitter that those games were being remade as well. The marketing has been a mess, I would have announced the collection when I had the new footage and clarified that Headcannon was involved because some people thought that this could end up like the GBA or DS disastrous ports. Little and confusing information about what is one of the most legendary video games collections ever.
I wrote a summary.
ALL EDITIONS:
Anniversary mode: free character selection except in Sonic CD (Knuckles available in Sonic the Hedgehog for the first time), 16:9 aspect ratio, infinite continues and time.
Story mode: adds cinematic animations.
Classic mode: 4:3 aspect ratio, limited continues and time.
Mirror mode: inverted levels (unlocked if you pre-order).
Boss rush mode: grants coins.
Missions: grant coins.
Museum: automatically unlock section and unlock with 3,000 coins section.
Worldwide leader boards.
START DASH PACK (FREE PRE-ORDER DLC):
100 coins.
Unlocked mirror mode (mirror mode can also be unlocked in the base game).
Start Dash Pack limited letterbox pattern addition (Mega Drive design).
DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION:
Includes all the DLC except the Mega Drive/Genesis letterbox background which is a pre-order bonus.
Hard missions (11 types in total).
Letterbox pattern added (10 types in total).
Characters appearing in the main menu (Sonic, Tails and Eggman).
Island camera function in the main menu.
Added character effects when playing sounds.
Added music the museum: 73 remastered tracks from Sonic Spinball, Knuckles' Chaotix and Sonic 3D Blast.
WTF has happened to the gaming industry.
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