When a team of developers launch their game, it can be a happy moment, one of excitement and anticipation as all that effort and hard work have resulted in a completed product that fans can enjoy. That's true to a degree when it comes to the recently launched Sonic Origins, but there's been some problems as well. Stealth, who is renowned and beloved for his projects and work within the Sonic community, and who is part of the team that helped get Sonic 3 & Knuckles finally released on modern platforms, is not pleased with the end result. Those intricately familiar with Sonic 3 were quick to point out issues and flaws with dev Headcannon's port of the game into the Retro Engine, critisizing them for not having fixed physics and hitbox problems before the game's release.

I'm extremely proud of my team for their performance under such pressure, but every one of us is very unhappy about the state of Origins and even the Sonic 3 component. We weren't too thrilled about its pre-submission state either but a lot was beyond our control.

— Stealth (@HCStealth) June 24, 2022

However, Stealth took to Twitter to let out a long string of Tweets that better explain the situation in its entirety: according to him, Sonic Origins isn't "what [they] turned in" to SEGA, and a lot of bugs and problems that players are having were instead introduced on SEGA's end of things. Stealth mentions how he and Headcannon did all they could so that Origins could be as good as they could make it be, suffering development crunch and stress over getting everything done in time. Some things, he notes as being bugs that Headcannon had to overlook due to the high pressure development, but not all of them are his team's fault. Just ahead of Sonic Origins' launch, the team tried to push some fixes out, but those reportedly weren't allowed due to submission and approval rules, and delaying the game at all just wasn't an option for SEGA. Headcannon has also apparently offered to iron out the bugs and keep working on making Origins better post-release, but the team isn't sure if SEGA will allow that to happen.

Why am I talking about it now, then? Well, there's just too much scrutiny over things that both are and are not related to us, and I don't want to sit in back in silence while people are asking why and how things happened to a product they put so much hope and money into

— Stealth (@HCStealth) June 24, 2022

Not all is negative, though--Stealth wanted to make sure to mention he's still on good terms with SEGA, and appreciated the opportunity and said that most of SEGA's staff was kind and respectful, just that he wanted to clear the air so fans better knew what went on behind closed doors.

 

[PacBunnyXV07]

I like how people talk shit about SEGA and act like they're better than them (which you're not). Maybe someday people will stop being judgemental just to boost their ego.

 

[Foxi4]

Actually, no he isn't. Sega can't produce a GOOD Sonic game for shit and HC+PW have started taking their place as the only ones capable of doing so. What is Sega going to do, axe the only people capable of keeping a sinking franchise afloat??

Why not? They have in the past. There’s a certain rhythm to doing business, and this isn’t it. Don’t walk in front of the parade - if you’re patient and negotiate accordingly, you can release a patch and everything is honkey dory. Now that there’s a bunch of drama, that drama doesn’t go away, and it reflects poorly on future opportunities. It was in Headcannon’s interest to verify the integrity of the final build - their name is on the product. They haven’t done that, and now there’s a bunch of associated Twitter Moments for no reason. That could’ve been avoided.

 

[raxadian]

I got the Steam port of Sonic CD, and the Android remakes of 1&2. I guess I could either play Sonic 3 Complete or Sonic 3 Air instead.

For 40 bucks I prefer an actual new game.

Maybe I will get this if it gets updates and a discount, but wow Sega seems to have made a complete change from the Time of Sonic Mania.

I know Sega is having money problems, but this is not the way to fo things if you want people to keep buying your stuff.

Just look at how buggy the Sonic Colors Remake was, to the point many people recomend just playing the original if you can, Wiimote and all.

 

[Cris1997XX]

Why, Sega? Why the fuck do you have such a toxic relationship with western developers!? Your only good Sonic released in years was made by a group of fans, and that's an exception to the rule. But every time you hire a western software house to handle Sonic titles you put them under pressure, cut budgets, make stupid requests and do other ass pulls I can't think of right now. You're also to blame if many of Sonic's latest anniversaries turn into shit. First Sonic 06 and Genesis on GBA and now Sonic Colors Ultimate and Sonic Origins? The original Colors, both on the Wii and DS, and Generations were fantastic games but they didn't save the series from becoming what it is today. I hope god Frontiers will turn out okay at the very least, because this is the last time I'll ever give you money for your fucking games

 

[RedoLane]

Oh yeah, just a heads up.

If you have Sonic Origins on Steam/Epic, you're in luck. Members of the modding communities are going all out at making sure it'll be on a better state.
So far, there are a few music mods for S3&K which either restore the MJ tracks, use the remastered AIR tracks, or use the proper prototype tracks.
There's also a pixel shader mod that eliminates the blur issue with all the games.
It's only a matter of time until most bugs will be fixed, if at all, but at least there are workarounds cooking in the oven.
Hopefully mods will be available on Switch as well, since all games are running on the Retro Engine.

 

[Cris1997XX]

Oh yeah, just a heads up.

If you have Sonic Origins on Steam/Epic, you're in luck. Members of the modding communities are going all out at making sure it'll be on a better state.
So far, there are a few music mods for S3&K which either restore the MJ tracks, use the remastered AIR tracks, or use the proper prototype tracks.
There's also a pixel shader mod that eliminates the blur issue with all the games.
It's only a matter of time until most bugs will be fixed, but at least there's a workaround.
Hopefully mods will be available on Switch as well, since all games are running on the Retro Engine.

I've never thought I'd say this in my life, but...fuck paying for the game. Sega's titles deserve to be pirated, with the exception of Sonic Mania of course

 

[godreborn]

I did buy the digital deluxe edition on the ps5, but I only tested if it booted up considering I had to wait until the clock hit 0 to play it. I do the same with preorders on the switch or preloads I mean. I haven't tested the games, but the ps4 version is interesting, even though it probably requires 9.60. it may contain a sega cd emulator for sonic cd kinda like cotton had one for saturn.

 

[smilodon]

Oh yeah, just a heads up.

If you have Sonic Origins on Steam/Epic, you're in luck. Members of the modding communities are going all out at making sure it'll be on a better state.
So far, there are a few music mods for S3&K which either restore the MJ tracks, use the remastered AIR tracks, or use the proper prototype tracks.
There's also a pixel shader mod that eliminates the blur issue with all the games.
It's only a matter of time until most bugs will be fixed, if at all, but at least there are workarounds cooking in the oven.
Hopefully mods will be available on Switch as well, since all games are running on the Retro Engine.

So that's pretty cool, you'll be able to *kinda* reach what other hacks and fan games did before it but for a hefty fee.

 

[_v3]

Why not? They have in the past. There’s a certain rhythm to doing business, and this isn’t it. Don’t walk in front of the parade - if you’re patient and negotiate accordingly, you can release a patch and everything is honked dory. Now that there’s a bunch of drama, that drama doesn’t go away, and it reflects poorly on future opportunities. It was in Headcannon’s interest to verify the integrity of the final build - their name is on the product. They haven’t done that, and now there’s a bunch of associated Twitter Moments for no reason. That could’ve been avoided.

I'd say you were right in any other case than this one. This is the franchise that put them on the radar, it's their mascot, immagine how much shit Nintendo would get if they started pumping crappy M...... Actually nevermind, you are right, I concede defeat.

 

[MaxiBash]

I can understand not being able to iron out bugs close to release, but possibly not letting them release post-release updates? Who does Sega think they are, Electronic Arts? This has me really concerned about Frontiers, as they refuse to give that game a delay as well.

 

[PacBunnyXV07]

I can understand not being able to iron out bugs close to release, but possibly not letting them release post-release updates? Who does Sega think they are, Electronic Arts? This has me really concerned about Frontiers, as they refuse to give that game a delay as well.

Sonic Frontiers doesn't need a delay.

 

[Nerdtendo]

I don't think that's the moral of the story here. Speaking against a corporation is easy and everyone does it.

Well said. "Stick it to the man" has always been much too general of a statement.

 

[Purple_Shyguy]

Mania 2 officially permanently cancelled.

 

[Foxi4]

I'd say you were right in any other case than this one. This is the franchise that put them on the radar, it's their mascot, immagine how much shit Nintendo would get if they started pumping crappy M...... Actually nevermind, you are right, I concede defeat.

Still waiting for Super Mario Proctologist.

 

[godreborn]

Still waiting for Super Mario Proctologist.

he's in...up to his elbow.

 

[Foxi4]

he's in...up to his elbow.

“Mamma Mia, that’s-a tumor!” has a certain ring to it.

 

[Chary]

Was anyone actually, genuinely, really for real expecting the MJ music to be in Origins? Let's not be delusional. That being said, Jun Senoue lives up to expectations by creating music that sounds at home in the wannabe yamaha SEGA Genesis soundchip Sonic 4 nightmare of a soundtrack. Really ruins the tone of those levels.

Of course, I've already beaten Sonic 1 and 3&K in the collection. I'm happy with it, in the way that it's the best "port" of a classic Sonic game since the original Taxman version of CD came to console in the, like, PS3 era. It's not perfect, and all the hardcore Sonic fans are going to notice the one in one zillionth of a frame difference in certain things, but on the whole, S3&K feels fantastic to play, and I'm happy to be able to play it legitimately. I like AIR, and I like Complete, but as a console gamer, I'm glad I can just play this on my PS5 no sweat.

Fans deserve better, though, and we know just how talented Stealth and co are at this stuff, so hopefully they get their shot at a post-launch update.

 

[godreborn]

Was anyone actually, genuinely, really for real expecting the MJ music to be in Origins? Let's not be delusional. That being said, Jun Senoue lives up to expectations by creating music that sounds at home in the wannabe yamaha SEGA Genesis soundchip Sonic 4 nightmare of a soundtrack. Really ruins the tone of those levels.

Of course, I've already beaten Sonic 1 and 3&K in the collection. I'm happy with it, in the way that it's the best "port" of a classic Sonic game since the original Taxman version of CD came to console in the, like, PS3 era. It's not perfect, and all the hardcore Sonic fans are going to notice the one in one zillionth of a frame difference in certain things, but on the whole, S3&K feels fantastic to play, and I'm happy to be able to play it legitimately. I like AIR, and I like Complete, but as a console gamer, I'm glad I can just play this on my PS5 no sweat.

Fans deserve better, though, and we know just how talented Stealth and co are at this stuff, so hopefully they get their shot at a post-launch update.

as I was telling @Glyptofane on discord when it came to pixel remasters of the final fantasy games and how many bugs they have, I said, that I didn't usually notice bugs in games unless they're extreme, considering I haven't really gotten back into the groove of playing new games for great lengths of time.

 

[Chary]

as I was telling @Glyptofane on discord when it came to pixel remasters of the final fantasy games and how many bugs they have, I said, that I didn't usually notice bugs in games unless they're extreme, considering I haven't really gotten back into the groove of playing new games for great lengths of time.

I never got around to the FF Pixel Remasters, but I've heard mixed stuff about them. I tend to skew the same way, not really noticing or picking up on bugs unless they ruin something dramatically, in fact I think I was the only person to have a decent experience reviewing GTA Trilogy on PS5 as well. I recorded a full playthrough of S3&K to specifically find glitches, and in all the footage, there were 3 insane wtf moments that stood out, and 2 oddities that didn't affect gameplay. Imo that's not super bad, and I feel pretty positive about the game while everyone is pointing out 100s of problems I never saw. As usual, lol...

 

[godreborn]

I never got around to the FF Pixel Remasters, but I've heard mixed stuff about them. I tend to skew the same way, not really noticing or picking up on bugs unless they ruin something dramatically, in fact I think I was the only person to have a decent experience reviewing GTA Trilogy on PS5 as well. I recorded a full playthrough of S3&K to specifically find glitches, and in all the footage, there were 3 insane wtf moments that stood out, and 2 oddities that didn't affect gameplay. Imo that's not super bad, and I feel pretty positive about the game while everyone is pointing out 100s of problems I never saw. As usual, lol...

I bought this game mostly for sonic 1, since I won Nickelodeon's Slime Time Sweepstakes, so I have very fond memories of the game. plus, considering sonic cd is part of the collection, it may have a sonic cd emulator similar to the saturn emulator with cotton, the ps1 emulator with medievil, the psp one with castlevania legacy, and the countless ps2 emulators with various ps2 classics and remasters. they have mixed compatibility, but I heard that the saturn emulator is very good. I haven't tried it myself though.