With Sonic Origins Plus, Reverie: Sweet As Edition and Robolt, we’re looking at three new releases that all have a retro flavor to them. Here are our reviews of all three.
Sonic Origins Plus review (PS5)
Sonic Origins Plus, the updated release of Sonic Origins that’s also available as an expansion pack, offers a compilation of classic Sonic games alongside new additions. Published by SEGA, this bundle aims to provide an enhanced experience for fans of the iconic hedgehog. However, while the core games and certain features deliver on nostalgia and enjoyment, the inclusion of Game Gear titles in this package presents a mixed bag of quality.
One of the real highlights of Sonic Origins Plus is the introduction of Amy Rose as a playable character in the original Sonic games. Playing as Amy brings a fresh twist to the gameplay, although her additions are obviously relatively minor in terms of gameplay. The inclusion of Amy is a welcome change though, expanding the roster of characters and offering longtime fans a chance to experience these fantastic classics from a new perspective.
The core Sonic games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD, still shine brightly within this collection. These 16-bit platformers retain all of their charm, with exhilarating speed, clever level design, and memorable boss battles. The Anniversary mode, which is featured in each game, adds value by providing a more accessible and forgiving experience, eliminating the notion of limited lives and allowing stage restarts.
The mission mode is an enjoyable addition as well, offering specially designed mini-stages with varied objectives and time limits. These missions provide a fresh challenge for players, including unique gameplay scenarios and different character-focused tasks. The reward system, allowing players to earn collectable coins and access the museum, adds further incentive to complete these missions and unlock additional content. This is where the museum comes in, showcasing artifacts from Sonic’s history, such as concept art and music, providing an extra layer of nostalgia and appreciation for the Sonic franchise.
One of the main downsides of Sonic Origins Plus lies in the Game Gear titles. They generally haven’t held up as well at the Genesis games, showcasing their limitations in terms of gameplay, visuals, and audio, with poor sound quality and even poor performance hurting the enjoyment of these games. There’s sentimental value to including these games, in terms of added value there’s more to enjoy with the changes made to the 16-bit games.
Sonic Origins Plus is still a fantastic collection for Sonic fans, though the “Plus” elements might feel a little margin compared to what was already in the base game release. Here’s hoping for a follow-up that includes some of Sonic’s later adventures.
Reverie: Sweet As Edition review (PS4)
Reverie: Sweet As Edition takes players on a journey to Toromi Island, a fictional setting in New Zealand, filled with restless spirits and enchanting mysteries. Developed by Chronicle Games and published by Eastasiasoft, this remastered edition of the original Reverie game that was released a few years ago features retro-inspired 16-bit visuals and action-adventure gameplay. However, while Reverie succeeds in creating a charming world and endearing characters, it falls a little short in delivering a truly captivating and memorable experience.
In Reverie: Sweet As Edition, players assume the role of Tai, a young protagonist on a vacation to Toromi Island, a place that is plagued by malevolent spirits. Inspired by the legend of Maui and the Giant Fish, the game draws players into a story where Tai must venture through perilous dungeons and explore diverse environments to restore peace to the island. But although the premise holds promise, the execution falls a little flat, failing to leave a lasting impact or engage players with a more in-depth exploration of New Zealand’s culture and atmosphere – which certainly would have intrigued us.
Reverie: Sweet As Edition draws inspiration from classic titles like the old 2D Zelda titles. Players will navigate through five main dungeons, reminiscent of A Link to the Past, solving puzzles and defeating enemies to reach the bosses possessed by the island’s spirits. The gameplay mechanics, while enjoyable, lack depth and fail to present a significant challenge, with simple puzzles and boss fights that are too easy for their own good. The combat, primarily involving Tai’s cricket bat and other limited weapons, feels repetitive and lacks variety.
The charming world and characters are positives, with in-game achievements and unlockables adding a bit of replay value as you collect feathers and play mini-games. The 16-bit graphics create a cute and visually appealing aesthetic, but the dungeon design feels less inspired, with limited enemy variety and a soundtrack that grows weary on you after a while. Reverie: Sweet As Edition may appeal to casual players looking for a brief and introductory dungeon crawler type of experience, but seasoned gamers will find better options out there.
Robolt review (PS4)
Robolt, developed by Gamelike Games and published by Eastasiasoft, is a frantic side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun game that combines pixel art graphics with high octane gameplay. As a little robot equipped with rapid-firing laser bolts, players embark on a thrilling adventure across 16 levels spread across four unique worlds. The stages are packed with enemies that can be swiftly dismantled either by projectiles or by skillfully hopping on their heads, although the bosses at the end of each world present a bigger challenge.
The game’s pixel art graphics and fast-paced gameplay bring a modern touch to a classic side-scrolling formula. The simple controls, consisting of jumping, firing, and secondary fire, make it easy for players to pick up and play, while still offering a decent enough challenge. Robolt has one-hit deaths, challenging players to master the fast-paced movement and precise timing required to overcome the obstacles in their path. The inclusion of wall jumping adds another layer of depth to the gameplay mechanics, providing opportunities to reach higher platforms and explore hidden areas.
Collecting microchips throughout the levels serves as a currency for unlocking and upgrading weapons, enhancing the robot’s abilities and firepower – which is helpful for those who find the game a bit challenging despite its relatively short runtime (for those seasoned in the genre). If you some classic run and gun action and don’t mind a slightly more frantic pace, Robolt is well worth a look.