Sonic Omens

Logo of Sonic Omens.

Sonic Omens (previously known as Sonic 2020) is a 3D platformer video game released on March 14, 2020 developed by Ouroboros Studio (previously known as Mania Team). The game has been released in an episodic format, final episodes coming out on August 10, 2022 on Gamejolt for Windows.

The game is made in Unreal Engine 4, using the a modified version of Oban's Infinity Engine framework made by Max & Adam.

Plot

The game takes place between Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors. The aim of the story is to explain what had happened to the Chaos Emeralds which had discontinued their use in modern Sonic games, as well as to connect Sonic X with the main Sonic canon.

Episode 1: The Breakthrough

A cutscene starts playing at a house, where Sonic is seen resting on a windowsill in the attic. In this cutscene; references to previous Sonic media may be spotted (Tails' Rhythm Badge from Sonic Adventure, the wallpaper of Sonic's phone is the original 16-bit Green Hill Zone, a chilli dog, Tails' Jet Anklets from Sonic Adventure, a framed photo which feature characters from previous games (Tails, Amy, Knuckles), another framed photo of Sonic and Chip in Apotos and also showing them eating the chocolate chipped cream sundae supreme, a photo of Sonic and Christopher Thorndyke as an adult in front of GUN's logo, a spare pair of Sonic's signature shoes and finally, a poster for Chao in Space).

The scene quickly cuts to Tails coming up to the attic through a trap door, carrying a radio with him. He quickly asks if Sonic had heard the news, and despite the latter not responding nor awaking from his nap, Tails quickly sets the radio down and turns it on. The reporter's voice from the radio states that Dr Eggman had captured one of the seven Chaos Emeralds from the Gaia Temple in the Cold Ruins, though no one knows of the mad doctor's intentions. Tails had turned off the radio when the reporter continued to speak; cutting her off before she could continue her report on GUN's agents attempts on retrieving the emerald.

Sonic stretches with a yawn, showing excitement and remarks on Eggman's return, believing that the doctor could've lasted a month before hatching another plan. He jumped to his feet, grabbing Chip's necklace (due to its size, Sonic wears it as a bracelet) and announces that he and Tails should pay a visit to Dr Eggman. Tails states that his sensors had picked up activity at an abandoned Eggman outpost nearby, but as he thought it was another GUN investigation, he had not analysed the readings. It was only until he had lost all communication to the island that outpost was stationed on that he knew the doctor was behind it activity. Tails runs down to the Hyper Tornado, suggesting that he and Sonic visit the outpost (which he called the Old Eggman Tower). Sonic tells Tails to go ahead, claiming that he will catch up. This will trigger the game to go into the first action stage; "The Wellspring".

As Sonic leaves the attic through the trapdoor, the radio can be heard. The reporter states that since the Emerald was stolen, temperatures on the mainland have dropped significantly; with many citizens facing an unparalleled frost. After leaving the attic, Sonic will arrive in the garage; where Tails is repairing the Hyper Tornado. Sonic asks if the jet is ready, claiming that he could use a nap in the meantime. Tails replies, saying that the Tornado wasn't fully repaired and ready for takeoff just yet. He suggests Sonic to warm up, reminding the hedgehog that he had gained a few pounds from napping and attending chilli dog contests frequently. As Sonic runs out, Tails asks the hero to meet him at the wellspring. Sonic laughs, amused as he runs through a loopty-loop and says that he could use the cardio. This sequence will not play if Sonic exits through the window in the attic.

Sonic makes his way through and out of town, into the overgrown bogs and towards the wellspring. Upon reaching the wellsping, the next cutscene will be triggered. Sonic leaps off a cliff; only to be caught by his trusty sidekick. The two fly over the town near the spring as a few locals notice them. Sonic points upwards, signalling to Tails so they could fly over Angel Island. Tails then throws Sonic upwards and the latter free-falls happily towards the altar of the Master Emerald. Sonic almost reached the ground before Tails catches him and they continue in their travels. Knuckles, however, had noticed the pair while cleaning the Master Emerald and watched them fly into the storm, stating that the storm was coming.

Once inside the storm, Tails seemed frightened by the lightning happening around them. Suddenly, a group of GUN Beetles had seeming appeared in thin air. As the two tried to evade them, a GUN Hawk flew up underneath them; causing Sonic and Tails to fall and grab onto the mech's side. Due to the rainwater, Sonic slipped off and began plummeting. Tails immediately let go and attempted to catch his friend, only for them both to crash land in the wood below as the GUN mechs continued on their way to the Eggman Tower. This triggered the titlecard of the episode.

Sonic wakes up long after the storm had passed and found himself hanging by an energy beam coming from the bracelet while Chao hovered in circles around him. Tails also wakes not long after and quickly points out Sonic's predicament, asking him what the energy beam is; to which the latter explains it had came from Chip's necklace that he was wearing. Sonic quickly points out that they were lucky that the trees had broken their fall as Tails gets on his feet, telling Sonic that he could also come down to ground level. The hedgehog attempts to disconnect the beam, trying to come down and states that he would rather have his feet planted. Sonic only managed to break the beam by swinging, but sadly lands on his face rather than his feet. Sonic quickly noticed that there were still Badniks left in the wellspring and instructs Tails to locate the Chao to ensure that they were out of harm's way. Tails cooperates and flies away, informing Sonic that they will meet at the tower as Sonic takes off to deal with the Badniks; triggering the next action stage, "Chao Paradise".

While travelling through Chao Paradise; Sonic received a call from Amy Rose, who showed great excitement in a planned picnic with the hero. Sonic stuttered, clearly forgetting that he had made plans with his self-proclaimed girlfriend. Amy then goes on to rant about how Sonic could be forgetful and irresponsible while being a hero, to which Sonic only stuttered more in uneasiness. He quickly made an excuse; saying that he was going through a tunnel and the area was a dead zone. Sonic cut off the call after mimicking a static signal and continues his way to the tower.

Sonic and Tails soon met up at the Eggman Tower and traversed inside, being greeted by a video footage of the doctor welcoming any trespassers to his "humble" and "elaborate boobytrapped" abode. Sonic comments on the terrible condition the outpost was in; claiming that Eggman did not bother with repairing the tower at all. Tails responds to Sonic's typical comments, saying that there was no point if the hero was simply going to wreck the place again and again, to which Sonic says that wrecking was more of a Knuckles thing. Tails reminds his friend that the echidna was now guarding the Master Emerald while Sonic continues with his laid-back conversation and jokes about Knuckles not giving the mystical jewel away. The two soon reached a command panel; which was in the same condition as the rest of the outpost. Tails decides to attempt to extract anything useful from the computer while Sonic wanders off to look for a napping spot. Unfortunately, in an attempt to access the data, Tails had triggered the security system and causes E-Zero "Egg Dragoon" to activate. Sonic warns Tails of the imminent danger, suggesting maybe that his sidekick had did something wrong. Tails responded; saying that without access to the security system he could not download any data. Tails tells Sonic to distract the derelict Badnik; triggering the first boss fight of the game, "E-Zero".

After Sonic defeats E-Zero, Tails realises that the place was guarded with no apparent reason as Eggman had abandoned the outpost a long time ago. Sonic states that the Badnik didn't attack them for no reason and tosses Tails the hard-drive that came from E-Zero for the fox to attempt tracking the doctor. Tails was quickly about to locate Eggman; annoucing that he was heading towards the Grand Canyon. Sonic and Tails quickly depart for their homestead, to repair the Hyper Tornado to chase down the mad doctor.

As Tails was making the final changes to the Tornado, Sonic was attempting to contact Knuckles; possibly for aid in the mission. The red echidna's communications, however, were down and Tails concludes that it was because of a burst of energy from the Master Emerald. Sonic simply agreed, believing that the guardian should remain on the island and that he and Tails should hurry. The two heroes seated in the Tornado as the jet took off, effectively ending the first episode of Sonic Omens and triggers the beginning and titlecard of the next.

Gameplay

Introduction

The game has two gameplay styles, the boost gameplay style, based on games such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations, where you can play as either Sonic or Shadow, each with their unique abilities, and "plane" levels, where you'll either play as Tails piloting the Tornado, or Shadow with his Glider through level select, although with the same moveset.

Playable Characters

There are several playable characters:

• Sonic the Hedgehog (character)
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• Miles "Tails" Prower (Tornado)

Character Abilities

All of the characters have their own abilities.

The Hedgehogs can use:

• Boost - enables Sonic and Shadow to run at high velocities and destroy enemies; however, boost gauge will need to be replenished constantly to remain in boost state
• Homing Attack - attack enemies singularly by locking in and dashing towards them as a ball
• Light Speed Dash - dashes across a path of rings; able to carry them over large gaps

Sonic The Hedgehog additionally has access to:

• Bounce - enables him to reach higher platforms
• Grab (Energy whip) - swing over large gaps at high velocity
• Light speed attack - charge up and destroy all nearby enemies; however, when charging, Sonic is not immune to attacks

Shadow The Hedgehog has abilities based on Chaos Energy:

• Chaos Control - slows down time; drains Chaos Energy steadily while in use
• Chaos Blast - destroys all enemies within radius; takes up 75% of Chaos Energy
• Chaos Spear - destroys enemies in range, aiming is not necessary; takes up 10% of Chaos Energy
• Chaos Dash - teleports in the direction Shadow is facing, and also vertically upwards; takes up 20% of Chaos Energy

Keep in mind that the Chaos Energy bar will need to be refilled when empty, otherwise these attacks will not be avaliable for use.

Finally, Tornado piloted by Tails and Shadow in the Glider have two different attack abilities - machine gun and rockets.

• The machine gun is the preferable attack ability; being able to shoot enemies or objects quickly and can reach over long distances with ease. However, it overheats rapidly and can cause shooting speeds to decrease.
• By default; the Aircrafts are equipped with two rockets. Rockets need to be aimed directly at the target, otherwise it will be a wasted shot. Rockets also require time to reload.

Upon unlocking Super Sonic in the final episode and final boss, The Exiled:

• Sonic is able to transform into his super state by gaining 100% energy (collecting rings, destroying enemies or running into energy sphere can contribute to energy gain). Once Sonic is at 100% energy; the boost gauge will glow yellow and Sonic can transform by jumping up and using the lightspeed dash mid-air (no rings will be collected however, it is only the button that triggers Sonic's transformation).
• Sonic will permanently remain in his Super state once the second phase of the second boss is triggered. Super Sonic must constantly move to gain 100% energy and use an energy burst to disable the boss and attack Exiled as fast as possible.

Extras

Players have several options on how to play the game: they can play Story Mode entirely, choose and play any completed stage or play split-screened two-player mode with a friend.

Collection of Red Star Rings will unlock more items in the extra menu. The items in question are articles written by United World News and some others. There are 65 red star rings to collect. To keep the collected Red Star Rings; the stage much be completed without deaths. There is also an article that is automatically unlocked upon completing Story Mode.

Credits

• Director:
  • Aleksey "Bolt" Dmitriev
• Level Design:
  • Aleksey "Bolt" Dmitriev - envrionmental artist
  • Evgeniy "John R1se" Akimbaev - envrionmental artist
  • Aleksey "Swelly" Vandishev - level editor
  • Bektur "Slivka" Sabirow - level editor
• Story:
  • Aleksander "Joh" Zhokhov - screenwriter, script supervisor, narrative designer
• 3D Modelling:
  • Grigoriy "Belkas" Degtev
  • Pavel "Aliquide" Manucharov
  • Eva "EvArt" Musidu
• Animation:
  • Aleksey "Bolt" Dmitriev - lead animator
  • Evgeniy "Evil" Gorlatov - character setup
  • Aleksey "Poprikolu" Kuzin - animator
  • Oliver "OliverYuen4" Yuen - animator
  • Vadim "Teo" Palamarchuk - animator
• Programming:
  • Mikhail "Nekahsup" Rodionov - lead programmer
  • Evgeniy "Zly" Liudchyk - programmer
  • James "TheJayNinja" Gray - programmer
  • Oleg "Godoie" Daniv - programmer
• Cast:
  • Nicholas "GameGuyNick" Markgraf - Sonic the Hedgehog, Christopher Thorndyke
  • Alina "Alina Ish" Ishmukhametova - Miles "Tails" Prower, Rouge the Bat, GUN AI
  • Igor "Humanarian" Zaytsev - Shadow the Hedgehog, Vector the Crocodile
  • Brandon "Fazlox" Coleman - The Exiled, Man from Government
  • Evgeniy "Sumochkin" Sitcev - Doctor Eggman
  • Anastasia "Anstasia" Tikhonova - Woman from Government, Maria Robotnik
  • Juwaan "Seetwelverun" Armstrong - Knuckles the Echidna, GUN Commander
  • Aleksander "Joh" Zhokhov - Man from Government
  • Angelina "Anjo" Deheve - New Narrator
  • Rachel "Raechu" Thompson - Amy Rose, Chip
• Sound Design:
  • Evgeniy "John R1se" Akimbaev - sound director
  • Sergey "Frastwer" Gubeydulin - sound designer
  • Danny "Techno Cinema" Burns - sound designer
  • Kirill "Kiwi" Grigorev - sound designer
  • Ivan "Rideguard" Shukhin - sound designer
• Music Composing:
  • Evgeniy "John R1se" Akimbaev - lead music composer, mastering engineer
  • Danny "Techno Cinema" Burns - music composer, Sonic the Hedgehog/Exiled music themes author
  • Maksim "Maxim Nick" Nikótin - music composer
  • Dylan "JYC Row" Baele - music composer
  • Ivan "John Frost" Moroz - music composer
  • Bentley Jones - "Weight of the World" vocals and lyrics
  • Karine "Kira Mark" Babayan - final cutscene vocals
  • Andrew "Karma Cartel" Khrapov - "Weight of the World" guitar assistant
• Tracks:
  • Eggman's Facility (Rhythm and Balance Remix): Sonic Forces - produced by Tomoya Ohtani
  • World Has Gone Insane (Madness For Masses Intro): Red Online - produced by John R1se and Karma Cartel
• Artwork:
  • Valeria "Valeria" Repetskaya - concept artist
  • Vika "Rakoobraznaya" Soldatova - 2D artist
  • Sonia "Sosdraws" MOKTEFI - 2D artist
  • Dmitry "Noir" Soldatenkov - 2D artist
  • Yana "Zedcarnate" Manucharova - 2D artist
  • Galine "Klematista" Vinogradova- concept artist
  • Jimena "JCMX" Cañete - 2D artist
• Visual Effects:
  • Nikita "Niknite" Simakov
  • Evgeniy "Evil" Gorlatov
  • Mikhail "Nekahsup" Rodionov
• Localisation:
  • GameGuyNick - English localisation
  • Azura - Russian localisation
  • Andréa Pitet - French localisation
  • Kyzstudio - Spanish localisation
  • Laanx5 - Spanish localisation
• Engine Creator:
  • Oban
  • Max & Adam (uncredited)
• Logo Design:
  • xKindredKinesis
• Backers and Contributors:
  • -M-A-X-
  • Burst
  • FizzWizz// IE+
  • Vivianite114// IE+
  • HesM// IE+
  • CaptainObvious
• Special Thanks
  • Maksim "SeriMax" Peganov
  • Naftali "Naftez" Mishiev
  • Aleksabder "Exaige" Baturin
  • Nikita "DragonNut" Skotarenko
  • Nikolay "NickZales" Zalessky
  • Konstantin "Exspiravit" Lavrov
  • Denis Gareev
  • Krazyelf
  • PilotsBow
  • Cyber
  • SonicxFan
  • Runnic

Development

Shadow gameplay at "Asenal G.U.N." The first thing Bolt started with, was a rework of one of the levels of the original games "Crisis City". Such was the acquaintance with the Infinity Engine and Unreal Engine 4, but not as a tool for creating cinematics, but as a direct game engine. At that time, the infinity engine practically did not undergo changes, but the level and gameplay immediately found support from the community and formed the basis for the future Sonic Omens.

According to the plan the game will be released episodically and will consist of 7 episodes. Each episode must contain 3 playable acts, and in some of those episodes Act 3 will be a boss battle. The development of the game began in September 2019 and on the 14th of March 2020 the first episode called "White Jungle" was released. It was several levels playable as Sonic, which takes place in the same name location from the main series of the game. This episode already shows different game styles - the first stage showed a mix of boost gameplay with combat elements, the second one was a huge level concentrated on exploring and the third is boost again but against time. Despite the fact that most of the developers are from Russia, it was decided to release the game in the English language as well. The developers involved various voice actors, so each level is accompanied by voice acting as well as cutscenes, which was also positively assessed by the community.

The next episode, called "Shadow of Water" was released on the 23rd of June 2020. Development took only 4 months. This time Shadow became a playable hero, and the gameplay had mostly become combat. The first two stages showed similar formula as the previous episode, boost, combat, and exploring. But 3rd act showed the first boss battle. For this episode voice actor cast has been increased, some actors have been replaced. it also developers brought in two music composers - John R1se and Danny Burns, so almost all the music in the game was replaced and became original. In the next episodes, called "The Breakthrough" and "Temple of Sand" developers promise air gameplay, where the gamers can play as Tails piloting the Tornado aircraft, or as Shadow using Glider.