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Difference between revisions of "Sonic Colors: Ultimate"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Added info on Frame rate (FPS) unlock method.)
 
(6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
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{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, DLC }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, DLC }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Third-person }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Third-person }}
Line 37: Line 37:
 
|mobygames    = 170000
 
|mobygames    = 170000
 
|strategywiki = Sonic Colors
 
|strategywiki = Sonic Colors
|wikipedia    = Sonic Colors Ultimate
+
|wikipedia    = Sonic Colors: Ultimate
 
|winehq      =  
 
|winehq      =  
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
Line 43: Line 43:
  
 
{{Introduction
 
{{Introduction
|introduction      = '''''Sonic Colors: Ultimate''''', also known as '''''Sonic Colours: Ultimate''''' in the PAL region, is a {{Glossary:Singleplayer}} game in the [[Series:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]] series and an HD remaster of the Wii game, ''Sonic Colors''.
+
|introduction      = '''''Sonic Colors: Ultimate''''', known as '''''Sonic Colours: Ultimate''''' in the PAL region, is a {{Glossary:Singleplayer}} and {{Glossary:Multiplayer}} {{Glossary:Platform}} game in the ''[[Series:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series developed by [[Company:Blind Squirrel Games|Blind Squirrel Games]] and published by [[Company:Sega|Sega]]. It is a remaster of the 2010 [[Emulation:Wii|Wii]] game ''[[Wikipedia:Sonic Colors|Sonic Colors]]''.
  
|release history  = The game was first released worldwide on September 7, 2021 to lukewarm reception due to the issues it introduced compared to Wii version. It has since recieved several patches, with the latest being released on December 15, 2021.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/sonic-colors-ultimate-update-out-now-version-3-0-patch-notes/|title=Sonic Colors: Ultimate update out now (version 3.0), patch notes|date=2023-07-20}}</ref>
+
|release history  = ''Sonic Colors: Ultimate'' released worldwide on September 7, 2021. It was met with lukewarm reception due to the issues it introduced compared to Wii version, such as inferior lighting and various bugs. The game received several patches fix some of them, with the latest being released on December 15, 2021.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://x.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1471197810565341184|title=Sonic the Hedgehog on X|date=2024-07-02}}</ref>
  
|current state    = Although the game has been patched numerous times, many of the issues from release version are still present in the game.
+
After over a year of exclusivity to the [[Store:Epic Games Store|Epic Games Store]], the PC version of ''Sonic Colors: Ultimate'' released on [[Store:Steam|Steam]] on February 6, 2023.
 +
 
 +
|current state    = Despite the patches the game received, many of the issues from release are still present. See [[#Essential improvements|Essential improvements]].
 
}}
 
}}
 
'''Key points'''
 
{{--}} Unfavourable to the original Wii version in many ways, with this version hosting worse lighting and bugs, many of which weren't in Wii version. See the [[#Essential improvements|essential improvements]] section for various improvements.
 
{{--}} Limited graphical options.
 
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
Line 139: Line 137:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
|widescreen resolution notes=  
+
|widescreen resolution notes= Aspect ratios narrower than 16:9 are {{term|letterboxed}}. See [[#Ultra-widescreen|Ultra-widescreen]].
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
 
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
|ultrawidescreen notes      = Game is locked to 16:9 normally. See [[#Ultra-widescreen|Ultra-widescreen]] for a workaround.
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = Game is locked to 16:9 normally. See [[#Ultra-widescreen|Ultra-widescreen]].
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
|fov                        = false
+
|fov                        = hackable
|fov notes                  =  
+
|fov notes                  = 60° only. See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|windowed notes            =  
Line 154: Line 152:
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
|antialiasing              = always on
+
|antialiasing              = hackable
|antialiasing notes        = 1x [[MSAA]].<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Fds29|date=2022-12-10|comment=Checked by examining video settings through the [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 debug menu].}}</ref>
+
|antialiasing notes        = 1x [[MSAA]].<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Fds29|date=2022-12-10|comment=Checked by examining video settings through the [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 debug menu].}}</ref> See [[#Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]].
 
|upscaling                  = unknown
 
|upscaling                  = unknown
 
|upscaling tech            =  
 
|upscaling tech            =  
Line 163: Line 161:
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
|120 fps                    = true
+
|120 fps                    = hackable
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 144 FPS. Some gameplay elements such as Sonic's jump height and the turn angle of the Drill Wisp are dependent on frame rate.  
+
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 144 FPS. Some gameplay elements such as Sonic's jump height and the turn angle of the Drill Wisp are dependent on frame rate.<br>For higher/uncapped frame rates, see [[#Frame rate (FPS)|Frame rate (FPS)]].
 
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
Line 177: Line 175:
  
 
===[[Glossary:Ultra-widescreen|Ultra-widescreen]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Ultra-widescreen|Ultra-widescreen]]===
{{Fixbox|description=Edit <code>Sonic Colors - Ultimate.exe</code> with a hex editor|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use the Debug Menu mod|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/2055290/discussions/0/3758852682832938605/#c3758852882970709396|title=Supports ultra wide monitor? :: Sonic Colors: Ultimate General Discussions|date=2024-07-03}}</ref>|fix=
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}\SonicColorsUltimate\rainbow Shipping</code> and open {{File|Sonic Colors - Ultimate.exe}} in a hex editor, such as [https://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/ HxD].
+
'''Using [[Engine:Hedgehog Engine#Hedge Mod Manager|Hedge Mod Manager]]'''
# Search and replace both instances of <code>39 8E E3 3F</code> for <code>8E E3 18 40</code>.
+
# Download the Debug Menu mod from [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 GameBanana]. If installing manually, extract {{Folder|DebugMenu}} to {{Folder|{{P|Game}}\exec\Mods}}.
 +
# In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of '''Debug Menu''' to open the configuration menu.
 +
# Set {{Code|Force Disable Letterboxing}} to {{Code|Enabled}} and click '''OK'''.
 +
# In the mod list, enable '''Debug Menu''' and click '''Save'''.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{--}} Pre-rendered cutscenes will stretch to the screen aspect ratio.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the Debug Menu mod|ref=<ref name="MysJul7">{{Refcheck|user=Mystyle48|date=2024-07-03}}</ref>|fix=
 +
'''Using [[Engine:Hedgehog Engine#Hedge Mod Manager|Hedge Mod Manager]]'''
 +
# Download the Debug Menu mod from [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 GameBanana]. If installing manually, extract {{Folder|DebugMenu}} to {{Folder|{{P|Game}}\exec\Mods}}.
 +
# In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, enable '''Debug Menu''' and click '''Save and Play'''.
 +
# In-game, press {{Key|`}}, {{Key|\}}, {{Key|'}}, {{Key|@}}, or {{Key|.}} to bring up the debug menu.
 +
# In the menu, turn on {{Code|Graphics Settings}}.
 +
# In the {{Code|FOV}} section, enable {{Code|Override}} and enter an FOV value.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} FOV changes are not saved after exiting the game; must be re-applied for each launch.
 +
}}
  
This is for 21:9, might work for other aspect ratios by replacing <code>8E E3 18 40</code> for the correct hex for your aspect ratio found from the [https://www.wsgf.org/article/common-hex-values WSGF's Common Hex Values] but haven't tested. UI seems fine but cutscenes are stretched.  
+
===[[Glossary:Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the Debug Menu mod|ref=<ref name="MysJul7"/>|fix=
 +
'''Using [[Engine:Hedgehog Engine#Hedge Mod Manager|Hedge Mod Manager]]'''
 +
# Download the Debug Menu mod from [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 GameBanana]. If installing manually, extract {{Folder|DebugMenu}} to {{Folder|{{P|Game}}\exec\Mods}}.
 +
# In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of '''Debug Menu''' to open the configuration menu.
 +
# Set {{Code|MSAA}} to {{Code|2x}}, {{Code|4x}}, or {{Code|8x}} and click '''OK'''.
 +
# In the mod list, enable '''Debug Menu''' and click '''Save'''.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)|Frame rate (FPS)]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the Debug Menu mod|ref=<ref name="MysJul7"/>|fix=
 +
'''Using [[Engine:Hedgehog Engine#Hedge Mod Manager|Hedge Mod Manager]]'''
 +
# Download the Debug Menu mod from [https://gamebanana.com/mods/321353 GameBanana]. If installing manually, extract {{Folder|DebugMenu}} to {{Folder|{{P|Game}}\exec\Mods}}.
 +
# In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of '''Debug Menu''' to open the configuration menu.
 +
# Set {{Code|FPS Limit}} to the desired value and click '''OK'''.
 +
# In the mod list, enable '''Debug Menu''' and click '''Save'''.
 +
}}
 +
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==

Latest revision as of 23:59, 3 July 2024

Sonic Colors: Ultimate
Sonic Colors: Ultimate cover
Developers
Original Sonic Team
Ultimate Blind Squirrel Games
Publishers
Sega
Engines
Godot[1]
Hedgehog Engine[1]
Release dates
Windows September 7, 2021
Reception
OpenCritic 74
IGDB 74
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, DLC
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Platform
Art styles Cartoon
Themes Amusement park, Sci-fi, Space
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Colors: Ultimate on HowLongToBeat
Sonic Colors: Ultimate on IGDB
Sonic Colors: Ultimate guide on StrategyWiki
Sonic Colors: Ultimate on MobyGames
Sonic Colors: Ultimate on Wikipedia
Sonic the Hedgehog fangames (series)
Sonic CD 1995
Sonic's Schoolhouse 1996
Sonic 3D Blast (series)
Sonic & Knuckles Collection 1997
Sonic R (series)
Sonic Adventure (series)
Sonic Heroes 2004
Sonic Mega Collection Plus 2006
Sonic Riders 2006
Sonic Racing (series)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2010
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 2010
Sonic Spinball 2010
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 2011
Sonic 3 & Knuckles 2011
Sonic Generations 2011
Sonic CD (2012) 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II 2012
Sonic Dash 2014
Sonic Lost World 2015
Sonic Mania 2017
Sonic Forces 2017
Sonic the Hedgehog (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic Colors: Ultimate 2021
Sonic Origins 2022
Sonic Frontiers 2022
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog 2023
Sonic Superstars 2023
Sonic Dream Team 2023
Sonic X Shadow Generations 2024

Sonic Colors: Ultimate, known as Sonic Colours: Ultimate in the PAL region, is a singleplayer and multiplayer platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Blind Squirrel Games and published by Sega. It is a remaster of the 2010 Wii game Sonic Colors.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate released worldwide on September 7, 2021. It was met with lukewarm reception due to the issues it introduced compared to Wii version, such as inferior lighting and various bugs. The game received several patches fix some of them, with the latest being released on December 15, 2021.[2]

After over a year of exclusivity to the Epic Games Store, the PC version of Sonic Colors: Ultimate released on Steam on February 6, 2023.

Despite the patches the game received, many of the issues from release are still present. See Essential improvements.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Epic Games Store
Epic Games Launcher
Digital Deluxe Edition also available. Playable offline.[3]
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
All versions require Denuvo Anti-Tamper DRM.

Monetization

Type Notes
DLC DLCs add new cosmetics and music remixes.
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Music Pack Adds 3 exclusive remixes for Planet Wisp. Included in the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Windows
Ultimate Cosmetic Pack Adds new cosmetics for Sonic. Included in the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Windows

Essential improvements

Gameplay & UI Fixes

This mod fixes the game's UI and restores cut features from Wii version such as the life system.
Requires Hedge Mod Manager.

Sonic Model and Animation Fixes

This mod tunes Sonic's model and fixes broken animations present in the game, most notably the infamous Starlight Carnival Act 3 intro.
Requires Hedge Mod Manager.

Aquarium Park Act 1 Distance Fix

This mod fixes the infamous bug in Aquarium Park Act 1 where objects too far from Sonic won't load and will appear black instead.

Improved Lighting

This mod fixes the strange choices made with the lighting and makes Sonic and other objects look a lot less flat.
Requires Hedge Mod Manager.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Epic Games Launcher %APPDATA%\Sonic Colors\app_userdata\Sonic Colors- Ultimate\savedData
Steam %APPDATA%\Sega\SonicColorsUltimate\Steam\<user-id>\savedData
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2055290/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Epic Games Launcher %APPDATA%\Sonic Colors\app_userdata\Sonic Colors- Ultimate\savedData
Steam %APPDATA%\Sega\SonicColorsUltimate\Steam\<user-id>\savedData
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2055290/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Epic Games Launcher
Sometimes when saving to the cloud the save game will NOT be restored when switching computers or deleting the save file.
Steam Cloud

Video

Video options
Video options

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Aspect ratios narrower than 16:9 are letterboxed. See Ultra-widescreen.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Game is locked to 16:9 normally. See Ultra-widescreen.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
60° only. See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
1x MSAA.[4] See Anti-aliasing (AA).
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS
120+ FPS
Capped at 144 FPS. Some gameplay elements such as Sonic's jump height and the turn angle of the Drill Wisp are dependent on frame rate.
For higher/uncapped frame rates, see Frame rate (FPS).
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Ultra-widescreen

Use the Debug Menu mod[5]

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Download the Debug Menu mod from GameBanana. If installing manually, extract DebugMenu to <path-to-game>\exec\Mods.
  2. In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of Debug Menu to open the configuration menu.
  3. Set Force Disable Letterboxing to Enabled and click OK.
  4. In the mod list, enable Debug Menu and click Save.

Notes

Pre-rendered cutscenes will stretch to the screen aspect ratio.

Field of view (FOV)

Use the Debug Menu mod[6]

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Download the Debug Menu mod from GameBanana. If installing manually, extract DebugMenu to <path-to-game>\exec\Mods.
  2. In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, enable Debug Menu and click Save and Play.
  3. In-game, press ~, \, ', @, or . to bring up the debug menu.
  4. In the menu, turn on Graphics Settings.
  5. In the FOV section, enable Override and enter an FOV value.

Notes

FOV changes are not saved after exiting the game; must be re-applied for each launch.

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Use the Debug Menu mod[6]

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Download the Debug Menu mod from GameBanana. If installing manually, extract DebugMenu to <path-to-game>\exec\Mods.
  2. In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of Debug Menu to open the configuration menu.
  3. Set MSAA to 2x, 4x, or 8x and click OK.
  4. In the mod list, enable Debug Menu and click Save.

Frame rate (FPS)

Use the Debug Menu mod[6]

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Download the Debug Menu mod from GameBanana. If installing manually, extract DebugMenu to <path-to-game>\exec\Mods.
  2. In Hedge Mod Manager mod list, click the gear icon of Debug Menu to open the configuration menu.
  3. Set FPS Limit to the desired value and click OK.
  4. In the mod list, enable Debug Menu and click Save.


Input

Control options
Control options

Audio

Audio options
Audio options

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
5.1
Subtitles
The subtitles language can be set independently of the spoken language.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Russian subtitles are synched to the English voices, while the Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean subtitles are synched to the Japanese voices.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Supported by the game despite not being listed on store's page.[7]
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation is available here. HedgeModManager is required for this translation's installation.
Russian
Spanish
Castillian

Issues Unresolved

Stuttering

Game may stutter when played on a slow hard disk or USB drive. Upgrading to an SSD fixes the issue.
Contrary to popular belief, Denuvo is not to blame for such stuttering, as this issue can also occur on console versions with slow drives.[8]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics PhysX [9]
Audio Criware [10]
Cutscenes Criware [10]

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i5-6600
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
System memory (RAM) 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 26.5 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti
AMD Radeon HD 7790
2 GB of VRAM
DirectX 11 compatible
A 64-bit operating system is required.

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sonic Colours: Ultimate Tech Review - Eurogamer.net - last accessed on 2022-12-12
    "When you fire up the remaster for the first time, you're presented with a logo trumpeting the use of the Blind Squirrel Engine but what does this mean? Well, according to 'Skyth', who did some digging into the game files, it still uses the original C++ code and the Hedgehog Engine but the graphics backend is handled by the Godot Engine. Godot is completely free and open-source under the very permissive MIT license."
  2. Sonic the Hedgehog on X - last accessed on 2024-07-02
  3. Verified by User:Clya9001 on 2022-08-22
    Game looks for Denuvo offline token only when offline.
  4. Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-12-10
    Checked by examining video settings through the debug menu.
  5. Supports ultra wide monitor? :: Sonic Colors: Ultimate General Discussions - last accessed on 2024-07-03
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Verified by User:Mystyle48 on 2024-07-03
  7. Verified by User:Itzrealkardi1 on 2023-07-27
    SteamDB lists it on game's depot page. It's also possible to choose the language in-game.
  8. Verified by User:Clya9001 on 2022-08-19
    Tested with both external hard drive and SSD. The game doesn't stutter when using SSD but stutters when using the external hard drive. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PruxX9ujmDA for an example of stuttering on the PS4 version. Video by The-Buzz-Show.
  9. Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-12-10
    Seen in the credits (as Nvidia GameWorks). PhysX libraries are present in the game's executable folder.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-12-10
    Seen in the credits. Examined the files in PCCriPak.cpk.