Is The Sonic Symphony Worth It For Sonic Fans?

by

As a die-hard Sonic fan since I was just a wee lad, the Sonic Symphony Experience was nothing short of a dream come true for me! The energy in that room was absolutely electric, and it felt like all my childhood memories were coming alive right before my eyes (and ears).

I remember being mesmerized by the orchestrated versions of classic tunes like It Doesn’t Matter and Live and Learn, and I even found myself shedding a tear or two during some of the more emotional moments. And let me tell you, hearing the crowd roar as Sonic transformed into Super Sonic was a sight to behold!

The visuals were also top-notch, with excellent editing that really brought the games to life. My personal favorite was the Labyrinth zone montage – it was intense and gave me goosebumps every time I saw it!

That being said, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The venue was a bit of a maze, and the lack of parking and limited concessions were definitely a bummer. And let’s not forget about the hefty price tag – 70 USD is no joke! But hey, you only live once, right?

All in all, if you’re a Sonic fan with some extra cash to spare, I’d highly recommend checking out the Sonic Symphony Experience. Just don’t forget your glowstick! And as they say in Sonic land, “Go for it!” (Just make sure to avoid any mishaps like poor Knuckles and his missing rings…)

One aspect that unites all Sonic enthusiasts – a rare occurrence – is their appreciation for the exceptional music throughout the series. From the timeless tunes of the 16-bit era to the contemporary blends of rock and metal, the musical score has consistently been outstanding.

Growing up, I cherished the delightful memories created by games like Sonic Mega Collection, Sonic Adventure 2, and Sonic Colors. Over time, I’ve developed a deep fondness for each stage in the life of that quick-witted blue rodent, Sonic.

It seems that I, along with numerous Sonic fans, can especially value the music from each game. Regardless of whether or not a game’s gameplay style appeals to you, it is likely that you still enjoy listening to tracks like Flying Battery Zone, Radical Highway, Windmill Isle, and Undefeatable.

It’s likely that the concept of a Sonic Symphony resonated strongly with myself and numerous others, as it represented a comprehensive homage to the entire series through magnificent symphonic renditions. However, the end result exceeded our expectations significantly.

The Original Sonic Symphony

On June 23rd, 2021, I had the privilege of witnessing an extraordinary event in celebration of Sonic’s 30th Anniversary – a pre-recorded show by SEGA that left me absolutely thrilled! The first half was a symphony, richly orchestrated with melodies predominantly from the Classic Sonic era. But the real excitement came in the second half, as it transformed into a rock concert that truly electrified me!

The atmosphere was a lively tribute to the entire series, equally honoring popular songs from various games, and the presence of Crush 40 and NateWantsToBattle as vocalists created a harmonious blend.

Not only did it delve into every nook and cranny of Sonic’s history, but it also made an effort to honor even his lesser-known titles on the Sega Saturn, giving the impression that no detail was overlooked.

The choice of pre-recording raised some doubts: Why wasn’t it a live event instead? Opting for a pre-recorded version for such a large brand seemed like a missed opportunity, and Sega recognized this, quickly arranging for the Sonic Symphony to embark on a global tour afterwards.

Seeing Sonic In Dallas

To be completely upfront, I attended the Sonic Symphony concert in Dallas on December 28, 2024. This was later in their world tour timeline, and there had been significant modifications since their initial performance.

Specifically, there will be no guest performances by well-known individuals who have worked on Sonic in the past. Only the core team is involved, and they initially focused on symphonic compositions, rather than incorporating vocals until the latter part of the project.

  • Sonic 1 Medley (featuring every zone from that game).
  • Sonic 2 Medley (featuring a few select songs, namely Emerald Hill, Chemical Plant, Casino Night, and Death Egg).
  • Sonic 3 Medley (with only a few tracks, Angel Island and Sky Sanctuary).
  • Sonic Mania Medley (with Studioplis, Press Garden, and Titanic Monarch).
  • Believe in Myself and It Doesn’t Matter, from Sonic Adventure 1.
  • Chao Medley, from Sonic Adventure 2.
  • Sonic Heroes Medley (with Seaside Hill and Rail Canyon).
  • Dreams of an Absolution, from Sonic 06.
  • Sonic Frontiers Medley (with Kronos Island, I’m Here, and 1-2: Flowing)

Following a brief break, we were instructed to leave our seats behind and join in the festivities, as the event transformed into a thrilling rock concert. Starring Adrienne Cowan and Ty Christian on vocals, their energetic performance on this playlist was nothing short of extraordinary.

  • I Am (All of Me), from Shadow the Hedgehog.
  • All Hail Shadow, from Shadow the Hedgehog.
  • Knight of the Wind, from Sonic and the Black Knight.
  • City Escape, from Sonic Adventure 2.
  • His World, from Sonic 06.
  • Reach for the Stars, from Sonic Colors.
  • Endless Possibilities, from Sonic Unleashed.
  • Pumpkin Hill, from Sonic Adventure 2.
  • Unknown from M.E., from Sonic Adventure.
  • Break Through it All, Undefeatable, Find Your Flame, and I’m Here (Revisited) from Sonic Frontiers.
  • Sonic R Medley (with Can You Feel the Sunshine, Living in the City, and Super Sonic Racing).
  • Live and Learn, from Sonic Adventure 2.
  • An acoustic version of One Way Dream, from Sonic Frontiers.

In summary, I found the selection of tunes quite delightful, and I was extremely content overall. However, for those who are ardent fans of the original games and have no other preferences, the later tracks might seem less captivating, with perhaps the exception of Sonic R.

To put it simply, the atmosphere in the room was electrifying, with people nearly bursting into applause for almost every song, and even cheering twice, not to mention another wave of cheers when Shadow kicked Silver at the back of his head.

In essence, the visual aspects of the show were often overlooked yet remarkably impactful. They skillfully depicted the tension of the Labyrinth zone, offered a compelling montage highlighting Sonic’s greatest moments in the Adventure games, and transformed the entire room into an electrifying rave with Super Sonic Racing.

The event was electrifying, as everyone in the room was filled with joy, and it’s challenging to find the right words to express the exhilaration I felt watching them perform all the boss themes from Sonic Frontiers, especially since “I’m Here (Revisited)” is one of my personal favorites from the series.

To top it off, the quality of these compositions was so remarkable that listening to the orchestrated rendition of “It Doesn’t Matter” almost brought tears to my eyes. Joining in with everyone to sing “Live and Learn” was an incredible moment I won’t forget.

Concluding the event with an unexpected rendition of “One Way Dream” left me feeling perfectly appropriate and delightful. That tune, you see, served as a message from Sonic Team to their followers, and boy, how accurate it turned out to be.

Is It Worth It?

Even though I’m quite passionate about Sonic, spending $70 on a ticket feels difficult for my budget, but if you can afford it, I strongly recommend you give it a try, as it could be well worth the expense.

My primary criticisms centered around the venue’s issues, such as insufficient parking spaces, restricted food options mostly consisting of alcohol, and a complex design that made navigating the entire structure challenging.

As a gamer, I found myself faced with some tough choices at the merchandise booth – a single shirt was going for 40 bucks, or an LED glowstick for 20. Though it was cool trying to sync my glowstick’s color with the crowd when Sonic went super, it’s hard to justify that it was a wise investment financially.

In essence, the occasion is quite pricey, with premium seating likely demanding a higher fee, but for ardent Sonic enthusiasts, this could be an unparalleled opportunity. Personally, I found it more than justified.

Read More

2024-12-31 03:39