I like how he just casually skipped over the new special stages that the encore mode offers which is more challenging compared to the main Mania mode and also ignores the checkpoint bonus game that's way more fun that the blue spheres.

it's painful watching this guy try to convince people encore mode sucked

watching an xpool video is like going to chic fil a on a sunday

XPool suffering with final horizon is the most xpool thing ever.

He doesn’t like Mania’s encore, GET THE PITCHFORKS!

22:34 I don’t understand what this line means. She only was a damsel in distress 2 or more times. CD and SA1 comes to mind, and Riders too. And the only other times she was a “damsel in distress” was when Sonic’s world or timeline was in danger. Sonic Prime, Sonic Lost World, and Sonic Generations comes to mind. Which even then, I don’t count as everyone was in danger, not just her. So this line doesn’t make sense as she already became more independent a long time ago.

this is Sonic Mania Plus *SLANDER* and I will NOT stand for it. Encore Mode is much, much more than just stage recolors while adding Mighty and Ray - it has new, harder Special Stages; a new checkpoint mini-game that's a pinball machine; a game mode which has Continues which jells perfectly with the aforementioned pinball machine; some new pathways for Mighty to take; and even a BRAND NEW ACT for Mirage Salloon ACT 1 which is EXCLUSIVE to the Encore Mode - and that ACT? that ACT is probably the best Sonic stage that I've EVER played and probably WILL play. could it have been better? yes, not even the best things are perfect: I would've preferred a brand new campaign with other returning levels and some new ones sprinkled in - I would've done it in reverse of how Sonic Mania did [4 levels from Sonic 1, 3 levels from Sonic 2, 2 levels from Sonic CD, 2 levels from Sonic 3 and 1 brand new level for Encore Mode] akin to how the Special Stages are reversed in this game mode. ...but I also REALLY like how Encore Mode is a GREAT way to play the entire game again with a new, unique spin on it. it's a palette cleanser for Mania Mode when you're tired of it, and it's actually one of the many reasons I have 1000+ hours in Sonic Mania.

Funny, when I was playing the final horizon and fighting Knight for the trials, I somehow didn't die when all of my rings were drained. That's the ONLY way I beat that stupid trial.

Getting a LOT of Scott the Woz vibes from this vid in particular, I dig it.

7:43 It was just five dollars. At least we got what we paid for?

27:55 mate, it's not sega's fault you skipped the tutorial that's on you

Alternative title: Xpool complaining about sonic updates for half an hour straight

YOUR HANDS AREN'T BLUE!

The final horizon section of this video, with the exception of the king trial and the final boss, sounds like you didn't judge it for what it is, but for what it wasn't: you didn't trying to engafe with the game as the devs intended

No man on earth should have this much sonic origins plus all at once EDIT: I think you should at the very least try the last frontiers patch. The final trial is actually balanced now and the changes made to knuckles make him really fun. You mentioned those changes, but I don't think you realized how much of a difference they can make

Xswimmingpool is finally back with the milk

i hope you don't actually mind if chill positive people actually liked final horizon

thought you were a huge channel until i finally looked slightly down - really engaging content ! like your outlook. you’ll definitely there one day, good luck in this youtube hellscape

Sonic origins and sonic colors ultimate(and update 3 of frontiers post-patch) are the best ones listed here, imo.

All of this dude’s mannerisms are taken directly from Scott the Woz who else noticed this?

Poggers speedrun. When do you think that you’ll make the sub 6 months release??

the last horizon update looks cool but i never really bothered to play it cuz i didnt even end up liking frontiers that much lol

Am I the only one who loves sonic frontiers update 3?

I actually agree with you about mania Plus, I would have loved to have seen other levels that didn't make the cut instead of the same levels but with a different coat of paint

7:18 I was expecting him to say Sunset Hill Zone from Sonic Advance 3, but this still is funny.

Hey XPool, you wanna try to beat Final Horizon on Extreme? Love to see you beat Master King Trial with the one hit kill system

37:37 Xpool lives with Peter Griffin confirmed Also SOLID video! I'm shocked you liked Origins Plus better than Mania Plus though, because Origins Plus still has physics issues and so it's not as polished.

Shoulda killed Sonic like Iron Man, what a fumble 😔

0:53 Funny he used Spidey as an example (think abt it)

i think playable tails, knuckles and amy were very last minute decisions for the last dlc

Let’s Fo, Xpool is back

The final horizon update just proves that Sega needs to give Somic Team time. They rushed it, but thank God it didn't tank it's success.

Not the ghost of molly McGee making a cameo in an xpool video😂

I've ran out of stuff to comment. He's back. You just made another good video. Awesome.

I’m still pissed that the sonic origins plus I got for Christmas was used and since segas stupid i didn’t actually get the plus expansion cuz it didn’t have the code thing

0:31 why is the ghost and molly mcgee there 💀

I still don’t know the cutaway gag

6:20 I personally believe this takes place after Mania mode. A split timeline if you will. And Mania Adventures takes place after Forces which takes place after Mania mode. Sonic Mania to Sonic Forces to Sonic Mania Adventures was probably for Classic Sonic’s timeline. While Sonic Mania to Encore Mode was probably for Modern Sonic’s timeline.

Okay gonna have to disagree with that update 3 take.

How a you gonna complain the you got ripped of for FIVE DOLLARS. You got a remixed Mania mode, 2 new characters, new special stages, revamped UI and a 4 (previously 2) player competition mode. All that plus bug fixes for 5 buckaroo and you say "too little" ? Also, I don't blame you for the Final horizon opinion. I personally loved it, I think the new playable team sonic felt very nice to play, the new music is fire, the platforming challenges and cyberspace stages a red hella fun, and that final boss is pure hype. But I can see where you're coming from. But what I don't understand is the thoughts on the characters. Knuckles? EVERYONE is with you on that, he should've gotten more combat moves than Sonic. But Tails and Amy? Have you ever seen them throw hands? How are they supposed pull off combos like sonic with a hammer, tarot cards, a blaster, a pair of tails and a few wrenches? I don't see you posing any suggestions to back up your claims (jk, nice video BTW)

Encore mode is Great for 5$ Like I feel you were tryna make the Overpriced joke but 2 new playable characters Hotfoxes and A remix of the original campaign Spunds great for 5$

The Grey grid is a reference to Sonic's original American boxart. The Japanese cover was white with colourful patterns

Dog, update 3 of sonic frontiers was made to challenge you, make you endure all you've learnt

6:55 i think its a timeline split between mania encore and forces (god i hate timeline splits, like why is the legend of zelda timeline so confusing? its like the developers has watched too much game theory)

5:43 He can also reflect small projectiles.

28:24 just do the knuckles jump glitch. Oh yeah, I forgot Sega patched that in the fourth update f***

update 3 is good, and after replaying it most of it isn’t that hard. the only real criticisms i have are the master king koco trial (just turn on easy mode right before and turn it off right after) and some unclear mechanics in the final fight (but it’s so epic i don’t care, just look up how to do it)

origins actually got museum music? i looked it up and can only find a short video on youtube, with most of its comments saying it’s fake. i also don’t hear it on my version. i really wish i did.

1:29 why is there ghost of molly mcgee footage

The grid thing on the origins plus thing was actually made to match older box arts like sonic 1 for the genesus

Honestly, bit of an overreaction on encore mode. Seeing how you get: . 2 Great New Playable Characters . New more challenging Special Stages . The New Checkpoint Mini-game . A new colour palette & slightly redesigned levels For $5 that’s not bad! I’ve seen much worse cost much MUCH more!

scott the woz energy

Where can I buy my own sarcasm alarm?

I thought Ray was useless until I figured how to control him.

XDeadpool finally returned not only with a new video, but also THE MILK

This channel gives off big Scott the Woz vibes. Good stuff.

We have Scott The Woz humor at home

I see you took inspiration from Scoot The Woz. Many scenes and talks gives me that vibes.

The Scott The Woz humour is this one

Finally, some who offers ACTUAL criticism for the Final Horizon

Thanks guys, I never tried encore mode, I thought it was orange green hill and stuff

15:36 I’m shocked you didn’t mention the stereo problem with the Game Gear games.

35:52 Or should I say, "Emeralds in the rough"

I think this channel is gonn be a hit with people who dislike the sonic franchise.

SEGA has the most ultimate update strategy, have a good game? make it ass

Ray's ability is pretty much just super mario world's cape mario, also not defending encore, it still kinda bucks, but it also has new & harder special stages, the special stage rings are harder to find

23:20 I also don't like Rodger's voice acting Sonic literally sounds like an old man.

XPool kinda feels like another scott the woz clone. A lot of the delivery kinda makes me cringe because I know it sounds so much like scott the woz.

27:54 and also one time when I was playing Sonic part of the updates, I could go through all of the knuckle sections by using spin dash

6:40 Mania Adventure isn't Canon. Only Encore mode is fyi.

For me the worst thing about Sonic origin plus the face we still cant make save files for Sonic 1, 2, and CD EVEN THOUGH WE COULD ON MOBILE THE MOBILE PORT OF THE SAME FUCKING GAME LIKE SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK?! Oh yeah and why in the hell did they lock Knuckles being playabe in Sonic CD behind a damn paywall.

Sonic Origins Plus is better than Mega Collection. fight me.

I really wish super sonic 2 had more differences. maybe a more orangeish yellow fur or the hairstyle from adventure super sonic

If we were to duel, I would win

3D Blast and Spinball didn't need to be in Origins Plus since they're already on Steam and Xbox. But Knuckles' Chaotix has never been ported.

And why is this diffrent than his sonic dlcs video

Mega Collection Plus, Mania Plus, Origins Plus, boy what's next? Superstars Plus?

He's back at last

31:04 it took me about 50 days to beat all of these

You didn’t include the Sonic unleash DLC’s

14:08 strange silence

I might sound lowkey toxic but I think its funny, if ur complaining about final horizon post patch all I have to say is skill issue. In all seriousness I think Final Horizon was really fun.

So I played Sonic Mania (Plus,) and I love it. Encore mode wasn’t terrible, since the level design in the base game was so good, but the lives system really detracted from the experience for me. I think for 5 dollars, the DLC is worth it. You get Mighty and Ray as playable characters, new special stages in Encore mode, and Mirage Saloon Act 1 (Encore Edition.) So if your planning to get Sonic Mania on PC, sacrifice the 5 extra dollars

14:30 Actually, there are 4 Sonic game gear games with a Master System Version. Sonic 1, 2, Chaos AND BLAST! Sonic Blast on the Master System came only in Brazil and maybe thats the reason why so many people dont know about that. (and yeah, I know I sound like a nerd but just wanna mention it. Sorry XD)

Sonic has rough transitions into DLC. Never good.

fire

I definitely think Mania Plus is better than Origins Plus, especially given the price. Mania Plus gives you two fun new characters and a decent extra mode, just for $5. You might not play or even like Encore mode much, but Mighty and Ray alone make paying $5 worth it IMO. Origins Plus gives you only one new character, the ability to play as one of the base characters in one specific game when he was already playable in all the other games, and a bunch of Game Gear games, all for double the price of Mania's DLC. I view the Game Gear games in the same way as Encore mode; they're neat but not something you're gonna play too much, only they have less value than Encore mode since you can easily find alternative ways of playing these games. You're mainly buying Origins Plus for the new character, but you're only getting one as opposed Mania Plus's two, and Amy just isn't very unique compared to Mighty and Ray. Honestly, they should've included Mighty and Ray with Amy, that would've made the price more worth it. Oh yeah, and as for Knuckles in Sonic CD, I can accept that not being there at launch. It *should've* been there at launch, but I can accept it not being there at launch. It should've just been a free update, but the fact you *have to have the paid DLC* to play as Knuckles in Sonic CD is just so shitty. Knuckles is playable in ¾ of the games in the base collection, but you just have to pay a fee to play as him in one specific game for no good reason. It pisses me off. And again, this DLC is TEN DOLLARS! This would've been a downgrade from Mania's DLC even if it was the same price, but with it being double the price? I honestly can't understand how you could say this is a better deal.

2:38 "These long-forgotten characters." Us Archie fans have always had them.

I can only say my opinion for Mania Plus since I’ve played it fully. I like the Encore D.L.C. The addition of Mighty & Ray was the greatest thing the Encore D.L.C had to offer. Though I do think they could’ve added Amy as another additional playable character. The Encore Mode is mediocre as it doesn’t alter too much. It could’ve done so much more. Angle Island Zone was disappointing, it’s just a much shorter version of Act 1, boring. The new aesthetic for things like Green Hill Zone and Chemical Zone, Hydrocity Zone, Mirage Saloon Zone, Oil Ocean Zone, Act 1 of Lava Reef Zone looks great, every other zone looks bad though, ugly color pallets. I think they should’ve made remixes to fit the new aesthetics. Imagine a more warm sounding Sunset Green Hill Zone and it should’ve been in the game? I think it would’ve been better if the Mania Plus team changed some act’s aesthetic in Mania Mode: like make the sunset theme for Act 2 of Green Hill Zone, darker blue for Chemical Plant Act 2, gold color of Hydrocity Zone Act 2, night setting for Act 1 of Mirage Saloon Zone, and more lava effects for Act 1 Lava Reef Zone. There should’ve been a new final boss in the Encore Mode, instead, there’s a little celebration ending after beating Eggman again…that’s it…boring. I never bought Sonic Origins cause I already have 1,2 and C.D in my phones, and after hearing all the complaints, and the unreasonable price, I decided not to buy it, even with the new updates, there’s still new problems. I got the Frontiers D.L.C and was forced with the updates installed. The game itself is kind of boring and at worst, annoying with the levels, stiff and janky physics. The additions were boring and I haven’t finished the Final Horizon, I don’t find it fun. Also I hate how the player has to complete new challenges that I forgot what they’re called in each island to unlock Spin Dash. Fun to played but not worth it after being frustrated with the jankiness of the controls and level designs. That’s all i'll have to say.

You remind me of Scott the woz…I like that😊

scott the woz if he was uhh idk not scott the woz or something?

Sonic Blast had a Master System version too (not that it makes the game any better)

12:21a.m. 3/22/2024

HES BA- oh this is just sonic forces

for 4.99 USD, you wanted new zones?

The best part of Encore Mode is that it retcons Forces

The fact Knuckles Chaotix isn’t in Origin makes me feel like SEGA REALLY wanted us to forget about it. Fuck it, I would’ve bought the damn game if Knuckles Chaotix was remastered. I can just turn off the shit music in Sonic 3 and play something better in the background.

Encore mode was good, I got it for 2 bucks, it is more than worth it

I don't get what's so wrong with encore mode honestly, it's a great deal considering it does change the level design.

18:09 Fun fact: you actually don't have to buy the original. Just like A.I.R