Takashi Iizuka and SEGA have continued to push for high quality with every new Sonic entry, particularly in recent times. Iizuka-san himself made it clearer than ever with a jab on the blue blur’s longtime rival at Summer season Sport Fest this yr whereas selling Sonic’s subsequent recreation: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. For a lot of causes, CrossWorlds is ready to simply be the most important Sonic Racing recreation up to now. Not solely does the sport characteristic what’s by far probably the most expansive character roster up to now, however you’ll additionally discover numerous customization choices, 24 completely different programs, and plenty of new mechanics. 

I had an opportunity to spend a whole hour with CrossWorlds at Summer season Sport Fest: Play Days this yr, and I got here away largely excited for the ultimate launch later this yr in September. For those who’re looking for one other new racing recreation this yr past the not too long ago launched Mario Kart World, I encourage you to not overlook this one.

So, let’s begin with the apparent: the character roster in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is nothing wanting loopy. Not solely are there 23 completely different Sonic characters to select from (probably the most of any Sonic Racing recreation), however you may play as Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon, Joker from Persona 5, and even the world-well-known Hatsune Miku (I’m bought!). Moreover, many new characters are deliberate to be added as put up-launch DLC. Summer season Sport Fest confirmed that the primary of those is Steve and Alex from Minecraft, which I’m truthfully nonetheless attempting to wrap my head round. Whereas my preview allowed for the choice of quite a few Sonic characters, I couldn’t play as Miku – an actual disgrace. Jokes apart, this roster actually is a whole lot of enjoyable. 

After you select your character, it’s time to customise your car. The in depth customization choices had been truthfully refreshing to see, as Mario Kart World did away with customization completely. Whereas it may be simple to typically get overwhelmed by the variety of choices at your disposal, I believe the Sonic workforce has achieved an amazing job right here.

You’ll discover typical customization choices like tires, however you may also change the back and front of the automobile. Doing so gives you some loopy-wanting autos, and I’m to see simply what number of shall be out there at launch. Naturally, these completely different elements all present one thing extra than simply visible modifications — every half has completely different stats that may have an effect on your car’s acceleration, high pace, and extra.

Nonetheless, much more customization choices await past these selections on your car. CrossWorlds lets you select completely different perks and skills to fill a complete of six slots. A few of these take up only one slot, whereas others can take up two or three. You’ll be able to give attention to upgrading issues like drifting, acceleration, and extra. I believe this opens the door for lots of experimentation, which solely extends the lifetime of the sport for gamers. 

Driving is a very powerful a part of a racing recreation, and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds could be very enjoyable to play. At first, I felt the autos had been all a bit heavier than different kart racing video games, however that feeling rapidly subsided as soon as I acquired used to the texture of the sport. This can be a quick-paced recreation that has some shocking depth with the out there customization. You’ll discover quite a few energy-ups out there to make use of, with many of those being what you would possibly anticipate from a recreation throughout the kart racing style. Moreover, you may carry out tips within the air by turning the stick, which gives you with a pace increase that may turn out to be useful when aiming for the gold.

Races can have you driving on the bottom, flying via the air, racing on waves, and extra. CrossWorlds is aware of methods to preserve you engaged — that’s for certain. There are additionally further parts thrown your approach in modes like Grand Prix, with Rivals being an instance. That is primarily a personality that the sport pits you carefully in opposition to contained in the races, and it seems like this character is a little bit smarter than different NPCs. You’ll alternate voice traces along with your Rival every time you go one another and on the finish of a spherical. Whereas it isn’t something monumental, I believe it provides some aggressive nature to single-participant races.

Throughout my time with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, I had the chance to take a look at three complete Grand Prix routes, with every containing 4 races. CrossWorlds has an enormous new characteristic that happens mid-race, the place the participant in first place will get to decide on which world to enter via a hoop. When you could begin on one monitor, the second lap takes place in a wholly completely different world, with gamers returning to the unique monitor for the ultimate lap. This gameplay loop makes for a enjoyable and chaotic visible expertise, the place the surroundings round you is continually altering.

Throughout the quite a few tracks I acquired to race on, I discovered myself engaged and eager about what the Sonic workforce put collectively. The gimmick of switching between tracks every race was actually enjoyable, providing a problem as I by no means knew what to anticipate. The selection of what comes subsequent is left to first place and that participant alone — you drive over both the left or proper aspect to decide on. When driving via the ring to the following a part of the race, the transition is completely seamless. No loading occasions or something of the type happen; the sport operates as if the monitor simply continues.

Whereas Grand Prix was fairly enjoyable, I’m admittedly curious concerning the different modes and choices of the sport. Primarily based on my preview, you may discover a complete of seven completely different Grand Prix races, however what lies past that? As of now, World Matches, Race Park, and Time Trials have been confirmed, however the contents of those modes haven’t been extensively detailed.

I walked into my appointment for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds anticipating simply one other Sonic Racing recreation that had some good parts however didn’t fairly meet the mark. I couldn’t be happier to have been confirmed improper. This seems like a recreation that may shock lots of people and carve out an area within the ginormous kart racing scene later this Fall. CrossWorlds has a whole lot of potential — it’s simply going to be as much as SEGA on methods to interact gamers for the long term. If the corporate continues to launch thrilling and shocking visitor characters alongside new tracks, I consider CrossWorlds will stay a celebration of SEGA that shines for years to come back.