Whew, where do I even start with Sonic games? Honestly, it’s like, I see Sonic, and suddenly I’m just here for the ride, you get me? So, I recently got my hands on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds at the Summer Game Fest. Played it for about an hour – not long, but hey, it was enough to form some thoughts. It’s got that classic kart racer vibe. Fast, furious, with chaotic powerups that make you want to throw your controller at the screen (or is that just me?). There’s this chill essence of Sonic’s world woven into it, and I can’t really complain much. Yet, strangely, there’s way more under the hood than your typical Sonic racer.
Alright, let’s talk CrossWorld stuff. This mechanic’s kinda wild. First lap you’re on a normal track – boom – first place gets to pick where we warp next. Crazy, right? Think: crashing seas, icy landscapes with the northern lights (seriously, I wish I could just pause and stare), or wild fiery pits with laser thingies. Then, back to the regular track for the final lap. It’s a switch-up that keeps you guessing. Sure, it might seem normal after a while, but initially? It’s like someone shook a snow globe and we’re living in it.
Now, flying! Yes, freaking flying. Depending on where you’re whisked off to, you might find yourself surfing or hovering in the air, which is strangely freeing. I gotta say, I love the flying bits – felt like I was cutting through the sky on a crisp autumn day. Anyway, this whole chaotic visual fiesta can be a bit too much sometimes. I was lost in it, just soaking in the spectacle. Probably didn’t help my racing, but oh well.
What surprised me was the kart customization. You can tinker with pretty much everything – body, tires, you name it. And then there are these perks, almost like you’re decking out your kart with a battle loadout. I ended up using this nifty perk that boosted acceleration. Saved my butt when a rival rocketed me in lap three. I bounced back like nobody’s business. So there’s this deeper strategy, you know, for those of us who take kart racing a tad too seriously (guilty, maybe).
Grand Prix is where I spent my time. Four races in a row, keeping track of points. The quirks? A supposed “rival” pops up mid-series, being all aggressive—like, dude, chill. Yet, there’s this excitement – lots of points in the last race that can flip everything on its head. I’m wondering what other crazy modes Sonic Team has up their sleeves, though. Gotta keep things fresh to last long, you feel?
Oh, and there’s the character roster. It’s not just Sonic. Sega’s rolling out the red carpet for a whole parade: Yakuza’s Kasuga Ichiban, Persona 5’s Joker, and my girl, Hatsune Miku. Seeing them race around is a strange thrill – especially Miku, she’s iconic (can we get her in more games?). Feels like Sega took a history book, shook out the pages, and let the characters run wild in Sonic’s world. Pretty cool if you ask me.
CrossWorlds might not flip the kart racing world upside down, but it doesn’t need to. It’s here for those laid-back, thrill-seeking rides – celebrating Sonic and Sega’s universe. I’m in just for the ride, whenever it hits consoles and PC come September 25. See you on the track or maybe flying above it!
