Alright, so there I was, diving into Sonic games like I always do. Kind of a sucker for them, you know? Something about them just lets me forget the world for a bit. Anyway, I spent an hour or so with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds at the Summer Game Fest, and honestly? I had a blast. Fast races, unpredictable powerups—classic kart racing goodness. It’s like they distilled all the wild charm into this one game, capturing everything that just clicks with Sonic fans. But then, it’s not like they stopped there. Oh no, they added a twist.
Let’s talk CrossWorld for a sec. So, this mechanic just flips the script every race. Picture this: the first lap, you’re on your standard track, but then—whoosh!—first place decides where the whole shebang warps to next. Ice world? Check. Stormy seas? Sure, why not! Or maybe a volcanic nightmare with lasers—because, obviously, why wouldn’t you have that? It’s not just a gimmick; it shakes things up. Keeps you guessing. Keeps me guessing, anyway.
And oh man, those transitions between worlds! Suddenly you’re not just driving—you’re flying, hovering, surfing. It’s like they took every mode of transport ever and mashed them into one chaotic package. Those flying bits are a treat, by the way. The whole thing just blares sensory overload, almost like it’s screaming for your attention. Would I call it a serious racer? Not really. It’s more about the wild ride than hard-core competition.
There’s some depth if you’re into tweaking your ride, though. Customize your kart with bits and bobs—tires, boosters, the works. You get to slap on some perks too, almost like gearing up for a battle. I slapped on an acceleration boost and this perk that let me recover quicker. Got slammed by a rocket but had the last laugh as I zoomed past the fella who hit me. Payback’s sweet, right?
I only tried out the Grand Prix mode—a string of four races with points up for grabs. Classic, but with quirks. Like, midway through, the game just decides someone’s your rival. No idea if that’s canon Sonic lore or what, but there you go. They get all up in your face, more aggressive. Oh, and the last race? Double points bonanza if you can snag first place, a total wild card if you’re trailing.
The real kicker? All these crossover characters. Sega dipped into their treasure trove, giving us folks like Ichiban from Yakuza, Joker from Persona 5—and yes, Hatsune Miku, too. I mean, seeing Miku racing through Sonic worlds? That’s worth the price of admission. Reminds me of the bonkers lineup from Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing, but now there’s this fresh excitement with Sega’s expanded roster.
So yeah, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds—does it revolutionize kart racing? Nah, not really. But it’s fun, it’s carefree, and it’s got that Sonic spirit in spades. Coming out September 25 on all the usual consoles and PC. Me, I’ll be there, drifting through the chaos and loving every snap-second decision.
