Although we think Summer Game Fest lacked some bombshells, the announcement of sonic super stars It took us by surprise because, just last year, the hedgehog launched its most recent installment in 3D. Luckily, we got a chance to try out what will be the next 2D Sonic game at the Play Days of the event, and it’s one of the best we played on those days.
sonic mania It was a blessing for SEGA because you can tell they took the foundations of what made that game so successful and moved it into a more modern and forward-looking environment. sonic super stars it has the DNA of the classic mascot titles, but includes ideas and concepts that make it feel like something completely new and exciting.
It’s good to be home
As usual, the first level is Green Hill Zone, and from the looks of it, we could assume that we’ve played it 1000 times. Even the protagonist’s design is similar to his 90s style, but we quickly realized that everything is updated and improved. First of all, there are the animations, which are very fast and smooth, at the same time; the change in Sonic’s movements are very noticeable and aesthetic.
The level, while having the distinctive look of that legendary area, also feels like something new. In addition to the hills that we can run at full speed, there are ramps in the sky, which make the vertical design of the stage expand more than usual, and therefore have more paths and replayability.
One addition that is probably the most important is the power of Chaos Emeralds. In the first games, nothing happened when we got one of these jewels, only until we had all of them could we activate Super Sonic, but now each one has a different power up.
In the demo we tested we could only get an Emerald that gave us the power of water, which helped us run over waterfalls and walls. Every time a trickle of water or a wall appears we can climb over them, which leads us to new areas that would have been very difficult to reach. We think the other jewels will have similar effects, which is sure to result in some amazing level design.
New Horizons
The levels will have 2 acts and a final boss battle, as is tradition, but what we liked is that the fights are not against Eggman, but against new machines. One was easy to beat, the other not so much, but in general it is appreciated that the formula changes. The other level that we play is completely new to the franchise. Being a fresh setting, it shows that the developers took the opportunity to fill it with never-before-seen ideas.
For example, there are platforms with lianas that are used to propel us vertically through the level. Others also serve as springs, but they launch us diagonally and further. You’d think they’re replacements for the common springboards in Sonic titles, but these are also present, so there are always items to help us increase speed and keep the pace flowing.
In the second act of that level, parts of the stage are covered in mist, and there are stations that have butterflies of light that follow us and help us see a bit of what’s ahead of us. What we liked about this mechanic is that it forces us to react quickly, because it illuminates a very short range, so some wall or obstacle appears out of nowhere and we must be fast to overcome them.
Having played only 2 scenarios and their respective acts left us wanting more, but it was enough to know that Sonic Team seems to have found a perfect balance between classic Sonic and what he must do to evolve. Just as we can go at full speed and feel like in the 90s, there is also an opportunity to go through the settings in their entirety and discover endless secrets.
the gang is back
One of the biggest attractions of sonic super stars is that we can play with 3 other people, and that’s why Tails, Knuckles and Amy are available characters. They each have moves that set them apart from the rest: Tails can fly, Knuckles glide and climb, and Amy has her own hammer to take out enemies. We didn’t get to test multiplayer, but the presentation makes us think it’s going to be a much different experience than single player.
We can use the character of our choice in the individual games, which also makes the title very replayable, because each one has a different repertoire, so they become different game experiences. For example, Sonic and Amy focus more on speed, while Knuckles and Tails are great for exploration.
a bright future
After the mess that was Sonic 4 Chapter 1 & 2we thought that the real “new 2D Sonic” would never come. generations and Mania They were proof that SEGA still remembered this important part of the franchise, but they were more tributes than new ideas. superstars is the ray of hope for everyone who was waiting for the hedgehog to return to the platforms in 2 dimensions.
The demo we played has it all: speed, exploration, diversity, action, challenges, replayability, and the allure of a pet that, while no longer living its golden years, is still relevant. sonic super stars it has the potential to do what its 3D counterparts failed to: give the hedgehog a future. We hope so, so that the franchise puts on its best sneakers and runs without anyone or anything stopping it.
Related Video: Sonic Superstars – Announce Trailer
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