Okay, let’s see, where do I even start with this Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds thing? Honestly, there’s always been something about Sonic games… I just kind of let my guard down—I’m talking full-on chill mode—and enjoy the ride. This one? Yeah, I genuinely had a blast during my measly one hour playing it at Summer Game Fest. Kart racing at its best, y’know? Fast, frantic—that kind of stuff that just makes you grin like an idiot. Power-ups flying everywhere, causing chaos, and you can almost taste the salt. Celebrates Sonic’s world and friends in such a cool way. What more could I ask for? But then, wait—there’s actually more.
So, there’s this CrossWorld trick they do. Bear with me. Race starts, pretty standard, right? But once the leader hits lap two, they decide where everybody’s going next. And bam—you’re suddenly racing in an icy wonderland or dodging lasers in a volcanic zone. Maybe it’s a gimmick, but hey, it spices things up. Keeps you on your toes, makes each race feel alive.
And get this—sometimes you’re not even on wheels. Yep, we’re talking airborne. Hovering. Surfing through these crazy worlds. Keeps it fresh, right? Flying’s a personal fav because it’s kind of like they tossed vertical racing into the mix, which, who saw that coming? But I gotta be real, the screen’s a carnival of chaos. Colors screaming all over. Sounds bouncing around like they’re hyped up on caffeine.
Yeah, chaos—but in a good way? No clue why I dig it. Maybe it’s that feeling that it’s not just serious business. It’s more about the “whoa, did that just happen” vibe.
Right, customization! I’m no gearhead, but tweaking your kart is a whole thing here. Change up the body, slap on different tires, fiddle with boosters. It actually changes how you race. I had this three-slot speed booster deal and a two-slot recovery perk, and let me tell you, when I got hit with a rocket—there’s always a bigger rocket—I bounced back faster and smoked the other guy. Felt like magic. So, for kart enthusiasts, this kinda thing is a playground.
I only played the Grand Prix mode. Four races, some points, someone wins. Same old, but, curious detail: a random racer might become your “rival” and act all aggressive. Don’t ask me why. A sprinkle of drama. Final races offer more points, a chance to flip the score. I’m kinda wondering what other modes they’re cooking up, because this could get even wilder.
Oh, Sonic’s brought friends! Sega’s pulling all stops—Ichiban from Yakuza (absolute legend), Joker from Persona 5, and even Hatsune Miku. Made me think, “Why stop there? Just throw Miku into all the games.” Crossover characters aren’t exactly a groundbreaking move for Sonic, we’ve seen it before, but it just feels… fuller now? Sega’s had quite the lineup upgrade, I guess.
At its core, it’s not here to rewrite the rules of kart racing. No, it’s more about vibes. Just soak it in, Sonic is back, along with the wider Sega fam. And I’m ready to dive into it again when it drops on September 25. Consoles, PC, you name it. Race you there!
