At the PlayStation State of Play the other week, we got our first look at Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. After being teased at the end of last year, I was curious to see what direction they would take the Sonic Racing series. Would they stick with the team gameplay or try something entirely new? But I could never have expected that not only would SEGA decide to bring back the transforming vehicles from Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, but also BRING BACK EXTREME GEAR, BABY! My excitement has hit an all-time high, but for those not in the know, let me tell you why these returning features and new additions will ensure that this will be the best kart racer this decade.
Let’s start with the new stuff and why this game has the CrossWorlds title: the crossing of worlds mid-race. In every race, at the start of the second lap, the player in first place will get to choose between two portals, which lead to different tracks. All racers will then cross into the other stage and continue the race before jumping back to the main track at the start of the third lap. These mid-race changes are randomised, so each run-through will feel different and add to the replayability. There’s also a chance for different modifiers when you cross worlds, such as an abundance of boost gates, increased item spawns, and even more to keep you on your toes.
What will also keep you on your toes is the transforming vehicles from All-Stars Racing Transformed. Each track can have a combination of normal driving, flying through the sky, and speeding across the water. Combine these three different types of driving with jumping between worlds and the ever-present chaos of a kart racer; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a moment of calm the entire time you’re playing. And that’s before things get extreme…
EXTREME GEAR IS BACK IN THE GAME BABY! The hoverboards from the Sonic Riders series are making their grand return in this game, and I’m ecstatic. I grew up with the first Sonic Riders on PS2, and I always wondered if they’d ever bring extreme gear back into the franchise. With the pivot towards kart racing, I had thought it would never happen, but when I saw Jet the Hawk riding his extreme gear in that trailer, I squealed in excitement. Do we know how different extreme gear will play, if at all? No, but I can make some assumptions. Unlike the other vehicle types that will have to switch between forms across different terrain, I’d assume that extreme gear can traverse everything with its base form (cause it’s a hoverboard). There would have to be some drawbacks, like maybe slightly worse handling or being unable to use certain shortcuts; otherwise, who wouldn’t pick the sick hoverboard over a lame old car?
Extreme Gear isn’t the only new addition because some new characters have already been confirmed. I’ve already mentioned Jet the Hawk, the leader of the Babylon Rogues that first appeared in Sonic Riders. He’s been MIA since Sonic Free Riders (we don’t talk about that one), so it’s exciting to have him back in the spotlight. Sage from Sonic Frontiers is also making her racing debut and looks to be replacing long-time villain racer Zavok. I’m ok with this exchange because Sage makes way more sense, being Eggman’s AI daughter, while Zavok is part of a random villain group from Sonic Lost World (The Deadly Six). More characters should be announced leading up to the game’s release. I’m personally hoping for the other two members of the Babylon Rogues, Wave the Swallow and Storm the Albatross, to join their leader in extreme fashion.
Car customisation appears to be back from Team Sonic Racing. This allows you to mix and match pieces of your car to tune it to the right specs for your play style (or aesthetics). From the limited screenshots and gameplay available, it looks to be even more in-depth than last time, but we’ll have to wait and see what those additions are. I would also like some extra clarification on the red rings that appear to be on every track.
For those of you who haven’t played a Sonic game in a while, red rings are collectables scattered throughout the stages that unlock bonus content and trophies while nudging you towards hidden paths. They’re fine in a platformer, but their inclusion here gives my trophy hunter brain a slight aneurysm. I just know that there will be trophies like “Collect all red rings and finish in first place” or “Finish first place in every Grand Prix while collecting every red ring”. It’s just asking for a headache, and I just know that certain rings will only be available on one lap, so it’s best to get prepared for a lot of restarts.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is looking to be the best entry in the Sonic Racing series to date. The new track-changing mechanics look to ensure no two races are the same. The return of Extreme Gear is exciting, and seeing Jet the Hawk in 2025 is something I never thought I’d say. While I am a little worried about the trophies attached to the red ring collectables, I’m still going to pick this up on day one for some extreme racing.
Are you interested in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds? Are you excited about the return of extreme gear? What characters do you want to see in the game? We can talk about this and more in the comments below.
