It’s no secret that I’m a massive Sonic fan; I don’t try to hide it. It’s one of the two video game franchises that I will always play no matter what (the other being Pokémon). Last year was a big year for the developers at Sonic Team, with the Year of Shadow giving us Sonic X Shadow Generations among many other things. After that things went quiet, and no one knew what was next. But then, at the 2024 Game Awards, the next entry in the Sonic Racing series was revealed, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds!
I was hyped and couldn’t wait to play the game. Unfortunately, I had to wait until September this year to finally get my hands on it, and since then I’ve been playing it almost nonstop. I’ve experienced everything this game has to offer, and while the platinum trophy still eludes me (those damn Donpa tickets), I’m ready to decide if this truly is the best racing game ever made.
Being a racing game, the controls are relatively simple. Hold the X button (on PlayStation) to accelerate, R2 to drift, L2 to use items, and O for the brake. That’s pretty much all you need to know before you can jump in and start racing. These simple controls allow almost anyone to pick up the game and, within a race or two, understand how to play. The controls are responsive, allowing for tight drifts and some pretty cool shortcuts once you get the hang of things. The items are also intuitive and can change the outcome of a race in an instant. A boost wisp could help you take that essential shortcut,maybe the invincibility item will save you at the last second, or maybe you’ve got the monster truck and you want to squash everyone else. These items (and more) ensure that every race is exciting and unpredictable, no matter what.
The game has four different speed options, similar to Mario Kart’s system. Instead of being called 50c or 100cc, CrossWorlds has Normal Speed, High Speed, Sonic Speed, and Super Sonic Speed (also Sonic Speed Mirror Mode). The lower speeds are useful when you’re just learning the game, but I have to admit, once you go Super Sonic, there's no going back. The thrill of boosting through the multitude of tracks at speeds that made me go a lil cross-eyed was amazing. Learning the ins and outs of each track at Super Sonic Speed is immensely satisfying, especially when you get those perfect laps.
It's not just the different speeds that keep you on your toes, as the second lap of each race has you cross worlds (see what I did there) into a different track for that lap. This can be any of the specifically designed CrossWorlds tracks or even one of the standard ones. It makes each race a unique experience and adds to the game's chaotic nature.
Aside from racing, the other thing you’ll be doing a lot of is customising your vehicle. There are five types: Speed, Acceleration, Power, Handling, and Boost, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Using the Boost vehicles as an example (which are the returning extreme gear), the boost and acceleration stats are some of the best in the game, but the speed and power stats aren’t all that great.
This means that in order to be competitive with these vehicles, you need to be constantly boosting and avoiding bumping into other racers, ensuring that you put some thought into what vehicle you choose. It also allows you to use a character that best complements your preferred machine, as they too have their own stats. My preferred setup is a Boost vehicle with a maxed boost stat and Shadow, a Speed character. While I’m still at risk of being knocked around with this build, that won’t matter as I’m going too fast for anyone to catch me.
CrossWorlds has four different game modes, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but there is something for everyone. The mode that everyone will try first when they start the game (because you’re forced to) is Grand Prix. This is a standard mode for any kart racer, but CrossWorlds does add its own spin. Each Grand Prix has only three tracks instead of the usual four, but there are still four races, as the final entry in each Grand Prix has you race through one lap of each of the previous tracks. It’s a fun idea and makes you reflect on all the races you’ve done up to that point, even if the painful memories of missing a shortcut come flooding back. I wish there were some kind of story mode or framing for the Grand Prix, similar to Team Sonic Racing, as it could’ve provided an extra incentive to complete it.
The other staple mode is the Time Trials, where you can aim for the quickest times on every track. It is addictive trying to shave milliseconds off your best time in the pursuit of the coveted S ranks (and I only nearly broke my controller twice). This is also where you can unlock additional music options from across the Sonic franchise.
Then there’s the Race Park, which is where you can play different variations of races. There’s just a standard race, one where powerful items appear more often, and races where you win by hitting people with items or collecting rings. You can spend a lot of time in the Race Park, not only because all the variations keep the game fresh, but because it's also the best way to grind out Donpa tickets to unlock all the vehicle parts (even if it takes an eternity).
The final mode is Online, and it’s just the rest of the game, but against real people. Every win earns you points, and you climb the ranks, playing against better racers as you go. It’s a good system to keep you engaged with players at your skill level, instead of having a person who just started getting their ass whooped by someone with 200+ hours. At certain times, there are also online Festivals, special events revolving around a new DLC racer. These Festivals have specific rules and rewards themed to the new character. They are fun, but they do disable normal races during this time, which can be annoying for some.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a very pretty game in every aspect. The character models are all expressive, and these might be my favourite versions of the current character models to date. This is in no small part due to the rival interactions that happen during the Grand Prix, where small cutscenes play between your character and a rival racer. The models are on full display here, and you can tell how much care and effort were put into them. This level of care and effort extends to the tracks, which are a combination of original creations and references to Sonic’s history, and they all look phenomenal. They are varied and include so many little Easter eggs that you’ll want to stop every few seconds to try and spot the reference.
On the topic of the tracks, this game has some of the best from any kart racer ever. None of the tracks are overly long, some barely last a minute if you’re doing well, but they are all so tightly designed that they just feel good to drive around. Two of my personal favourites are Kronos Island and White Space. Not only do I love the vibes of both tracks, but their shortcuts are the most satisfying for me. The final corner cut on Kronos Island and the cheeky platform skip on White Space can easily get you from 4th to 1st. These types of shortcuts can be found on every track, and it’s a joy to master each one, especially when the music kicks in during the final lap.
And speaking about music, this soundtrack fucking slaps hard. Every original track is a certified banger, especially the final lap versions, which add a little extra hype to every race. But the music that I’m most excited about is all the unlockable songs you can use from multiple Sonic Games. Being able to race through Kronos Island with “Find Your Flame” blasting is an absolute joy that I will never get tired of. Here’s hoping that they add even more Sonic OSTs in future updates (give me all of the team themes from Sonic Heroes SEGA!)
So, is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds the best racing game ever? Well, that all comes down to personal preference, but it sure as shit is mine! I’ve had an absolute blast with this game, despite a few annoyances with the unlocking of vehicle parts, lack of a story mode, and Festivals disabling the rest of the online experience. But those are all small complaints that don’t detract from the amount of fun I have while playing this game. Do yourself a favour and give Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds a chance, you won’t regret it.
And now, back to the ticket grind.
Have you played Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds? What did you think? What is your favourite track? Let us know in the comments where we can discuss our vehicle builds and strategies.
