Sonic Racing CrossWorlds: A Deep Dive into a Kart Racing Contender

For a franchise intrinsically linked with breakneck speed, it’s a curious observation that the Sonic the Hedgehog racing series hasn’t always delivered consistently stellar experiences. History has shown us that not every venture into the kart racing genre has hit the mark, with titles like Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity serving as cautionary tales. However, in recent years, Sega has demonstrably improved its output, with the Sonic & All-Stars Racing kart racing lineage proving to be a robust and enjoyable offering, and even Team Sonic Racing showcasing its own commendable moments. Now, with the arrival of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, we find ourselves presented with another solid kart racer that appears to place a significant emphasis on offering an expansive roster of characters and an intricate vehicle customization system, aiming to carve out its own niche in a crowded genre.

This comprehensive review will delve into the multifaceted aspects of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, examining its gameplay mechanics, diverse modes, unique features, and ultimately, its place within the pantheon of beloved kart racing titles. We aim to provide an unparalleled depth of detail, surpassing existing coverage to offer the most informative and engaging resource for prospective players.

Navigating the Diverse Landscape of Game Modes

At its heart, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds functions as a kart racer, and as such, it incorporates the expected suite of single-player and multiplayer modes that fans of the genre have come to anticipate. The Grand Prix mode, for instance, draws a clear parallel to the well-established structure found in Mario Kart entries. Each of the seven distinct Cups is comprised of four individual races, and players have the flexibility to engage in these competitions either solo or in local co-op. In a manner reminiscent of its esteemed contemporary, the selection of the speed class directly dictates the game’s difficulty level, offering a scalable challenge for players of all skill levels.

A noteworthy addition to the Grand Prix is the introduction of Rivals. These formidable opponents will materialize during races, presenting players with the explicit task of “besting” them in order to achieve victory. This adversarial element adds a layer of strategic pressure and personal challenge beyond simply crossing the finish line first. Furthermore, Time Trials are readily available, providing dedicated players with the opportunity to hone their skills, perfect their racing lines, and establish new personal bests on each of the game’s meticulously designed tracks.

Beyond the core competitive modes, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds also features a dedicated Race Park. This specialized area serves as a hub for a variety of specific challenges, including Double Team and Triple Team objectives. Successfully completing these curated scenarios is instrumental in unlocking a wealth of in-game content, ranging from new characters and cosmetic items to potentially more significant gameplay additions.

When it comes to online multiplayer, the game offers two distinct experiences: the competitive, skill-testing ranked World Match, and the more relaxed, social casual online Friend Match. The inclusion of cross-platform racing is a particularly welcome feature, breaking down barriers between different gaming ecosystems and fostering a larger, more active player base. This interoperability ensures that players on various platforms can compete against one another seamlessly, enhancing the overall multiplayer experience.

An Unfettered Start: Immediate Access to Content

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds makes a remarkably strong initial impression, largely due to Sega’s forward-thinking decision regarding content accessibility. While the very first run might initially present some restrictions, the game immediately opens up its full roster of selections to the player. This means that from the outset, you are empowered to choose your preferred character, meticulously customize your kart, and select your desired loadout of boosts. This immediate liberation of choice is a significant departure from games that often gate content behind lengthy progression systems, and it is profoundly appreciated.

The sheer volume of available characters is immediately apparent, with a substantial roster of 23 racers at your disposal from the very beginning. This expansive selection ensures that players can quickly find a character that resonates with their playstyle or personal preference. While the game does feature a Season Pass that introduces approximately 20 additional characters, along with further customization options like carts, emotes, and tracks, the perceived value of this pass is significantly enhanced by the emphasis on crossover characters. For players whose primary interest lies in the iconic Sonic and Sega/Atlus series characters, the inclusion of intellectual property from outside this core universe, such as Mega Man, Minecraft, Spongebob, or Pac-Man, is presented as a bonus rather than a necessity, mitigating any potential feeling of missing out on essential content.

The Art of Customization: Beyond the Driver’s Seat

The depth of customization in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds extends far beyond simply selecting a character. Once you’ve chosen your racer, the game prompts you to select your vehicle. Each character is categorized into distinct archetypes, such as Acceleration, Boost, Handling, Power, and Speed, providing a foundational understanding of their inherent strengths. However, the vehicle you select further refines and influences your performance on the track. These vehicles also possess their own statistical categories, but the true granular control comes with the ability to adjust front parts, rear parts, and tires. These modifications offer a tangible impact on your kart’s behavior, allowing for fine-tuning of its handling characteristics, acceleration, and top speed.

The aesthetic customization is equally robust. Players can personalize their vehicles with a wide array of paint colors, decals, distinct horns, and even a captivating aura. While some of these cosmetic enhancements require tickets to acquire – which can be earned through gameplay – the sheer variety available ensures that no two karts need to look alike. This focus on both performance and visual appeal allows players to craft a truly unique racing identity.

A particularly innovative element is the Gadget Plate system. This unique mechanic allows players to equip certain buffs or bonuses that can be activated during a race. Additional slots for these Gadget Plates are unlocked progressively as you play the game, rewarding continued engagement. The panels you can equip offer a diverse range of benefits, such as improved item charging, immunity to item drops, the ability to hold more items, enhanced boost support, and a plethora of other strategic perks. This system offers a fascinating way to compensate for perceived weaknesses in your racing style or to further amplify your existing strengths, all without feeling as though you are artificially trivializing the challenge.

However, the Gadget Plate system does introduce a potential point of concern regarding competitive balance. The gradual unlocking of slots means that players who have invested more time into the game might possess a significant advantage over newcomers, particularly in local multiplayer scenarios. The disparity between a player with six unlocked Gadget Plate slots and another player limited to just two can create an uneven playing field, even within the same match. While the concept itself is undeniably fun and adds a layer of strategic depth, its implementation could inadvertently lead to a less equitable experience when competing against human opponents.

Innovations on the Track: Travel Rings and Sky-High Excursions

Once the race begins, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds introduces several distinct elements that set it apart from the crowded landscape of kart racers. At its core, the gameplay revolves around the familiar concept of car-like vehicles navigating courses, utilizing drift mechanics and strategically deployed collected items to both hinder opponents and propel oneself forward. This foundational gameplay is then ingeniously augmented by the introduction of Travel Ring portals. These portals, scattered throughout the tracks, momentarily transport players to different locations from the Sonic the Hedgehog universe. With the inclusion of DLC, these portals can even extend to environments from other beloved game franchises, offering a truly expansive and visually dynamic racing experience.

These transitions to new locales are, for the most part, typically fun and visually impressive. They inject an element of surprise and spectacle into each race, breaking up the monotony of traditional track layouts. However, a notable limitation exists in the current implementation of these portals: the leader of the race determines whether you enter a predetermined location or a random one. This centralized control diminishes the opportunity for other racers to influence the course of the expedition, and the overall variety in these transitions could be expanded. A more democratic or varied approach to portal destinations would undoubtedly enhance the replayability and player engagement within these unique segments.

A further point of contention arises with the excursions that take us into the sky or through aquatic environments. While these segments are not as brief as the airborne sections often found in Mario Kart, lasting for several minutes, they introduce a fundamentally different skillset and demand a nuanced approach to master. These deviations from solid-ground racing, while intended to add variety and explore different environments, can be jarring. Even after extensive playtime, the sudden need to adapt to the intricacies of flying through the air or navigating on top of waves can feel disorienting and detract from the overall enjoyment. If these segments were more concise, they might serve as welcome palate cleansers, but their extended duration and distinct control schemes can disrupt the flow of the game for many players.

The Rivals System: A Double-Edged Sword of Competition

The Rivals system stands as another unique feature within Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and its reception is likely to be a matter of individual player experience. This system can, at times, amplify the notorious “rubber-banding” effect that plagues many racing games, where the game artificially adjusts AI performance to keep races close. Even highly skilled players might find themselves losing to a rival due to what can only be described as sheer virtual luck on the opponent’s part. This can be a frustrating experience, especially when you feel you have executed a perfect race only to be outmaneuvered by an AI that seemingly benefited from an unfair advantage.

Conversely, the positive side of this system is that when you do manage to defeat the rival, you are then pretty much guaranteed to secure first place in that particular race. The nature of the Rivals system is such that even if you don’t overcome the designated rival, you are still likely to be significantly ahead of the other non-rival NPC racers in the Grand Prix. This creates a distinct challenge dynamic, focusing the player’s attention on a specific, elevated threat. While this can lead to more predictable victories in the broader sense, it also introduces a layer of intense, focused competition against the rival that can be both rewarding and, as mentioned, occasionally exasperating.

Performance on Portable Powerhouses: A Matter of Fine-Tuning

For players opting to experience Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on handheld gaming PCs, such as the Lenovo Legion Go, a certain degree of fiddling with the settings might be necessary to achieve optimal visual and performance outcomes. While the game demonstrably runs adequately on such devices, the inherent limitations of these systems compared to more powerful desktop or laptop configurations can impact the graphical fidelity. The game, while functional, may not present itself with the same visual splendor as it would on a high-end PC.

However, it is important to note Sega’s own assertion that the game is Steam Deck verified, and it does, in fact, perform commendably on this popular handheld. This verification implies that the developers have specifically optimized the game for this platform, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. Nonetheless, even with verification, achieving the absolute peak of visual presentation might still require minor adjustments to the game’s internal settings to best suit the individual hardware. This is a common characteristic of PC gaming, where user control over graphical parameters allows for a personalized experience.

Conclusion: A Worthy Contender in the Kart Racing Arena

In summation, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds emerges as a solid and enjoyable kart racer, a sentiment that we feel mirrors the enjoyment derived from recent entries in the Sonic & All-Stars Racing series. The game’s core strengths lie in its impressive selection of characters and the extensive vehicle customization options, both of which contribute significantly to player investment and replayability. The unique implementation of the Rivals and Travel Rings systems effectively differentiates it from established titles like Mario Kart, offering fresh mechanics and engaging moments.

Despite these strengths, there are areas where potential improvements could be explored. The unlocked nature of the Gadget Plate system raises concerns about competitive fairness, particularly in local cooperative play, where the disparity in available slots could lead to imbalanced matches. Furthermore, while the water and air racing segments aim to add variety, their execution might not consistently reach the same level of polish and enjoyment as the more traditional ground-based racing.

Nevertheless, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds leaves a great impression, showcasing Sega’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging racing experiences within the beloved Sonic universe. Its ability to blend familiar kart racing tropes with innovative new features makes it a compelling option for both long-time fans and newcomers to the genre. The game is a testament to the enduring appeal of vibrant characters, accessible yet deep customization, and the thrill of competitive racing.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is currently available on a wide array of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as PC. Future availability is also slated for the upcoming Switch 2, ensuring that its reach will continue to expand.