Title: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: SEGA
Release Date: Open Network Test operating between August 29 – September 1. Full release date on September 25.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Epic
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Price: Temporary Open Network Test (Free), Standard Edition ($69.99 USD), Digital Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD)

Anticipation is high for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. As a newer fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, I couldn’t let the free opportunity to participate in the Open Network Test slip through my fingers. Before the game officially releases on Sept. 25, SEGA hosted a beta test on Aug. 29 that ended on Sept. 1. It stated, “The goal of the Open Network Test (ONT) is to evaluate the online play experience of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and identify potential issues ahead of the game’s release.”

That being said, take note that this review will only cover what was available in this limited beta version. Some platform features don’t function properly and the game did crash on me. Taking that into account, I won’t be docking points for technical issues even though I got flung into a void during an online match. Moving on!

Overview

Right out the gate, the game opens with a catchy, cool music animation featuring playable characters and maps they can race on. It was a nice surprise and right up Sonic’s alley. It gets you hyped for the races to come. Right after the game gives you the option to participate in a tutorial for the controls needed to succeed. In my opinion, without the tutorial I might have been fine as the controls are similar to other racing games. Though, I’m glad I went through with it for the specifics in this particular game.

In the options menu, there are a couple settings you can select to streamline your experience. Some include steering assist, auto-accelerate, trick assist, input types, race camera, cross play, language, and more.

Gameplay

Fun, fast, and chaotic are three words that perfectly summarize my overall experience. During the beta, you have the option to choose between either solo, online or time trial. Players are able to choose from any character available to them during the open beta which include Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Shadow, Eggman, Omega, Zazz, Cream, Jet, Wave, Storm, and Joker.  

There were nine courses to play on: E-Stadium, Metal Harbor, Rainbow Garden, Wonder Museum, Water Palace, Mystic Jungle, Apotos, Sand Road, and Colorful Mall. Along with seven CrossWorlds that you were transported to during the second lap: Roulette Road, Dinosaur Jungle, Kraken Bay, Magma Planet, Sky Road, Dragon Road, and Holoska. One thing to say about the maps is that they’re all visually stunning with a lot going on in the background, including some obstacles that add to the mayhem around you.

Solo

Picking solo allows you to compete in a grand prix. You can select between normal speed, high speed, or sonic speed. Then, your rival is chosen whom you have to challenge and beat in the next three races during the chosen grand prix. Having to go against a randomly selected rival added more pressure and stakes to the grand prix. I loved seeing all the interactions between the characters at the beginning of the race and during. Without the rivals aspect, racing against bots would have been a little boring otherwise.

Online

Starting up a world match in online let you compete against players from around the world to rank up and gain rewards. You start at the E rank and can make your way up to D, C, B, A, and Legend. Once you’re in, you sit in the match making lobby where you can vote on a map, customize machines, gadgets, and your chosen character while waiting. I found this area amusing since other players can emote via a wheel select menu.

Festivals and Collabs

On Aug. 31, players could participate in a limited time event for Persona 5 titled Joker Festival. It was an online challenge featuring 4-player team battles. Rewards were given in a battlepass-type progression bar.

Playing the festival offered a unique experience for the online races we got used to. We had to work together to succeed that time around while completing challenges along the way. I can’t wait to see what other collabs SEGA has up their sleeves.)

Gadgets

Gadgets on the plate are the culprits to blame for the insane happenings during each race paired with the special items. There are six slots on your plate. Certain gadgets take up either one, two, or three slots on the plate, depending on how powerful it is. Ring gain, ring ability, technique upgrade, charge upgrade, stat upgrade, support, item control, upgrade/add item, character type kit are the list of categories for gadgets. Customizing your plate makes for interesting, speedy, or straight up diabolical and evil combinations. There are A – E slots, allowing players to pre-save different plates that you’re able to select for specific races and maps.

Playing around with gadgets was unbelievably addicting. The more you unlock, the crazier concoctions you can create on a plate.

Vehicles

There are a plethora of options when it came to vehicle customization. With the vehicle classes range from handling, power, boost, speed, and acceleration. You are able to customize the parts, paint job, decals, the horn sound, and aura however you like with tickets earned from racing, challenges, or events. The option to ride on a hoverboard got an instant bonus point from me.

Final Score (3.5 out of 5 stars)

If the open beta didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have taken a second look at Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. I don’t play many racing games in general, so I would have passed on it. SEGA was smart for introducing the game in this way, because it got me hooked and I will be pre-ordering now. It’s a tad addicting as the outcome can be changed by multiple factors. The gadgets aspect is extremely cool and I believe it’s the heart of the whole game as of now.

My only critique is the item balancing. While I love all the different options you can receive during the race, I think something can be done to make the distribution more fair in the future. However, it isn’t a deal breaker as there are ways to control items in your favor too. It’s a tricky topic surrounding the game and obviously subject to change. I love, love, love the chaos of it all. You don’t ever feel comfortable in 1st place and that makes racing all the more interesting.

Featured Image: SEGA

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