This is exciting. My first review copy. Sega Of America graciously shipped a review copy to my house in order to make a review for Hooked Gamers (review that you can find here). Being enthusiasted by a Sonic game for the first time in a long while, I decided to give the kart racer all the attention it can get.
Surprisingly enough (I played Sonic Unleashed) the game is good. Very good. It's the first good Sonic game in what? Five years. It's more like a game that Sonic hosts though. There is so many characters. Way to go Sega, that's how you relaunch washed up idols. Make them host their own show!
STORYTELLING
Fuck the story. Any self-respecting, manly racing game doesn't have a story. It's racing. There can be a career mode, but racing is a confrontational duel-at-sundown type of thing, so you don't want to embarrass yourself with something like a plot. Very few games have pulled it off in fact. The only one that comes to my mind is Need For Speed: Carbon who was amusing with it's tacky B movie plot.
Let's talk about concept instead. It's easy and enjoyable. Sonic rounds up legends (and unsung stars) of Sega history and they all race each other frantically, Mario-Kart-style on the tracks. There are of course a lot of Sonic characters like Dr. Eggman, Tails, Shadow, Knuckles, etc. But there are also amusing appearances from Ryo Hazuki (Shenmue) with his forklift and Jacky & Akira from Virtua Fighter that look like lovers sharing the same car. Other notable games represented are Crazy Taxi, Banjo Kazooie, House Of The Dead & Jet Set Radio. There are also participants from virtually unknown title such as Samba De Amigo, Super Monkey Ball & Fantasy Zone. 24 racers, most of them unlockable a nice bunch of fellas for an all around ass whopping.
NOTE: 21/25
GAMEPLAY
The bulk of racing game is controls and gameplay right? Sega had a genius idea for this. It's something that hasn't been done before in video games history, it's a big secret are you ready to hear it?...Come closer....closer...they kept things simple! R2 for gas, left stick to control and X to use power ups. Simple, efficient and fun. No over-the-top-ultra-realistic design, just the least amount of annoyance between you and the race. You have to love that. There is a boost option triggered when you drift (L2) for a long time. It's a bit touchy to get, but once you have it, it helps you in the more difficult tracks.
Apart from the Multiplayer (which is just...racing), there are four modes. Single Race, Grand Prix, Time Trial and Mission. Single Race is what it is, Grand Prix is fun, but after you complete it once, there's not much else to do in there. There are three difficulty level that are a lot different from each other, but it's the same 24 tracks. Time trial is a bit empty, but it's a good place to train your boost in order to master every course (I like to do that). The most single player fun is the mission mode. 64 missions where you have to accomplish one different feat with your car. You get grades on it, the goal is to have AAA. It's as fun in single player as it is with friends, passing the controller around. Other than that, the real, bulky fun is to play online or with friends. Racing is competition after all.
I have to mention the tracks. They are fun, frantic and once again, kept simple. They are colourful, have huge jumps and offer possibility for bashing madness. Maybe the weapons lack a little buff though. We're far from the turtle shells in Mario Kart. The All-Star moves are a nice addition (insane power ups), but they only appear if you're trailing a lot.
NOTE:20/25
PRESENTATION
This is the only major problem of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. It's presentation. It's colourful yes...but it wants to be Mario Kart. Graphics, design, marketing, every aspect of this game wants to beat Mario Kart by being better at the same things. The concept is exactly the same, the colours are the same, the tracks are eerily similar.
It's also a little straightforward. The game would have benefited more wrapping around the cake. It's harsh criticism maybe, because this is a very good game, but when you'll play it, you'll realize that it truly has timeless classic potential, but misses the mark because of it's inferiority syndrome vs Mario Kart. The All-Star crew is a good idea though as it's bringing back some nostalgia from the Sega consoles. Color commentator is another addition, not very fruitful. He's repetitive and I would've loved to hear the racers talk more smack instead.
NOTE:18/25
AWESOMENESS
The high-fiving, butt-slapping factor is present here. It's hard not to like a game where, to win, you have beat the crap out of someone else, pass by his vehicle and make fun of him. Some might say that Sega went for a safe bet with the Kart racing title, I say they went for a fun game which is fine by me.
You can talk smack, throw stuff and beat your friends with your favorite Sega characters. Hard to resist.
NOTE:22/25
ACES:
-Throwing stuff at cars never gets old
-Hilarious appearances from serious characters
-Great level design
FAILS
-Inferiority Syndrome towards Mario Kart
-Color commentator
-Repetitive Grand Prix mode.
If you are like me and like your racing games unrealistic, crazy and fast...and also refuse to own a Wii, buy it, it sets a standard for Sony & Microsoft Kart racers. Live up to that ModNation Racers!
FINAL NOTE:81%
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