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TEAM SONIC RACING (PS4)
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Publisher: SEGA.
Developer: Sumo Digital. Released: May 2019. Genre: Racing. Other versions: XONE; SWI; PC. Posted 22th September 2019. By Shane Battams © 2019 |
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Though the prospect of a Sonic spin-off is perhaps no longer the most tantalising of gaming propositions, Team Sonic Racing comes with sufficient pedigree to warrant your attention. Sumo Digital, the talented team behind both SEGA All-Stars Racing games, are at the helm once more for this latest kart racer, as they attempted to build on the earlier games, while adding team-focused mechanics. Though it’s undermined by some design quirks and a disappointing lack of polish at points, fans of SEGA’s kart racers should be sufficiently satisfied.
On the track, driving retains much the same handling as it’s predecessor. Drifting is fluid and satisfying, A.I. is competent, and scales nicely between difficulties. There’s a bevy of (admittedly quite familiar) power-ups, and some explosive tactics known as Wisps, which include rocket attacks, boosts and drills, that make you invincible temporarily. There are twelve racers in all, running the gambit from series veterans to lesser known characters such as Blaze the Cat and Silver the Hedgehog. The game comes with a story mode, local multiplayer and online, all of which work well enough. It’s not especially original, but the mechanics feel refined and fun nonetheless, providing decent kart racing fun.
The gang is back together! As the name suggests, teamwork is key to being successful
The core component of Team Sonic Racing is its cooperative elements, though you can also play solo races. Teams comprise of a speed, technique and power vehicle, each with their own abilities and advantages. Techies, for example, can drive over any surface while Power focused vehicles can smash through barriers. There’s a nice sense of chaos to each race, with up to 12 racers on track at once, filling the screen with opponents and potential power-up frenzies. Though they do not require all three members to perform for a podium finish, Team Races nevertheless demand teamwork in order to ascend to the top. Special abilities allow you to assist each other; the Slingshot lets you gain a boost by trailing a partner’s slipstream; gift or receive items between teammates and perform Team Ultimate, which sends the drivers into a yellow fury of speed and power. The team mechanic feels unique, and unlike some racers which focus on A.I. competency, there’s plenty of leeway in how well they perform while still allowing for a top position overall.
The main crux of the game also serves as an introduction to these mechanics. In Team Adventure mode, Dondon Pa, an alien tanuki, sends invitations to Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and several other to compete in races which pits teams of characters against each other. While suspicious of the tanuki’s ulterior motives, they nonetheless participate. This sends you across worlds while trios of characters are introduced into the story. The main crux sees you playing races, rewarding stars depending on where you place as an individual and a team. A glut of challenges are also available, though these come in minimal amounts of variations. Ring challenges forces you to slide while collecting golden rings, Destruction tasks you with blowing up targets with drifts rewarding more points and Traffic Attack sees you avoiding drones while entering gate, among other events. While lengthy and challenging, with a further Expert difficulty becoming available once Hard is cleared, the game becomes a bit of a slog by the end.
The main crux of the game also serves as an introduction to these mechanics. In Team Adventure mode, Dondon Pa, an alien tanuki, sends invitations to Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and several other to compete in races which pits teams of characters against each other. While suspicious of the tanuki’s ulterior motives, they nonetheless participate. This sends you across worlds while trios of characters are introduced into the story. The main crux sees you playing races, rewarding stars depending on where you place as an individual and a team. A glut of challenges are also available, though these come in minimal amounts of variations. Ring challenges forces you to slide while collecting golden rings, Destruction tasks you with blowing up targets with drifts rewarding more points and Traffic Attack sees you avoiding drones while entering gate, among other events. While lengthy and challenging, with a further Expert difficulty becoming available once Hard is cleared, the game becomes a bit of a slog by the end.
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The only real letdown is a lack of polish. The tracks and characters all look decent, colourfully crafted and with their own distinctive motor. With vibrant race tracks, some of which taken from previous games and others wholly unique, it looks appealing, if technically simple. But strangely, frequent bouts of slowdown from a crisp 60fps can be rather noticeable, which is often seen on busier tracks with more opponents. The bugs aren’t limited to this though, with a few instances where hitting jumps at an awkward angle will see your car fall through the level’s geometry, often causing you to lose positions, and this feels particularly egregious. Other parts of the game, such as the static cut-scenes, present an image of a rushed development. The sound fares better, with a bevy of tracks which remix music elements from the franchise, solid voice acting and potent effects.
Outside of the racing, players can also customise each character’s car. Mod Pods, purchased using credits earned in racing, reward performance parts which alter several stats noticeably, with Legendary versions turning the car gold, though you can use standard versions with the same stats to change the paint. Other aspects can be tweaked, such as applying vinyl, changing the tone of paint, switch between different paint sets and even the horn sound. It’s oddly in-depth, which will please those playing online as you can give your car a personal touch. You can even create pre-sets which you can then add to multiple cars.
Outside of the racing, players can also customise each character’s car. Mod Pods, purchased using credits earned in racing, reward performance parts which alter several stats noticeably, with Legendary versions turning the car gold, though you can use standard versions with the same stats to change the paint. Other aspects can be tweaked, such as applying vinyl, changing the tone of paint, switch between different paint sets and even the horn sound. It’s oddly in-depth, which will please those playing online as you can give your car a personal touch. You can even create pre-sets which you can then add to multiple cars.
There's a wealth of recognisable, pretty environments that scream "Sonic!"
Team Sonic Racing, despite some missteps, benefits from a strong foundation and unique team mechanics. It isn’t quite as great as previous SEGA kart racers, with Sumo’s effort being undone by a lack of polish and some design quirks. But when the game comes together, it makes for an addictive kart racer. While some may lament the lack of SEGA mascots to match calibre of their beloved blue hedgehog, if you can take the game on its own merits, you should be plenty satisfied.
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VERDICT
“Despite a few missteps, Team Sonic Racing benefits from a strong foundation and unique team mechanics.” OVERALL: 7/10 |