Sonic Superstars: a tribute to the roots of the speedster

Sega’s iconic blue hedgehog is all set to make his return on Nintendo Switch and other consoles in Sonic Superstars. In the last couple of years, Sonic Games has made drastic changes to the original formula. But after years, Sonic is finally back to his roots in Superstars.

Sonic Superstars is an upcoming platform game developed by Arzest and Sonic Team and published by Sega. It features side-scrolling gameplay similar to the Sonic the Hedgehog games released for the Sega Genesis in the 1990s. Let’s take a look at how Superstars pays tribute to the Golden age of the franchise.

After years, Sonic Superstars finally gives the much-needed revisit to the classic roots of the franchise. But how do they accomplish this feat? Let’s take a look at some of it’s aspects:

No Lives or Game-Over Mechanics: In a departure from traditional Sonic games, “Sonic Superstars” eliminates the concept of lives and game-over screens. Instead, it introduces collectible medals as rewards for players. This change aims to make the game more accessible and less punishing, allowing players to enjoy the game without the fear of running out of lives.

Focus on Cooperative Play: The game places a strong emphasis on cooperative play by allowing up to four playable characters on-screen simultaneously. This represents the largest focus on cooperative gameplay in the Sonic franchise’s history. The intention behind this shift is to encourage players to collaborate and strategize, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Return to 2D Gameplay: “Sonic Superstars” takes players back to the 2D era of the franchise. This means a return to more straightforward gameplay, simpler storylines, and a smaller character roster. The goal is to capture the essence of classic Sonic gameplay, appealing to fans who fondly remember the original games and their straightforward platforming challenges.

Classic Art Style: The game features an art style that remains faithful to the concept art and animated cinematics of classic Sonic games. While maintaining this authenticity, it introduces a slightly higher color contrast and a greater sense of detail. This artistic choice is intended to evoke nostalgia among fans of the original games while offering a fresh and visually appealing experience.

New Chaos Emerald Powers: “Sonic Superstars” introduces a range of new Chaos Emerald powers that players can harness. These powers enable actions such as swimming up waterfalls, revealing hidden platforms and rings, and summoning a legion of character copies to defeat enemies. These abilities add depth to the gameplay, providing players with a variety of strategic options for tackling each level.

In summary, “Sonic Superstars” not only revives classic Sonic gameplay but also introduces innovative changes to enhance accessibility, cooperative play, and strategic depth.

The Sonic franchise has been struggling to maintain its relevance in recent years, a well-known fact. While some titles, like Sonic: Frontiers, have been successful, others haven’t fared as well.

Many fans grew upset because the modern Sonic games took a significantly different approach to their style. Loyal followers yearned for the nostalgic feel of the classic games. Sonic Superstars promises to deliver precisely what they desire. The hype surrounding it is proof that Sonic fans still crave that classic experience.

In summary, Sonic Superstars reintroduces classic Sonic gameplay but adds some modern twists. The game introduces new Chaos Emerald powers, offers a 4-player local co-op, features both new and familiar enemies, includes a battle mode, and allows for character customization. This fusion of classic and modern elements could make Sonic Superstars the perfect blend that fans have been eagerly awaiting for so long.

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Feature image source: Sonic Superstars

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