Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the latest racing version of the game series Sonic Racingdeveloped by Sonic Team and published by SEGA.

The game was released and attracted attention, attracted by its beautiful graphics as well as “teasing” what the team had tested in previous versions, along with the ability to “surf the multiverse” in the racing levels itself.

So whether after the days of “introduction”, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds In reality, will it satisfy and bring about exciting and tough races like what is advertised?

Let's learn about the game with MarkGame through the following review!

YOU WILL LIKE

BRILLIANT RACING TRACKS!

That's right, the first “eye-catching” point Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds What brings is a beautiful, magnificent graphics platform and a “burning” music background calling for players to quickly grab the handle to… race now!

The first commendable point is that the game uses the Unreal 5 engine but is well optimized. Throughout the writer's entire playing time, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Runs extremely smoothly, without lag, without even seeing the phenomenon of “ghosting” or pitting (a common phenomenon in upscale modes, typically FSR) and without any errors no matter how crowded the racetrack is with “breathtaking” effects and dizzying racing speeds.

The races are all elaborately and meticulously rendered. The design of the environment and architecture is full of magic and equally lovely. Interwoven are warm and cool tones mixed with high contrast, eye-catching but still easy to see without confusion. Especially, if any player owns a TV or OLED screen Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds It will be even more charming and beautiful!

Not only the fiery racetracks, but also the racers from the “Sonic universe” (there will be several other game universes participating such as Hatsune Miku or even Joker on the side). Personas 5 recently appeared – NV) is also proportionate like that. Each character has unique gestures and is fully voiced, highlighting the racers' personalities.

An important contribution to the exciting races is the fun, rhythmic, fiery and extremely exciting music that helps the races score more points in terms of “outfits”. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds brought to players to enjoy.

The game includes the main game modes: Grand Prix (Cup racing), World Match (online racing with 11 players around the world, as well as climbing the rankings), Friend Match (allows creating private rooms and tweaks in the racing screen to race with friends), Race Park (group racing with different unique racing types; can compete against the computer to receive additional special gifts), Time Trial (timed racing) and Custom Match (you can freely Tweaked to race with friends offline).

There is nothing new about the game modes, if there are any newer points Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds then that is the racing section “Race Park”. This mode seems to be a more complete version, having been applied in previous versions Team Sonic Racing (launched in 2019). There will be a complete focus on team racing to compete with other teams, to not only reach the finish line but also benefit from different required bonus points if you want to truly win comprehensively. Race Park is quite fun to play, enough to have a “new breeze” compared to traditional game modes.

Especially, when you can play split screen together (up to 4 people) in Grand Prix, Custom Match or Race Park; Thanks to this split-screen game mode, the playing atmosphere is more nostalgic and cohesive than online World Match.

About the controls and general gameplay of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Relatively easy to get used to, easy to enter the race. The game also has many driving modes to support players who are not familiar with and do not have much skill in controlling. The writer also noticed that this feature is done more carefully than in the original version. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed back in the day, when the writer's friends could easily control it when flying and sailing.

Apparent, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds The speed “boost” feature is still present (can be saved to level 3 or even higher levels) to launch breakthroughs, and in addition to going into the acceleration boxes, mastering the “drift” skill will be extremely helpful in helping you overcome opponents more easily.

Just like previous kart racing genres, players will have a variety of items from support to attack, as well as the ability to hold up to two items to bring a variety of attack and defense strategies when needed.

Another point that helps players get more “buffs” is work Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds allowing players to have “loadouts” to use perks that increase the item's abilities, such as speeding up at the beginning of the race, automatically performing in the air when launching uphill, etc. At first glance, this may seem like it will lose balance, but the AI ​​still knows how to adjust appropriately so that the race is still fair and not too easy or difficult, so that the player does not feel inhibited.

After each race, players will be given “tickets” (in-game currency) to “unlock” new car skins ranging from body to wheel, even other costumes for each character.

Outside of racing, players can get more by completing targets. These tickets can also be helpful in re-racing certain races immediately if you want to get a higher rank; This will be most useful when you race at Grand Pix. Instead of racing all 4 stages again, if you don't like the stage you just raced in, you can race again right away!

Multiverse travel feature of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is probably the most outstanding feature of this version. In each round, when you reach a section on the track and if you are the leader, you will have the right to choose the predetermined universe or any universe.

Then the entire game screen will be changed immediately… in less than a second! You will find yourself on the neon roads suddenly “flying” to fly a plane in a certain area, and then you will be returned to the main race before. This feature is quite interesting and causes many surprises, as well as quickly handling the racetrack in each passing area.

Not to mention, there are quite a few main racing stages that can have their status quo changed, such as the original racing area is a car race, then the whole area is… broken and itself is turned into a flying plane in the last race!

Because of the unexpected changes and the presence of traveling through different racing universes, it has somewhat brought new moments compared to racing games of the same genre.

Multiverse travel feature of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is probably the most outstanding feature of this version

YOU WILL HATE

IT'S NOT REALLY A “NEW BREATH”!

Not having many changes doesn't mean it's not good, but there's no denying that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Still “safe” and not daring to make a breakthrough to create a turning point for myself.

Compared to racing games Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged It is clear that the game lacks quite a bit of content, for example there is no single campaign section – actually this part of the game is also a “double-edged sword” if not done well; or the part to create racing levels and share with friends around the world – this feature the writer feels Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds not completely suitable.

Another point worth mentioning, to “unlock” special characters, players must buy a “Season Pass” instead of “plowing” for a lot of tickets to buy; Or unlocking the “skin” of the characters is quite a “potato” when requiring up to 4,000 tickets while completing the first-class race only gets a few hundred tickets – although I know this will prolong the playing time of the game, it is still a bit “potato” when looking at the total number of characters that need to be “unlocked”.

And according to the writer's personal experience, all types of vehicles are clear Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds There's not really enough difference in performance, and it seems like the vehicles don't have enough heft so the feeling is still a bit… gliding. Not to mention, if racing with two or more people and you choose a big character, you will be at a disadvantage because that character will… cover most of the screen, instead of the viewing angle, so it should be a little further back.

Not having many changes doesn't mean it's not good, but there's no denying that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Still “safe”, not daring to make a breakthrough to create a turning point for myself.