Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (OXM rating: 7.5) didn’t leave a strong mark on the weapon-centric kart-racing genre, nor was it quite as polished as its primarily influence (Mario Kart), but the 2010 racer did put an entertaining spin on a well-worn formula. It’s a welcome surprise, then — even with the promise-packed moniker — that this sequel really does ramp up the quality.
As its title suggests, transformation is the defining mechanic this time around. Many of the new retro-inspired tracks have you not only performing four-wheeled feats on asphalt, but also soaring through the sky and kicking up waves in Hydro Thunder–like escapades. The transition happens automatically as you pass certain points in the track, with your kart instantly becoming a boat or plane via a swift, seamless animation. Each vehicle looks and handles uniquely, yet controlling your craft feels responsive throughout.
Zipping through asteroids in space is one of the game’s more dazzling moments.Your kart isn’t the only thing that transforms — the tracks do, too, delivering more variety in the process. These settings are much larger and more boldly stylized than the previous game’s, and each lap may yield a different experience thanks to parts that break away to reveal fresh paths, or branching routes that let you choose between alternate modes of travel.
With 16 new locations and four carried over from the first game, the sights are vivid and pleasing, and plumb even deeper into the Sega archives, including tracks inspired by Panzer Dragoon and Burning Rangers. Even the characters span a wider array of personalities, including newcomers such as Vyse (Skies of Arcadia) and Joe Musashi (Shinobi), plus fresh guests Wreck-It Ralph and real-life pro driver Danica Patrick (the former proving more interesting than the latter).
Each racer – including Danica Patrick here – has unlockable tuning presets.As much as it’s still a lightweight, accessible racer, it gives you a bit more reason to hang around. A World Tour mode spans both races and objective-based events (stuff like dodging traffic or racking up consistent drifts); you’ll also find race and battle modes for online or four-player split-screen showdowns.
Does Sonic’s latest racing romp transform the genre? Not really. But it is an enjoyable mishmash of many elements, and a delightful treat that does much more with the Mario Kart template than even Mario Kart itself has managed to do in a long time.
Passing through a blue ring transforms your vehicle for the track’s next segment.PUBLISHER: Sega • DEVELOPER: Sumo Digital • ESRB: Everyone 10+ • MULTIPLAYER: 10 on Xbox Live, 4 in split-screen mode • ACHIEVEMENTS: Wide-ranging • COST: $40 • RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2012
+ Transformation really livens up the experience.
+ Bigger and better tracks, plus deeper Sega references; $40 price.
– Not super-innovative — just more, more, more.
? Can we get an HD remake of Burning Rangers now?
