Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars is a celebration of the classic 2D Sonic gameplay that fans know and love, reimagined with stunning new 3D graphics and exciting new abilities. In this latest adventure, Sonic and friends explore the mystical Northstar Islands as they race to stop Dr. Eggman and his villainous cohorts from converting the islands' giant animals into Badnik robots.

Fans of the classic Sonic games will feel right at home with Sonic Superstars' gameplay. The side-scrolling platforming action focuses on building up speed and navigating levels filled with loops, springs, dash pads, and enemies.

The controls are tight and responsive, making maneuvering through the games' challenging levels immensely satisfying. While not as responsive as Sonic Mania, Sonic can perform his signature spin dash and homing attack moves, along with some fun new abilities granted by the power of the Chaos Emeralds.

A New Twist on a Classic Formula

The moment-to-moment gameplay in Sonic Superstars will be intimately familiar to anyone who grew up with the classic Sonic games. The emphasis is on blazing speed, with Sonic spinning through levels filled with loops, springs and grind rails.

What's new is the ability to quickly switch between characters on the fly, each with their own unique abilities. Tails can fly and carry Sonic, Knuckles can glide and climb walls, and Amy wields her Piko Piko hammer to smash through obstacles. This character switching gives Sonic Superstars a welcome variety compared to past 2D entries.

Sure, those who've played Sonic Heroes know this idea isn't something groundbreaking for the series, but Sonic Superstars is the first 2D entry trying this concept. Still, the game is a nice counterpoint to the gorgeous Super Mario Wonder, which came out around the same time on Nintendo consoles.

A Visual Spectacle

While the gameplay sticks to Sonic's 2D roots, the presentation has been brought into the modern era. Sonic Superstars uses gorgeous 3D visuals but retains the classic side-scrolling perspective. The game runs silky smooth at 60 frames per second, with beautiful lighting, detailed environments, and flashy new visual effects.

The bright, saturated colors pop on the screen, creating a stylized look that manages to feel both fresh and nostalgic. The new art direction breathes new life into familiar elements like loops, springs, and Badnik enemies.

Catchy Tunes to Match the Action

Sonic games are well known for their upbeat soundtracks, and Sonic Superstars doesn't disappoint. The game is packed with catchy, melodic themes that capture the tone of past Sonic soundtracks while still feeling new.

The music matches the tempo of each level, with tracks speeding up at key moments to underscore Sonic's breakneck pace. Familiar sound effects for rings, springs and loop-de-loops will hit fans right in the nostalgia. The voice acting is cheesy but charming, capturing the lighthearted atmosphere perfectly.

All in all, Sonic Superstars revitalizes the classic 2D Sonic formula with outstanding presentation and just enough new ideas to keep it feeling fresh. It's a loving tribute to Sonic's glory days that also lays the groundwork for where the series could go next. Old and new fans alike will have a blast speeding through the Northstar Islands with Sonic and friends.

Pros

• Gorgeous 3D visuals
• Captures the feel of classic Sonic
• Creative abilities for switching characters

Cons

• Occasional slippery controls
• Story is paper-thin
• Level themes and designs could be more varied

Sonic Superstars is a three-dimensional platformer that will immerse you in the adventure of the famous hedgehog Sonic and his friends in the North Star Islands. Use the power of unusual emeralds to improve the skills of Sonic, Knuckles, Tales and Amy. Navigate through the remains of an ancient civilization and stop Dr. Eggman from implementing his crazy new plan.

Game Pros:

• Detailed three-dimensional levels
• Utilize the skills of Amy, Sonic, Tales and Knuckles to fight the enemies
• Unlock the secrets of the North Star Islands and make new friends or enemies