when you start a sonic A game — whether it’s one of Mega Drive’s GOAT original trilogy, or one of the lesser-known 3D titles of the next few years — you know it’s a Sonic game. Those sharp lines denoting speed give way to parabolic swoops and curves, the intense greens of nature contrasted with the eerie orange of man-made bricks… Sonic has an instantly recognizable identity. And has been for more than three decades.
The same goes for Sonic Superstars–a new game Sega announced at this week’s Summer Game Fest.
If you watch the launch trailer (above), you’ll notice some fantastic, classic-inspired 2D gameplay–although the publisher is quick to make sure you’re calling it 2.5D as a marketing ploy. The game is clearly inspired by the games trilogy (& Knuckles) and throws some fun elements of its own into the mix.
While you might think we’ve done all of this before, there’s something completely new in the game – and it’s coming from someone who really knows Sonic: Sonic’s original designers.
Naoto Oshima Going back to the title’s development team, it certainly sounds like he’s responsible for coming up with who – or what – the big bad. According to GameInformer (via a tweet), Ohshima has created “new characters for Sonic and his friends to face” in Sonic Superstars — his first direct involvement with the series since 1998 and Sonic Adventure. Ohshima also designed Eggman, and back in the day, it’s safe to say he knew a thing or two about crafting the iconic villain.
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You can play as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose in Sonic Superstars, and you can even join up with three other co-op friends at the same time if you like. 2D platformer coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch Fall 2023.
