Review: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Finally, a Sonic racing that excites

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds arrived with the responsibility of showing that the Sonic franchise could do something as good as Mario Kart has been delivering for decades. And the truth is, when you play, you feel like the game managed to get close to what many fans expected: immediate fun, fast racing, and a balance between novelty and familiarity. The experience is solid, but not perfect, and combines notable successes with some details that could’ve been improved.

The most important aspect of any racing game is vehicle control, and CrossWorlds nails it. The karts respond well, with precise drifting, balanced acceleration, and a sense of speed that's a pleasure around every corner. It's not just about pressing buttons and hoping for luck: player skill matters, and this keeps the experience fun from start to finish.

Of course, when flying or swimming, things become more complicated, and you need to learn how to properly control the vehicles to avoid losing positions. Flying isn't easy, as you can go up or down, simply trying to move forward, which can hinder racing. Some cars have different stats for speed, acceleration, power, and other attributes that match their drivers (Sonic clearly has speed, Knuckles has power, Jett outmaneuvers you, and so on).

Even on the most challenging tracks, the controls remain consistent. Driving is intuitive, but allows for more advanced techniques, such as prolonged drifting and boost combinations, without requiring expert skill. This is good for both casual players and those seeking to master each track. The balance between luck and skill is also well calculated. Items appear at just the right time, without deciding the race alone, but still introduce enough chaos to make each competition unpredictable.

One of the biggest new features in CrossWorlds is the dimensional portals that appear mid-race. At specific moments, players pass through these portals and are transported to completely different tracks before returning to their original route. This makes the racing dynamic, creating more varied and challenging laps. The first-placer chooses which portal to pass through.

With each passage through a portal, the scenery changes radically. It can be a neon city, an open sky, or a track full of jumps and unexpected turns, all based on classic scenarios from Sonic games. This change of environment not only adds unpredictability but also requires the player to adapt quickly. It's a mechanism that avoids the feeling of repetition typical of some kart games and keeps the experience fresh even after multiple races.

At times, the transition can feel exaggerated, with abrupt visual changes, but for the most part, it works well and adds energy to the races. These portals also create strategic opportunities: choosing the right moment to use boosts or position yourself on the track becomes even more important.

CrossWorlds is a game that doesn't go unnoticed visually. The colors are vibrant, the effects are eye-catching, and each track has its own identity. Visual exaggeration is part of the game's premise, and it works most of the time to create a sense of energy and dynamism.

However, there are times when the excess effects can hinder clarity, especially when the track changes scenery through a portal. Even so, most races manage to maintain a balance between style and gameplay. For those who enjoy kart racing games with their own personality, CrossWorlds' aesthetic is a plus, as it helps differentiate the game from other titles in the genre.

The game offers a wide variety of customization options, from kart colors and decals to gadgets that alter drifting and boost behavior. This allows each player to tailor the experience to their style and create unique combinations.

On the other hand, the unlock system requires a lot of grinding. Many items require tickets that accumulate through racing or completing challenges, which can demotivate players seeking immediate rewards. However, for those who enjoy exploring possibilities and investing time, the system works well and encourages repeated play, whether offline or online.

This mechanic reinforces CrossWorlds's commitment to balancing challenge and fun, offering progression without handing everything over, but still leaving room for slight frustrations due to the time required to unlock the full content.

CrossWorlds offers championships, challenges, quick races, and online multiplayer. However, some promised features, such as team modes, have yet to arrive, making the offline version more complete than the online version for now. This contrasts with many modern racing games, where multiplayer is the main focus.

Still, the available modes are enough to keep players engaged for a long time. Championships offer a variety of tracks and challenges, while quick races allow for instant fun. The online version works well, but may be limited in terms of competitive modes for now. Future updates are expected to bring more options, increasing the game's longevity.

CrossWorlds' items balance luck and skill. They're unpredictable enough to keep races fun, but they don't completely decide everything, giving players room to excel through performance. Some power-ups could explore the Sonic universe further, featuring direct references to classic enemies and elements, but the already existing ones serve their purpose well.

Additionally, dimensional portals interact with items in interesting ways. Choosing when to use boosts or position yourself strategically becomes more relevant, adding a layer of depth beyond simple button mashing.

While CrossWorlds is solid, there are small areas that could be improved. Repeated sounds during jumps and maneuvers can be annoying in longer sessions, and some exaggerated visual elements can hinder quick track reading. None of this compromises the fun, but it shows there's still room for polish, especially if the game wants to remain relevant in the long run.

Ultimately, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds delivers a solid, fun, and innovative karting experience without relying on critics' opinions or on direct comparisons to other games. It combines precise gameplay, dimensional portals that refresh racing, vibrant visuals, and extensive customization, creating an experience that pleases both series fans and those looking for a modern kart race.

Despite the grind to unlock items, minor polish flaws, and current multiplayer limitations, the game succeeds in its mission: being fun, unpredictable, and full of personality. CrossWorlds finally elevates Sonic to a competitive karting level, capable of occupying the space the series has long deserved.

If you're looking for fast-paced races, moments of controlled chaos, and innovation without losing the essence of what makes karting fun, CrossWorlds delivers, with the promise of further improvements in future updates. It's a game worth checking out, not only for its current enjoyment, but also for its potential to become a modern classic in the Sonic franchise.