Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | REVIEW | PC/STEAM

''WERE SUPER SONIC RACING!''

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Developed: Sonic Team

Published: SEGA

Genre: Racing

Release Date: Sept 22nd, 2025

Platforms: PS5/PS4/XBOX FAMILY/PC/Switch/NSW2

*GAME PROVIDED TO ME BY SEGA

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the latest kart racer to hit the market in both Sonic's own series and in general and it is developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. With Sonic continuing his hot streak with both video games and movies, it seems like nothing can stand in the way of the blue blur at this time, however, is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds the game to finally trip up our cool hedgehog? or will this be another notch added to the win column? Only one way to find out, so lets race!

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''SONIC, WATCH THE ROAD!!''

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GAMEPLAY:

Oh man, were back here again arent we? a new year and a new Sonic focused game that's releasing near the same time as the arch rival of Mario. You don't need to be a historian or get lectured on the history of the long standing rivalry because quite frankly that's been done to death as it is, but it has remained a rather hot topic over the last decade that has persisted.. and not always in the favor of our blue friend and as Sonic himself says, THATS NO GOOD. Whether it be games like Sonic Superstars releasing, a title I really enjoyed and then Mario Wonder comes out and completely overshadows it, Sonic Frontiers releases and its still held up to the pedestal next to the industry wide loved Mario Odyssey and then here now in 2025 while everyone, including myself, has been hyped for CrossWorlds, Nintendo just HAD to launch their console alongside Mario Kart World within the launch window of Sonic and CrossWorlds. Jeez! cant our spikey friend catch a break?. I'm going to have to report Mario at this point for animal cruelty because this all seems to happen on purpose... but then again, Mario does have a history of picking on giant Apes in his previous job listings, and if he hasn't gotten in trouble yet, then he must have a pretty good attorney... I knew it, PHOENIX WRIGHT HAS BETRAYED US. Oh well, I know a guy that can help you Sonic, don't worry, I got my connections. Legality aside, with Mario Kart World introducing new movement mechanics of wall running, open world traversal. gorgeous visuals, smooth racing, fun online modes, right off the bat, CrossWorlds immediately faced challenges of getting the eyes of fans who love kart racing, mostly due to how much of a juggernaut the Mario Kart series actually is. CrossWorlds at the start of your time with it, compared to Mario Kart World, it underperforms in the pick up and play department with there being a tad bit of a learning curve to really get the hang of it due to various kart weights, the correct timing of drifting, leaning what each power up or weapon usage even does, etc, it all can be a tad bit overwhelming in the first half hour to an hour of starting the game, which may scare players away from it. Luckily though that once you get the hang of it and advance further beyond the initial hour or so, the game becomes so much fun, with the only downside being the roster to choose from is mostly just Sonic and friends oriented at first, which feels kind of odd, but that's only because we got a tad bit spoiled thanks to Sonic All Star Racing Transformed that had characters from all over the place... even Danica Patrick. Like seriously, what the hell, that's probably one of the weirdest inclusions I've ever seen in a game of this nature... isnt that right, General Winter from Company Of Heroes 2? ...wait what?.

Circuits themselves are also a mystery, consisting of mostly inspirations from modern Sonic games with its leap into 3D over anything classic related, almost seemingly like SEGA is trying to do a retcon of our fatter pudgy squishy boy that we all grew up with and again with having characters in the game from the start like Chaos from Sonic Adventure, Cream, who shouldn't even be in here... sorry Cream fans, Sage from Sonic Frontiers, bosses from Lost World, the usuals like Tails, Knuckles and Amy... it all just makes the launch roster feel a little... I don't know, bland, especially compared to the variety Mario Kart World offers you in comparison. But come next month, which is really only a matter of a few weeks, the game is going to open up MASSIVELY via DLC with characters from all other games and franchises coming into the mix that not only gives Sonic All Star Racing Transformed a run for its money, but also genuinely will one up Mario Kart World in the variety department. Yes, a pun was intended there. The reason for this being is while Mario Kart World introduces more open areas letting you drive in real time from track to track in a large expanded world map, CrossWorlds decides to implement tricks of its own by having you move cross dimensions during the actual laps themselves with multiple path ways open up and you have to choose where you wish to go next, then drive through the portal and then you'll be an entirely new setting and environment, absolutely seamlessly. Its awesome and feels very much in tune with the way the most recent Ratchet and Clank title used a similar idea, but this time, its real time with racing. ''Well that's cool I guess'' you say, but what does this have to do with it being a big deal in relation to DLC characters? well for a simple reason, every DLC character that becomes available such as Pac-Man, they'll also bring over their own warp portal with them, offering a unique level based off that characters game, similar to the way Game Mills Nickeoldeon Kart Racers have done in the past. This opens up a HUGE opportunity to make every new character feel like an event and something worth paying for and gives it the edge in the diversity, variety and excitement department over what Mario Kart World has without its DLC introduced currently. Now if we can get get a Plumbers Dont Wear Ties dimension portal then we'll really be in Game Of The Year conversation. But... I'll settle for Seaman too if that cant be done, make it happen SEGA. During races while you get the hang of the somewhat sluggish feel of the karts and if you're like me crashing into walls left and right, try and collect any rings you spot laying around because these are your coin equivalent for the Sonic universe that helps you maintain speed to keep up with your competition, only annoying side is if you're a terrible drive like me or if someone has a vendetta against you and keeps ramming you, you'll begin to lose all your hard earned coins at the same time.... HEY!! IM DRIVIN HERE! freaking jerks.

Collecting items such as Donpa tickets is also key to further enjoyment with the game due to their ability to purchase things from the shop such as new kart customizations, gifting items to other characters for the games friendship mechanic, new enhancements, decals, all of which can be obtained by defeating rivals, gather the most items, or my go to is trying my hardest to collect all 5 rings that I spot hidden throughout each map, which sometimes gets me in trouble because I'll see one at the last second, try to do a cool Akira slide and instead of looking like a bad ass like that, I end up looking like a goof as I slam into a wall and fall into last place.. WITHOUT even getting the dang red coin the first place. Returning features in CrossWorlds as seen in All Stars Racing Transformed are both air and water segments, alongside typical ground racing and they're just as fun and engaging as ever with using the flying mechanic to glide and fly through obstacles and environments in a fluid fashion, boat riding being a little tougher to control but feeling more realistic this go around as you move over waves and attempt to make sharp precise turns while fighting the force of the water using your boat to do charged leaps if done correctly, which can lead to brand new awards being found. You can try aim for all of these as you drive through water rapids, jungles with dinosaurs, canopy and each level feeling fresh and new, allowing you to put into motion the various gadgets you have at your disposal as well allowing to purchase and unlock things like a fourth drift boost, monster truck that basically makes you invulnerable for a short period of time, stronger attack items, all of which by the way can be managed with loadout management, saving you time with having to re-select all your favorite karts and add ons every time you wish to race. Now I know most people by now are probably like ok time to jump into some online racing immediately, but I'd pretty much tell you NOT to do that because online play is CHAOTIC as all heck and if you haven't really mastered the controls or learned everything about the game yet, I'd suggest playing the single player first, then when you're confident enough, hop into online. I learned this... the hard way. Single player with the races has multiple speed classes, ala Mario Kart, however, please do not choose anything except Super Sonic speed, which is this games 200c, because everything other than that is as slow and feels a slog like 50cc and 100cc from Mario Kart World. As you race through single player areas defeating rivals, varied difficulty levels, and beating the entire mode to obtain all rewards, collecting them all grants you Super Sonic. However it wont be easy because being it on easy mode won't enough and higher difficulties must be raced on, which can take you anywhere from 12 to 13 hours to completely all Grand Prix, with even more opening up rather soon, so there's definitely not going to be a lack of content to be played.

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''LUNCH TIME!''

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OVERALL:

At the end of the day Sonic Racing CrossWorlds ends up a fantastic time and primes itself at being one of the best kart racers in Sonic's racing series. Having said that though, there are several issues that may arise for players or irk people, such as handling at first of karts at first feels awkward and isn't inviting right away for new players, making full speed drifting and cornering not viable early on, basic launch roster at first that leaves much to be desired, sometimes way too chaotic environments that feels cheap, etc. But even so, with fun collectibles offering great rewards for kart upgrades, new weapons, decals, fast racing using Super Sonic speed that makes Mario Kart World speeds feel snail paced, great soundtrack, gorgeous environments that are only enhanced further by the games cross dimension portal mechanic that makes each three lap traditional races feel fresh and new every time - it just comes off as nothing but an entertaining kart racer that definitely can go toe to toe with Mario Kart World this time, without a doubt. So with all that having been said, my verdict is clear, GameNChick says BUY NOW

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