Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review – Chaos, Speed, and Style

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review

The blue blur has sped into the racing scene plenty of times before. Whether on foot, on a board, or behind the wheel, the hedgehog has always brought his trademark speed to the competition. While Sega’s last outing fell short of the much-loved Transformed, CrossWorlds aims to recapture that same energy with its unique portal mechanic. Will this be Sonic’s long-overdue return to the podium, or another stumble short of the finish line?

A racing game lives and dies on the track, which is why it’s crucial that every part of the competition feels right. From the weight of the cars to the thrill of slipstreaming past opponents, each detail adds up to a shot at first place. Right from the start, it’s clear that Sonic: Racing CrossWorlds gets this balance right. The tight controls let you drift through corners with precision and unleash boosts to leave rivals trailing behind. But, as with any kart racer, leading the pack comes with risks. Items scattered across the track fuel the chaos, as projectiles fly and hazards multiply, forcing you to stay nimble or use your own items to defend your position at the front.

Across the Universe

Central to the game is the CrossWorld mechanic. As players speed through vibrant tracks, the leader chooses the setting for the next lap. This decision warps everyone into a new environment, where the race continues before circling back for the final stretch. It’s a clever feature that injects unpredictability into every match. Even when returning to the original course, fresh shortcuts and obstacles appear, keeping you on your toes until the finish line.

Each area is incredibly well designed with a variety of paths that allow you to experiment and work out the optimum route. The beloved Transformation mechanic also makes a welcome return, allowing you to fly through the sky and skim across the water. This leads to more choice as certain stages give you the option to take one of these routes or remain behind the wheel. Vehicles feel different depending on the terrain, and features such as drifting are swapped for a jump when on a speedboat. The result is a dynamic experience, where the unexpected is always just ahead.

Courses have a set of 5 red rings, which you can collect as you race through at a breakneck speed. This adds another goal, as you have to take different routes to collect each item. Doing so, along with the litany of other challenges, rewards you with tickets that you can spend in the store. Although each character has a specific car, you can swap and modify these to create the vehicle of your choice. Changing the body, tyres and more alters your top speed, acceleration and handling, giving you the opportunity to experiment with builds. In addition to this, you can add decals and change the colours to ensure that you stand out on the track.

Tweak and Refine

Gadgets are a prominent feature, letting you equip perks to your vehicle. As you progress, you’ll unlock higher licenses that allow more boosts in your loadout. Each attachment takes up a slot, though stronger ones may occupy more than one. This creates a balancing act where you need to decide which perks best suit your playstyle to maximize their impact. From faster drift-boost charging to quicker recovery after being hit by an item, the possibilities are plentiful. With the ability to set up multiple loadouts, this system will keep you tinkering in search of the ultimate build.

Grid Prix is the main mode where you’ll race through an array of wacky courses in order to clinch first place. With each cup, you’ll face a rival who will shout comments at you and will often be the one you need to topple in order to win. It’s a great way to give characters a bit more personality and build tension between racers. While there are a number of great additions coming to the roster: Ichiban, Joker and SpongeBob, the current roster is restricted to personalities from the Sonic universe. Although there are a handful of strong characters, there’s a lot of filler to bolster the selection.

Fun With Friends

Outside of the Grand Prix, there’s a multiplayer-focused mode that changes up the rules and includes team-based objectives. With four-player local co-op, this is a great way to play together and compete against others. I particularly enjoyed Time Trials, as this removes the CrossWorlds feature and simply requires you to perfect your skills with the mechanics. This stripped-down version allows you to develop your skills before heading online. Unfortunately, for solo players, there’s not much beyond the Grand Prix. While you can replay it on higher difficulties, it still feels like more single-player content could have been included.

The game looks fantastic, with vibrant colors that leap off the screen. Every detail shines with a noticeable level of polish. Even when the action reaches chaotic heights, performance remains impressively smooth. Each area feels distinct, drawing on the series’ long history and presenting it in a fun, celebratory way. Backed by a lengthy list of energetic tracks, the game bursts with energy the moment you rev your engine.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a fast-paced, energetic racer that captures the speed and spirit of the Blue Blur. Each course delivers unexpected twists thanks to the impressive CrossWorld mechanic, which lets you speed through iconic areas from the franchise’s history. The tight and responsive controls with the Gadget system make each race a thrill as you always know that there’s a chance to reach the podium. While a few more modes would have better catered to solo players, the game makes up for it with a wealth of multiplayer options. And with the mustachioed rival locked to the Switch, this stands as the best kart racer available on other consoles.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***