Sonic Superstars: A Potential Homework Assignment for Fans

Highlights

Sonic Superstars introduces new powers to the Chaos Emeralds and brings in various story elements, but fails to deliver on them in the actual game.

There is a notable deficiency in providing explanations for crucial plot points and elements in Sonic Superstars, which is particularly striking given the recent efforts to establish a comprehensive Sonic lore. More details regarding Sonic Superstars and the unresolved queries may possibly surface through various sources such as TailsTube, IDW comics, or forthcoming Sonic titles.

In Sonic Superstars, the latest game featuring the iconic hedgehog, Sonic and his friends embark on a mission to rescue the Northstar Islands from the villainous Dr. Eggman. He plans to transform the islands into a mechanized army. Throughout the game, players control Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as they navigate various stages including a sandy desert, a digital landscape, and snowy forests. Along the way, they will also free the enormous animals that inhabit the islands.

Sonic Superstars adds an intriguing layer to the adventure by incorporating ancient ruins as part of the island's landscape. Additionally, each character is given a chance to shine in designated Character Acts, showcasing their unique abilities. The game also introduces new powers to the Chaos Emeralds, enhancing the gameplay experience. However, despite the promising setup presented in the prologue animation and the inclusion of specific Emerald abilities, Sonic Superstars falls short in delivering on these story elements, with only Trip and Fang receiving significant attention. This leaves other Sonic projects to make up for the missed opportunities.

Why Fans Should Keep an Eye Out for More Information about Sonic Superstars' Lore

While not everything shown in Sonic Superstars needs to be explained, a majority of its important plot points and features require clarification. Superstars includes several recurring Sonic tropes such as Dr. Eggman exploiting ancient civilization's technology, the mythical Chaos Emeralds, and even time manipulation. However, crucial details like the nature of the ancient civilization, Trip's connection to them, the mechanics behind time manipulation in Sonic Superstars, and the sudden emergence of Emerald-specific powers in the Chaos Emeralds remain unexplained.

The lack of explanation for these significant plot and gameplay elements would have been inconsequential if it weren't for Sonic Frontiers initiating a new effort to solidify Sonic lore. This internal movement by Sega aims to establish a clear framework for Sonic's universe, as exemplified by the presence of Fang the Hunter. Introducing unique powers for the Emeralds in Sonic Superstars is a crucial addition that must be properly explained and handled. If the new approach to the series' lore intends to have any credibility, these elements will eventually need to be explained for coherence and understanding.

Where Fans Can Expect Further Information About Sonic Superstars

Sonic comic writer Ian Flynn has provided much-needed clarification on the identity of Fang the Hunter, addressing years of confusion and uncertainty from Sega. Given his track record, it's reasonable to expect that he will also address any important omissions in Sonic Superstars. An efficient way to do this would be through TailsTube, a series of concise videos on social media that serve as a definitive source of Sonic lore.

Alternatively, IDW could release a comic, like a Classic Sonic miniseries, to provide these answers. However, since a miniseries was recently announced that takes place before Sonic Superstars, this option seems unlikely. There are other unexplored avenues that could shed light on the missing elements in the latest 2D Sonic game, including Flynn's BumbleKast show.

Players may have to wait until the next Sonic title to discover the secrets of the ancient civilization, the Northstar Islands, which could be a substantial delay considering the five-year gap between Sonic Forces and Sonic Frontiers. Nevertheless, it is crucial for Sega to provide explanations for these new story elements, in order to maintain the storytelling standards established by Sonic Frontiers, especially in Trip the Sungazer's future appearances and the significance of the Chaos Emeralds.

Sonic Superstars is currently accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.