Highlights
Sonic Superstars is evolving the classic 2D Sonic gameplay by removing traditional lives and game over mechanics, and instead introducing collectible medals as rewards.
The game puts a significant emphasis on cooperative gameplay, allowing up to four characters to be played simultaneously. Additionally, it includes an online versus mode where players can compete as customized versions of Eggman robots.
Within Sonic Superstars, players are introduced to new metallic robot replicas of the playable characters, such as Metal Tails and Metal Amy. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to customize a robotic version of Knuckles, thanks to the design expertise of Kazuyuki Hoshino.
Sonic Superstars developer, Naoto Ohshima, provides an in-depth explanation of how the game deviates from the traditional Sonic 2D gameplay. In this iteration, the game will not include the traditional lives and game-over mechanics. Instead, Sonic Superstars places a greater emphasis on cooperative play, allowing up to four playable characters on the screen simultaneously. Additionally, the game will introduce an online versus mode, where players can engage in platforming races or battles as customized Eggman robots. Through these multiplayer elements, Superstars aims to bring innovation to the franchise.
Fans had the opportunity to play a preview demo of Sonic Superstars, experiencing firsthand how characters such as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy operate within this exciting new adventure. This co-op multiplayer feature not only offers fans an enjoyable experience, but also provides insight into Sega's efforts to refine gameplay for new players. With these fresh gameplay dynamics, one of the developers meticulously describes the specific changes made to accommodate this new experience.
In an interview with Naoto Ohshima on ntower, he was asked about the evolution of Sonic Superstars from the classic 2D games. Ohshima explained that one of his goals was to create a 2D Sonic game without lives or game-over features. Therefore, Sonic Superstars does not include these traditional elements. However, the game does involve a unique reward system for collecting 100 rings, which replaces the typical 1UPs with a new item called medals.
Medals are regularly awarded to players in Superstars. They can be found in bonus stages or earned by collecting 100 rings. These medals can be used in battle mode to customize the player's robot. The release date trailer for Sonic Superstars shows how players can customize their playable character for battle mode.
Ohshima confirms that the new battle mode introduces Metallic robot copies of the playable characters. Previously, the franchise did not include characters like "Metal Tails" or "Metal Amy" outside of the Sonic the Hedgehog Archie Comics. Kazuyuki Hoshino, who designed Metal Sonic, is responsible for designing the robotic duplicates of Tails and Amy in this game. Fans were also excited to see that Superstars' battle mode includes a customizable Metal Knuckles, a character who first appeared in Sonic R but never had much visibility outside of the comics.
Sonic Superstars will release on October 17 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: ntower