Uncovering the Secrets: Is Trip the Sungazer Truly Playable in Sonic Superstars?

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Sonic Superstars Story Mode. Sonic Superstars offers players a fresh 2D Sonic adventure that combines elements from the beloved game series with new ideas and challenges. Given the time it took Sega to find a worthy successor to the original Classic Sonic games, such as Sonic Mania, it's natural for fans to have reservations about Sonic Superstars. However, those who give it a chance will discover a surprisingly enjoyable experience in this new 2D platformer.

One of the exciting additions to Sonic Superstars is the introduction of a new character, Trip the Sungazer. With her face concealed behind a mask and clad in a formidable suit of armor, Trip reluctantly joins forces with the villains Fang the Hunter and Dr. Eggman. Hailing from the Northstar Islands, Trip was recruited to aid the antagonists in their endeavors. However, her clumsiness and shyness often lead to chaos for both the villains and herself. Fans find her endearing, and to their delight, Trip becomes an unlockable character upon completing the main story.

Unlocking Trip the Sungazer is the Perfect Reward for Beating Sonic Superstars

In the Sonic Superstars story, fans can witness Trip unintentionally triggering traps and annoying Fang throughout their entire time together until they reach Lagoon City Zone. At this point, players have the option to play "Act Amy," a special zone where only Amy Rose is playable. In the cutscene prior to the stage, Trip accidentally triggers a trap door and becomes trapped in the ruins. Amy, in her designated act, comes to her rescue and kindly provides her with food.

Amy Rose's actions inspire Trip to confront Fang and demonstrate her newfound courage by discarding her mask and armor. She uses the seven Chaos Emeralds to reclaim her homeland, breaking the long-standing rule that only male hedgehogs can achieve a Super form. Furthermore, Trip's Super form transforms her into a magnificent golden dragon. After forming a friendship with Trip, it is only fitting that players have the opportunity to play as this formidable character themselves.

Trip's Story is Practically Sonic Superstars' Hard Mode

Once Story Mode is finished, fans will receive a notification that Trip is now playable in story mode, with her own unique story unlocked. However, players should not jump straight into Trip's story without any preparation, as the levels are specifically designed for her and her abilities. Additionally, those who have unlocked Trip's story have already defeated the final boss of Sonic Superstars and are likely to have obtained a few Chaos Emeralds. As a result, Trip's levels require the use of Superstars' new Emerald Powers and offer plenty of Warp Rings to aid the players.

Furthermore, once players have collected all seven Chaos Emeralds, they gain access to Trip's Super dragon form, which allows them to effortlessly breeze through the levels. While there are challenging sections, such as the train sections in Pinball Carnival Zone Act 2, Trip's Story serves as a rewarding experience for players who are willing to put in the extra effort. Despite the potentially questionable value of "Encore Mode" in Sonic Superstars, it still provides an enjoyable adventure that allows fans to fully immerse themselves in the game by playing it twice.

Sonic Superstars is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S