Sonic Superstars has received its first review from the renowned Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, scoring an impressive 32 out of 40. Developed by Arzest and Sonic Team and published by Sega, the game is a modern take on the classic side-scrolling gameplay that defined the Sonic the Hedgehog series in the 1990s. The review provides valuable insights into the game’s length, gameplay mechanics, and overall experience.
Famitsu’s review praises Sonic Superstars as a “legitimate evolution of a 2D game,” noting that it successfully blends nostalgia with new elements. The game is described as classically challenging but rewarding, with speedy action sequences and excellently structured zones. However, the review also points out the absence of voice acting as a drawback in the modern era. The game features many surprising elements, including novel stage gimmicks that add to the overall experience.
Sonic Superstars Game Length
One of the key revelations from the review is the game’s length. It took the reviewer 24 hours to complete the main storyline and an additional 7 hours to finish the challenges, totaling more than 31 hours of gameplay. This suggests that players can expect a substantial amount of content and replayability.
Sonic Superstars allows players to choose from one of four characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, and Amy Rose. The objective is to defeat villains like Doctor Eggman, Fang the Sniper, and Trip the Sungazer while navigating side-scrolling levels. The game also introduces new power-ups that can be obtained by collecting Chaos Emeralds.
Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team, aimed to modernize Sonic’s traditional side-scrolling formula to make it distinct from the franchise’s 3D games. After a planned collaboration with the developers of Sonic Mania fell through, Iizuka partnered with Arzest, a studio founded by Sonic co-creator Naoto Ohshima. This marks Ohshima’s first contribution to a Sonic game since Sonic Adventure in 1998.
Sonic Superstars is scheduled for release on October 17, 2023. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.