“Sonic Superstars” is the latest 2D entry in the long-running “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise. Following both episodes of “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” and the much-loved “Sonic Mania,” developer ARZEST has delivered another “retro reimagined” take on the series that captures the best of the classic and modern games.
The plot may not stray too far from previous entries’ goals of stopping Dr. Ivo Eggman and his army of robots; but the way you play through the game remixes elements from the Sega Genesis titles in unique ways. While you still collect the Chaos Emeralds to stop Eggman’s schemes; this time they grant players individual powers alongside the super modes when they’re all collected. These include the ability to slow down time to traverse platforming sections and generating decoys to fool enemies and bosses.
Though some boss weak points may be tricky to find; the difficulty is no worse than the 16-bit titles the game draws inspiration from. While the game may not use any stages from the legacy games; the new levels clearly share their DNA. The watery paradise of Lagoon City and the festive colors of Pinball Carnival are standouts.
Visually, the game looks like a natural update from the classic titles on modern hardware. Series co-creator Naoto Oshima returns to character design, with his influence being clearly visible. His return not only sees a comeback for cult favorite character Fang the Sniper (AKA Nack the Weasel), but an entirely new character called Trip the Sungazer. The music score does a fantastic job of mimicking the Sega Genesis soundfont, with longtime series veteran Jun Sunoue turning in some of her best work to date.
Though the game may tread familiar roads, the way the game is played is worthy of standing alongside “Sonic Mania” as one of the best homages to the 16-bit games in the franchise. While it remains to be seen how the game will fare as the proposed blueprint for future 2D installments; for now, it’s definitely a game that can be enjoyed by old and new fans alike. Overall, “Sonic Superstars” is a “way past cool” retro reimagined platform game that’s well worth your time and money.
“Sonic Superstars” A Way Past Cool Retro Reimagined Platformer
By Steven Pryor
Publisher: Sega/Sonic Team
Developer: ARZEST
Platform: PS4 (Also available on PS5, PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch)
ESRB Rating: E
My Rating: ****1/2:5
