Sonic Superstars leaves much to be desire for some fans; say it's 'not worth $60'

Sonic the Hedgehog has been a beloved icon in the gaming world for decades. With every new release, fans eagerly anticipate the next adventure. Sonic Superstars, released in 2023, brought with it high hopes and expectations. Developed by Arzest and Sonic Team, and published by Sega, this platform game aimed to capture the essence of classic Sonic gameplay while introducing some exciting new features. While Sonic Superstars does offer some enjoyable aspects, there are others that have left players, less than thrilled.

One of the first things that catch your eye when you start playing Sonic Superstars is the visuals. The game is undeniably visually pleasing at first glance, but as you delve deeper into the experience, you might start to notice some issues. One prominent concern is the static nature of the backgrounds. Apart from a parallax effect, they are mostly blurred out and fail to engage the player. The ground and foreground designs, too, are often disappointingly flat and simplistic. Sometimes, they resemble nothing more than solid colors with occasional geometric interruptions. Some players have expressed that this visual design feels uninspiring, and they’ve drawn comparisons to the less-polished Sonic 4 in this regard.

The music in Sonic Superstars evokes a mixed bag of emotions for gamers. Some tracks are undeniably great, adding to the overall Sonic experience. Others, however, fall flat and are quickly forgotten. To make matters worse, some music feels like it’s been pulled straight from Sonic 4 Episode 2, which might not sit well with fans looking for fresh content. The boss music, in particular, has received criticism, with players finding it frustratingly bad.

Speaking of boss battles, they too have drawn the ire of players. Boss fights in Sonic Superstars often devolve into repetitive routines of waiting and dodging random attacks for what feels like an eternity, only to get a precious moment to strike back. A particular boss in the later stages stands out for starting the battle by confiscating your rings before bombarding the arena, which has frustrated many gamers.

Classic Sonic games typically featured bosses that were not only challenging but also fun to tackle. They tested your skills and rewarded mastery of the game’s mechanics. However, in Sonic Superstars, most bosses follow the same formula of waiting around until the boss becomes vulnerable. This lack of variety and challenge in boss encounters can be a letdown for players who appreciate the depth of classic Sonic boss fights.

The camera, too, has garnered criticism. Its proximity to the character makes the aforementioned gimmicks more annoying and accentuates the problems with the animations and level presentation. A better camera perspective could have potentially mitigated these issues and made the game more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk about Sonic himself. Playing as the iconic blue blur should be a highlight of any Sonic game, but Sonic Superstars leaves some players wanting more. While Sonic controls fine, some gamers find that he’s a touch slow to accelerate, and he doesn’t quite achieve the top speed they’ve come to expect. The concept of emerald powers in the game is interesting in theory. In practice, however, they feel cumbersome to use, and many players forget about them entirely during their playthrough.

For several players, the ultimate litmus test of a game’s worth lies in its price. In this regard, Sonic Superstars seems to fall short of expectations. The $60 price point is a substantial investment, and while Sonic fans are often more than willing to part with their hard-earned money for a new adventure with their favorite blue hedgehog, they are left wondering whether Sonic Superstars truly justifies the cost.

Given the criticisms of the game’s visual and musical aspects, boss battles, and level design, some players argue that it doesn’t offer enough content and quality to merit that premium price tag. In a gaming landscape teeming with a variety of titles and experiences, the value proposition of Sonic Superstars becomes a critical factor, and it’s a point that many gamers have raised as they evaluate whether the game is, in their eyes, worth that $60 investment.

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