Publisher:
Sega
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Size: 1 CD
Memory Usage: 6 blocks
No. of players: 2(simultaneously)
Official Ad: Yes
Got it for: $9.99, new. Best Buy was clearing out their
Saturn stock...
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After being lured into a race by Robotnik, Sonic and friends now must find the chaos emeralds before he does. Were it me, I probably would have just grabbed the emeralds and not involved an enemy that has successfully SHOT DOWN EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ATTEMPT I've ever made to steal them...but hey, where'd be the fun(or game) in that? |
Think of it as a racing game...without cars. Controlling one of the various characters, you haul ass around the courses in an attempt to beat the opponents to the finish line. Along the way you can pick up rings that can be used to unlock shortcuts or boost your speed, cut some track to gain a lead and even attack the other racers. Every track has multiple paths(as well as secrets), five Sonic coins(used to earn the *chance* to acquire other characters), a Chaos Emerald and just a whole lot to explore.
| Graphics - The best. Literally, this is the *best* looking game on the Saturn. Every track is just more mind blowing than the last with the ultimate climax coming from the amazingly gorgeous, and technically impressive, Radiant Emerald course. Traveller's Tales, using a new technique for the Saturn, has managed to make it so that the tracks fade into sight, rather than just "pop up" as so many racing games have done before this. They've also managed to produce what appears to be a completely transparent track on the Radiant Emerald course. Whether it's true transparency, or a really hip programming trick, it will just knock your socks off! Every time I play that level, it's amazing, my socks fly straight off my feet, down the hall and into the other room...(your results may vary slightly) |  |
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Sound - Excellent! The sound effects from older Sonic games have been faithfully reproduced and really bring the old school Sonic-feeling back with them. From Sonic's "jumping" sound to the signature chime of picking up rings, it's all here and wonderfully done. Richard Jaques, who gave us the excellent Sonic Blast soundtrack, is back again and this time he's taken more of a "Daytona" approach with the soundtrack as all of the music pieces now include a full set of lyrics. Featuring a variety of fruity songs, it's definitely a "love it or hate it" sort of thing. Mercifully though, if you're one that doesn't care for the lyrics, they can be turned off via the options screen. |
| Control - Great, though it will take some getting used to. This is due to the fact that every character has their own response time, movement speed and special moves that you'll have to adapt to. Once you get that down though, you'll have very little problems making your way around the track. Most special moves are performed by a single button(usually the jump button) which along with the Saturn pad's "L" and "R" shoulder buttons used for tight cornering, make the control scheme ultra easy to work with. |  |
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AI - For the most part, a complete push-over. Depending on who you use the only real competition, and only character you'll most likely see, is either Sonic or Knuckles. Everyone else just lags behind, and badly. Even the "earned" characters don't really stand a chance for the most part, as they just plunk along as you tear ass across the track. In order to get a real challenge out of it, you'll most likely have to attempt the game with slower character like Amy or Robotnik... |
| Replay value - Extremely high! You've got ten different characters and five tracks...though that doesn't seem like much does it? That's where the genius of the game comes into play: Every track has so much more to it than what's initially apparent, so exploring, most times, pays off. In order to gain and see everything the game has to offer, Traveller's Tales designed it so you *have* to go through all possible paths, take all possible shortcuts and and find all secrets. Though it can get rough when you're down to searching for those last few Sonic coins, running a track over and over, in the end you'll appreciate it. |  |
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Tips
for better gaming experiences: Depending on what your play style is, be sure to pick the character that best represents it. For example, if you're all about tearing ass down the line and staying within the boundaries of the given track, you'll love Sonic's superior speed. If you like cutting a lot of track and taking as many shortcuts as possible, you may want to stick with Tails or Knuckles due to their ability to fly and float. Remember, even if you find a Chaos Emerald you still *must* come in first place in order to keep it. The coins, on the other hand, are much more lenient only requiring you to finish in at least third place or above. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles all still have their Spin Dash move and can use it to get a serious jump start at the beginning of the race. Before the race starts, hold Down on the control pad and keep hitting the accelerate button to charge it up. When the race starts let it go and you'll shoot off, way ahead of your opponents. |
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| My rating: 90(out of 100) - An awesome racing game with lots to explore, lots to earn and a crapload of eye candy! Traveller's Tales did an amazingly good job of including all of the trademark Sonic stuff in this excellent use of the Sonic franchise. |  |
| EGM gave it: 8, 8, 8, 7(out of 10) |
 Kitty-cat chat: It's very pretty, but the control seems too loose and the music makes me want to bite my own tail! Not what I was expecting from a Sonic game...reow! |
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This
review has a mix of pics from my video capture card, as well as screenshots
from the excellent Scott H's Multipurpose
Console Gaming page.
Living
in the city...
Taking
a shortcut on Resort Island.
Fun
with loops.
The
amazing Radiant Emerald course.
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Crediting
familiar : Sega Saturn Magazine's own Richard Ledbetter and Dan Jevons(of GameFan fame) are mentioned in the "Special Thanks" category of the closing credits. Also, and just for the record: I love the soundtrack!!! |
Even
the fucking load screen is graphically impressive, featuring a metallic
Sonic head with the reflection of "loading" morphing around
it.  |
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