Start your engines, SEGA fans. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will be speeding its way to the retail finish line near the end of this year, and its publisher has dropped some interesting information onto the track for us to pick up.
With this sequel to Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, Sumo Digital thought of interesting ways to evolve the brand, leading to the development of transforming vehicles. Unlike most games of this ilk, fans will have to deal with different types of terrain, in addition to air and water. Allowing for easy navigation through these new environments, Sonic and company can change their cars into boats and planes. It’s an interesting change that brings back fond memories of Diddy Kong Racing, except there’s one big difference here: we’ll have to deal with dynamic terrain. What does that mean? Well, you can expect to have to change vehicle types quickly, in order to deal with roadways that break away to reveal underlying water or something of that sort.
The following excerpts have been taken from the SEGA Blog:
Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain. The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favorites – including Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi – return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia.
The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA’s illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you on Super Monkey Ball’s Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-maneuvre rivals and obstacles before transforming back into a car and racing to the finish line.
“Given the fantastic feedback we received from critics and consumers alike for the first game, we really wanted to push the boundaries on our follow up game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” commented David Corless, Global Sonic Brand Director. “The transforming vehicles allow us to do this – as well as drifting your car around the corners of a track, you get to fly your plane and pilot your boat against others all within one race. Add to this a grid full of star characters, retro IP, fun, fast race modes and cool tracks and racing fans of all ages are sure to love this one!”
The popular All-Star moves will be returning with this sequel, however new ways to earn their use have been implemented. Driving in a risky and creative fashion will help the bar fill faster. Adding onto that is the fact that special blocking and evading abilities can be unlocked, allowing players to avoid incoming missiles and other enemy offensives. All of this will be included in a game that promises an improved multiplayer mode, alongside a quality Grand Prix campaign and competitive battle arenas.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will bring its intense speeds to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS and PC (via digital download) during the latter portion of 2012.
Having spent a lot of time with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Not only is it looking great thus far; its predecessor was one of the best kart racing games I’ve ever played, and a complete blast.
