Leave it to Steve Lycett (S0L) himself to tip us on a preview for his own game!
IGN UK today has posted a preview of the upcoming mascot kart-racing title. They enter the preview rather pessimistically, stating that Sonic R and Sonic Drift were heading in the right direction, but all hope was lost with the Sonic Riders series. However, they immediately turn the corner once they start playing the game and giving props where props are due:
Scratch under the surface, though, and there’s every reason to get excited. The SEGA cast is more than just window-dressing for a straight-up clone; they’re lovingly woven into Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing’s very fabric, with the company’s back catalogue treated with the kind of respect one wishes the more recent Sonic games had displayed.
IGN UK also tried to guess what’s coming down the pipe for the title in the form of unlockables, secrets, and downloadable content:
Our guesses – which ranged from a playable Opa-Opa and Fantasy Zone level to an Outrun themed stage – were met with wry grins and refusals to comment from the PR. They’re all lovingly worked in, their stages replete with familiar chimes that will set SEGA aficionado’s hearts aflutter. It’s first-class fan service throughout.
All in all, IGN says that ASR feels tight and responsive, thanks to Outrun 2‘s drifting engine. It also feels like a more complete SEGA package than Sumo Digital’s last mascot-parade, SEGA Superstars Tennis. I’m excited now (and this is coming from somebody who said “uuuggghhhh” when he saw the first trailer).