I couldn't find a First Play thread for this. Maybe everyone is too ashamed to admit to owning a copy? Or it's been largely ignored as another Sonic cash cow. Either way it's time to put things straight.
Sonic Team have really delivered with this title. It's a great addition to the series and I'm convinced that at least some of you will really dig this game if you just give it a chance. The important thing to stress is don't buy this game expecting a pack racing game. What you have here is a very much you versus the track.
Tracks have multiple paths and shortcuts. Mostly these are signed as either "fly" "speed" or "power". So each character type has different shortcuts available to them.
You race on Extreme Gear which are essentially hover-boards powered by air. Understanding how to manage your air reserve is key to success. power-ups and aerial tricks (executed with the thumbstick) add to your air reserve. Boosting, hard cornering (using the shoulder buttons) uses up air. Lose all your air and you have to run along on foot at a significantly reduced speed. Once you've got air management down pat the next thing to focus on is jumping.
Hold the jump button to charge up your jump, but don't press it for too long or your speed starts to rapidly drop off. Timing jumps off ramps to get maximum air and forward speed is central to the gameplay and enables you to access platforms and areas which initially seem out of reach. In addition you can modify your jump by pushing the thumbstick forward or backwards. A forward push results in a shallower but longer reaching jump and a backwards movement gives a higher arcing jump, both have their uses.
The games most unique aspect is the way in which you can ride in the wake left by other riders. These half-pipes of turbulance provide a nice speed advantage and help to keep you locked into the groove through the more tricky sections. They also offer the oportunity to execute additional tricks by riding off the sides of the pipe at certain marked locations. Landing tricks successfully gives a big speed boost, so fitting as many in every lap is a sound tactic.
Theres' a whole bunch of modes and unlockables, split screen four player action too. Plenty to get your teeth stuck into. The game could have benefitted from a few more tracks, but what is there is brilliantly designed (balancing out the different paths must have been tricky).
In short great game. Hopefully there are some more Sonic Riders lovers out there
Sonic Team have really delivered with this title. It's a great addition to the series and I'm convinced that at least some of you will really dig this game if you just give it a chance. The important thing to stress is don't buy this game expecting a pack racing game. What you have here is a very much you versus the track.
Tracks have multiple paths and shortcuts. Mostly these are signed as either "fly" "speed" or "power". So each character type has different shortcuts available to them.
You race on Extreme Gear which are essentially hover-boards powered by air. Understanding how to manage your air reserve is key to success. power-ups and aerial tricks (executed with the thumbstick) add to your air reserve. Boosting, hard cornering (using the shoulder buttons) uses up air. Lose all your air and you have to run along on foot at a significantly reduced speed. Once you've got air management down pat the next thing to focus on is jumping.
Hold the jump button to charge up your jump, but don't press it for too long or your speed starts to rapidly drop off. Timing jumps off ramps to get maximum air and forward speed is central to the gameplay and enables you to access platforms and areas which initially seem out of reach. In addition you can modify your jump by pushing the thumbstick forward or backwards. A forward push results in a shallower but longer reaching jump and a backwards movement gives a higher arcing jump, both have their uses.
The games most unique aspect is the way in which you can ride in the wake left by other riders. These half-pipes of turbulance provide a nice speed advantage and help to keep you locked into the groove through the more tricky sections. They also offer the oportunity to execute additional tricks by riding off the sides of the pipe at certain marked locations. Landing tricks successfully gives a big speed boost, so fitting as many in every lap is a sound tactic.
Theres' a whole bunch of modes and unlockables, split screen four player action too. Plenty to get your teeth stuck into. The game could have benefitted from a few more tracks, but what is there is brilliantly designed (balancing out the different paths must have been tricky).
In short great game. Hopefully there are some more Sonic Riders lovers out there
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