Sonic Superstars Multiplayer Twist: Ditching Online for Local Co-op

“Blink and You’ll Miss It: Sonic Superstars Opts for Local Co-op Only! Now, that’s a headline that’ll cause a stir in the gaming community. The much-anticipated Sonic Superstars, a melding pot of the old and the new, took the stage by storm during the Summer Games Fest earlier in June. This ambitious adventure gives a nod to its vintage lineage, embracing 3D visuals and doling out sparkling Chaos Emerald power-ups, yet averts its gaze from pixelated sprites. Oh, and did I mention four-player co-operative play?

The Four-Player Co-op Feature in Sonic Superstars: A First for the Sonic Series

The inclusion of a four-player co-op is a virgin venture for the hedgehog series, with previous outings offering merely a taste of multiplayer collaboration. It’s no surprise that game enthusiasts have been quick to draw parallels between Sonic Superstars and the New Super Mario Bros. sagas. But wait, there’s a twist!

Sonic Superstars shines the spotlight on four distinct characters: Sonic himself, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose. However, the co-op element restricts itself to an in-house gig, meant for local lads and lasses, as revealed by Takashi Iizuka, the mastermind behind Sonic Team.

Unfurling the logic behind this move in a chinwag with VideoGamesChronicle, Iizuka elucidates the core game design. Sonic Superstars was crafted with a comfy four-player gameplay in mind, and the decision to limit co-op to local play emanates from sheer pragmatism. After all, Sonic’s world is one where speed is king. Imagine one player bolting ahead, potentially wreaking havoc with lag in the co-op realm. “No way, José!” says the Sonic Team, refusing to let latency dampen the fun.

The Flexibility of Co-op in Sonic Superstars: Jump In, Jump Out!

Jump in, jump out, that’s the mantra for Sonic Superstars four-player co-op. Whether your mates decide to join or check out mid-game doesn’t alter the levels’ structure. Instead, the gaming experience evolves based on the chosen characters. Here’s a case in point – fancy Tails giving Sonic a lift across varied Zone locales?

The secret discussion with Iizuka uncovers the truth on the game creation process too. Priorities lay in reproducing the iconic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog gameplay, alongside reviving the artistic genius of Naoto Ohshima, the original character designer. There’s still hope of a fifth playable character after the tease we reported but that may come later down the line as a DLC.

Fun fact – a merry Zoom drinking session between Iizuka and Ohshima brewed the concept of Sonic Superstars, leading to a joyous collaboration between Sonic Team and Ohshima’s firm Arzest.

Sonic Superstars is set for a grand Fall 2023 release, with availability on Windows PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Watch this space, and remember to avoid blinking – you wouldn’t want to miss this speedy spectacle!