Highlights
- Sonic Superstars introduces specialized Chaos Emerald Powers, which offer a range of effects and add a new dimension to the gameplay.
- Collecting all the Chaos Emeralds unlocks the true ending of the game, just like in previous Classic Sonic games.
- Accessing the special stages to obtain the Chaos Emeralds requires searching for Warp Rings, which adds an extra challenge and enhances the Classic Sonic appeal of the game.
To the delight of Classic Sonic fans everywhere, Sonic Superstars is out right now. Aiming to offer familiar controls within a brand-new experience, the latest 2D Sonic game sees the titular hedgehog and friends fighting against Dr. Eggman, Fang the Hunter, and Trip the Sungazer to free the Northstar Islands from their control. While the game clearly aims to feel like the original titles, Sonic Superstars also offers up plenty of new gameplay mechanics of its own.
One of the newest additions to the Classic Sonic formula is the specialized Chaos Emerald Powers for each Emerald. These new abilities have a variety of effects, ranging from "Water" literally turning the player character into water, "Vision" revealing hidden platforms, "Ivy" allowing a plant to grow to raise characters to higher platforms, and more. Prior to the game's launch, tons of previews were mixed on the abilities from the wheel to choose between them being awkwardly implemented to a sentiment that the Emerald Powers were rather overpowered. However, now that Superstars is out, it's understood as to why the new abilities are so strong, as they are completely optional.
Sonic Superstars Holds Onto a Tried and True Tradition
With the fact that Sonic Superstars heavily emphasizes the Chaos Emeralds' new unique powers, going so far as to include the "Avatar" power in the game's opening animation and allowing a few abilities to be freely given during Sonic Superstars previews, it's easy for fans to assume that the powers are gimmicks rather than power-ups. However, this is not the case at all, as the Chaos Emeralds are once again prizes to be won during Superstars' Special Stages. These stages can only be accessed through special Warp Rings scattered across specific levels, and if players don't search for these rings, then they likely won't get to try out any of the Emeralds' powers.
This ends up working rather well in Sonic Superstars' nostalgic favor, as it allows the game to once again feature an iconic trait of the Classic Sonic games that has been there since day one. Collecting all the Chaos Emeralds in every mainline 2D Classic Sonic game has always unlocked the "true ending," which could range from avoiding Dr Robotnik's taunting "try again" screen to true final bosses and completely different endings.
The Chaos Emerald Powers in Sonic Superstars are Rewards Above All Else
Since the Chaos Emeralds have to be earned despite the prominent focus on their new special abilities, this of course means that Sonic Superstars has a true ending that can only be seen by collecting them all. This means when players aren't hashing it out in Sonic Superstars' Battle Mode, they will need to search for rings scattered throughout the stages in order to try their luck at getting one of the coveted, mystical gems.
Of course, there's a catch to this situation, as to assist with the game's pacing, these Special Stages can only be accessed through certain stages, when previous titles used to have a number of rings throughout all of its zones. This seems to be to prevent pacing issues more than anything else, as accessing all of Sonic Superstars' new features right away may make for a very quick game since the Emerald Powers can even be used against bosses.
While those who were enthusiastic about the Emerald Powers may not like the extra effort that will need to go into getting them, it helps Sonic Superstars deliver on its retro Classic Sonic appeal. Due to the fact that the Chaos Emeralds are rewards to build up to, the Emerald Powers serve their purpose as powerful upgrades that end up giving those willing to seek them out plenty of bang for their buck, which means all the levels can easily be experienced without them. This means that some players may wield the Emerald Powers to complete the game at an incredibly fast pace, while others may not use them as much since they're too busy experiencing the platforming on its own.
Sonic Superstars is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
